Rim Posted March 22, 2002 Share Posted March 22, 2002 I have a very hard time writing songs. I can come up with some good guitar riffs or chord changes but then don't know how to go from there. I would ask other people who write many songs and a lot ask me "What does it say to you?" To be honest, my answer is: "I don't know" So, how do you find out what a piece of music says to you? Do you just close your eyes and let your muse show you the way or something like that? I get the feeling my muse has been on an extended vacation! aka riffing Double Post music: Strip Down http://rimspeed.com http://loadedtheband.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLsound Posted March 22, 2002 Share Posted March 22, 2002 Riffing, I have the same problems. I can come up with some good parts of songs, and then I don't know where to go. Lately, it just hit me (Maybe its my muse). I have been going to older parts that I have recorded years ago, and all of a sudden I have been able to complete some of these parts and make whole songs. I think it takes time and patience, but in my case I do have to admit that years is a long time to write 5 minute songs. Jim http://www.artistlaunch.com/artist4.asp?artistid=3633 http://www.myspace.com/jlockmusic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miroslav Posted March 22, 2002 Share Posted March 22, 2002 How's that go...10% inspiration and 90% perspiration...(or something like that). Occasionally an entire song will just unfold itself with almost minimal conscious effort on my part. Words, music, arrangement...man, all I need to do is hit RECORDQUICK!!! But most of the time...I get a small piece...a few words...a great bridge... ...and after that it's like squeezing water from a stone!!! I just have keep at it...sometimes putting it aside (even for 5 years) and then getting back to it, I've found that even with a few key pieces, if I really work at it, I can get it out. But, I have to be careful not to force it too much or I might kill it in the process. There's no equation or sure-fire method...each tune is different and might require a different approach to get it to "come out"...but rest assured...it's in there...somewhere... miroslav - miroslavmusic.com "Just because it happened to you, it doesn't mean it's important." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philip OKeefe Posted March 22, 2002 Share Posted March 22, 2002 My suggestion? Find a writing partner. Many people struggle to come up with great instrumental "hooks" and melodic lines, and those are things YOU can contribute! So find someone who likes similar styles as you, but who has the ability to write lyrics and understands song structure. Try working on things with them and see what develops. And in the process, you're probably going to pick up a LOT of ideas that will help you in writing on your own. It's going to be a great learning experience for you. You can also consider taking a music compositional class and a creative writing class at your local community college. Both of these types of classes can be very beneficial... But the most important thing is probably just to write. Your early efforts will probably not stop traffic, but the more you write, the more you learn, the better you get. So study, work with others - AND WRITE! http://www.freakygamers.com/smilies/s2/contrib/navigator/usa.gif Phil O'Keefe Sound Sanctuary Recording Riverside CA http://www.ssrstudio.com pokeefe777@ssrstudio.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tedster Posted March 22, 2002 Share Posted March 22, 2002 Good idea from Phil. McCartney once had an idea for a verse: "Try to see it my way..." etc... No bridge. Needed something else. It was Lennon who came up with the "Life is very short" bit. All that turned around on Sgt. Pepper, when Lennon had the "I read the news today oh boy" bit, but no bridge. Macca had a bridge... "Woke up, fell out of bed", but no verse. And so betwixt the both of them... I think sometimes you can get too close to a composition to see what it really needs. A collaborator can offer that different perspective. Sometimes. Sometimes you'll get a "collaborator" that wants to take the song where you don't want it to go. Watch out for those, and, remember, it's ultimately your song. If you're writing a ballad, and your collaborator wants to double time the middle eight and put in some shred solo that won't fit...put your foot down. Above all, keep it simple. The days of Yes and Kansas's 15-20 minute long epochs are generally past. "Cisco Kid, was a friend of mine" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nickelg11 Posted March 22, 2002 Share Posted March 22, 2002 Riffing~ Maybe, have you ever just: closed off the world, put on your headphones, plugged in your amp, and played your riff over and over again? My point is to try and FEEL your music. Waht comes up for you? What images, memories, thoughts, words,even colors come up? It's your song and your vision -tell us what you see and feel! Also, I do believe in co-writers too. I am so grateful for people I've worked with who can do what I cannot!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strat0124 Posted March 22, 2002 Share Posted March 22, 2002 I might be alone in this thought, but I'd say don't get caught up in trying to do the verse, verse, chorus, verse, chorus, bridge and beyond thing. To me that is soooooo Nashville. The best songs I ever wrote came to me in short order. The ones I labored over, trying to get all the phrasing just right and planting those hooks.......sound just like you might think....contrived. I'd say write for yourself, first and foremost......everything else is gravy. Depends what you're after I guess. I remember reading a story about Gillian Welch and a famous producer trying to sell her on adding a bridge to one of her songs....sometimes a nudge in the right direction or wrong direction is a good thing....sometimes not. Like I said before, I believe you gotta write for yourself FIRST. But I ain't wrote no hits......so take it with a grain of salt. Down like a dollar comin up against a yen, doin pretty good for the shape I'm in Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve LeBlanc Posted March 23, 2002 Share Posted March 23, 2002 Originally posted by Nickelg11: Riffing~ Maybe, have you ever just: closed off the world, put on your headphones, plugged in your amp, and played your riff over and over again? My point is to try and FEEL your music. Waht comes up for you? What images, memories, thoughts, words,even colors come up? It's your song and your vision -tell us what you see and feel! Also, I do believe in co-writers too. I am so grateful for people I've worked with who can do what I cannot!! Cool Nicole...this is the first post I've read from you...I can already tell I'm going to like this room a lot http://www.youtube.com/notesleb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rim Posted March 23, 2002 Author Share Posted March 23, 2002 Originally posted by Nickelg11: Riffing~ Maybe, have you ever just: closed off the world, put on your headphones, plugged in your amp, and played your riff over and over again? My point is to try and FEEL your music. Waht comes up for you? What images, memories, thoughts, words,even colors come up? It's your song and your vision -tell us what you see and feel! Also, I do believe in co-writers too. I am so grateful for people I've worked with who can do what I cannot!!Can't say I've tried that but I will. I guess I was curious of whether people were actually getting the stuff you mentioned and apparently, some people do. I guess it's like free associating. I think my obstacle is I'll fiddle around the guitar and find something I like but I don't think about why I like it besides me thinking "it's cool". Probably why I like it is the message? Thanks for the tip, Nicole! aka riffing Double Post music: Strip Down http://rimspeed.com http://loadedtheband.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
george costanza Posted April 2, 2004 Share Posted April 2, 2004 Bump bump bumpity bump Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrueJuggalette Posted April 13, 2004 Share Posted April 13, 2004 aha i dont even know my chordes well let alone riffs yeah im a beginer tempermental artist Perfect by Nature Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.