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Growls, Grunts and Moans
By Tim Ogle - 08/26/2007 - 08:45 AM EDT

Recently Rick Moore and I have been working on a song together. I met Rick about two months ago and we've been getting together for  writing sessions ever since. I remember that first session quite well. I looked at Rick and said "Rick, I'm going to do something I've never done before." Rick said "Yeah, what's that?" I said "I'm going to quit trying to be cool while we do this." We both laughed.

Being too cool can hinder your ability to create. Rick and I both have stepped away from trying to be cool and it has really opened up our sessions. We both find ourselves offering phrases that make absolutely no sense at all and in a moment's time, they turn out to be lines that are powerful for our songs.

Sometimes you just have to think out loud.  That means you will not always have great lines, but through trust and collaboration, those ramblings can turn into great lines for songs.

The creative process has a potential that can be stymied by not just letting go. Sometimes you have to grunt, growl, howl and hum the weirdest stuff to get where you want to go. Those times may be the uncoolest pieces of tape in your work tape collection but I believe they can get you to where you want to be. In fact, I dare say that those grunts, growls and moans can help you find expression that touches the deepest part of the soul, especially for more heart felt songs.

I encourage you to play that new progression you've been fooling with right now. While you're doing so growl, grunt, moan and sing over it.  You may be pleasantly surprised at what comes out and what that "noise" turns into.


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