songwriting

Posted: Thu Sep 15, 2005 5:15 am

i need help writing songs... i can write songs relating to sad things and i find theyre good to listen to as most people can relate with a failed relationship and what not... but what are some techniques i could use to improve my writing abillity ??

Posted: Thu Sep 15, 2005 2:36 pm

If you're talking about lyrics, here is the advice I have to offer. Take it or leave it...

Begin by jotting down all of the feelings and ideas which relate to the topic subject

Begin to pair them to form sentances (obviously they need to make some sort of sense, so other words will usually nedd to be added to make it work)

Place sentances together which end with a similar rhyme (the rhymes don't have to be perfect, but atleast roll of the tongue well enough to notice some sort of a link)

Fill in the gaps trying to maintain the rhyme scheme which you should see appearing throughout what you have. WHATEVER YOU DO! Do not put something in for the sake of it rhyming. Rhymes may sound good if used well, but lyrics need to make some sort of sense realy.

Read through it in the way you imagine you would be singing it, and make any changes you need to make to keep a nice flow throughout.

I hope this helped in some way, even if only a little. Remember to use poetic techniques every now and again to add some interest to the song. Metaphors work especially well for this, but don't put more than 1 or 2 into every song, as it will be less effective the more it is used.

Posted: Fri Oct 28, 2005 11:24 pm

Two things: First, I've seen many songs, and not just by myself, that are themed with a general medaphor, and have many enclosed, linked medaphors that center around that medaphorical theme. So, I disagree with the advice that you shouldn't use more than two medaphors in a song. That should be determined by how well the medaphors are. I'd say at first, use two or less, but once you've begun to progress, and you can see your medaphors are getting better and better, I'd say use more. Just make sure that they're not irrelevant to other medaphors. For instance, if you're describing pain by saying, "You see that I'm just a, heavily dented, aluminum soda-can, with slits in my surface-," You shouldn't have the next medaphor (wherever you use it afterwards) be unrelated to pain. I guess that's an easier technique to keep to when writing a sad song.

The second, and obvious, piece of advice I'd give you, for writing a sad song, is don't just "pour" your emotions into the words, "overflow" them. If done correctly, one can give an intensity to their song lyrics that, otherwise, would be much less powerful, and in some cases not as intriguing.

If you're still checking this thread, I hope this helped. Wink

Take care. Later!

Posted: Sat Oct 29, 2005 1:53 am

thanks for the help guys

Posted: Sun Oct 30, 2005 7:22 am

If you're frustrated at not being able to think of something to write about, write something about that. Cool

-Seneki

Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2005 10:48 pm

lol. Great advice, Seneki.

I've done that myself once. The only thing is that I didn't really get all that into it, because let's face it, I don't have too many strong emotions about not bein' able to find ideas. Laughing

However, I've actually heard of this working before.

Oh yeah... Guitarist: Don't thank me for the help, damnit! (-not serious) -This site is about musicians sharing music and helping other musicians! What'd ya' think I was gonna' do? Very Happy

-In other, more serious words, you're welcome, man.

I wonder if somebody out there could write some lyrics centered around an odd, medaphorical theme about Cheerios.... Just a random thought that I had. Later!

Posted: Wed Nov 16, 2005 5:01 pm

hey man!
i rekon you should maybe focus less on trying to write a song and maybe more on what you want to say about something!

i believe in basically only wrighting a song naturally
if something gets you going or rattled in some way then write it down try to say everything about it and paint the clearest picture you can and try not to just say the obvious, ...... don't ignore the obvious, because it's obvious for a reason! Rolling Eyes

but try to extend on it and see the whole picture
basically stop and look around while every one else is too busy!
and try to point out what there missing
dont hold back! just write and write tilll you covered everything you're bound to get something out of that!!
and if you cant think of anything to say, then nows not the time wait till its screaming out from the inside !!
try listening to bob dylan if you don't already prob the best story telling song writer ever!!
have fun man ! martin (martins monkey)

Posted: Tue Nov 22, 2005 5:53 am

do what you do best from and grow from that. Too many cooks......

Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2005 12:33 pm

Ok, grab a pen and paper, sit down, there will be questions after class. Laughing

Songwriting is a royal pain in the ass, and I should know, I've written thousands. There are rules, but they're bendable.

First off ensure that the lyric itself has a good rhyming scheme, ie: rhymes every line or every second line or every third, here we have: i ii iii.

Next check your verses, chorus and bridge. In songwriting mathmatics a verse is:A, Chorus is: C and a bridge is:B, therefore we have A,B,C...verse, bridge chorus.

Example:

A
i (rhyme end of each line)
B-Bridge
ii (rhyme every other line)
A
B
C-Chorus

Ok, so that's the basics.

Writing the actual thing, away from the structure, is the hardest part. The story you tell has to make sense. The first verse needs a hook to draw the listener in, so say this is about a broken heart:

Another shard of a shattered heart.....could be your first line

the first verse must then follow this line, ie, finish what you where saying. Next you must think is there another verse, a bridge or chorus.

The bridge, according to contrary belief, must be in a different key...no, it doesn't, but it must move the story along a little, almost as if saying: And Later, or Next week.

Right with all that out of the way, I have to say that only practice and time will improve technique and ability, but remember:

Your rhyming scheme
ABC
and most importantly that first verse hook.

Good luck

Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2005 6:56 pm

Howdy Brooksy, been long time. welcome back. new i.d.?

Shane/smili

Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2005 7:03 pm

lol, yeah...didn't know if I was still here...infact don't know if I'm still there... Confused

Who am I? Who knows, who cares....Muuunnnccchhhhyyyy Laughing

P.S.
Was that songwriting advice right..been a while...

songwriting

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