Songwriting Sunday: My TME Challenge

Some time ago, I set myself a TME challenge and then found it difficult to keep up with because I was really disinterested in the challenge itself. This happens to me on a regular basis. I set myself a challenge and then don't bother to do it. I still try, though. Perhaps I just like failing - who knows?

I do, though, continue to develop new TMEs (the term that I use to describe what I do with my clients during sessions - therapeutic music experiences), I just don't write them down which is a shame because I could easily get my TME challenge finished if I just sat down and wrote them.That is where the difficulty lies - sitting down and writing my ideas down.

I have started to look around for a music notation app that I can use on various devices to help me finish up my notation and that allows me to hear the rhythms the way they need to be presented. This is the most time-consuming part of any composition for me - getting the rhythm on the page to match the rhythm in my head. Anyway, my last notation software is no more, and I do not feel like it was worth the $400 that they want to replace it with something else, so I am shopping through the app stores to find something that will work for me.

One of the problems that I have is that I cannot download apps at work, so anything that I decide to pay for needs to be something I can take back and forth with me. This topic is not really about my challenge, but it is something that has complicated things a bit.

So, armed with some new notation apps (that I will download onto my mini chromebook type device), I will, once again, attempt my TME challenge. The challenge is to write 5 TMEs a week based on a specific theme or idea. I have a bunch of topics that I use to help me form my structure (when I need it). I don't have to stick to the topics, if inspiration strikes, but it is helpful to have some boundaries. I have plenty of time to work on my songs and TMEs at work, but I just don't do it at the moment. I want that to change, so I will start taking my mini chromebook type device with me and will use it in the afternoons when my brain is no longer fit for human interaction.

When I am writing songs for TMEs, I tend to focus more on the goals of my clients than I do on how I am writing the songs. I almost always start with lyrics and then move into melody, rhythm, and harmony simultaneously. Those three elements happen at the same time with me, but I also manipulate things to get in some practice for different skills, chord progressions, and other music theory things. I might decide on a chord progression first and then shape the other elements to fit that chord progression. There isn't one way to compose - it just happens the way it happens.

I currently have so many songs that are waiting for notation. So many. I need to sit down and play with the notation apps that I have downloaded to see what works the best for me. I will then pay for that app so I can print and publish my songs again. Perhaps clearing those songs should be my first TME challenge - notate the songs and place the finished projects into the TMEs. Write TMEs if there aren't any TMEs to match the songs. Let's see what I can get finished this next week...

Happy Sunday!