Write, Listen, Learn

The topic I proposed in the AFRITUNES WhatsApp group came to my mind earlier that day when I was taking my son to school. It came to my mind after I had dropped him off at school and was walking back home. The next thing I did when it came to my mind was type it immediately on my phone so that I would not forget it.

Before that thought came to my mind, I was thinking about or let's say reflecting on how I got to know and score the song “Speechless” by Naomi Scott which I sang recently in the Vibes Music community.

Then I recalled how important it was to write the lyrics of a song down in other to learn it. Listening to the song time and again, knowing the rhythm and tune of the song and writing down the lyrics the way it was released was very helpful in memorizing everything without much difficulty.

I first paid attention to the chorus, then proceeded to the first verse and then the second verse and the final chorus which I referred to as the bridge.

After writing the lyrics of a song down, I would listen to the song once again and practice it according to how it was sung following the lyrics in my book.

I have learned over time that writing the lyrics by hand is one of the most effective strategies that I can employ when learning a song. I have a special notebook I use in writing the lyrics of songs I would like to master, and it includes both that inspires me a lot and the ones I just want to score. But when it’s one I intend to perform, I always try as much as I can to listen to the song, and majorly memorise the tune first like I said earlier. That is my secret about the way and, how I memorize the song words, it worked for me every time. I scored the song speechless in less than 5 days before going to record the cover in the studio.

This is how I have scored many songs given to me to lead in church such as; “Trust in You” by Lauren Daigle, “What Child Is This” by Yolanda Adams, and “For Myself” by Jonathan McReynolds, 'A New Song's by The Brooklyn Tabernacle choir' etc.

My guitar teacher once said that singing out loud or just saying aloud what one is learning, whether it is notes, lyrics, etc, commits it to memory. At the same time as I write lyrics in my notebook, I also sing the song and repeat the words aloud, which helps to memorize them. He mentioned that the method isn't meant for children alone. If you are learning something, say it out loud as you are studying it so it can be registered in the memory.

At the moment I am trying to score a new song that I plan to sing in the next few days. The lyrics are not written down yet, that's why remembering them is still challenging.

Although I have been listening to the song, I can hardly remember the words. But as soon as I start writing it, I know that I will remember the right words without stress, and I will be able to perform the song in its entirety.

Usually, the lyrics of any song are easily accessible online, but, I feel that learning lyrics online can be distracting...I said this because of the notifications that appear on the phone's screen when I am memorizing. These notifications interfere with or distract the learning process for me, well of course I turn off my data. There are times I force myself to resist the temptation of checking notifications when I am scoring a song, but the truth is that most of the time, I fall into the temptation of checking and it makes it difficult to retain.what I am learning.

But when I write down the lyrics in my book, there is usually no distractions from social media notifications and it helps me focus solely on what I am scoring.

In closing, I'd like to share a quote from Yolanda Adams that always sticks with me: if a song does not inspire you first, there is no way you would be able to inspire others through the same song.

As I jot down lyrics and listen to the rhythm of the song, I prepare my spirit for feeling that inspiration. And once I get inspired, I am then able to share those feelings with my audience in a genuine manner.

_{All images are mine}