supermc

I just don't know how to go about it...I can play the piano and the drums, and I'm not a bad singer but i just can't seem to get writing...anyone have any tips or anything?

ERC

If I said to write what you feel, that'd be way too general. But it is the truth. Most of the stuff I write is from personal experiences and such, feelings, and emotions.

Try to do something other than writing, or even music. Watch a movie, read a book, take your dog for a walk...then come back and try again.

Also, something that's been helping me...fill up a page with random thoughts, don't even think about it, just write a page of sentences, or words, or anything. Don't read it afterwards. Put it away. If you do this until you feel like you have enough to write something out of it, go through it and pick out the stuff you like. I've been trying it lately, and I've come up with really bizarre stuff, but also very original. It needs to be worked out and such, but yeah.

Hope this helps.

evfan#1

write about what you feel...you cant go wrong w/ honesty

supermc

thanks for that, but its not what to write about, its just how to write it...not just the lyrics but the music aswell?

evfan#1

if you have an idea about something and like your inspired just do it...start writing dont think too much about it...then after its done you can fix all the little details..if you have the music first then write lyrics that you think would fit with the way the music is written

supermc

is it easier to write the music or the lyrics first?

spiderfall

It's harder to write the lyrics first, my approach is lyrics last after the vocal melody. Sometimes you can sing the lyrics and the melody at the same time if you're on a roll.

To write a song play a chord progression over 8 bars consisting of three or more chords and then start adding rhythm to the chords and then place a melody over the chords, then hum a tune, or hum a tune over the chords. that's your verse done. for the chorus make the singing more dramatic and sing higher and in contrast to the verse.

and that's one of the many ways you can start a song, I don't have a set formula but if you analyse alot of pop and chart rock such as evanescence then it's pretty standard stuff.

You could write 4 albums worth of material approaching every new song using a set key, or starting from a drum beat, or rolling dice to get chord progressions etc. When you lack inspiration then you have to make it, or so I've read.

take going under for instance. God knows how many bars of one chord are played on the guitar until the chorus starts. It's a two part song consisting of just a rhythm guitar for the verse. Take Amys singing away and the keyboards and you've got a very bland tune. In that case the song is well produced and it relies on the vocals to carry it.

I have books on song writing, but to be honest the more you learn, the more control you have but it becomes less mysterious as you know why songs sound good and you become a music bore asshole like me.

So like they say, do what comes naturally to you.

I hope this answers enough for you to get started.

supermc

thanks that is kinda what i wante to know....i guess I'll try it, f*king wish i could play the guitar though...i can play the keyboard so that'll have to do