Songwriting - So, let's try and get this forum rolling... Skinny - Aug 20, 2003 - 01:05 PM Post subject: So, let's try and get this forum rolling...
...how do you lot write songs? (For this quesiton, I mean as a whole band)
Riffs/Music first, then lyrics? The other way round? At the same time? Where do the drums come into it? (Apart from right at the back of the stage )
Just wondering. For me/my band, it's lyrics first, then music.
Chris Daz - Aug 20, 2003 - 02:01 PM Post subject:
Good, we have another member! Hope you stay and post a bit.
Anyway, i've never actually written a song before(well i did a tiny one for music class(instrumental)), but (and i'm just guessing) i'd say start with the lyrics. Because lyrics would set the mood of the song, is it going to be angry and therefore full of heavy distortion, or is it going to be happy with clean guitar, or possibly light distortion, or maybe even acoustic.(I know you can't just lump them into two categorys like that but they're just little examples). Also, most people base their melody off of the way the lyrics are sung(sang?) don't they?
Well that's just what i've heard and what i think, tell me if i'm wrong...
Skinny - Aug 20, 2003 - 04:12 PM Post subject:
Daz wrote:
Also, most people base their melody off of the way the lyrics are sung(sang?) don't they?
Sometimes, but for some of the songs I/we've written, the vocal line is based off the riffs. Clips are here, they're rock music, so be warned! I'm the guitarist in this band, by the way.
MalcolmHex - Nov 20, 2003 - 03:10 PM Post subject: modus operandi
As for my band, it varies. I play the role of lead singer, lead guitarist, and primary songwriter. Most often it starts with a riff or chord progression. There are a lot of times when I listen to one of those riffs or chord progs and can instantly hear what kind of melody would fit nicely with it, and once I have a vocal melody in mind, the lyrics become a lot easier. By that time, having the basic chord progs, vocal melody, and lyrics, we start toying with ideas like guitar motifs and contrasting basslines and a logical beat, and once all of us agree on all the elements, we call it a song, rehearse it a few times, and then track it and add it to our live set. I come up with beginnings to about 80 songs a year, and if I am lucky, 20 of them are good enough to pursue and finish.
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