Jason
08-11-2007, 05:25 AM
Hello to the newcomers. I'm Jason from Phoenix, Arizona. A little about me ... I got saved at age 19 in 1989 through the ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ. I started writing Christian lyrics almost immediately after being saved. I got serious about my songwriting in 1997. Since then I've had my songs recorded by three Christian independent artists on their CD projects. I've also released my own CD of ten Contemporary Christian songs. I wrote the lyrics for all ten of the songs and the melody for one. You can read more about me and my music at:
http://www.JasonMitchener.com
One of my bits of advice for new songwriters is to ask yourself "What goals do I have for my songwriting?" The answer to this question will be based on your gifts and talents. The answer will also determine what you need to focus on to develop your songwriting.
Here are several possible answers to that question (a person may fit more than one of these or none):
"I just want to share some songs I've written with my friends and family."
"I'd like to write worship songs to be used in my local church."
"I'd like to write worship songs to be used by many churches."
"I'd like to write hymns to be used in my local church."
"I'd like to write hymns to be used by many churches."
"I'm a performer and I'd like to write songs to perform at church or at the open mike at Joe's Bar 'n' Grill."
"I'm a performer and I want to write songs and become the next Michael W. Smith/Amy Grant/Third Day/Kutless/Skillet, etc."
"I don't perform but I want to write songs for Michael W. Smith/Amy Grant/Third Day/Kutless/Skillet, etc."
I'm not a performer, so a couple of those goals don't apply to me. My goals are:
"I'd like to write worship songs to be used by many churches."
"I don't perform but I want to write songs for Michael W. Smith/AmyGrant/Third Day/Kutless/Skillet, etc."
and a more minor goal ...
"I'd like to write hymns to be used by many churches."
My goals may be different than yours and that's okay. Mine are no better (or worse) than yours. But my goals do determine where I place my focus. Since I don't perform, I don't concern myself with vocal training, guitar lessons, or whether Peavey or Crate make better amps. Since I'm a lyricist I focus on words (although some understanding of music is needed since my lyrics will
eventually be married to a melody written by someone else).
Since I want my songs to be used or heard by many, I need to focus on songs already used in the style I want to write in. So if I want to write widely used worship songs, I should take a look at songs by Matt Redman, Tim Hughes, Chris Tomlin, Darlene Zschech, David Crowder, Graham Kendrick, etc. If I wantvto write widely used hymns, I should take a look at hymns by Charles Wesley, Isaac Watts, Fanny Crosby, etc. If I want to write songs to be performed by popular artists, I should look at songs in that specific genre, whether it be pop, rock, country, or hip hop.
When I look at these songs (in my case, as a lyricist), I ask various questions:
"What structure does the writer use?"
"What types of words are common?"
"What types of images are utilized?"
The answers to these questions will determine how I write.
Below I'll give three different sets of lyrics I've written. A worship song. A performance pop/rock song. And a hymn. Each different.
I hope this is helpful.
Jason
http://www.JasonMitchener.com
Worship:
Within Me
Words and Music by Jason Mitchener
(Copyright 2001 Solid Walnut Music/ASCAP. All rights reserved.)
CHORUS:
Within me You placed Your Spirit
Within me You put a new heart
I will worship You, Lord
Because of who You are
You are my Lord
You are my King
You are my portion
And my everything
CHORUS
You are my Hope
You are my Peace
You are my Comfort
And my soul's release
CHORUS
Pop/Rock Performance:
Take Me Higher
Words and Music by Jason Mitchener and Kitty Hart
(Copyright 2003, Solid Walnut Music/ASCAP. All rights reserved.)
The view looks so familiar
Same old signpost ahead
It says I'm at the crossroads
A place I've already been
Why must I travel the same worn roads?
Will I always make the same mistakes?
I need to get to a higher plane
Don't want to hesitate
CHORUS:
Jesus, take me higher
Than I have ever been
Take me higher
Like an eagle on the wind
And I'll see vision
Of the hope that lies within
Take me higher
Than I have ever been
My life just goes in circles
So good at going 'round
Can't seem to change direction
And I think I'm going down
Why must I travel the same worn roads?
Will I always make the same mistakes?
I need to get to a higher plane
Don't want to hesitate
CHORUS
BRIDGE:
Help me, Lord
Reach me
Show me, Lord
Teach me
CHORUS
A hymn:
WE ARE PRESSING TOWARD YOUR KINGDOM
by Jason Mitchener and Bruce Johnson
Meter: 8 7. 8 7. D Suggested tune: "Austria"
1. We are pressing toward Your kingdom
Risking all to win the fight,
Wrestling angels till You bless us,
Holding on till morning light.
Speak Your name -- we want to know You!
Show Your face -- we long to see!
Break us, Lord, to make us like You
Conquer us to set us free!
2. We are pressing toward Your kingdom
Through the waters, through the fire.
Day by day we face temptation,
Dying to our own desire.
Devils bait their traps to catch us--
Snares of hatred, greed and pride.
But Your cross will overcome them,
Bring us safely to Your side.
3. We are pressing toward Your kingdom,
Seeking first your righteousness.
Through your church, bring truth and justice,
Show your mercy, heal and bless,
Till all nations own You Savior,
Every creature bows the knee;
Till Your glory fills the whole earth,
As the waters fill the sea.
4. We are pressing toward Your kingdom
Marching onward, to our home;
To the city You have promised
We will come by faith alone.
Every eye is set on Jesus,
Who for us has won the race;
We will follow in His footsteps
Till we see our Savior's face.
http://www.JasonMitchener.com
One of my bits of advice for new songwriters is to ask yourself "What goals do I have for my songwriting?" The answer to this question will be based on your gifts and talents. The answer will also determine what you need to focus on to develop your songwriting.
Here are several possible answers to that question (a person may fit more than one of these or none):
"I just want to share some songs I've written with my friends and family."
"I'd like to write worship songs to be used in my local church."
"I'd like to write worship songs to be used by many churches."
"I'd like to write hymns to be used in my local church."
"I'd like to write hymns to be used by many churches."
"I'm a performer and I'd like to write songs to perform at church or at the open mike at Joe's Bar 'n' Grill."
"I'm a performer and I want to write songs and become the next Michael W. Smith/Amy Grant/Third Day/Kutless/Skillet, etc."
"I don't perform but I want to write songs for Michael W. Smith/Amy Grant/Third Day/Kutless/Skillet, etc."
I'm not a performer, so a couple of those goals don't apply to me. My goals are:
"I'd like to write worship songs to be used by many churches."
"I don't perform but I want to write songs for Michael W. Smith/AmyGrant/Third Day/Kutless/Skillet, etc."
and a more minor goal ...
"I'd like to write hymns to be used by many churches."
My goals may be different than yours and that's okay. Mine are no better (or worse) than yours. But my goals do determine where I place my focus. Since I don't perform, I don't concern myself with vocal training, guitar lessons, or whether Peavey or Crate make better amps. Since I'm a lyricist I focus on words (although some understanding of music is needed since my lyrics will
eventually be married to a melody written by someone else).
Since I want my songs to be used or heard by many, I need to focus on songs already used in the style I want to write in. So if I want to write widely used worship songs, I should take a look at songs by Matt Redman, Tim Hughes, Chris Tomlin, Darlene Zschech, David Crowder, Graham Kendrick, etc. If I wantvto write widely used hymns, I should take a look at hymns by Charles Wesley, Isaac Watts, Fanny Crosby, etc. If I want to write songs to be performed by popular artists, I should look at songs in that specific genre, whether it be pop, rock, country, or hip hop.
When I look at these songs (in my case, as a lyricist), I ask various questions:
"What structure does the writer use?"
"What types of words are common?"
"What types of images are utilized?"
The answers to these questions will determine how I write.
Below I'll give three different sets of lyrics I've written. A worship song. A performance pop/rock song. And a hymn. Each different.
I hope this is helpful.
Jason
http://www.JasonMitchener.com
Worship:
Within Me
Words and Music by Jason Mitchener
(Copyright 2001 Solid Walnut Music/ASCAP. All rights reserved.)
CHORUS:
Within me You placed Your Spirit
Within me You put a new heart
I will worship You, Lord
Because of who You are
You are my Lord
You are my King
You are my portion
And my everything
CHORUS
You are my Hope
You are my Peace
You are my Comfort
And my soul's release
CHORUS
Pop/Rock Performance:
Take Me Higher
Words and Music by Jason Mitchener and Kitty Hart
(Copyright 2003, Solid Walnut Music/ASCAP. All rights reserved.)
The view looks so familiar
Same old signpost ahead
It says I'm at the crossroads
A place I've already been
Why must I travel the same worn roads?
Will I always make the same mistakes?
I need to get to a higher plane
Don't want to hesitate
CHORUS:
Jesus, take me higher
Than I have ever been
Take me higher
Like an eagle on the wind
And I'll see vision
Of the hope that lies within
Take me higher
Than I have ever been
My life just goes in circles
So good at going 'round
Can't seem to change direction
And I think I'm going down
Why must I travel the same worn roads?
Will I always make the same mistakes?
I need to get to a higher plane
Don't want to hesitate
CHORUS
BRIDGE:
Help me, Lord
Reach me
Show me, Lord
Teach me
CHORUS
A hymn:
WE ARE PRESSING TOWARD YOUR KINGDOM
by Jason Mitchener and Bruce Johnson
Meter: 8 7. 8 7. D Suggested tune: "Austria"
1. We are pressing toward Your kingdom
Risking all to win the fight,
Wrestling angels till You bless us,
Holding on till morning light.
Speak Your name -- we want to know You!
Show Your face -- we long to see!
Break us, Lord, to make us like You
Conquer us to set us free!
2. We are pressing toward Your kingdom
Through the waters, through the fire.
Day by day we face temptation,
Dying to our own desire.
Devils bait their traps to catch us--
Snares of hatred, greed and pride.
But Your cross will overcome them,
Bring us safely to Your side.
3. We are pressing toward Your kingdom,
Seeking first your righteousness.
Through your church, bring truth and justice,
Show your mercy, heal and bless,
Till all nations own You Savior,
Every creature bows the knee;
Till Your glory fills the whole earth,
As the waters fill the sea.
4. We are pressing toward Your kingdom
Marching onward, to our home;
To the city You have promised
We will come by faith alone.
Every eye is set on Jesus,
Who for us has won the race;
We will follow in His footsteps
Till we see our Savior's face.