When you start calling your first song Uncertainty, it pressures you to call your next song Certainty. I did so, as of one thing I was certain: I was having a good time writing music even though it was hard!

Where Uncertainty had a sort of “uncertain” feeling to it, I wanted to have a more confident sounding song. I wanted it to match the title. So, while writing it I kept putting in odd lyrics in my head, like:

“I am sure, I am sure, I am sure that I’m very sure, I am sure that I am so, very sure…”

Not great lyrics to actually sing, but good internal ones. If the melody or chords didn’t feel strong or “sure” or “certain”, they simply didn’t fit with my hilarious lyrics. (*Nervous laugh*)

After writing Uncertainty in one of my least favorite keys (D flat major), with five flats, I figured it best to also tackle the next uncomfortable key, B Major with five sharps. Why? Well, if I want to get better at playing keys with lots of accidentals, then writing in those keys would probably help. That has been my hope, anyway, and I do not believe I have hoped in vain.

I followed a similar process with this song. I wrote down all the B Major chords. Played them. Wrote down how they made me feel. Then, rocket scientist that I am, I noticed that except for being in a different key the feelings matched all the same-name-type chords in D flat major. Hmmm.

One of my level three adult piano student’s piano book was available to me. It had quite a bit of more complex theory then I usually indulge in. I have reviewed this level three theory many times, but I figured now it was time to really grit my teeth and study it—like, actually absorb it into the fibers of my being… Maybe it’s because I’m old. Maybe it’s a miracle. I tend to side with the latter. But all the theory made a whole lot more sense to me this time through. Maybe giving into the idea of having to learn theory (and that I can’t sidestep it anymore) removed a stubborn wall in my brain? Whatever it is, I was like, “Ah, this is so easy!”

Not much of that newly-absorbed theory made it into Certainty. But it has already started bleeding into other songs that I’m already writing! I, a 46-year-old lady, and writing music…and it is fun—when I don’t overly judge my progress. I already have more ideas for songs than time and capacity to write them. That’s a good thing…I think. (*imagine your favorite thinking emoji here*)

So, here is Certainty, because I am certain that I shall continue this fun journey.