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*THE WORSHIP SONGWRITER'S TOOLKITFOR INDIVIDUALS AND GROUPSWORKSHEETS AND AIDS FOR SONGWRITINGDAN WILTworshiptraining.com
THE SONGWRITER'S TOOLKITFOR INDIVIDUALS AND GROUPSWORKSHEETS AND AIDS FOR SONGWRITINGwrite songs.Yes, songwriting is the calling of some, and not ofothers. Yes, songwriting is a craft that can be learnedand a gift that can be cultivated. Yes, to both.These two sentences above may seem to be intension, but in many ways they are not.The calling to be a worship songwriter is very strongfor some, just as the calling to be an artist, or writerfor children, or worship leader is for others.However, songwriting is a skill that can be learned,and applied, in many different contexts. There are"tools of the trade" that can help us to write bettersongs, and serve others be they ourselves and God,a small group, our family, a larger congregation, theworld, or many generations.The following tools are meant to help you grow as aworship songwriter. They can be used for groups, oras an individual.No matter your ultimate calling as a worshipsongwriter, the following materials will support you asyou enjoy the gift of creativity in songwriting.worshiptraining.comyour online worship learning communityAll tools written by Dan Wiltcopyright 2010 worshiptraining.com
THE SONGWRITER'S TOOLKITFOR INDIVIDUALS AND GROUPSWORKSHEETS AND AIDS FOR SONGWRITINGabout the author.Dan Wilt, M.Min. has been leading worship andwriting songs for the past 20 years, in settingsranging from local churches, to living rooms, to bigconferences, to hospital rooms, to recording studios,to children's bedrooms, to outdoor barbecues - andeven in St. Peter's Cathedral in Rome.He is the Learning Community Director ofWorshipTraining.com, an innovative online worshiplearning community offering powerful online coursesfor worship leaders, teams and creative artists.With hundreds globally involved in online training, aswell as in Masters programs, Dan and his team areleading the way in transforming worship educationfor the 21st century Church.Dan has been creating worship resources for theChurch for over two decades as an author, artist andcommunicator, and is considered a premier voice inthe 21st century worship conversation.He, his wife Anita, and their three children Anna,Abigail and Benjamin, make their home in Nashville,Tennessee, USA.This is also the home of WorshipTraining.com, whereDan works with friends who lead WorshipTeam.com,WorshipMusic.com, MediaShout and more at DMC,The Don Moen Company.Visit Dan's world at www.worshiptraining.com.worshiptraining.com
THE SONGWRITER'S TOOLKITFOR INDIVIDUALS AND GROUPSWORKSHEETS AND AIDS FOR SONGWRITINGabout our world.Worshiptraining.com is equipping 21st centuryworship leaders, teams, creative artists and pastorsthrough the power of online worship education.Offering online studies in worship theology, history,values, songwriting, worship leading, spiritualformation and more, we bring the best of learning toyou and your church - on your time.Interact as you learn with worship leaders and teamsfrom over 30 countries in our Learning Community,and take advantage of the amazing worship learningChurch Solutions we have for your local team.With every course, you receive a host of other freeresources such as bi-weekly live encouragementcalls with Dan, access to an amazing Media Librarypacked with digital training, connection withinfluential worship voices such as N.T. Wright, TimHughes, Brian Doerksen and many others, as well asPDF study tools for your worship team.Interested in full-on university study? We have thattoo! You can do a course for credit, do a CertificateOnline course, or go all the way to a Mastersprogram!Go to the site and see what we have to offer. Bothyou, and we, will be glad you did!Visit our world at www.worshiptraining.com.worshiptraining.com
THE SONGWRITER'S TOOLKITFOR INDIVIDUALS AND GROUPSWORKSHEETS AND AIDS FOR SONGWRITINGthe worship songwriter's toolkitworshiptraining.com
Worship Song Evaluation WorksheetThis worksheet is designed to help you think through your own song as you write it, andto evaluate some of the possible strengths and weaknesses of other's songs.Song Title: Writer:Suggested Application for Song (who is it for?):Song Vision:What is the song vision for this song? Can you say it in one sentence?Is the title the best choice? Could there be another?Do “all roads lead home” to the song vision (i.e. do all sections directly or indirectly lead to the song vision?)Song Form:What song form is used in this song? (Verse/Chorus, AAA, AABA, ABAC?)Is the song form transparent (i.e. easy to follow and recognizable)?Hook:What and where is the hook? (melodic, rhythmic, lyrical?)Is it memorable, and could you sing it right now? Is there passion in the music and lyrics?Lyrics:Is there lyrical consistency to the song (is the song consistent with itself in pronouns/content)?What lyrical devices are used (metaphor, simile, contrast, rhyme, alliteration)?If a corporate worship song, is there lyrical integrity (theologically, biblically, experientially)?Melody:Is there a strong usage of motif (i.e. repeated, developed themes)?Is there a strong sense of melodic story?Is the melody memorable?worshiptraining.com
Song Vision Clustering SampleThis worksheet is designed to help you think through your own song vision, and to use theclustering technique to come up with some possible ideas for lyrics. This first sheet is anexample, and the next is a blank sheet for you to work from.Easter morning(secondary idea)new worldto come(tertiary idea)Death(secondary idea)Resurrection(song vision)New Creation(secondary idea)butterfly(tertiary idea)new life in me(tertiary idea)Hope(secondary idea)worshiptraining.com
Song Vision Clustering SheetIn your lyrics as you work on your song, work to get all lyrics leading home to the songvision. Remember, don't let your internal editor kick in until you've "played" a bitwith the song.worshiptraining.com
How To Evaluate Another's SongSongwriting is a vulnerable process. We feel like the song is our "baby," and we don'tquickly want commentary on how other's like it. However, just because God may give usthe idea for a song, that doesn't mean it is in its finished form - any more than a baby isan adult.A song must be fed, formed, re-written, re-approached, and offered to the humble andgracious input of others. In some cases, while others opinions can be difficult to hear,when we apply some of the input that comes our way, the song can be becomesomething it never would have been otherwise.Give input with grace and kindness, but honesty and humility. In a songwriter's circle,allow others to speak into your song after hearing it, based on the Worship SongEvaluation Worksheet. Here are some general principles to keep in mind as you evaluateanother's song, in text or in a live setting.1. Encourage The Writer First.It is always important to encourage the unique, individual voice of everyone whohas the courage to attempt to write a song. On many levels, the activity of singingand creating is, in itself, valuable simply for the personal devotional tool it can be.Affirm this; not everyone is called to the same thing.2. Affirm Qualities Of The Song You Like.In a similar spirit to the above, search for qualities in the song vision, melody,structure, lyrics and hook that you like. Point out what seems to be working well, oris moving you. It is vital that everyone in a live songwriting circle agree to behonest, without being mean-spirited. Celebrate only what you can in the song, andcare for the person who was vulnerable enough to try.3. Suggest Areas You Think The Songwriter Should Consider Working On.Using the Worship Song Evaluation Worksheet, point out areas in each categorythat you would suggest the writer work on.Does the song feel disjointed, like it is two songs and not one?Is the song vision clear to you? Can they say it in one sentence?Are their lyrics theologically strong? Is their bridge actually a chorus?Do they think the song is for the masses, when you think it is just for them?Be honest, be encouraging, and give the writer good feedback with which to work.NOTE: Do NOT suggest specific lyric replacements, chords, etc., unlessinvited by the writer. This is CO-WRITING, not song feedback.worshiptraining.com
Running A Songwriter's Circle.Writing and evaluating songs together with others desiring to grow is one of themost inspiring experiences you may ever have. The mutual vulnerability of bothexperienced and inexperienced writers gives a great opportunity for feedback, asounding board, encouragement, re-thinking of the song, and in many cases, cowriting.Find a relaxed, restful location, with good acoustics, good instruments, and acreative, relational atmosphere. As well, songwriter's feel the most comfortablesharing their songs in an environment where only those invited to hear their work-inprogress can hear it - not the neighbors, Aunt Ethel, or the apartment next door.Here is a 3 step process for running a Songwriter's Circle.1. Keep the group a manageable size.3-5 people is a great place to start. This enables everyone to share their song-inprocess each time you gather, and get some input. Give each person 5-10 minutesto share their song, and then 10-15 minutes for some good feedback based aroundthe Worship Song Evaluation Worksheet. Or, create an artist's group that focuseson far more than the genre of writing songs for worship. Both are a blast!2. Always bring a chord chart with lyrics with each re-write, and copies for all.Your fellow songwriters need to be able to 1) see your song and chords written out,and 2) have a sheet on which they can write and give it to you to take home.3. Always leave each other with honest feedback, and encouragement.Take the time to make sure that everyone has had some thorough feedback. If yourun out of time, make sure you all commit to hear the person's song next time, first,who didn't have a chance to share theirs during that session.worshiptraining.com
Sample Chord Chart.A good chord chart enables you to go through the song, line by line, and makesuggestions, corrections, or check marks. When a line feels strong and finished, puta check mark beside it to say - "this feels finished." ALWAYS create a chord chart.worshiptraining.com
WORKSHEETS AND AIDS FOR SONGWRITING write songs. Yes, songwriting is the calling of some, and not of others. Yes, songwriting is a craft that can be learned and a gift that can be cultivated. Yes, to both. These two sentences above may seem to be in tension, but in many ways they are n
