Forums > Songwriting > How do ya go about writing a song?
Jump:
Forums > Songwriting > How do ya go about writing a song?
Original message:518 days 23 hours 13 minutes ago
+ 1  
Member: Ben W
4
WebCred
I've been playing guitar for a while now and have never really tried to write a song but would liek to start. First of all, Where the heck do I begin to write a song and what kind of things do I write about? Just tell me how you might go about writing a song I guess. Thanks :)
My music recommendations:
Reply:518 days 20 hours 59 minutes ago
Member: Def
    + 2  
20
WebCred
there's four and twenty million ways to write songs. I'm sure everyone hear has a different "method." I just sit and start strumming (not really thinking about it), and if the chords all sound good, I start to sing (mostly non sequitur babble) and a vocal melody just creates itself, then I turn the gibberish into actual words. Sometimes my lyrics are personal. Sometimes they're random streams of thought and/or nonsensical. But as I said, everyone here will have different methods to writing music- that's just how I do it.

www.myspace.com/mancband
My gear recommendations:
  
Reply:517 days 6 hours 9 minutes ago
Member: Emm
    + 1  
114
WebCred
what i do is i listen to people [mostly my firends] talk and write down anything i think might be good in a song i havent worked out yet how to put music to it yet tho lol.....
My music recommendations:
Reply:517 days 5 hours 59 minutes ago
Member: Captain Kelly
    + 2  
20
WebCred
I write the lyrics, and if theyre about depressing things like break-ups etc, then i sing them in a sad way, and vice verca. then i find the chords that most fir the tune im singing and add any riffs or solos after. its not as if im ever going to be in the charts or out, so if i like it, it'll do me :D
good luck
My music recommendations:
Reply:509 days 12 hours 40 minutes ago
Member: Buck
    + 2  
26
WebCred
Like Def said, there's plenty of ways. What happens for me most often than not is I start with a riff. Then I try to build form there until I have almost a complete song. If it's a strong riff the rest seems to come together pretty well...I can almost hear where it's going next. The feel of the songs helps me dictate the lyrics if I have any...sometimes I leave it to the singer. On rare occasions lyrics come to me before the song but I find I have alot more trouble writing that way.
If I start a song and I hit a snag where it doesn't seem to lead anywhere I leave it alone almost immediately. Good songs aren't forced...frustration leads to compromises and you end up with a song you're not happy with.
Strumming is a good way to start to build your base...record that if you can. You have your basic chords and you know where the song is going. Then listen back to it (over and over if you have to) to see if any riffs pop into your head that you like.
A basic song structure would go something like this: Intro, verse, verse, chorus then repeat.
Hope that helps!!
My music recommendations:
Reply:489 days 6 hours 37 minutes ago
Member: Klaus Vanderson
    0  
14
WebCred
Trying to force a song, as mentioned above is definitely not a good idea. There are a million variables and nobody can explain them all. One way I end up writing is I'll sit around just sort of noodling, and something will catch my attention, which I will turn into a riff. Then I'll get a chord progression that fits with the riff. Other times, if what I'm writing doesn't call for a riff of any sorts, I'll play a chord and follow that up with whatever sounds best, and basically just trial and error until I can accurate express what I'm trying to do.
Reply:483 days 23 hours 41 minutes ago
Member: reach-down
    0  
1
WebCred
i write pretty much everything on guitar pro, its great for experimenting with different drum beats and basslines and once you've written all the sections of the song you can mess about trying different song structures. you can get a free demo at http://www.guitar-pro.com
My music recommendations:
Reply:483 days 20 hours 58 minutes ago
Member: shanejohnson2002
    0  
1863
WebCred
I like to come up with a concept. Something that moves me. I'll then come up with some lyrics and then match some music to fit the mood. However, other times I come up with some great music that reminds of something that moves me and sort of massage the lyrics into place however I can. I'd say it goes 50 / 50. But it's always involving a personal connection with something.
My music recommendations:
My gear recommendations:
  
Reply:483 days 19 hours 14 minutes ago
Member: sixsteelstrings
    0  
60
WebCred
its hard to write a song that has no meaning or isn't about something that has happened to you. ill either start writing about whatever is on my mind, or play around with my guitar with that subject in mind. but whatever you do dont force it, words are hard to come by, but you will find them eventually
My music recommendations:
My gear recommendations:
  
Reply:479 days 4 hours 14 minutes ago
Member: Kenny Baccus
    0  
56
WebCred
When you're playing around on guitar and you make up something that sounds good, just write it down. And if you continue playing that riff, mess with it a little, add stuff to it, change it around, the possibilities are endless.
My music recommendations:
My gear recommendations:
  
Reply:477 days 23 hours 5 minutes ago
Member: Evil Kitty
    0  
307
WebCred
To me it is all about the mood. If I have lyrics I find the "mood" that fits the words. Otherwise I will just pick an emotion and try to re-create it musically. Depression and Joy are the easiest (think minor and major). Try to dig deeper - like how did you feel when you got caught doing something wrong or being seductive.
Another way is to start with a drum beat and then build around it.
The more I think of it - the more it really depends on the genre you are trying to write and of course everyone thinks differently. It is really a personal thing and you really have to hear a song in your head and then put it to paper/record it.
Hope you find out a method that works for you.
My music recommendations:
My gear recommendations:
  
Moslem or Christians Mullah or Pope, Preacher or poet who was it wrote Give any one species too much rope And they'll f*ck it up.
Reply:477 days 11 hours 55 minutes ago
Member: RuiOlasBrandon 's
    0  
471
WebCred
Follow the music your heart tells you to follow. Dont try to please anyone with your music!!
My music recommendations:
My gear recommendations:
  
Hey, I'm stupid!
Reply:472 days 7 hours 45 minutes ago
Member: Jimmy Burns
    0  
6
WebCred
I just make up little riffs and separate them into parts that sound like a verse, chorus, bridge, or whatever. then i put them all together and if l like it i keep it and if not i rearange and get rid of some and put some in until im happy with it. Then, usually at like 11 at night, i get a huge idea for lyrics and they just come to me. I write about anything.Anything that comes to mind. You can t really go wrong with sad songs though. they make girls cry.lol. well, hope i helped!
Jump:
Contact us   |   Spread the word   |   Interested in Advertising   |   Provide Content
© 2008 Guitar.com, Inc. All rights reserved.
Guitar.com, Guitardotcom and the logo, are service marks of Guitar.com, LLC.