General Music Chat

I find that keeping God in the center of every project I do helps alot.

[quote="TJS 1"] I carry a a digital recorder all the time and if I get a line or even a whole song I say it right away and hum the music so I don't forget it.


A writers best friend. Don't leave home without it!!
It use to irk the hell outta me when I'd forget what i believed was the "the line" for a song!
I still have bits of paper all over the place with a line or two written down... of course written while i was driving.
Then i started using my cell phone to record when something would come to me. Much safer method.

I'm sure what I'm going to suggest has been said already, but here goes:
1) Perhaps start off by writing a standard blues song using the old I-IV-V chord progressions. This will at least give a starting point AND an ending point. 2) practice your scales and your chords. This will set you on the yellow brick road to theory. 3) Work on your ear training and proper technique. Music and Martial Arts are very similar in that solid technique and strong delivery are essential. 4) When I'm writing a new song, I think of the melody (hook) and then build my foundation around it. 5) One of my students who is a guitar player was having the same problem. By following these guidelines he has dramatically improved his song writing ability.. Hope this was helpful!

I carry a a digital recorder all the time and if I get a line or even a whole song I say it right away and hum the music so I don't forget it.


A writers best friend. Don't leave home without it!!
It use to irk the hell outta me when I'd forget what i believed was the "the line" for a song!
I still have bits of paper all over the place with a line or two written down... of course written while i was driving.
Then i started using my cell phone to record when something would come to me. Much safer method.

I tried that recorder thing... well for a while.
Bout the only thing I have with me all the time would be a gun and a razor sharp knife, redneck that I am.
And well, writing songs with those would be too dangerous and messy.

Hey everyone, first time posting here.

I'm having some serious difficulty writing songs.

Chris

[/quote]

Okay I'll jump in too wheeee!

Glen put it very succinctly about form: AAbA, AbAA, etc These are good to know. There are not too many hard and fast rules.

But I have found some things to consider: Within the frame work of 2- 3 minute ditties

1) Never try to write cryptic for the sake of cryptic unless your writing a song about cryptic. Many novice musicians get caught up in "technical effect" and often confuse that for dramatic effect. Truthfully, tech effect that should be the LAST thing on your list , when you compose a song. Hence , start your work on a piano or a guitar.

2) Meter, & Rythym tend to drive the disposition of lyrics. Lots of novice musicians tend to mis-appropriate song content. For example, could you imagine "Karma Police (Radio Head) " mashed up against "Hurt" (Trent Reznor or Johnny Cash's version) in theme?

3) Often, Many good poems are turned into mediocre songs... This is to say, lyrics are not poetry, necessarily. Because of this little fact, you can and should deviate/override from formal literary styles ...Its what makes your signature. (I believe) ...You won't find any Browning in Chuck Berry's "Go Johnny Go..."

4) Lyrics: Fun FUn FUN ...and did I mention fun. I have found it useful to attempt comedy in lyrics. You'd be amazed at how much drama and heart-wrenching resonation is born out of that. The point is to savor and have fun. You are telling a story... Savor it, indulge us with it.


Remember, Song Writing is a script of emotion and vibe. Above all... Its about entertainment (Even Bob Dylan, the master of word smithing and serious undertones gets that) ... If your song gets a shoe to tap, you're doing the right thing...

A bit of Trivia: It is my understanding that The 'craft' of songwriting has some of its roots in Middle ages, when travelrs, etc traveled from town to town and sang the news. Some of that news was no doubt pretty boring...so they had to figure a way to lift it ... (Also to soothe the listeners who may otherwise have reacted harshly to bad news)

I carry a a digital recorder all the time and if I get a line or even a whole song I say it right away and hum the music so I don't forget it.


A writers best friend. Don't leave home without it!!
It use to irk the hell outta me when I'd forget what i believed was the "the line" for a song!
I still have bits of paper all over the place with a line or two written down... of course written while i was driving.
Then i started using my cell phone to record when something would come to me. Much safer method.

I tried that recorder thing... well for a while.
Bout the only thing I have with me all the time would be a gun and a razor sharp knife, redneck that I am.
And well, writing songs with those would be too dangerous and messy.

If you carry a Buck-shot raffle in yer guitar case, yew maght be a redneck ... I'm sorry...I don't care who ya are, that thar was funny....

I'm sure what I'm going to suggest has been said already, but here goes:
1) Perhaps start off by writing a standard blues song using the old I-IV-V chord progressions. This will at least give a starting point AND an ending point. 2) practice your scales and your chords. This will set you on the yellow brick road to theory. 3) Work on your ear training and proper technique. Music and Martial Arts are very similar in that solid technique and strong delivery are essential. 4) When I'm writing a new song, I think of the melody (hook) and then build my foundation around it. 5) One of my students who is a guitar player was having the same problem. By following these guidelines he has dramatically improved his song writing ability.. Hope this was helpful!

I used to write and play by ear, But I discovered it was easier to use my hands...

hee hee!

I find that keeping God in the center of every project I do helps alot.

I have found that I can't keep God in the center of anything. If you invented the universe, would you sit still in one spot?