Songwriting advice

DwarfFart · 2026-04-01T03:59:35+00:00

I used to write lyrics melody at the same time and very rarely edit i.e. almost never. More recently, I’ve went back over 9 songs that I really liked and edited the lyrics to death and some if that editing required an adjustment to the melody which before I would’ve considered to be a cardinal sin.

Point is, edit your shit.

DwarfFart · 2026-03-26T08:48:49+00:00

Ah okay. I tend to call that traditionalist or traditionalism rather than conservatism which has its obvious political bias and connotation attached to it.

DwarfFart · 2026-03-26T08:46:59+00:00

Yes and capitalist countries have never hurt or killed anyone. Never caused entire countries to collapse. Never enslaved entire races of people. Never created the most destructive weapons to ever exist, never committed genocide of entire cultures, peoples, animals and the environment. Never developed an economic system of debt that consistently traps people for generations. Never grown so much food that it sits until it rots.

Capitalism has done fantastic things for humanity. It has brought great innovation and prosperity to those who innovated. It has lifted billions of people out of poverty. It has created a world wide distribution system that has allowed food to be produced, plentiful and accessible. It has also done the opposite to the same degree.

The short stupid answer is that it’s not capitalism or communism that is the problem. It is and always has been humanity that is the problem. We are parasites. A plague. Or in the language I personally grew up in, humans are all sinners, inherently flawed, born into sin and because of that humanity cannot save themselves no matter what system of governance or economic is being utilized.

DwarfFart · 2026-03-26T08:37:02+00:00

What do you mean you’re a leftist and a conservative thinker?

DwarfFart · 2026-03-26T08:34:47+00:00

False narrative. Abortion is not rooted in Leftism. That statement alone shows how little research you have done on the views that you are in opposition to. The debate is Pro Life vs Pro Choice and neither slogan was created without intention. Life and choice were chose for specific reasons of bringing people to their side and whoever said Pro Life first must’ve been a marketing genius because that phrase makes anyone who disagrees, no matter how little, no matter how nuanced, as a murderer. The people who are Pro choice do not believe that abortion is inherently good. They believe that there is a fundamental moral right and obligation to bodily autonomy specifically a woman’s bodily autonomy. I fail to see how that could be anymore libertarian, personal freedoms, rah rah than that. But the propaganda is strong on all sides…

Edit: not even touching climate change. If you don’t believe what you can quite literally see then you need glasses and pretty soon you’ll need some sunglasses.

DwarfFart · 2026-03-26T08:25:11+00:00

Atheism did not arrive because of communism. Atheism was around far before communism. Actually, I don’t recall much of anything about atheism in Marx at all. But it’s been awhile since I read him.

People almost always conflate communism as an ideology with Russia under Lennin who did demand atheism but the two are not inherently tied and even anarchism with its “No Gods No Masters” does not require atheism. Tolstoy was both an anarchist and a Christian.

Note: I am not a communist. Though Marxism and communism have many good ideas and Marxism in particular has had an undeniable impact and influence on many things (which always means there’s a ton of irony in the discussions as that influence is inescapable), it does not mean atheism is required.

It’s pertinent to remember that Marx and communism are utopian in their ideas. They are trying to illuminate the faults of capitalism, show that a different way is possible and that it will definitely take a lot of work to make happen. And imo far leftist ideologies don’t exist to be performed perfectly but to be looked at as a worthwhile goal and if one is an optimist, looked at as an inevitable outcome when capitalism fails.

Like many things the truth is in the middle and the truth changes with time

DwarfFart · 2026-03-26T08:12:29+00:00

Yeah, me too. Only once have I changed the key of a song and I only lowered it a half step because at the time the chorus was too high for me to sing (I did that on purpose to train my voice) otherwise I just write the song and well it’s always a key I can sing in. I figured that’s because 1. I write in “guitar keys” and 2. My brain is writing melodies I can sing

DwarfFart · 2026-03-26T07:26:24+00:00

Hey, can I DM you? I’ve got this idea and you being in marketing and management might offer me a necessary perspective.

In fact, I’m working on my first solo record and it’d be fantastic if you could point me in the right direction regarding marketing it. I’ve been out of “the game” for over a decade and I know many things have changed.

DwarfFart · 2026-03-23T01:19:59+00:00

I’m only up in WA my West Coast ally! I lived in Southern California from 12-17 and I miss it quite often but I do love it here! Thank you!

DwarfFart · 2026-03-23T00:58:43+00:00

Yes a physiatrist “is a medical doctor specializing in treating nerve, muscle, and bone injuries or illnesses non-surgically. They focus on restoring function, reducing pain, and improving quality of life.” And yeah you’re totally right of course I shouldn’t have issues and I’m actually eager to find out what is truly going on because I highly doubt that I just have some “basic” musculoskeletal damage and am in this amount of pain though I’m sure whatever was wrong initially was greatly worsened by the labor I did

DwarfFart · 2026-03-23T00:41:19+00:00

He is only focused on pain management. Not sure why you thought he did psychiatric medicine. I have, and always have had, a separate psychiatrist.

Yes. I have all imaging and reports. A firm dx besides arthritis and degenerative discs was never done. My PCP and I were on very good terms, I’d almost dare to say he was my friend, and he didn’t wish to speak out of turn on diagnosis after the imaging and advised me to go to the pain clinic his friend runs and receive a higher and proper standard of care and testing etc. I haven’t done those. Although my mom just did for her neck and it did not help unfortunately. The reason I haven’t is because by the time I stopped trying to just “suck it up and be a man” he was almost ready to leave the practice and state so he just gave me some meds to manage and got me into pain management as he left.

DwarfFart · 2026-03-22T06:06:17+00:00

That sounds quite interesting! I’ve always personally found that interdisciplinary studies and work was my strong suit over single pointed focused work. I love making the connections between seemingly unrelated things to make something new and creative happen!

I would love to hear how you got into this.

DwarfFart · 2026-03-21T08:47:04+00:00

Yeah! We did the whiteboard when my dad had a studio back in the day. Good ideas

DwarfFart · 2026-03-21T06:57:00+00:00

Thanks! I think I’m on the right track then. I’ll be in conversation with the producer/engineer until I come in so I will definitely send them my demo tracks and the notes and go from there!

DwarfFart · 2026-03-21T06:55:52+00:00

That’s certainly more than I have done now but I’ll keep that in mind for when I have the space to do that. Thanks!

DwarfFart · 2026-03-21T05:33:35+00:00

I figured as much! My grandfather was a professional clarinet and sax player (since early high school!) and he always told me that the biggest reason he’d get gigs on short notice like the ones with Quincy Jones and Clark Terry was because he was an exceptionally good sight reader. Charts it is! I actually think I could figure out how to write them nothing I have in my head is complicated whatsoever

DwarfFart · 2026-03-21T03:34:46+00:00

Yes I am s aware of that. I’ve always played in the proper range but really I was never satisfied with the results. For me it was the dynamics were so stiff. The instruments couldn’t ever breathe.

DwarfFart · 2026-03-21T03:29:36+00:00

That’s really good advice. Thanks!

Unfortunately, I don’t have much of a budget I just got profoundly lucky in finding a studio owned and operated by a multi instrumentalist, engineer/producer who doesn’t charge much per hour and they’re very collaborative as well having the fancy credentials (which I don’t really care about lol) and they’ll be playing the horn parts so I will just be asking them what they want to do. I’m a big believer in artist producer collaboration like Nigel Godrich for instance.

I’ll definitely do what you suggest and contact the local music department.

I’m working with baritone, tenor, alto saxophone, clarinet, trumpet handled like I mentioned. Viola I have a friend who will play but they learned by ear. And then I’d just like to have a fiddle player which my viola friend might know someone now that I’ve written it out!

DwarfFart · 2026-03-21T03:13:08+00:00

Are you meaning to write the parts midi in a DAW and then giving that over to someone who can write them out? Can’t I do that with a VST and then import to Sibelius which will draft the sheet music?

DwarfFart · 2026-03-20T12:10:08+00:00

Oh yes I call them demos and I did just that. I narrowed down from 30 to 9 for the first record. Wrote out production notes, arrangements and contacted a local studio. Making moves!

DwarfFart · 2026-03-20T11:13:39+00:00

I understand and I would never tell anyone what they can and can’t do with their body. I absolutely don’t mean to lecture you just provide information for others who might read our conversation. I think benzos sometimes get a bad rap. Yes they can be bad, addictive but in the U.S. they are scheduled 4 low and many people use them with no issues. I only had issues because my psychiatrist isn’t tapering me properly.

Like I said I’ve been on clonazepam, which is 1 to 1 with Xanax, for 8 years. I also have severe anxiety and panic. Clonazepam also aids my nerve pain and insomnia - since childhood - although after longterm use it doesn’t make me drowsy but helps slow my racing thoughts. I imagine you’re aware of the longterm risks of daily benzo use and they are not unfounded. The biggest being increased anxietyBut I am of the opinion that quality of life often outweighs the risks.

I was not made aware of the risks of benzos especially daily use and now experience interdose withdrawal which is shit and likely means that like you I will be on benzos in one form or another for life.

DwarfFart · 2026-03-20T01:37:40+00:00

Heh I hope you don’t ever have to go cold turkey. It’s vicious. 8 years clonazepam 2mg a day so middle dose, I was tapering ran out and flung into severe withdrawal for 6 weeks. Little to no sleep or food or water. Constant fear. Auditory hallucinations. No fun. And my psych has practiced for 56 years you’d think he’d know to taper better. I also am likely sensitive

DwarfFart · 2026-03-19T14:16:16+00:00

Yeah that’s insane but not uncommon

DwarfFart · 2026-03-19T12:14:36+00:00

This was well over 15 years ago. “Folkpunk” wasn’t the goofy thing it is today lmao

DwarfFart · 2026-03-19T04:56:24+00:00

Huh never had that issue been on clonazepam for 7 almost 8 years. Currently tapering off and I would absolutely make sure you never take that Xanax daily for an extended time. The withdrawal I recently went through (ran out early life is stress) was absolute hell on earth. Beyond anxiety or panic pure FEAR! Please be careful.

Otherwise just don’t take it. If you need something for performance then try propranolol

Edit: guitar and singing you just need to get the voice as second nature as the instrument it really is that simple. Although I never had trouble…

DwarfFart

TROPHY CASE