Sketches from a Tune-smith: 'Winter Sea'

Sketches from a Tune-smith: 'Winter Sea'

Heaving my worn-out notebook and a tattered copy of Minot's Three Genres: Writing Fiction, Literary Nonfiction, Poetry, and Drama on the kitchen table, I settled in for a languid this-afternoon sesh.

The plan was simple: casually skim select poems thrice - first for enjoyment, second to analyze structure and employed techniques, and lastly, more enjoyment. Guitar snuggled between knees as I leisurely dove into words, eyes glancing back 'n forth from paper to vibrant strings.

Unexpectedly, I found myself crafting tunes for a four-line John Updike opus, "Winter Ocean," which was an unanticipated but insightful endeavor. I didn't exactly set off to do so, but hey, who can resist a good creative buzz, right?

Contrary to good ol' copyright law, I ain't spillin' the words here because I didn't ink a deal with the late Mr. Updike, his publishin' pals, or his estate. But here's the melody I mustered:

Whether I'll keep this melody or scribble entirely new verses (a reverse 'ghost melody'), only time can tell. Until then, let's wander down memory lane, shall we?

This lil' melody dances in the D Dorian mode, its chords a soothing mix of Dmin, C, and Cadd9. I reckon it's the key I melodiously bellowed "Drunken Sailor" afore - Maine pubs and the ocean, they go hand in hand, don't they?

Gettin' started on lyric-spinning involved pinpin' stressed syllables on higher notes - be it a riverbank of higher chord tones or a whiskey gurgle of non-chord tones. Begun with a F3 for stressed syllables and D3 for unstressed, y'see?

I more or less disregarded line breaks since they were odd lengths, instead, letting my ear shape melodic phrases that felt natural in the wind.

Things got a bit monotonous, and I yearned for a change. Thus, I traversed the melodic landscape to the fifth of the chord - A3 - for the second chorus, then wiggled my voice down the register to C3 and A2 notes. When it comes to the completed tune, I might milk this drop for all it's got!

Updike's "Winter Ocean" don't have many lines but packs a punch! Each one contains three stressed syllables, a rarity in the English tongue, which offers ample opportunity to test drive various stressin' techniques. So, which syllable reigns supreme? Which one lingers sweetly on high? Or should we strive for sameness?

Wraps up the melody with an intentional tension, the final note D3, a note that usually feels oh-so-final. But not here, oh no, the last note's harmonized with a Cadd9 instead of the root chord, Dmin, leave it sounding unfinished, just a fragment waiting for closure, like a winter sea yearnin' for spring.

• Nick, at the Lyric Writer's Workroom, Sunday, March 17th, 2019

The post Songwriter's Creative Wanderings: 'Winter Ocean' appeared first on The Lyric Writer's Workroom.

Settin' Poem Lyrics to Tunes:

Transformin' poem lyrics into music ain't a walk in the park, but follow these key steps:

1. Understand the Poem's Natural Rhythm:
2. Read the poem aloud to comprehend its natural rhythm and meter. Distinguish stressed and unstressed syllables.
3. Count syllables per line to determine the poem's meter. This data helps you pinpoint the time signature and rhythm for the music.
4. Choose a Melody:
5. Starting with a simple melody that can be built upon is key. Begin with a melody that mirrors the poem's natural rhythm and meter.
6. Experiment with multiple melody ideas that fit the poem's meter; start with a basic idea and then add complexity.
7. Match Syllable Stress with Musical Accents:
8. Ensure that stressed syllables in the poem align with strong musical beats for drastic emotional impact, a technique known as prosody.
9. Fine-tune your melody so it highlights the stressed syllables in the poem, perhaps by tweakin' the pitch or length of notes.
10. Create Melodic Phrases:
11. Divide the poem into natural phrases that echo how one would speak or sing the poem. Remember to start and end each phrase.
12. Employ the melody's rise and fall to create interest and maintain a natural flow throughout the poem.
13. Harmonize and Arrange:
14. Pair the melody with chord progressions that complement the mood and feelings of the poem. Select chords that fit the tune's key.
15. Experiment with arrangements, such as additional instruments or harmonies, to flesh out the structure and emotional impact of the song.
16. Refine and Experiment:
17. Sing the melody with the poem's lyrics to verify it flows seamlessly, and make adjustments as needed.
18. Try alternative versions of the melody or arrangement to see which fits the poem best.

Resources for Songwriters: - Register for songwriting workshops like those offered by the School of Musical Traditions[5]. - Utilize AI tools such as Mubert or Suno to generate music based on text prompts[4], helpin' with melody creativity or experimentation.

These steps will aid you as you master the art of setting poem lyrics to music, by focusing on stressin' syllables and melodic phrase construction.

Here are two sentences that contain the given words and follow from the text:

1. Exploring his newfound interest in setting poem lyrics to music, he decided to apply the steps he learned from 'Setting Poem Lyrics to Tunes' to create a melody for John Updike's poem, "Winter Ocean."
2. Intrigued by the idea of merging different genres, he thought about pairing his melodies with a home-and-garden tune to create a unique fusion of music, lifestyle, and home-and-garden.

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