We’re dog sitting for friends of ours out in sunny California terrorizing Disneyland,
Or is it Disneyworld?
I don’t know. Whatever one is in California. I’m not into Disney that much.
My friend is though.
He used to work in the animation department drawing for them. So he’s a serious Disneyfile. Freak actually.
I always tell him my favorite Disney character is bugs Bunny. That usually shuts him up good.
Anyway.
Their dog, an aging male Shar-Pei I’m finding out does something that made me think of songwriters.
This dog will walk in the middle of the room…
Flop down on his back…
Spread legs to the four corners…
Then turn his head at you as if to say…
“Come scratch my… belly.. NOW!”
He’ll just lie there in the middle of his world. Flashing everyone. He don’t care.
He just wants satisfaction.
Made me think of what some songwriters do up on stage.
And hey, I was guilty of this at one time too.
When done pouring their heart out with the last chord strummed into infinity…
They look for a good scratch of their ego or approval.
Now. Let’s be honest. We all like our work to be appreciated. Nothing wrong with that. That’s our job. Move people emotionally.
I love a good hearty applause and folks approaching me after a show.
The problem comes when we’ve written something which doesn’t earn an appreciative applause and we expect one anyway.
And worse… lawdy so much worse…
When the audience applauds because they feel they’d better drown out the sound of crickets.
Problem is, that only reinforces a false sense of a great song moving an audience.
Truth is, an honest veteran songster can easily tell if an audience digs the tune or is clapping because it’s finally over.
If you don’t know the difference, you’d do well to put in your dues behind the mic.
Or get someone else to sing your tune if you can’t.
Certain kinds of audiences are great for feedback, not all, but some.
The best insurance against it is to make sure you’ve got some kickass lyrics to go with your booty-bobbin’ groove.
Or maybe its country lyrics worthy of someone spitting the stick of straw from between their teeth as they hoot and holler after your tune.
No matter.
Point is to have awesome ways to create lines that earn applause from your listeners.
There are some sure-fire ways of doing it too. I go through five of them in August’s Tune Booster. Jump on while it’s still available. She’s gone when September’s comes out.
And if you don’t want in? Go ahead and reply here why $3 is too much bling to invest in your songwriting? If you can give me a viable reason? It’s on the house. More here… https://www.tunesmithtips.com/tnebooster/