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Post subject: Songwriting, how do you do it?
Posted: Mon Aug 26, 2013 12:41 am
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Aspiring Musician
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For the songwriters on the forum, I was just wondering if you guys have any specific techniques or habits? Do you write things down (lyrics and such) on your computer, or do you prefer pen and paper? What came first, the music or the lyrics?
Personally I tend to have things spontaneously pop into my head. I often have a random idea for a chorus, or a verse, or even just a title while I'm busy doing other things. I then build on that idea as soon as I get the chance. Other times I'll pick up a guitar, and come across riffs that I feel the need to build around. In other words, sometimes I write the music first, other times I write lyrics first, and on the rare occasion I will write them at the same time.
As for computer or paper, I much prefer a pen and piece of paper to write down my lyrics. For my guitar parts I often take out my iphone, and simply record my ideas in the "voice memos" app.

So, what about you guys?


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Post subject: Re: Songwriting, how do you do it?
Posted: Mon Aug 26, 2013 2:46 am
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Whatever's at hand, A friend used to carry a dictaphone (a device now assimilated into your phone). I would always record jams.

Pencil and paper - never run out of ink , and easy to correct.
Notepad on PC
Then - Cassette - now - Mini Disc
Portastudio etc
Propellerhead Reason good for arrangement.
Any good HD recording program


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Post subject: Re: Songwriting, how do you do it?
Posted: Mon Aug 26, 2013 3:49 am
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I start with a drum track.

Keeping a song more about rhythm than stupid twiddly guitar riffs is how I roll.

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Post subject: Re: Songwriting, how do you do it?
Posted: Mon Aug 26, 2013 6:31 am
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+1 on Spontaneously.

A few hundred tunes of mine including collabs:
http://www.soundclick.com/members/defau ... ID=1229805

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Post subject: Re: Songwriting, how do you do it?
Posted: Mon Aug 26, 2013 7:51 am
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When I was younger, spontaneity ruled. I would write at any time at any place, napkins included. But, I would get obsessed with a song and not do anything else until I finished it. That can be good and bad.
Today, I write down any tidbits of lyrics or song ideas and keep them for when I have time for writing. I also record all guitar noodles or short riffs that sound good onto a small Tascam recorder and keep them in a file on my laptop for future work. You'd be surprised at how many times I've played a riff at night that sounded pretty cool. Next morning I remember the notes but can't get the same feel or groove. That's why I record right away.
When I have time, I go through my notes and files and see what might work together. It's much more methodical this way, not necessarily better.
If I didn't have a life, I'd prefer to go back to when I could walk around with my head in a cloud and sit down where ever I was for a couple of hours and work on a song. But that's not going to happen.

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Post subject: Re: Songwriting, how do you do it?
Posted: Mon Aug 26, 2013 8:23 am
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I don't write lyrics or sing, I like instrumentals.

I'll just noodle around with riffs and melodies.
Then they start clicking in a sequence of what I call "a string of happy accidents".
Then tweek and embellish as necessary.
I never write any of this down, although I guess I should.


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Post subject: Re: Songwriting, how do you do it?
Posted: Mon Aug 26, 2013 4:03 pm
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For melody I'll usually start with chords, but a melody may come to mind or I'll "find" one on the guitar or keyboard. I have a small cassette recorder and a Tascam Pocket Studio around to record ideas but I haven't broken them out in quite some time.

For lyrics, I used to keep a small pad and pencil handy when inspiration struck, but not so much any more. I still keep a database of ideas and potential lyrics. Not much time for music these days. :(


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Post subject: Re: Songwriting, how do you do it?
Posted: Wed Aug 28, 2013 7:12 am
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It used to be easy with a portable cassette recorder for sketching ideas.

Seems it's even easier now with digital hand held recorders, tablets, smartphones, etc.

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Post subject: Re: Songwriting, how do you do it?
Posted: Wed Aug 28, 2013 7:36 am
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think in the shower after a wicked sesh. then chill in my room with my guitar.

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Post subject: Re: Songwriting, how do you do it?
Posted: Sat Aug 31, 2013 11:18 pm
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cool thread Nicholas, much good information on this thread, I like all of the methods posted. I posted this on another songwriting thread:
"if you are wearing your guitar, then start with the music, anything will do, if you can't get at your instrument then think of her eyes, the sparkle of excitement as she awakens you with her gaze, her face, forehead brow nose how her lips curl upward as she reaches for your kiss, how her hair falls against her cheeks and down her neck, her body, its curves, the way she walks towards you, her legs, her scent as she brushes against you like she is telling your nose that she wants your touch...... no instrument go with the lyrics."
I would like to record outside of the studio, that would be cool.

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Last edited by Solid Body Love Songs on Sun Sep 01, 2013 12:49 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Post subject: Re: Songwriting, how do you do it?
Posted: Sat Aug 31, 2013 11:36 pm
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Aspiring Musician
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Location: Australia, VIC
I take random poetry lines that I wrote and shove them into a melody I applied to a chord progression then get stoned and record it to remember it.

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Post subject: Re: Songwriting, how do you do it?
Posted: Sat Aug 31, 2013 11:38 pm
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What ever comes to mind, I try to finish.

If I can't finish it, I write it down and/or record what I have and revisit it when something else comes to mind...sometimes years later I'll finish a song!

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Post subject: Re: Songwriting, how do you do it?
Posted: Sun Sep 01, 2013 1:43 am
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I usually wait until I'm tired, emotional, and mad at someone or something. Then I grab a notebook and the floodgates open. :lol:

For some, it actually just happens when I'm practicing and randomly come up with something. Then I record it, save it, and toss it around until something emerges.

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Post subject: Re: Songwriting, how do you do it?
Posted: Sun Sep 01, 2013 6:29 am
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Do a diddy dooby dum dooby do
Shala la la la la la lee
Doowap a diddy diddy doowap a diddy
Scooby doop dobby do wah
Nana nana nana wahayhay nana nana
mana mana doop doo be dooby
Shimmy doo wah
just some of the often forgotten lines with songwriters, in the right place it can make a crap song a hit and vice versa
Money it's a gas
Scooby doop dooby do wah
don't give me that
Scooby doop dooby do wah
this would have been a fail in my book not even Gilmour could have saved, so just be aware....come up with a catchy original and you could pocket a nice pension


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Post subject: Re: Songwriting, how do you do it?
Posted: Sun Sep 01, 2013 7:05 am
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An Idea comes first, usually from some triggering event ( One that struck a chord :wink: )
then some words, set to rhyme and reason...
Last are the notes, which should be the colors to a pen and ink drawing.....

Hopefully there is something handy to record that fleeting thought..
preferably a pencil and any scrap paper....
Sorry, I could not simplify it any other way..... :lol:

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