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Songwriter/performer Rob Cannillo of Florida, NY.

On October 1, students in Cathy Frahme’s Poetry and Song Lyrics class at Goshen High School were paid a visit by local songwriter/performer Rob Cannillo of Florida, NY.

Cannillo led the group in a lively discussion on songwriting and talked about the different ways he creates the lyrics and chord structures for several of his songs.

For instance, Cannillo’s original song, “Sara,” was inspired by his seven year-old daughter. However, the song’s lyrics are not about her but about a person who has lived a difficult life.

“My daughter came into the kitchen and said, ‘Hey, dad,’” explained Cannillo. “I replied, ‘Hey, Sara,’ and from those two words, started writing a song.”

Cannillo pointed out to the group that songwriting may take several months and many songs may not ever be completed.

“The songwriting process, I would guess, is more failure than success,” he said. “You might start writing and hit a dead end.”

He also suggested writing songs slowly in order to get the structure of the song down.

“You can change the texture and feel as you go along,” he said. “It won’t come out as the finished product right away. Take the time to fill in words and play around with the tempo and feel.”

But most importantly, Cannillo explained how songs have to come from inside you.

“Songwriting is emotional,” he said. “It comes from someplace within you and you’re not really sure where it comes from.”

For more information about Rob Cannillo, visit www.robandfriends.com.