How do YOU write vocal lines and lyrics?

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: How do YOU write vocal lines and lyrics?

You write best about what you know.

There is a grain of truth in that. I am certainly not an expert on Edgar Allen Poe, for example, but that hasn't stopped me from writing two Poe-inspired concept albums!

However, researching a subject you are not familiar with is probably a good idea. I wouldn't say researching something means you 'know' it, but it certainly gives you ideas you can crib!

[Lazarus1140]

Re: How do YOU write vocal lines and lyrics?

My lyrics make absolutely no sense to anyone but myself, and I'm ok with that. Like my music, its a reflection of me and my thoughts/emotions. I generally write about life... ups/downs etc... but its more of a journal. I'm a weird, observant person and sometimes write down random phrases or things I hear out in public.

I'm a weirdo.

None of this sounds weird to me. It sounds like open-source inspiration.

[Myaccount876]

Re: How do YOU write vocal lines and lyrics?

I just play a bunch of short lead phrases over the parts of a song, and make whatever sounds best the vocal melody. Lyrics - either you like to write them (in which case you can do it with ease) or you hate writing them (and it is a real challenge). I just read whatever fancies me for inspiration.

[sebastianlouise]

Re: How do YOU write vocal lines and lyrics?

well, enjoying music only is my hobby. i dont want to be a lyricist.
casino roulette

[Lazarus1140]

Re: How do YOU write vocal lines and lyrics?

Sometimes I type. Other times I have used ball point pens, but some of my best lyric writing was done with non-mechanical #2 lead pencils. Creativity occasionally demands that you get down to bare essential mode.

[Wattage]

Re: How do YOU write vocal lines and lyrics?

I haven't read thru the whole thing yet but I will so if I am trampling over something already written I apologize.

Mostly they just sort of present themselves to me which sounds cheap I know but it's true. I am generally under no time restrictions though and I write pretty regularly. I sort of have this internal radio that is just there when I need it. Words are generally the issue, finding that seed that sets me off and ties it all up can be tricky. I often just start with a phrase that feels like it goes with the vibe of the music and then just go with it.

TO you are extraordinarily musical and thoughtful but I would recommend leaving those skills to the editing stage of the process. Let it flow without trying to control it too much. Keep a notebook and voice recorder of some sorts around for on the spot inspiration, put on the tracks and just ad lib then go back and listen for pieces that catch your fancy.

Paul Simon takes the band tracks with no vocals, cranks them up and just riffs vocally over them til he comes up with something that works. He's done alright with that I think.

Once you get a big pile, start putting the pieces together and then edit to make it coherent, musical, etc. I am sure you have some sort of methodology for writing the music it'll probably serve you to do the words in a similar fashion so it feels natural to you.

btw the first Monday of every month out a Five Towns College in Deer Park there is a songwriters workshop that is pretty good, also the Nashville Songwriters Association does something out there once a month as well. All are free to attend, if you're interested in taking a ride out let me know and I will get you more details.

[GuitarStv]

Re: How do YOU write vocal lines and lyrics?

Poorly.

[Falloffthebonetone]

Re: How do YOU write vocal lines and lyrics?

I'm in a Deathcore band, so in order to get a good sense of vocal melody, I just follow some garbage trucks around a few times a week.

As for lyrics, I usually just plagiarize from old Victorian poetry and the textbook from the Law Enforcement class I took in high school. Then I'll work in a few obscure or sometimes cliche action movie quotes.

When playing live, I tend to just say whatever I feel like until the action movie quote parts come. I try to make sure people can understand me when I say those parts. Most of the time anyway.

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: How do YOU write vocal lines and lyrics?

Here's a taste of the song I am working on right now, Tempest Suite:

Three
Adrift at sea
We must survive
We must keep ourselves alive
Her sails are drawing near
We reach out for life

She
Death on the sea
He, Death in Life
Not one of her crew survived
Now in death they will ride
For eternity

Just to follow up on this, here's what the finished product sounds like.

[everdrone]

Re: How do YOU write vocal lines and lyrics?

I'm in a Deathcore band, so in order to get a good sense of vocal melody, I just follow some garbage trucks around a few times a week.

As for lyrics, I usually just plagiarize from old Victorian poetry and the textbook from the Law Enforcement class I took in high school. Then I'll work in a few obscure or sometimes cliche action movie quotes.

When playing live, I tend to just say whatever I feel like until the action movie quote parts come. I try to make sure people can understand me when I say those parts. Most of the time anyway.

that is hilarious! thats exactly what I think of when I hear extreme metal cookie monster vocals

[GuitarStv]

Re: How do YOU write vocal lines and lyrics?

Just to follow up on this, here's what the finished product sounds like.

Seriously, you have a song about three people adrift at sea starving to death and no cannibalism?

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: How do YOU write vocal lines and lyrics?

Seriously, you have a song about three people adrift at sea starving to death and no cannibalism?

Not my story, it's EA Poe. And there is.

[Falloffthebonetone]

Re: How do YOU write vocal lines and lyrics?

that is hilarious! thats exactly what I think of when I hear extreme metal cookie monster vocals

You got a friend in me dude.

[everdrone]

Re: How do YOU write vocal lines and lyrics?

You got a friend in me dude.

cool brutha, when I get back in recording mode Ill hit ya up to do some awesome cookie monster vocals over some of my more extreme metal stuff I always wanted some cookie monster vocals all up in that shizzle

[Demanic]

Re: How do YOU write vocal lines and lyrics?

I don't know as I ever have. I have taken lyrics from others and written music to them and I have put lyrics to the music that others have written. I suppose they would have to all sort of come out of the same place at the same time if I were to do so in totality. That is I would have to hear the song in my head and have the lyrics just naturally go with the tune. Probably why I have yet to write any originals.