Open AccessThe Rise and Fall of a Songwriting Partnership
Author(s) -
Peter D. DeVries
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
the qualitative report
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.335
H-Index - 35
ISSN - 2160-3715
DOI - 10.46743/2160-3715/2005.1857
Subject(s) - harmony (color) , originality , mysticism , lyrics , psychology , demise , participant observation , ethnography , aesthetics , visual arts , sociology , pedagogy , social psychology , creativity , art , literature , social science , anthropology , political science , law
The working relationship of two novice songwriters is examined in this ethnographic study, which highlights the importance of common goals and values in a songwriting collaboration. Stemming from this core there are a number of sub-themes: the pair saw a popular song as consisting of melody, harmony, and lyrics; they played on the strengths and offset the weaknesses of each others songwriting skills; both writers valued originality; and they believed songwriting had a mystical element to it. Finally, it will be shown how conflict in their status as writing partners resulted in the demise of the collaboration. The difficulty of being a participant observer researcher when only two people are being observed is also discussed.