The Songwriting Process

[Betelhead]

my band has been meaning to get round to writing stuff a hell long time ago, but we never really got anything really going. so i was wondering, how do people go round writing stuff? thought id ask for some advice here.

 

[Guest]

pen and paper?

 

[Mobius]

Someone has to take lead and come up with a song ideas . invest in some recording gear and software. Then anyone in the band who has a idea can record it and let the others listen and see if they dig it, if they do then they can work on it. And also it gives people more time to work on it. Rather than working out ur songs during jammin sessions, cos the time may be not enough.

 

[strats]

come up with an idea, the theme of the song. that's step 1. i created a thread on this in the guitar how to section, could try searching for it.

 

[Betelhead]

ok, thanks a lot. ill check it out.

 

[bongman]

my band has been meaning to get round to writing stuff a hell long time ago, but we never really got anything really going. so i was wondering, how do people go round writing stuff? thought id ask for some advice here.

hi, someone in the band, especially the guitarists and keyboardist shld lead the songwriting process. there are lots of ways to write a song, the words may comes first, a riff or lick can be a backbone of a song, or maybe a song is based on a chord progression.
Songwriting takes practice and the more you write the better you get.

Writing songs for a band is writing for your band image and style.
You need to think what you want to sell your band to the public.

 

[Betelhead]

thats kinda the problem.. all 4 current members of my band have pretty differing tastes. when we come up with something decent one or two of the band are uncomfortable with it, and we just decide to drop it and work on something else. compromising is something we have yet to learn, i think.

 

[Mobius]

I think u have jus found out the problem. Being in a band is about compromising, everyone cant get their way all the time, as long as the majority likes it then i think u should go with it. Cos u cant satisfy everyone.

 

[bongman]

thats kinda the problem.. all 4 current members of my band have pretty differing tastes. when we come up with something decent one or two of the band are uncomfortable with it, and we just decide to drop it and work on something else. compromising is something we have yet to learn, i think.

then you guys better sit down to discuss and find a style where everyone find comfortable with.

In a band, you must play what the band do best and progress from there.

 

[Ec-Rose]

Yeah man i totally agree, but so far the lead guitarist always gets what he wants cuz he got some sort of coolnest aura.. of some sort.. which sucks for the rest.

 

[Betelhead]

and we need a vocalist. i cant emphasize on that enough.
we need a friggin vocalist.

 

[bongman]

normally the guitarist is the one that comes out with the tunes
and vocalist the lyrics guy. however, not always true. songs can
be written togther, such will bring the band togther.

 

[crozzfire]

... guitarist is the one that comes out with the tunes
and vocalist the lyrics...

nah i beg to differ..i write both tunes and lyrics myself..ok u can literally say i write songs myself..ostracize myself..

 

[rylche]

to crozzfire that's nice, why dont you post it on OM for us to listen? would be cool to see what you've come up with 8) everyone plays an important part in writing songs, but i agree that someone gotta be lead and take initiative in songs.