Composing songs [=
- Thread starter nhds4ever
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bboy2388
New member
well if you have no melody in mind, just play 2 or 3 chords that go together, and play them in any sequence you like, then just play those chords and hum randomly over it, and maybe you'll stumble across a melody you like. Then you can start decorating the chords a little. if you're in a band, like you can play higher inversions or substituted triads while your bassist keeps to the roots so you can achieve some interesting harmony. then when you settle on the kind of rhythm or feel you want, you can get your drummer to do his thing. then just put words to the melody you've written. of course some people like to write lyrics first i kind of write both at the same time.
MichaelAngelo
New member
the tune and the lyrics usually appear to me at the same time, n then quickly disappear, so i only write songs with a computer around to record watever spouted up. I've done a melody to a song whose lyrics were written by a friend, that works too. For most punk rock styles as well as acoustic songs, just use the basic C, G, Am, F chords(they may be rearranged to suit your tune) for a start, then maybe try integrating new chords later on. For many hard rock/metal style songs, u can create riffs using pentatonic scale notes plus some flats in between. Or, just play around with power chords to suit whatever u wanna create. Everything i mentioned is for starters, u should be able to move on from that basic starting pointers as u get the hang of it. Don't follow any fixed formula if u want good stuff! Think simon and garfunkel, with C, G, Am, F, they produced the best songs(imo) ever! Good luck! 
Listen to more rock/hip-hop songs if u want to write in that genre.
U can also leverage on an intro to give u the atmosphere of rock/hip-hop.
Writing songs need practice. Writing songs of your own style takes even more practice and tries. It takes a while to mature ur song writing style
U can also leverage on an intro to give u the atmosphere of rock/hip-hop.
Writing songs need practice. Writing songs of your own style takes even more practice and tries. It takes a while to mature ur song writing style
Writing good music requires maturity, both in playing and thought (discipline). Since you've been playing other people's songs, you must have an idea of song structure and chord progressions.
I think I'm quite fortunate in that I hear a lot of stuff in my head. I used to be able to hear even the drum and bass parts. I'm jusst now getting back to songwriting after more than 10 years being in the wilderness and what helps me most is to listen as little to other people's music as I possibly can. This way, whatever I hear in my head is, more often than not, is something that I am comfortable as being my own. The best part is that the other parts come in relatively quickly. At times, I have to press on to come up with a couple more parts as I have a tendency to have at least 5 different parts before I call it a song - but suit yourself.
You've not mentioned the exact issues you have. Is it a problem of not being able to start? Or do you find that what you have sounds like something else you've heard before? Just remember that you have to start somewhere. The surest bet is to 'find' either a groove/beat or melody that you can build on.
Finally, I may not be the best person to offer any advice on this topic. :lol:
Bestest
RoRK
I think I'm quite fortunate in that I hear a lot of stuff in my head. I used to be able to hear even the drum and bass parts. I'm jusst now getting back to songwriting after more than 10 years being in the wilderness and what helps me most is to listen as little to other people's music as I possibly can. This way, whatever I hear in my head is, more often than not, is something that I am comfortable as being my own. The best part is that the other parts come in relatively quickly. At times, I have to press on to come up with a couple more parts as I have a tendency to have at least 5 different parts before I call it a song - but suit yourself.
You've not mentioned the exact issues you have. Is it a problem of not being able to start? Or do you find that what you have sounds like something else you've heard before? Just remember that you have to start somewhere. The surest bet is to 'find' either a groove/beat or melody that you can build on.
Finally, I may not be the best person to offer any advice on this topic. :lol:
Bestest
RoRK
Mobius
New member
The arrangement of the music determines the style. As advised above, listen to the genres u interested in and listen how they arrange their music and the kind of tempo, beats, instrutments they use. Strum any chord progression and try to hum some tune over it. Try to write ur first song, once u done that, the floodgates open, and u find urself writing more easily. I remember it took me a few months to write my first song, and soon after musical ideas just comes. Constant writing also aids in honning the art of songwriting. Lots to learn. Have Fun!!
Thor & RoRk got some very important pointers you should consider.
There is NO firm "method" of songwriting so in response to the general queries you posted, Thor is right - do some searching, do some googling, the idea is to find out how people usually go about it, and then reflect if it makes sense to you.
RoRk mentioned that you did not note any specific area of songwriting you are struggling with.
Since you are very new to songwriting, take some time to read up other's ideas and "methods" to Songwriting. Maybe you will find something there...
It takes some time, it takes some practice (yes really) but most of all, it takes a lot of soul - songwritting imparts a bit of yourself into the pieces you compose. Usually.
There is NO firm "method" of songwriting so in response to the general queries you posted, Thor is right - do some searching, do some googling, the idea is to find out how people usually go about it, and then reflect if it makes sense to you.
RoRk mentioned that you did not note any specific area of songwriting you are struggling with.
Since you are very new to songwriting, take some time to read up other's ideas and "methods" to Songwriting. Maybe you will find something there...
It takes some time, it takes some practice (yes really) but most of all, it takes a lot of soul - songwritting imparts a bit of yourself into the pieces you compose. Usually.
a few i can mention la...
listen to more songs
be creative
dare to try n experiment
sumtimes u dun realise like wen u r humming a tune or wateva,note it down,ideas will come.yes,u still have to noe how to arrange it well. ex:less is more sumtimes.
u can either do the whole song 1st,then listen to it for a few days,maybe months to get a melody for vox.but sumtimes,u got a beta idea to put in or improvise. it takes time,dun rush.
i have a frd who write the lyrics 1st,then think for a melody. and even noe wat chords to play! went bck hm n just arrange. tat guy got music chip in his head.
and
be patience...
listen to more songs
be creative
dare to try n experiment
sumtimes u dun realise like wen u r humming a tune or wateva,note it down,ideas will come.yes,u still have to noe how to arrange it well. ex:less is more sumtimes.
u can either do the whole song 1st,then listen to it for a few days,maybe months to get a melody for vox.but sumtimes,u got a beta idea to put in or improvise. it takes time,dun rush.
i have a frd who write the lyrics 1st,then think for a melody. and even noe wat chords to play! went bck hm n just arrange. tat guy got music chip in his head.
and
be patience...
musiomaniac
New member
come up with hooks, tunes that capture the attention of people's ears and these tunes usually get stuck in their heads.
these tunes can either be guitar/ bass riffs or melodies.
then build your song around these hooks.
you can try attending SOMAs(school of music and arts) free seminar on song writing.
these tunes can either be guitar/ bass riffs or melodies.
then build your song around these hooks.
you can try attending SOMAs(school of music and arts) free seminar on song writing.
thor666
New member
About styles of music: pay VERY close attention to the rhythm involved as well as the focus of the instrument. Genres such as Blues commonly employ the shuffle rhythm; Techno has a deep (pun not intended) emphasis in the beats on the song. If anything, these are shortcuts to styles - which can be broken, as with many other "rules" of songwriting. Most of them serve as strong guidelines until you understand the conditions for breaking the "rules".
Dalif_Murderdoll
New member
For me,i can get quite bored doing covers and yeah,i prefer doing originals.As to how to compose songs,i usually think of the root of the lyrics,just like writing a story and delve into many ideas before putting them into the lyrics.From there,i will try to visualise how the music is supposed to sound like and brainstorm with my other members and work it out till everything is sorted.
DoubleDecker
New member
Meanwhile while you are figuring out...
Record down or write down whatever tabs that pops out in your mind every now and then. Don't worry if it sounds awful... Fark care and get it down on paper or sound files first.
In future when you happen to write lyrics, mix and match and do improvements to it. You'll be surprised with what you get at the end of the day.
Record down or write down whatever tabs that pops out in your mind every now and then. Don't worry if it sounds awful... Fark care and get it down on paper or sound files first.
In future when you happen to write lyrics, mix and match and do improvements to it. You'll be surprised with what you get at the end of the day.
