Articles by Sarah Bella
Record Everything
When a melody or line strikes you, record it asap!
I have dozens of garage band recordings that are nothing but a few lines here and there that come to me throughout the day.
You never know which one will turn into your next hit!
Same thing with lyrics.
Always have a notepad on hand so you can jot down words or ideas that might come while running errands or working.
I have found that you can’t turn creativity on or off, it will come whenever it feels like it, so be prepared!
-Sarah
Sound Too Familiar?
It may be time for some new sources of inspiration –says Sarah Bella
Have all your songs started to sound the same?
It’s one thing to have a style; that is a great thing to possess!
As an artist, all the songs you release should stay in the style or genre you are going for.
However, when every verse seems to lead to the same chorus, it’s time to re-evaluate.
I think all > read more
You Don’t Have to Be Shakespeare
I happen to be a Shakespeare fan, but I like to keep him at the theater.
The best songs speak the way we do, with a few clever twists here and there.
If you want to say “I love you”, actually saying it might not be the worst idea.
While poetry is beautiful, it can also be a foreign language to someone trying to listen your song.
If you want a response from your audience you have to speak to them in a way in which they understand.
Simplicity is key!
Songwriter’s Block?
It happens to the best of us; after all, it’s impossible to be creative constantly.
There is a way, however, to bounce right back in!
Try picking out a title for your new song before you do anything else.
While I usually don’t know the title of my songs until I start writing, switching the process around gets the ball rolling.
Think of an uncommon title or something that will be intriguing for listeners.
From there, explore possible situations or outcomes that revolve around that title.
Ask yourself who, what, where, when and why.
You should now be able to come up with several ideas that, in time, will turn into a verse or chorus.
Let the ideas pour out…
Release Your Inner Songwriter
Share your unique vision of the world –says Sarah Bella
Your voice will sound its best when you’re singing something you have passion about.
Songwriting is a path to find your own voice and the artist you want to be.
I’m not a professional when it comes to teaching songwriting—but here are some ideas from my personal experience that may help vocalists take their first steps on this rewarding journey.
Jot things down. Some songs just > read more
Your Theme Can Save You
It’s easy to get in to this situation: you start off with a clever verse that rhymes well, or is really unique, then you stop.
What do you do then?
They key to moving forward in your songwriting is > read more
The Song Writing Journey
The singer-songwriter faces unique challenges.
The main one is, perhaps, just keeping the creative momentum going.
Though there are always ‘incubation periods’, it’s just so important not to get stuck, blocked, bogged down, beaten, flummoxed or phased.
Sarah Bella’s blog reflects on her own journey in ways that other singer-songwriters will find inspiring.
Sarah says, “It’s not the typical story, I wasn’t singing at age two, performing at age four, or playing guitar at age six. In fact, I’ve kept quiet the majority of my life; I was listening. I’ve always been fascinated with music, especially lyrics. A great song is a great escape. When I finally did pick up the guitar, songs started pouring out, and they haven’t stopped.
Now Sarah shares important insights for singers who want to keep up their momentum.
Sarah Bella is a singer-songwriter from Michigan with a rapidly growing YouTube fan base. Her recently featured original song, Time Hasn’t Moved, has had over 300,000 views. Sarah’s songwriting recently caught the attention of the film industry and she’s now written the theme song for the independent film Rancho D’Amour. Sarah is also a recent winner of “Detroit’s Got Talent” and has performed original songs at a Detroit Pistons’ game. Check out Sarah’s many original songs on YouTube.
Can You See Your Song?
I want to smell the coffee and see the cream with lyrics –says Sarah Bellah.
Every great song has one similarity: you not only “hear” the song, but you can “see” it.
I believe songwriting is a lot more visual than perhaps some think.
I encourage songwriters to have all of their senses engaged in the creative process – and not get lost in technicalities.
I want to smell the coffee and see the cream with lyrics.
I’ve found this is the best way to get the listener where I am.
In a new song I wrote, titled “like red wine” the chorus begins like this: “pain stains like red wine on a white t-shirt yea over time it still hurts.”
It may seem silly, red wine on a white t-shirt, but you saw a white t-shirt stained red didn’t you?
I know it’s symbolic, but it still gives a visual.
You can see this process like painting; painting with words.
Each color and line builds on another until the end of the song, when you can then see the the whole story.
-Sarah Bella
Sarah Bella is a singer-songwriter from Michigan with a rapidly growing YouTube fan base. Her recently featured original song, Time Hasn’t Moved, has had over 300,000 views. Sarah’s songwriting recently caught the attention of the film industry and she’s now written the theme song for the independent film Rancho D’Amour. Sarah is also a recent winner of “Detroit’s Got Talent” and has performed original songs at a Detroit Pistons’ Game! Check out Sarah’s many original songs on YouTube.
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About Sarah Bella
