General Music Chat

I'm far from a prolific writer, but usually it just pops into my head while I'm doodling on guitar, and a tune is more likely to surface if I'm playing an unfamiliar instrument, like piano or dulcimer, mandolin...no telling, but when I pick up something different something almost always surfaces. Most of the time I'm in a pawn shop or something, now ay to record it, so it's long gone by the time I leave.

At home I try to have my digital recorder handy, and I usually practice or doodle sitting in front of the computer where all I have to do is put the mic close and click up audacity...

I don't remember ever planning a song out in advance, and usually I have music long before lyrics, I have a tune going right now, a basic guitar part is on the way and a basic melody for vocals, but I can't think up even one line of lyrics yet...again it was sitting there doodling in open G...

John - I thought you were going to get a digital recorder long ago. ???

That's funny, Pete. I do that, too, whenever I try a new instrument.

Why?

And I invariably hate it all six months later.

Funny. The same person who asked me about my process asked me the same question. She was really liking the stuff she was listening to. I"m always gratified when someone likes my stuff, but...

...I keep thinking how I screwed up this part or that part isn't quite what I hoped for or this other bit is a little hackneyed.

This is probably why I don't put a lot of effort into composing as a rule.

Everything I write turns to crap over time, so...

And, yes, most people who listen to things I've written disagree with me about that, but I can't help feeling like they're just being polite.

But I do it every now and again hoping *this time* I'll do something I'm satisfied with. It hasn't happened yet, but I haven't entirely given up.

You know, proofreading this it feels like someone else reading it would think I'm fishing for compliments. Nothing of the sort. As I said, I like it when people like my stuff, but I'll always have my doubts about it's actual value no matter how many compliments I get.

I know I'm a good bass player. As a composer I'm a pretty good bass player.

Yeah this is tough.
You simply have to say 'Thank you'. Believe me if someone likes or dislikes what are doing they will say so. Others might say it to get a call back but most times the general public will be be honest as.

I said the 'General Public'. Peers are great for for tech info but the real listeners are those on this planet, so don't give up hope or stop writing. Not everyone likes any one book and much the same not anyone will like a tune or melody.

Thanks for replying I've been sharp of late and am curbing that completely, life's just too short.

OG and by the way you are not fishing. Everyone needs HONEST feedback. I don't see fishing here, I see an honest person.
Be well and write. Go out there and write man.

Why?

And I invariably hate it all six months later.

Funny. The same person who asked me about my process asked me the same question. She was really liking the stuff she was listening to. I"m always gratified when someone likes my stuff, but...
...I keep thinking how I screwed up this part or that part isn't quite what I hoped for or this other bit is a little hackneyed.
This is probably why I don't put a lot of effort into composing as a rule.
Everything I write turns to crap over time, so...
And, yes, most people who listen to things I've written disagree with me about that, but I can't help feeling like they're just being polite.
But I do it every now and again hoping *this time* I'll do something I'm satisfied with. It hasn't happened yet, but I haven't entirely given up.
You know, proofreading this it feels like someone else reading it would think I'm fishing for compliments. Nothing of the sort. As I said, I like it when people like my stuff, but I'll always have my doubts about it's actual value no matter how many compliments I get.
I know I'm a good bass player. As a composer I'm a pretty good bass player.

I just try to get the noise in my head down to my hands.
Usually, when I have a song in my head it's already complete.
It rarely comes out in one piece though.

I've done it both ways - I find a riff I want to build on and build the music first sometimes, but there are others I get a melody of a song stuck in my head and write it up acoustic first or on keys and then write up the guitar work later... I guess it just depends. I have noticed my heavier songs tend to be riffs written first whereas my ballady stuff vise versa.... not sure if I'd call that a "method" so much as a trend.

I rarely compose with lyrics. My compositions are generally instrumental and can make as much sense as scrambled eggs. Sometimes I compose for one instrument with another instrument in mind. For example "Coffee Break" was arranged for flute choir but with the charactersitic of the guitar. For example, various notes are played on various strings. Likewise the flute parts are broken down in a similar manner. Therefore the top three flute parts share the lead, instead of there being one lead.

Another example is the feeling that I want to express. If I want something to be sad, I will write it in a minor or dorian key...create a pattern then flip it. I either turn it upside down or repeat the pattern up a fifth. If I am writing about an object, for example: the ocean, then I will first think about a melody or tone that imitates the ocean. I like fullness in chords and a little bit of the unexpected.

aiki_mcr - I'm never completely satisfied with anything I write either, I don't think most writers are. I've seen comments by a lot of professional musicians saying they are never completely happy with their recordings, even the ones that turn out to be major hits. I think it's that bit of perfectionist in all of us. I always think my songs need just a little something else, and never can put my finger on just what it is.

I'm also never happy with my guitar playing onstage, I always think I could have done it just a little better. Even on my best nights, I pick up on even the least mistakes and mentally kick myself for them, but I do try to go back and do the exact same thing again and make it sound intentional so nobody knows I screwed up. Sometimes it works, sometimes it sucks twice as bad...but I always think I could have done just a little better.

I was fortunate when I wrote "Silhouette Of A Daydream" and "Catch the Last Train", I had a good friend who was brutally honest and would tell me the truth, not what I wanted to hear. On a bad night onstage she would tell me it was really bad, on a good night she would tell me it was really good. She loved both songs...so I know they are both good. Unfortunately she walked out of my life a year ago, and it really sucks to lose your best friend...and most honest critic...

aiki_mcr -

, on a good night she would tell me it was really good. She loved both songs...so I know they are both good. Unfortunately she walked out of my life a year ago, and it really sucks to lose your best friend...and most honest critic...

SOunds like the begginings of a new song, Paleo.

Yep. I'm familiar with the bit about musicians never being happy with their own work and I'm sure some of my thing comes from that.

So, okay, I'm uploading two of the pieces from my nidan presentation to my profile. Anyone who listens can decide for themselves.

Me, I think they're - eh. It was my first foray into electronic music and I quickly discovered I don't have a feel for some of the more "out there" trance and stuff.

If it doesn't suck, I'll be happy to hear as much. If it does, well, no need to remind me.

Today i decided to try and put together the lyrics i started writing with a melody I've had running through my head the past few days. Been playing with the settings on my new ME-50 pedal, got the sound kinda where i wanted it, soulful, with a bit of echo an an edge, cranked up the amp and went at it. The words and the music are nowhere near done, this was a dry run to see what fit and what didn't.. Ya know what? I kinda like what i have so far. I'm going to be moving words around, and cutting some out, but so far it fits perfectly with what i want to express with it. I'm going to have to invest in some kind of recording gear to get it down on, and upload it to my computer.. Btw, i've been playing at acoustic jams lately, and i'm building my confidence up to the point where im comfortable in front of people.. I still make mistakes but i keep going. I'm my own worst critic, lol.
I watched the videos of the last show thinking... I suck !!!

"Been playing with the settings on my new ME-50 pedal"

So you diggin that? I like mine a lot. I've always been an analog effects guy but this thing is pretty cool. I used it Saturday night at a recording session, it's very useful.

To find if a song is 'any good,' just play it in front of a crowd of strangers.
If 3-4 of them come up to you afterwardsa and say they "really liked that 2nd song you played," - then it's a good song.
.
But -there shouldn't be any question in your mind . . .
If you're embarrassed to play it in front of a crowd - just play a different song you wrote, instead . . .

I have a lot of original songs.
My new songs come from my heart and soul.
And a song coming from your heart and soul can be any genre . . .
The style I write depends upon my mood.
I won't write a song when I'm angry.
.
So - here I am . . .
I'll play with my guitar, playing with new chords or techniques, and something (some chord grouping, whatever) will grab a part of me.
And I can hear which way the song wants to head,
. . . and I'll plug in the appropriate chords and rhythms, and carve out a song idea.
Then, when I've got the general idea, I'll try a few hundred variations of chords, rhythms and song structures.
I'm not exaggerating, either - but - it doesn't take long at all . . .
It's not work - it's not labor - the song is already finished, inside of me. It's been finished for probably 15 - 25 years, but I've just never heard it before . . .
Once I hear the openeng of it though, - it's simple to fill in the blanks; . . . just a matter of re-crerating it with my guitar.
.
For me, the story is in the emotions between the chords.
. . . in the gap . . .
When the story of the song is completed, I listen to it.
Often my songs are complete as instrumentals . . . everything is already there . . .
THAT is a wonderful feeling. At that stage there is no question over whether "it's a good song" or not.
good God, one should NEVER have to ask onself that question . . .
Anyway . . .
I now have an instrumental. If it needs more - I add lyrics afterwards.
Like, if it's a rock song, or a blues song for example; those kinda song always need lyrics.
If a song is pretty involved and breaking new ground, then lyrics can just distract a listener from the beauty of a song.
It all depends on the individual song, and the style of the music.
But -

I use colors to write. If I want a sad song, I think of Blue. If I want a happy song, I think of Yellow.

Colors, I have the zoom H2 also, found it on a subway train. I've used it to record my live performance and the quality is very good.

You found my Zoom H2? I want it back! j.k.
Out of curiosity, what was on it when you found it? lol.

Chris