I think that most of us are blessed as songwriters. When I was a younger man, the opportunity to realise potential re writig skills was largely unfulfilled. I'm harking back to a time when studio sessions were veryexpensive. My early recordings were rushed - often 3-4 songs recorded and mixed over 2 days. Today, music software is affordable to many. We can take as long as we want to produce elaborate demos and if our musiscianship allows, we have access to multiple software instruments via a keyboard that compliment our writing in a way that was dificult to dream of previously.
I think it is important for musicians to be happy with their ability at any given time and then patiently improve as they progress. However, I'm constantly impatient with myself, always wishing that I had greater ability.
It was always my intention to write songs from the very beginning. When I wrote my early songs, I was so excited about my achievements. I now look back and see how naive my lyrics were but that is youth. I could only write about my limited life experiences. I was always happy with my ability to write vocal melodies. Fast forward 35 years and I am so proud and delighted with my ability to write melodies and often lyrics. I am never really dissapointed. Having said that I listen to the writers that I admire most and realise that they are so advanced. In particular, I think of Roddy Frame. He is such a brilliant musician that his songwriting obviously benefits from this. I don't expect to ever be at that level. I don't expect to gather the same varied life experiences afforded by fame and money. This too, I think helps a songwriter mature.
I now look back on the body of work that I have created over the last 8-10 years and am so proud of my achevements. I am especially delghted with the melodies that I write and pleased with the lyrics too. I don't for one second think that I am the finished item but I believe that I have achieved a level that I am happy with. I would have to devote every waking hour to the craft of writing and playing an instrument to improve further. I'm a little bit lazy now. I promise to teach myself new approaches but I rarely do so. :-) . I know that a great band can make a huge difference to the final recordings, as can a great producer. Overall, I am happy with my songwriting achievements. I never seem to experience writers block. I also know that I'm never going to take on the world. My greatest motivation is knowing that I can leave audio recordings behind for my children, grand-children etc when I am no longer here. I'm delighted that they will hopefully be able to listen and maybe think 'my great granfather lived and had all of these emotions which, he communicatd through song. I suppose, in that context, I am very happy. :-)
