#C WORDS ROCK N ROLL HOW TO#

Music makes it magic and that's all there is to that. People ask you to explain them and then you start stuttering and stammering because you are a songwriter who writes because you maybe are a bit backward with directness - so you say things with metaphors and say things that evoke feelings and meanings for people, but spelling it out in normal conversation just blows it. The type of words that you can't just say because they lose their steam. I truly love a twisty clever phrase that only means something in a song. Then when I began really writing, I found I loved the lyrics of songs, not just the style or soul vibe. Bonnie Raitt, Mavis Staples, Gladys Knight, Aretha Franklin.

#C WORDS ROCK N ROLL HOW TO#

In short - I taught myself by how to sing and play by making myself learn how to sing to the absolute best there was. It's so so important to work with players who 'get you' and who strive to even if it's not always easy. They get my language and we all try to meet in the middle. They show me so much respect and never make me feel inadequate as an artist just because I don't know their exact same musical language. I love my band because they've come so far with me. I'll even sing guitar licks or piano runs to them but let them put themselves into it. But it's funny, I still love just coming up with a beat and melody in my head and singing it to them. I learn by writing songs and out of the necessity of wanting to communicate better with my band. I can't say I'm a great guitar player at all. I usually write on guitar and I have no idea the chords I'm playing most the time. It's funny though, I never write on piano unless I'm writing the music with a collaborator because the song should be piano-based. Looking back though, I'm grateful I was forced to sing in choir and take lessons. I had to take piano lessons but it seemed too 'lessony' so it just seemed like work, as did choir. I did sing in the church choir and my Mom and Dad both have musical talents in singing and piano. My voice was schooled and developed by simply singing to my favorite songs on the radio or my cds. The only difference between thinking you can sing and dreaming about it is to actually start 'doing it'. Jennie: Secretly I always had hoped that I did have a voice but when you're young I think most kids go through that 'I wanna be a singer' phase - maybe not, but I did.

Can you tell us about how you got your start singing and playing guitar? When did you discover your talent? Were you self taught or did you take lessons? Who are some of your influences and inspirations? Since it is Women Who Rock Wednesday, we are particularly interested in hearing about the women who influenced you. Clearly you were born with a gift, but I'm sure you trained hard too. Q: Your voice is gorgeous and you are unbelievably talented.

C words rock n roll