{"id":237,"date":"2021-10-30T16:45:32","date_gmt":"2021-10-30T20:45:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.brianorr.com\/blog\/?p=237"},"modified":"2024-05-03T13:23:24","modified_gmt":"2024-05-03T17:23:24","slug":"ben-folds-songwriters-retreat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.brianorr.com\/blog\/2021\/10\/30\/ben-folds-songwriters-retreat\/","title":{"rendered":"Ben Folds Songwriter\u2019s Retreat"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

For four days in October, I joined 48 other musicians in a songwriter\u2019s retreat hosted by the phenomenal Ben Folds<\/a>. It was intense, it was educational, and it was incredibly fun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The retreat was designed to help all the songwriters try new ways of writing songs, break out of habits and ruts, and stretch us all creatively. Ben presented songwriting exercises \u2014 challenges actually \u2013 set a timer, and by the end of the allotted time, you had to have your song written, recorded and uploaded for Ben and team to review. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I won\u2019t share all of Ben\u2019s assignments here, but imagine having to write a song with a limited and prescribed number of syllables in the verse, chorus and bridge. Or to write a song from another person\u2019s perspective. Or to take an improvisation you did (and hated!<\/em>), and build a real song out of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The challenges were so interesting, but of critical importance \u2013 no matter what you had after the time was up, you had to submit it. So imagine Ben Folds saying \u201cGo\u201d\u2026.you\u2019re staring at a blank piece of paper\u2026and 90 minutes later, you had to have a song written, recorded and shared. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This was so good and refreshing for me personally in a number of ways! But if you just want to hear the songs I created, head down to the bottom of this post for a listen<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finishing, and the power of a deadline<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, (to use Ben\u2019s term), I am a self-professed \u201cfragment writer\u201d. For me, finishing a song is an incredible effort. One that takes so much out of me, mostly because of the self doubt around the choices I\u2019m making for the song. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is this really the best lyric? Is this really the best melody? Should I extend that bridge by 4 bars? So many choices!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I quite literally have notebooks and notebooks of ideas, hundreds of voice memos on my phone, and scratch ideas in my DAW. But how many songs have I actually finished, put a stamp on them, and called done? I\u2019d estimate that number is between 40-50. That\u2019s averaging about 1 song complete per year of my life. And that number is certainly a lot less for ones I\u2019ve actually recorded and shared for others to listen to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With the 5 challenges presented over the 3 days, I literally have 5 new songs that are complete and recorded! One is absolutely horrible and I know it. But the other four I\u2019m quite proud of, because they are complete songs \u2013 with lyrics and music \u2013 that are done, and others have listened to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For me, finishing is a huge step in the creative process, and having those intense deadlines (and by Ben Folds himself!) are probably the only reason I finished those 5 songs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shedding imposter syndrome<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Secondly, joining 48 other songwriters was initially an incredibly humbling experience. So many of these musicians are just mind-boggling good \u2013 professional singers, incredible instrumentalists, and remarkable producers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As we all got to know each other and I listened to the other songwriter\u2019s application songs (which we all shared to each other), I was really intimidated. Coming into the retreat, imposter syndrome kicked in into full force.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But then, because we all had to write, record and submit songs in a really short amount of time, there was no time for self doubt. There was no time to reflect on being an imposter. And, for me, there was no time for editing, mixing, no auto-tune, or other tricks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

By the time I finished writing the lyrics, writing the music, and learning how to play the song through, I often had time for only one take, maybe two. What I submitted was purely raw, complete with imperfections that I would have definitely wanted to iron out if it were a final track.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My realization:<\/strong> shedding imposter syndrome is about doing<\/em>. Just do the work, and don\u2019t look around at what others are doing while you\u2019re working. In fact, I didn\u2019t listen to any of the other songwriter\u2019s songs until after the retreat was done \u2013 not because I was thinking that it could trigger imposter syndrome (it could), I just simply didn\u2019t have the time!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And listening back, I\u2019m proud of the rawness, and even though the songs aren\u2019t perfect, it was again refreshing to have a song done, recorded and shared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vocal perfection<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Finally, Ben\u2019s vocal coach Dave Stroud<\/a> shared some important wisdom about the voice. One, everyone is a singer, everyone has a different style, and you should embrace your own voice. Two, if you aren\u2019t a good singer (as the pop music world would describe it), you have to make your songs even better, lyrically and musically. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But three, you shouldn\u2019t strive for vocal perfection \u2013 for instance, don\u2019t try to be like a Broadway singer (unless you are singing in Broadway!). You should develop your voice only to the point that it\u2019s serving your music, and not try to be someone else. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What an incredible lesson indeed!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A few other things about the retreat<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Beyond the challenges, there were plenty of opportunities to hear from Ben and ask questions, and he\u2019d share wisdom from his own career and creative pursuits. He was incredibly down to earth, and also encouraging to all of us. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We also got to hear from an industry panel to discuss the business of music and sync licensing, join a live recording of Ben\u2019s podcast Lightning Bugs<\/a>, and of course meet and socialize with all the other songwriters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And although the retreat has ended, all of us have continued our discussions about music, songwriting, gear and more on our Discord server.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, on to the music. <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Below are 3 of the 5 songs I wrote and recorded. As mentioned, I came out really happy with 4 of the 5 tracks, but wanted to share three of them here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Goosebumps<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

We started by taking 45 minutes to write a short story. We were then instructed to pull out all the metaphors, and then place some of them in a pre-defined song structure (verse, pre-chorus, chorus, verse, pre-chorus, chorus, bridge, chorus). Then we had 90 minutes to finish writing the lyrics and music, record and submit. Below was my submission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n