How do you write songs?

[guitarrob]

I figured for conversation sake, How do you write songs?
Do you use melody first and pick out the progressions
or
do you come up with the progressions first and then find a melody to fit it?
or
write the lyrics first and come up with the music later?

 

[Chickenwings]

Re: How do you write songs?

im a chords first, notes later player.
Lol...sometimes i steal 8 bar chunks of jazz standard changes and write a new melody over them.

 

[innerdreamrecords.co]

Re: How do you write songs?

Bass line/chord progression, tempo, vocal melody, instrumentation, lyrics.

 

[Laughing Kookaburra]

Re: How do you write songs?

Usually music first, then lyrics. There are exceptions to that. I then bring that to the band, where I look forward to ideas from them, especially when it comes to arrangements. Actually everything is up for grabs in terms of other's ideas for the songs.

 

[Chuck_Norris]

Re: How do you write songs?

It really depends. Most of the music I write emerges from jam sessions or imrovisations. Sometimes it starts with chords/riffs and sometimes with a melody. Once I have the basics, I listen to the mood of the song and try to empathize with it. Then I try to sing along using some lines that could fit in and if I like what I hear, I go on and write actual lyrics. Sometimes it works pretty well and the lyrics flow automatically, especially if strong feelings are involved.

Sometimes I have a strong urge to write something down and then I start with the lyrics. Once I got them, I grab my guitar and try to create chords/riffs. When the base frame is completed, the song is filled out with melodies and solos.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: How do you write songs?

No hard and fast rules. I find fitting chords to a melody far easier than the other way around. Other times, I just switch on whatever gear is available and see what happens.

This morning, I was adjusting the height of a pickup when I chanced to hammer-on a flattened fifth power chord. This set me thinking. I booted up Logic. Recorded the chord shape in a few positions. Recorded a LaLonde-esque scrabbly rhythm part. Blended a couple of Apple Loops drum grooves. The piece de resistance was playing fretless bass through the overdriven valve guitar amp. A Primus style backing track in forty five minutes.

Obviously, this splurge still requires some editing work and a decent melody. In the interests of appearing original, I ought to de-Primus the recording and make it sound more "me".

 

[Scott Olson]

Re: How do you write songs?

I'm a music first kind of guy. Feel it through the music once you have the right expression through the music the words come easy. As it progresses and becomes more solid, I'll start more complicated rythms, scales and what not.

 

[gilaltom3]

Re: How do you write songs?

Usually I'll get about 4 lines of lyrics stuck in my head with some basic sound behind them and then I'll build the song from there. However, I've done it the other ways you mentioned as well.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: How do you write songs?

I figured for conversation sake, How do you write songs?
Do you use melody first and pick out the progressions
or
do you come up with the progressions first and then find a melody to fit it?
or
write the lyrics first and come up with the music later?

In my opinion, if you put as much thought into beginning a song as you did into posing this question, you have overthought the matter.

I agree with gilaltom3 about having an idea stick in the mind and building from there. Ten percent inspiration. Ninety percent perspiration.

Most of the time, I just try to create the circumstances under which a worthwhile idea might arise. If/when an idea sticks, I make darn sure that I grab it.

In the case of words, just write down anything that seems relevant to the subject matter. Editing a surfeit of words is far easier than straining to add them.

 

[Andrew Lamprecht]

Re: How do you write songs?

Depends on the situation. If I am overly sad/upset/angry/happy anything I'll start with lyrics just to get emotions on paper. Later I'll write riffs around it and the lyrics provide the feelings.

Sometimes I write music first if I just have a good idea. This is usually how I write. I don't write lyrics as much as I used to.

 

[Wattage]

Re: How do you write songs?

Sometimes I just get an idea for a tune and it just comes out whole, I like those best. Most times I just crank away and something just sort of hits me and I go from there. Those sort of form a lyric idea from the music, I write on guitar, mostly electric.

 

[everdrone]

Re: How do you write songs?

I just follow the way of the riff. I have a riff in my head with a certain structure of rhythym and general notes that I like and then I record all the variations of it with my fav drum parts until I find the right one.