Spring Songwriting Scene Challenge: The One-Week Song Write

Okay, speed demons: I’ve got a challenge for you. Are you ready to take it on?

It’s the Spring Songwriting Scene Wednesday-to-Wednesday Week-Long Songwriting Challenge!

Starting tomorrow, you have one week to write a new song. It can be about anything, anyone, whatever you like, but these are the rules:

1) It has to be brand-new — nothing you’ve already been working on, nothing previously recorded. It’s the honor system, folks.

2) You have to start tomorrow — not today! Again, the honor system is in place. You start tomorrow — Wednesday — and must finish by next Wednesday, March 24.

3) You have to finish. I’m not saying it has to be polished and shiny and glowing, but it has to have a beginning, middle and end.

4) You have to somehow get it recorded — with a digital recorded or using Garage Band or on your computer using some other program — and either send it to me (songwritingscene at gmail dot com) as an MP3 or post it on MySpace or with another link.

That’s it! It’s a one-week songwriting challenge to jump-start the new season.

Are you in? Please comment!

  • http://www.stillmarried.net Erin Friedman

    Yes – I’m in. Just finished a song yesterday, so I’ve got a squeeky-clean drawing board.

  • http://www.nickwhit.com Nick Stephens

    I am in, first time for this, but I am up for the challenge.

  • http://tcelliott.blogspot.com/ T.C. Elliott

    I’m in. I’ve been doing it all year though. That little blogspot thing has the first 11 songs of the year in my attempt to write a song a week for 2010.

  • http://valeriecox.bandcamp.com/ Valerie Cox

    Yeah, I think I can knock out a new song. Sounds fun.

  • http://www.themoods.net Jay Africa

    Groovy! I’m in.

  • http://thespacehelmetshow.blogspot.com Dennis Jernberg

    Just one song, in only one week? After the frenzy of FAWM, this should be no problem whatsoever…

  • http://www.sharongoldmanmusic.com Sharon Goldman

    I must learn more about FAWN! Who wants to do a blog post with me?

  • http://thespacehelmetshow.blogspot.com Dennis Jernberg

    FAWM = February Album Writing Month http://fawm.org Write 14 songs in February and you’re a winner.

    Of course, it’s 50 Songs in 90 Days that’s coming next, starting July 4…

  • http://tcelliott.blogspot.com/ T.C. Elliott

    I’ll lend some information or opinions if you wanna write about FAWM. I won it twice this year. But I agree with Dennis. It’s 50/90 that’s the real challenge.

  • http://www.xewmusic.com Petra

    hoping to do this one..i guess getting something recorded is always my issue…just cause sorting out the music always takes me longer…ah well…lets see what i can do!

  • Jen Hajj

    Sure, what the heck. I’ll try it. Where do I send the completed song?

  • http://valeriecox.bandcamp.com/ Valerie Cox

    FAWM is a great, fun challenge, Sharon. You should absolutely try it. I’ve been doing it for 4 years now. It always brings out something unexpected, brings you to your knees, and makes you think, wow!

  • http://www.helenaustin.com Helen Austin

    I have been writing and producing a new song every week for nearly a year. Only 3 to go!

    http://www.helenaustin.com/songoftheweek.html

    It’s tiring but fun!

  • http://www.sharongoldmanmusic.com Sharon Goldman

    completed songs — as MP3′s as well as lyric sheets — should be sent to songwritingscene at gmail dot com…thanks!

  • http://www.songsville.org Edwin Songsville

    Well I’m not nearly as professional as Helen Austin (lovely stuff there, Helen!) but I have also been writing a song a week, on week #83 now though since I did FAWM I am ahead of myself …

    Did a new one past couple of days: ‘Out Of The Funk’
    http://www.reverbnation.com/play_now/song_3595746

    Love your site Sharon!

  • http://www.helenaustin.com Helen Austin

    wow… week 83. That is something!

    Although I will be sad to stop at year I really need a break.

    I did as you said Sharon, and have a song written, just needs to be recorded now, but I have strep throat so I hope I make it in time!!!

  • http://www.reverbnation.com/tomryan Tom Ryan

    Hey Sharon,

    I meant to get back to you last Wed to say “I’m in!”. So I started mine yesterday (Sunday) melody and chorus are intact and I know where the storyline is going in the verses. Kinda fill in the blanks (hopefully cleverly) from here.

  • http://www.helenaustin.com Helen Austin

    done and sent!!

  • http://www.billgrady.net Bill Grady

    done! thursday to tuesday night! (is it cheating that it is A cappella?)

    i’m an avid reader but quite new at posting – i am sending it now to Sharon – it is also on my website (first song in the audio player – titled ‘beatdown’) @ http://www.billgrady.net

    much love

  • http://thespacehelmetshow.blogspot.com Dennis Jernberg

    Maybe that one song was too hard. I didn’t succeed in this challenge (I’m writing this after midnight when the challenge is over). But I’ve been having a hell of a time recording anything this year anyway… *sigh* (It’s half done, though, and the lyrics are complete, but…)

  • http://www.xewmusic.com Petra

    dont feel bad dennis..same here..i should have gone with some that i could do a lil more quickly but the words starting coming around for this song that i wanted for a particular project so i went with it…but my idea was to use vox loops as the music part but to get it to a decent place its gonna take more time…ah well…still way ahead of where i was before & im continuing to look at my process…