Hey Songwriters...

Tell me your process. I am gonna get a digital recorder and start getting serious about working on songs. I got lots if little riffs and licks, and a notepad full of lyrics but have never tried to put it altogether. I am starting to feel that merely playing guitar isn't enough.

I devise a structure first...normally i start with humming tunes in my head or in the shower.

i flesh out from there and work the structure around that...I usually drift off into some odd place and I get a lyric here and there...and what seems like a chorus.

I carry books and pens everywhere so when I think of something I jot it down...the worst is thinking up some real cool lyrics then instant forgetting them and I cant quite right them down how I remembered them in my head.

So after while i'll go over my song book and sing out what they sound and find others to fit in with them if im doing something mindless ad refine them over the course of a month.

another is misheard lyrics, John Lennon did this alot -in fact he got sued for it once apparently.

I sometimes adapt my old poetry, or if I have anything thats bothering me I vocalize it in a song.

the best is to kind of treat it like poetry, dont compromise the integrity to get it to rhyme that always seems very rookie to me.

-Also.

I write my best stuff sleep deprived and thinking of my friends...or pretending to be on stage lol.

I am NOT a songwriter...but I live with one. Christina does what everyone says to do, she writes every day. From there I have no clue how it works. Every couple of months she'll say, hey listen to this.

I suspect that a melody or riff will come to mind and she'll pull up a line from something she has already written and work from there.

She has done some co-writing that was very logical and thought out. She had reasons for changing a word or line. But a lot of her stuff seems to come out of thin air, (listen to Townes and See You View on the link below, then to some of the stuff on the CD page.)

Good luck and if you figure out how to write, let me know. I'm still looking for something else to rhyme with "truck".

I have been around creative people alot. It never has just one method for song writing. It can come from everywhere at anytime. From writing down lyrics on a napkin or the back of a pizza box. I've seen people send themselves a voicemail message with a lyric line and a guitar melody. Or text themselves the lyric idea. It doesn't just have to happen in front of the recorder or mic.

I don't know who said it but some song writer said they never write anything down until it is completely worked out:lyrics, melody, arrangement, etc.. They said if they had what they thought was a good tune going in their head when they went to bed at night, if they didn't remember it in the morning, it must not have been that good after all.

A really good friend of mine has written several tunes that I think have what it takes to become hits. He has also written hundreds and hundreds which do not have what it takes.... (whatever that is....)

I get it form lots of different angles. Sometimes it's lyrics first, sometimes it's chords, sometimes it's just a melody, or something somebody says.

I carry (I still live in the stone age) one of those little hand held mini cassette machines. If I get a lyric idea, I record it. then I just ad to it. I've written whole songs one bit at a time in the car driving around.

Usually when I get lyrics first, they come with a melody, or at the very least a cadence and phrasing. Then I add music after. If I get good chord progression first, then I work out a whole arrangement- Verses, chorus, solo section, whatever, and then write lyrics that fit it.

I can't "make up" songs. never could. If I try, they suck. They all come from real stuff, and I have to wait until they come. Sitting down with the idea of "ok, now I'm gonna write a song", is a recipe for a really crappy song.:lol: At least for me.

My most useful tool is playing them for people I don't know. Somebody you know and love is always gonna have something good to say. It's human nature. Play your tunes for people you think might hate them. If they do, you got what you expected. if there's something they like, hot damn, you're onto something.

Tell me your process.

Start.

Continue.

If it's not going well, take a break.

P.S. The break can be as long as necessary -- years, if need be. Just start something else, in the meantime.

My best stuff has been written about true life experiences. I get an idea in my head and then figure out a way to say that so that it rhymes. However, I always start with a tune first and add the lyrics to that. I can't do it the other way around. A song doesn't have to make sense to someone else. If the lyrics make sense to you and sound good with the music then you have a nice song. Songs are stories that are told to music. A fault I find with some songwriters is that they try to say too much in their song. Simple is better. It is better to write about your son getting married than to write about his entire life up til that point.

It just happens. Lots of different ways, times, etc. Something will come into my head, I'll think about it. Sometimes I write he line down, sometimes I'll pull out my phone and sing into the voice recorder. Usually I seem to come up with the hook first. Other times the first line. I then try to try to understand what I'm trying to have the song say, it's message, or purpose. I tend to use words that rhyme a lot, which is old school, but I'm old school. I guess I understand that I write for myself, not to make a living or get famous. I sense of accomplishment thing I guess.

Sometimes I'll give myself a challange. Write a dance song. Write an instrumental, write a love song, write a road song... I made a list of ten topics to write about. I think I got three songs out of it. (I'm lazy)

I've gotten songs from dreams, I've gotten songs from a friend who said, "Hey, write a song about...", songs from screwing around on the guitar, songs from watching a TV show... Put your antenna up and see what kind of reception you get. And it's like learning anything else. You get better the more you do it.

Another exercise I've heard of is to take a song you know and rewrite the lyrics and then change the melody and groove. Hey, the Star Spangled Banner is a rewritten English drinking song.

Basically you need to get out of the way of the process. I really don't know how else to put it.

I usually like to get the bass part down first, and usually, that develops just by noodling around on the guitar. Once I have a chord progession that I like, I'll record the bass, then the guitar parts and (if required) keyboard/synth part. From there, I'll loop the thing, notebook and pen in hand until some lyrics pop into my head. The first line is the hardest. After I've written all the lyrics, I'll try to sing them, refining the lyrics along the way.

Basically you need to get out of the way of the process. I really don't know how else to put it.

I kinda get that. It seems I usually come up with lyrics independent of music and vice versa. when I do come up with stuff, its good for what it is, but its not a song.

12 answers. 12 methods.

I get ideas in the shower (yeah, song ideas too) or driving.

I have been around creative people alot. It never has just one method for song writing. It can come from everywhere at anytime. From writing down lyrics on a napkin or the back of a pizza box. I've seen people send themselves a voicemail message with a lyric line and a guitar melody. Or text themselves the lyric idea. It doesn't just have to happen in front of the recorder or mic.


************************************************** ********

Thats how it works for me. Somehow the lyrics come in my head and then..I find a melody that will bring it to life with a face :wink:

I wrote a tribute song about Dale Earnhardt the next night when he was killed at Daytona. I wrote a song about a girlfriend who had wondering eyes...Wrote a Christmas tune that filled my head one afternoon. Songs can come at any time..but for me, I can't just write for the hell of it :shock:

Dale Earnhardt Tribute song
oJvZ5TOTKDw

Wondering eyes from an old girlfriend at the time
ypKCwM7gU40

Holiday Tune
PFOPdtklF_I

Sticking to a "process" tends to lead to creative blocks for me. I start with "a piece of something", whether it's a lyric, a riff, a set of chord changes, whatever, and then work on seeing if I can make it into "anything."

My one hard and fast rule: Never share an incomplete idea with anyone, unless you are collaborating with them to finish it. Nothing kills progress like putting an idea out there before you're done with it.

Then there's the Nashville Songwriters Association International. I'll bet there's a chapter in Cincinnati. They teach a process that's more a formula...but it's produced a ton of country hits. After its explained you'll recognize it in a lot of songs.

You can attend a few meetings free, then they require membership. It's pricey.

Don't force it, and don't fight the feeling. Some of the best songs just write themselves. If you have riffs, try to figure out what chord changes they are and sing a few melodies until you find a melody that fits, and write the lyrics that come to mind. I would suggest writing the melody and lyrics for the hook first.

My one hard and fast rule: Never share an incomplete idea with anyone, unless you are collaborating with them to finish it. Nothing kills progress like putting an idea out there before you're done with it.

I think there's something to this. Jimmy Webb mentioned that in his book on songwriting. For one thing, if it's received with very little enthusiasm it coule be discouraging. If it's accepted positively you get a certain satisfaction with that and it kills the energy.

I do it the cheapo way. i have a government given laptop with a microphone and audactiy installed, and i usually sing eac part of the song multi track, this includes beatboxxing and wailing guitar lines ( sounds like crap but gives you a good idea) ill then figure out the key that these are in, and all the notes, and i will transpose these melodies to chords/ lead work/ basss and ill transpose the drums, allthough the drummer in my band usually changes it to make it better. dont be limited by what you think your band can do, just figure out a way for everyone to play the song later, whether it includes the drummer playing ukelele, or the bassist actually playing for once! once ive figured all of this out, i will re record the song, and then i will do the lyrics over the top of the backing track, ususally takes 2-3 hours for one song, if i can be bothered. if i cant, ill just sing it onto a voice memo on my ipod, and play with it later. dont be limited by anything, limits = **** house music

Sticking to a "process" tends to lead to creative blocks for me. I start with "a piece of something", whether it's a lyric, a riff, a set of chord changes, whatever, and then work on seeing if I can make it into "anything."

My one hard and fast rule: Never share an incomplete idea with anyone, unless you are collaborating with them to finish it. Nothing kills progress like putting an idea out there before you're done with it.

i do the same sorta thing...find a hook and build around it, whether it is a lyric, melody, rhythm, progression... and let it turn into something significant before anyone gets the chance to alter it with opinion or premature input.

Tell me your process. I am gonna get a digital recorder and start getting serious about working on songs. I got lots if little riffs and licks, and a notepad full of lyrics but have never tried to put it altogether. I am starting to feel that merely playing guitar isn't enough.

I don't write that much.
But I feel like my 'best' ideas came while walking down the street. Something comes to my and works with the rhythm of my walking. I have no idea how to quantify that process.

Drums are a huge part of how I write as well.
I started out as drummer, but it seemed my destiny was to play guitar.

I have to have a beat that makes me want to play.

Ideas come from all directions for me-sometimes it's inspired by a snippet of conversation, or I'll play a riff or change that suggests something... and the inspiration can show up anytime, anywhere (I've written complete songs on stage a number of times, right off the top of my head!)

Now, as far as recording a demo of the songs, that's a little more straightforward-I usually use GarageBand for writing, and I don't start till I have the basic arrangement worked out (intro, verses, breaks, bridges, etc.). Then, I write a drum pattern, figure out the tempo, work out any other rhythm patterns, create the verse/chorus sections. Then I'll throw down a scratch rhythm guitar, making sure it fits the arrangement/arrangement fits what I had in mind. Then bass, keys/other, vocals, and finally lead instrument(s). Maybe do a little "sweetening" afterwards, maybe not, then mix it...

Franc Robert

usually for me the words come first, then i find the music to go with it. but sometimes its the other way around. getting the words is usually a quick thing, they come in a flash it doesn't matter if I'm at the store, or if I'm at work or in my car when i get an idea i gotta write it down:mrgreen:

I would just say congrats on figuring this out- to me the song is the thing that drives all music. I have always taken the idea that it is better to write a whole bunch and maybe once in a while a good one will rise to the top.

No formula. Just do it. Don't force it.

No method-just be consistent about keeping a notebook for any and all of those little potential titles, riff notes, and lyric parts that may come your way at any time.

I recommend my favorite book on songwriting, The Frustrated Songwriter's Handbook, and encourage you to explore Immersion Music Method, which is actually no method at all . . .

I get inspired for the tempo (guitar) when it comes. I dont rush it! Then I add melody (guitar too).

After that, I add others instruments if needed (battery, ...)

Finally I add voice (not mine, I am a poor singer). I don't start with voice as others do. I dont' always add voice too. The most part of my songs are made with guitars only.

I record the song with all tracks when I got at least a good beginning of song. Then I write the musical score for all instruments (track by track) when I have enough time with TuxGuitar.

Well...you've received many good comments and approaches to writing/recording.
I've written/recorded my own stuff since the early 70's.

Personally, most of what I write is about personal experience and opinions.
My song ideas begin in many different ways and it's important to me to have good cohesive, coherent and well written (fleshed out) lyrics.
Of course, those qualities are determined solely by any listeners.....ha.

Note....much of the the time 'less is more' so don't be adverse to culling things that really don't fit or add to the song concept.
It takes me a while to get all the music/lyrics finished to my satisfaction.

On a side note I've just finished my personal music anthology DVD which has 25 songs and pictures of my music gigs from those times. (1.5 hours long)
Whew...it's still quite the learning curve in grasping the movie/DVD software (Sony Movie Maker 9.0) and what one can do in our own creative space.

Anyway...good luck with your writing/recording goals.

Carry on....

Start with a catchy hook. Without that, you got nuthin.