1. Song Writing
Rob Kairis

2. The Song Writing Process
Inspiration
The genesis or reason to write one
The Structure
Putting it together
Finishing Touches
Style and Arrangement

3. Inspiration Most songs start as a “spark” a small musical moment
a “lick”
a phrase or slogan
an idea or even a “need”
High School Yearbook Song
I4E song

4. Structure Build the song from the inspiration A-B-A format
Motion/movement away from home and back
Matching sounds (not necessarily rhyming)
Connect the words to the music
Add more lyrics

5. Style and Arrangement Add to the words and chords Instrumentation
Introduction
Ending
If playing with others, allow input, improvisation
Experiment with other tempos, rhythms, etc.

6. The I4E Song (Climbing a Mountain) Words and Music by Rob Kairis
G C D G
Climbing a mountain takes a long, long time. It takes a long, long time. It takes a long, long time.
G C D G
Climbing a mountain takes a long, long time. It’s a mighty hard thing to do.
C G D G C G A D
It’s mighty hard to climb a mountain. You can do it, if you try. You can Cross it off your bucket list, if you do it before you die.
Climbing a mountain takes a long, long time. It takes a long, long time, it takes a long, long time.
G C D G
Building a wall can take a long, long time. It takes a long, long time. It takes a long, long time.
G C D G
Building a wall can take a long, long time. It’s a mighty hard thing to do.
C G D G C G A D
It’s mighty hard to build a wall. It’s a tall order to fill. But you can make it easier, just get Mexico to pay the bill.
G C D C G C D G
Building a wall can take a long, long time. It’s a mighty hard… thing… to do.