Tips And Questions

[D!nandtott!]

If you have any tips...post them here...if you have any questions...post them here

I ask all members to visit this thread once in a while and see if you can help someone out.

[BeefiestCloud]

some tips... Go wild with your writing. Be creative with it. Dont be afraid of writing somethin cause you may think it sucks... So what if it does? You may look back at it a few months later and it might provoke another idea, or concept for something better to build on. I would suggest that you read other peoples writings. It will help you get your own style of writing.

[sadisticmonkey]

dont get caught up in writing dark twisted imagery (unless thats truly who you are) write what comes from the heart and soul....

also, dont use words you dont know the meaning to...

[HaVIC5]

Metaphors are your friend. Even if they are rather bland, they can add a lot to you writing.

[sk8r crus8r]

Don't worry about whether to write music first or lyrics first. Do whichever one you're inspired in first.

[OobieJ00bie]

How would I start out making a song? I can sit and think for a long time and end up with nothing. I might be able to come up with a few words or sentances sometimes but thats all, Any help on starting out? Thanks

Great tips by the way keep them coming!

[jurialmunkey]

its a pitty we lost the original songwriting guide to spam...

So Far we have

01. Be Wild and don't care about what others might think.
02. Try out your ideas if they don't work it doesn't matter.
03. Read otherpeoples stuff
04. Write from the heart, no from a facade
05. Watch out for big words.
06. Metaphors are your friend!!!!!! (THIS IS A BIG POINT)
07. Doesn't matter whether you write music or lyrics first.

[sadisticmonkey]

be aware of the meaning of your song...in otherwords, always be ready to explain your song...whether it has meaning or not

(John lennon insisted Lucy in th sky with diamonds, was not about LSD, but a picture his son Julian drew that showed his school pal, lucy, flying in the sky with diamonds....Was this the real meaning? or a clever way to avoid bad publicity?)

[MINE13]

*extreme embarrasment*...remind me...what's a metaphor exactly?..

[jurialmunkey]

A Metaphor is something used to describe something by comparing it to another thing to show that it shares similar qualities while not being the actual thing. A Metaphor is a compressed simile

Example of a Metaphor
The Man IS a bear - The man isn't physically a bear but this instead inplies that the man shares the qualities of a bear such as being big, fearsome and strong.... or maybe furry.

Example of a Simile
The Man IS LIKE a bear - Similar to the metaphor but doesn't show the extreme likness, with the metaphor we get a much bolder picture but this may not always be the effect we want. eg The Moon is Cheese compared to The Moon is like Cheese - the metaphor in this case just sounds ridiculus

[D!nandtott!]

Originally posted by MINE13
*extreme embarrasment*...remind me...what's a metaphor exactly?..


and


Originally posted by jurialmunkey
A Metaphor is something used to describe something by comparing it to another thing to show that it shares similar qualities while not being the actual thing. A Metaphor is a compressed simile

Example of a Metaphor
The Man IS a bear - The man isn't physically a bear but this instead inplies that the man shares the qualities of a bear such as being big, fearsome and strong.... or maybe furry.

Example of a Simile
The Man IS LIKE a bear - Similar to the metaphor but doesn't show the extreme likness, with the metaphor we get a much bolder picture but this may not always be the effect we want. eg The Moon is Cheese compared to The Moon is like Cheese - the metaphor in this case just sounds ridiculus


This makes me happy :)

[Lowridenn]

01. I am a firm believer that you do not have to have a personal experience to write about something. (IE: I've never had a close friend of mine die, but I can write about it).

02. Word choice. Try not to use the same adjective twice in one piece (unless it's rather large). (IE: "The crimson smell lost it's potency" and "Crimson seeps from my wound like a re-hired scab") It makes the piece seem boring and repetetive.

03. I personally think that reading other people's works, is one of the most important thing you can do. If you don't understand a word in someone's piece, look it up. http://dictionary.com is a wonderful site (it also has a thesaurus). This is how you learn new words.

[flywithdiamonds]

I personally think that there are 3 things that all writers should try and stick too these are structure, flow and colour.

Structurless songs are pretty much useless as it will be a hell of a job putting music to it and it just won't work so make sure you structure your songs.

Flow is not as important as structure but its important to be able to link parts of songs together so they don't seem like random lone sentences.

Colour this is not as important as the previous two as colour comes from the music not the words but it's nicer to read more colourful songs on here.

well there you have it my bitchy guide too song writing
Steve

[sk8r crus8r]

Originally posted by OobieJ00bie
How would I start out making a song? I can sit and think for a long time and end up with nothing. I might be able to come up with a few words or sentances sometimes but thats all, Any help on starting out? Thanks

Great tips by the way keep them coming!

Just be patient. In time, you'll get a good idea for a couple of guitar riffs or a drum beat or some lyrics and the whole thing will fall into place just building on that one element.

[machubaby705]

Hey, ne one withne ideas out there, would they like to hepl me out. Im a punk guitar player and i need some tips on writing music

[jurialmunkey]

Originally posted by D!nandtott!

This makes me happy :)

Why thank-you!

To Machubaby705: if u enjoy playing punk try to stick to basic chords and powerchords and get used to alot of fast right hand picking for long times... learn somebasic chord sequences such as I IV V etc. and play with rhythms

personally I feel by limiting ur self to a style u limit ur musical talent, experiment and find ur own sound and style.

If lyrics r the problem then the only 2 things that can really help u develop is reading other peoples stuff that u like and also stuff u don't like, but also try to identify their strengths and weeknesses and practice writing. It will develop if u keep 2 it, keep trying because it won't happen overnight, and then one day u'll look at ur stuff and say "hey this stuff is actually pretty good" (hopefully)

[The Unforgiven One]

If you have a problem with getting ideas. I'll reveal my secret, just write every thought that enters your head, then when your through just weed out the crap and rewite it. I don't expect this to work for anyone else but me but you all can try and if it does work thats great.

[Blinded From Truth]

Masturbate at least 6 times a day, it can do wonders for you, also make sure that you use lubricant, or it may be a little irritating

[peacesellsuk]

i need some advice on lyrics for a nice song i have wrote. I have no problem commin up with riffs, and i have made this really nice song, but dont know where to start lyrics wise. Its really soft song, like nothing else matters by metallica(if uve heard that). Once i get a topic for the lyrics im away, but i cant seem to get anything down, can u please help, thanks, andy

[phetheant]

I have the opposite problem, dont seem to have a problem with writing the lyrics for my songs...up to a point...but as yet ive not been able to match a single song with any music ive tried to do for it. :(

[phetheant]

sorry to reply to myself...but andy either post your music on here or let me know if you want to email it to me and ill see if i can suggest a topic that might set u on your way.

[EmoGuitarist182]

I have a probablem when a write my lyrics I always rhyme but some times I dont want to. What should I do?

[D!nandtott!]

^^^^

Don't rhyme

Did I understand you wromg?

[BeefiestCloud]

I've just started coming to the songwriting and lyrics forums more often here recently. And I've noticed that just about all of the songs submitted are depressing, about bieng neglected and feeling sorry for yourself, wallowing in self pitty. A suggestion would be to try and write about something other then someone not bieng liked, or getting teased or made fun of. Its cliche', so maybe try and go beyound that.

[waiting]

woohoo!!! Finally! Someone else has noticed how unoriginal depressing lyrics are! There's a lot of angst in this forum... and although not always a bad thing, it does get dull (sorry guys!)

I know its a good source of material.. but if ur depressed it might be just as effective to write a happier, more optimistic song... you might feel even better at the end of it.

Can you imagine how depressing listening to music would be if popular bands all wrote like a lot of you guys do?

[Livin_4_Eva]

Hey all... I need help with writing lyrics. I can writh the music fine but when it comes to lyrics, im cluless... i appreciate your help...

~MIKE~

PS ~ I TOTALLY agree with waiting and BeefiestCloud. There are way too many people writhing too many depressing lyrics! Optimsim can do wonders...

[DarkLikePoe]

My problem is that it's hard for me to write using metaphors and imagery in whatever the song is about. All the lyrics I write are too straight-forward. There's no mystery to anything.

[Masonmen]

I have a bass part and a drum part all figured out for a beginning of a song, but I dont know the bass tab, and I need to add a guitar part, a verse, and a chorus, and lyrics. So far, all I know is the notes for bass and the drum beat. I think it would sound killer. Also, I heard earlier that when you think of a good song, write it down right away, or else you're in big doo-doo. I always think of amazing, creative, original songs in my sleep, and whenever Iwake up, I have to rush to get to school.

[Livin_4_Eva]

Originally posted by Masonmen
I have a bass part and a drum part all figured out for a beginning of a song, but I dont know the bass tab, and I need to add a guitar part, a verse, and a chorus, and lyrics. So far, all I know is the notes for bass and the drum beat. I think it would sound killer. Also, I heard earlier that when you think of a good song, write it down right away, or else you're in big doo-doo. I always think of amazing, creative, original songs in my sleep, and whenever Iwake up, I have to rush to get to school.

I get the same way. Right when i wake up i get a kickin idea but then i get wrapped up in getting rushed out the door so my 1st period teacher doesnt yell at me again. :angry: he makes me mad... but any ways thanks for the advice. Next time i get something in my head i think i'll write it down on something... next thing youll know... my arm will be "tatooed" with ideas.

[waiting]

I really wouldn't recommend writing seperate parts like that as the first step to songwriting. You'll end up forcing things, or they might not fit together quite so well.

The way me and my band do things is that I write on my acoustic and complete the song like that (very singer/songwriter-ish!)
This meas the song is good when it stands alone, on its simplest level.

Then I play them the song teach them the chord progressions and then its up to each persons interpretation of the song/music that comes together as the final song.

This way its far more inspired and human than sitting down and writing individual parts. Its also much easier cos you dont need to understand so much music theory!

[flywithdiamonds]

Originally posted by waiting
I really wouldn't recommend writing seperate parts like that as the first step to songwriting. You'll end up forcing things, or they might not fit together quite so well.

The way me and my band do things is that I write on my acoustic and complete the song like that (very singer/songwriter-ish!)
This meas the song is good when it stands alone, on its simplest level.

Then I play them the song teach them the chord progressions and then its up to each persons interpretation of the song/music that comes together as the final song.

This way its far more inspired and human than sitting down and writing individual parts. Its also much easier cos you dont need to understand so much music theory!

Looks like there's actually someone that understands music in this forum.

[D!nandtott!]

If I am honest....I post poetry here as well..and songs I made like waiting said...The poems get the best crits and when I do it like waiting...you all think it's bad :upset:

[Reckless Abandon]

Lately I've had writer's block and it's driving me insane. Are there any ideas for getting rid of it? Your help would be most appreciated.

[D!nandtott!]

^^^^

Take a word and just start writing....don't think of your block at all. It will only close you....

[Masonmen]

How hard could it possibly be to find a bass player? Ive been in a band for a while now, and we technically arent a band yet because I guess the leader hasnt even looked for a bass player yet

[waiting]

woohoo!!! FInally I've got some of you on my side! thanks for the compliment flywithdiamonds!

Writing songs IS completely different to poetry. D! what you said proves it and I agree completely: whenever people in here write song lyrics they get absolutley trashed and slammed by other people. WHenever someone writes poetry most people seem to love it!

Seems a little bit odd don't you think?

[Zero0Bass]

the only reason that people gets slammed when writing music is they think there is always a huge gap between musical lyrics and poetry. it IS completely possible to have lyrics that are extremely close to poetry. People get slammed when they make music lyrics because they leave out the emotion and the enigmatic feel that many of the "poems" in this forum have. If people would realize this is the most important part of a song, rather than just carrying over the remnants of the poem, bleached of all emotion and abstract concepts, and posting it as music, than they wouldn't get so demolished in the forums. Also, happy songs often lose their message.

[JimiFaze]

How can you write a happy song? About what?
A nice house with a nice var and some nice kids?
but i'm only 16... All i have in my life is just sadness and dispair...

[theblackout]

I got this problem - I can write a verse which please me BUT when I write prechorus or chorus it always - most of times - it doesn't fit with the verse, you know what I mean? I don't know how to write a chorus with the same point which is in a verse. If you know how to help, please do that. It would be a great relieve.

[JimiFaze]

:rolleyes:

[Blinded From Truth]

Singing Tips? Please? I've already starting doing some of the things people said (singing loudly with the radio, singing into a wall [which by the way doesnt work too well, i just recorded myself instead], and even the one about twisting my nipples [that one didnt work either, i sounded like a dying animal])
But I am still so lost, I would still like help on more ways to warm up my voice and reach a range of pitches. I also have trouble with staying at one constant pitch while singing, when i hit parts that may move up a little higher or lower pitched, my voice totally bombs. Also I still don't quite get how to "sing out of my stomach" how exactly do i push the air from there? are there any techniques to help me do this? I would greatly appreciate it if i got some more help, thx alot

[starlock]

Sometimes it helps to put a book on your stomach and try to make it rise to learn to sing from your diaphragm, lay on your bed and try it. I had to learn when I was getting all involved with clarinet, and spent most of my days in class teaching my body to breathe that way automatically-I have to force myself to breathe shallowly now. Everytime you feel your shoulders rise with a breath, or your upper body puff out with one, indicating shallow breathing, imagine pushing the air your sucking in as going through your lungs to your stomach...sorry for the long explanation, but it seemed hard to describe. For breath control, having the initial base of air in your diaphragm helps, but should also practice with a candle for it to be perfect-blow across the top of the flame and try to make it bend instead of blowing it out. These exercises will help you warm up, but I'm trying to get in the habit of singing along with scales on me guitar to help pitch control, so....
I'll post a rant on songwriting later, but wanted to answer the current question...

[robokop]

i never sit down and say "right i'm gonna write a song now". an idea will just come into my head for a verse or chorus. sometimes its only a line showing a theme. then i just work from wot ive got. i also try to write down every idea i have, even if it might seem rubbish i write it down cause i dont no wot it could turn into.
as for music i usually stumble across my riffs by accident. again i rarely set out to write something. sometimes i have an idea in my hed that ill jam around until im happy with it.

[peacesellsuk]

tHIS MAY NOT APPLY TO EVERYONE BUT IT MAY DO SO...........

I always think of cool riffs when i was just jamming by myself, i think most people are like that, but i usually foget it, or lose the paper i wrote it on.

So what i do now is i record everything i do on to tape, so if i think of a cool riff by myself, and forget the rythm of it, it can easily be figured out via the tape, u may be able to piece riffs together and altar them so they fit with the song,

Hope its useful, :D andy:lol:

[Yambola]

Yeah, I would like to reemphasize the importance of using similes as well as metaphors, as they can be extremely effective.

"Words are flowing out like endless rain into a paper cup. They tumble blindly past they make their way across the universe."

[The Purple Water]

i mostely get my inspiration on stuff i witness in everyday life. not just personal expeirences, but otherpeoples. I see how they feel and write about them. One day...just go out, and observe, try not to interact with anyone, just for one day...you will see how it pays off. oh and another suggestion...dont write lyrics first....or music first.....write them at the same time....it a lot easier to make em fit together

[BigMuffBilly]

I dont know if its just me but when i go to write a song - i either have the lyrics sorted out and can't of any riffs to match or i can make up riffs but can't write to them.

Somebody please help?

[waiting]

I have a story for you all, which has a good meaning. Recently I was at an all night party and I'd taken my acoustic with me. It was a bout 4 in the morning and a small group of us were still up, sitting round a table drinking. Somehow (I'm not sure quite how we got into it) we ended up ad libbing a song, me playing a random chord progression, and me and a mate writing lyrics as we went. For inspiration we used what ever was in the room and on the table in front of us.

Not only was this hilariously funny ( I know it doesn't sound like it now, but we were wasted!!) but it was actually, lyrically, one of the best songs I've ever heard.

So the moral is, use whatevers around you for inspiration, and don't necessarily wait for something special to happen!

[sweboy]

Anyone have any tips bout making up riffs and music?
And I dont mean lyrics. Thx.

[Megatier]

Personification is also a good thing to have up your sleave. It can add alot to those straightfoward, dull thoughts you have, developing it from a simple statement into something with feeling and imagery. Ex "I left her" turns into "I turned away from here like shadows running from the light"

Personification is giving human like qualities, characteristics, emotions, or actions to a nonhuman object. Various examples are "The wall stared back at me" "As I held the earth in my hands it spoke to me and smiled"

And heres something I would like to see more often in all musicians in general...don't write every song about liking or disliking someone/something. Tell a story, be creative and original. You can transfer a whole lot of information and emotion in 4 minutes, and have it all fit together. If you get stuck on 1 idea, move on to another one. Its a proven fact when you stress your mind out trying to squeeze out the last detail, not thinking about it at all for at least 10 minutes is the best thing possible to do. The best music just comes to you, albeit some have more inspiration than others, but thats what being an artist is, and a songwriter uses words as a sculptor uses his hands to mold the image.

[BandInMyPocket]

my biggest tip would be to just write, if it goes good in yor head it probably will also go well to music. dont get too uptight about what others think, and if you are nervous try adding some chords to it and no matter what the words are it will sound decent if done right

[The Unforgiven One]

I have had it with everyone saying that happy songs a re great and sad songs just suck or vice versa. What does it matter whether or not someones song is happy as long as its from the heart. Songwriting is something I take very seriously, it's a positive outlet for what I deal with in life. I'll be honest with you guys, I don't lead the saddest life, but frankly I've had more than my share od sorrow, guilt and shame, so if my songs depress you I'm sorry, but it's how I go on with my life, and I respect whatever anyone writes as long as its from the heart and their proud of it. Their I've said my share I'm done. May peace go with you....

Respectfully,
Jason

[Blinded From Truth]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Very well said, very good. I'm with you on that one. You shouldn't be writing your songs by trying not to come off too "happy", or "pop", or "depressed", for most people writing is just a way to release what they're feeling. If your writing makes you happy, don't be insecure and get rid of a song just because of what people may think, keep it if it makes you content.

[waiting]

I agree with both of the above

I know I'm normally the one who complains about overly depressing lyrics... but I don't reckon people shouldn't write "depressing" lyrics.

My only point is, that a lot of the posters on this forum seem to write songs that have a dreperssive edge through them just for the hell of it. Some of its not heartfelt... its manufactured that way to fit in with the current trend in the US for teenage angst.

I don't have a problem with anything thats written from the heart... I do it myself when I'm down, but there are a certani few who just seem to be trying to fit in with a trend.

There... thats MY bit on the subject!!

[genocide1915]

I think the trend is changing to garage rock like the datsuns so all the people writing depressive lyrics to fit in will change with the fashion.

[birdawg]

hmmm, I'm new to the forums and have just started learning to play the guitar about two to three months ago. I know quite a few chords and tried makeing a song, I have trouble finding chords that fit the words though. Got any tips?

[sk8r crus8r]

Originally posted by waiting
I agree with both of the above

I know I'm normally the one who complains about overly depressing lyrics... but I don't reckon people shouldn't write "depressing" lyrics.

My only point is, that a lot of the posters on this forum seem to write songs that have a dreperssive edge through them just for the hell of it. Some of its not heartfelt... its manufactured that way to fit in with the current trend in the US for teenage angst.

I don't have a problem with anything thats written from the heart... I do it myself when I'm down, but there are a certani few who just seem to be trying to fit in with a trend.

There... thats MY bit on the subject!!

And here's mine...

Personally, I put all my emotions into poetry. The songs, instead, focus on stories to tell and observations that have been made, usually pointing out irony, conflict, and the side of human nature that most people tend to ignore. Sometimes, this makes my music seem depressing, but in truth, it's just my attempt to teach a lesson by showing common human errors and emotions of the past and present, and their consequences, be it for good or ill.

[The Unforgiven One]

Good point Sk8r, well said.

[AntiGovRealist]

I, personally, am very hypothetical about writing, i.e. i put myself into situations and think of how i would react, its also fun to make a song that has no meaning and for people to read it and go "what the?"

[Jeseca]

I just happened to stumble upon the lyrics board today. I can't believe I have never noticed it until now... Well anyways a lot of people need some advice. I'll help you out as much as I can even though I am just an amateur myself...an ameteur who writes a lot of music.

One problem that I see in a lot of amateur music and in poetry is the rhyming. Sometimes people get themselves in a rut and then add words that make no sense just so they can ryhme. The reason why ryhmeing "sounds good" is because it has the same stress sounds as the word it ryhmes with.
(I.E. With a ryhme scheme
They kissed and danced in silent snow,
Warmth from his eyes made her heart grow.
Without a ryhme scheme
They kissed and danced in silent snow,
He had disguised his heart of black

The sn- in snow is the stressed syllable and so is the gr- in grow that is why it sounds good so to find the same balance in a non ryhming word you have to think of a word whose first syllable is stressed as well such as the bl- in black. You will find it sounds just as good and you have more of a variety of words you can use. Also the lines have the same total of syllables.

They-kissed-and-danced-in-si-lent-snow
he-had-dis-guised-his-heart-of-black
both lines of 8 syllables

I hope that helps a little with you ryhmers out there.

The sorrowful songs that people constantly write are more constant than the more "uplifting" songs. If you insist on writing sad songs maybe a happier beat to it would help. For example The Offspring put a happy beat to "She's Got Issues" or "Beheaded" which don't have the happiest lyrics, but the music made it "uplifting." Also, if you need some happy inspiration a lot of punk music tends to be humorous and happy it depends really. It doesn't hurt to smile once in a while after all :lol:

Finally, for those non inspired music writers out there: music has so many identities and everyone has different ideas on what they consider to be "good music." Good writers read a lot, good poets read a ton of poetry, and good song writers read and listen to a ton of different music. Practice practice practice!

If you need any advice or better explainations about anything let me know music is my life and I enjoy helping others.

[Captain Moroni]

How can I go about trying to improve my vocabulary for writing lyrics?

[Jeseca]

If you need a vocabulary uplift try using a thesaurus ( a synonym reference book) if you don't have one lying around try an online thesaurus and sometimes word processors have one. Hope that helps :)

[skate_or_die_411]

what happens if people copy your lyrics off of here? im not saying that anyone would. but im sure it could happen. is it a good idea to copywrite your songs?

[sla14ca]

it is always a good idea to do that, but if they ask you to use it and you say yes, then it is not as bad.

[sla14ca]

i got a tip for everyone, read a history book, and write about a time in history. it is a good exercise. and you learn something new, maybe.

[sk8r crus8r]

Not just a time in history, but if there's a specific battle or story or whatever from history (or from your religious texts, they're also pretty good for this stuff), you can write about that and get some pretty good songs.

[ColdFire]

Originally posted by skate_or_die_411
what happens if people copy your lyrics off of here? im not saying that anyone would. but im sure it could happen. is it a good idea to copywrite your songs?

If Someone copies your lyrics off here you can't do crap about it. But MX (jeremy) can. When you sign up for an account it says anything you post becomes the property of MX. I have heard that MX is a nice guy and would probably give you back your copyrights to it so you can sue whoever stole them.

[The Unforgiven One]

Yeah, Jeremy will give you rights to it all you have to do is ask him if you think someone has ripped you off he'll help you out.

[D!nandtott!]

^^

I join that thought

[Solstice]

wow you two should get together and make out or something...or maybe you're twins i dunno. Also, lowridden mayeb you were jsut using an example but, i wanna say that you wouldn't use the would "crimson" to describe a smell anyway, i thought that was kinda funny that you said that...cause i was like-"wow this guy is a pretty good writer, he/she is deep", then i realized that you can't smell crimson...which made me laugh at you...:lol:

[striz]

my newest thing is to carry a small black hardcover book around with me everywhere I go. I write in it, doodle in it, rant in it, and write funny notes in class with it. basically, I jumble everything I can into it, and sometimes something good comes out. that makes it so that if you hear a melody in your head in science class, you can jot something down.

I like to write in places where I think a lot. I write on my roof, on the subway, or by a campfire. The one thing I can't do is make up a riff, but hopefully I'll get to that.

if you really want to understand how music for a *band* goes together, I'd recommend taking a brief spin on the other instruments. I'm primarily a guitar player, but after picking up the bass for my band and teaching myself some piano chords, I feel better equiped for writing and thinking, not to mention variety in your jams.

my last word of advice is use your emotions. if you're happy, write happy. if you can't stop thinking about some girl, write a love song. if you're **** outta luck and you feel like hitting something, WRITE IT. its (mostly) all good on paper, and worst case scenario is you have a great book to look back on next year.

$.02
striz

[pennybridge pioneer]

i am 14 and am trying to write songs for the first time. i find the lyrics pretty easy but when i read it through after it sounds like a rap which i dont want it to at all. and me being a drummer i find it hard to come up with some decent tunes so then cant think of the beats to go with it. i am in a band but we jus started out and arent that serious yet so i dont think showin me the songs ive writin is a good idea yet.

[recklessabandon182]

i remember i wrote a song a while back, but it was more politicalish and i was really into pop-punk at the time. now i'm more into political and i wish i had saved it. i say save all your songs. u dont want to get into a pickle like i did. make a folder and label it trash songs, and throw in stuff you dont like anymore in it.

[Reckless Abandon]

I really seem to have that problem. Whenever I can't write anything because or writer's block or I just go back later and look at the song but don't like it, I end up deleting it like an idiot. I got rid of a lot of stuff.

[the_strange_one]

Create a "hook", something which summarises the whole song in one line, eg "every rose has its thorn..."
"don't be cruel"
in each song, write about truths, they can be joyful truths, sad truths, and try to capture an emotion.
Every line counts, so make sure you use your words wisely.
Don't compare yourself to others, and remind yourself constantly that what you're doing is NOT ****. I know that if you have this mindframe, it can be so easy to give up.
Relating to the hooks, read other peoples lyrics learn off them, and try and locate hooks.
Remember, no matter how much criticism you get, it's YOUR style, so if you like it, keep it
Try and find your muse in everything, for example, it can be listening to a song of someone's who's voice you think is beautiful, or your muse can be in your dreams... whatever inspires you.
If you do have writers block, I suggest using this time refining songs.
ANd finally, music is art. Express yourself in whatever way you wish, be creative, you don't always have to use real life experiences.

[coolreens]

one of the best ways to come up with lyrics is driving in the car. its quite, ur all alone, and if u start singing or ne thing no one will have to know. just dont drive off the road.:) its been raning here in my neck of the woods lately and i took a drive in the rain today and i was truely inspired. i dont know if this would work for anyone else but its sure worth a shot.

[pennybridge pioneer]

I can never seem to write chorus's very well. Verse's come too well. my chorus's end up being too long and too complicated. anyone know how to fix this?

[D!nandtott!]

^^^ Write only verses...Pick out the best as chorus :)

[BenBaker06]

Pick out the CATCHIEST as a chorus, the chorus is like the signature of the song, the part that everyone should covet. In theory, of course.

[Rise]

This is what I have found has being useful:

Lyrics:

Write about something meaningful, and not just something generic to the genre. Try to be groundbreaking and try new things

You dont need the standard structure verse/prechorus/chorus etc. None of my songs do, and if they do the chorus is changing (keeping the same syablles)

dont repeat words, but repeating a certain hook for a song will enhance it. Such as for 'Lamb of God' - Marilyn Manson: "Lamb of god have mercy on us, lamb of god wont you dread us"

Write the whole song on the spot, dont try to leave for later. Ive done it sometimes, and the songs starts really good then just plummets.

Instruments:

Learn scales, and all associated theory with your instrument. It helped me a hell of a lot.

dont worry about making your song alienate or sound totally different from your others. Versitility (is that a word? lol) is important.

just do what feels good. Screw what others think, its your music and your song.


Thats helped me, but some of those rules cant be associated with certain genres. (its basically necessary to include a chorus in punk, pop or rock songs) Im a metal fan myself.

[Blinded From Truth]

Cunilingus?

[Krooger]

Flamingo?

[AntiGovRealist]

should i even bother to ask... yes i believe i should. WHY IN ALL HELL DID U WRITE CUNILINGUS? i must say: you're a strange one mister grinch.

[dietofworms]

whenever ive got writers block i listen to some nirvana or some other great band because theyve got some really good ideas. i do kind of a freewrite- i write down exactly what a song reminds me of and that normally can turn into a song

dietofworms

[ross89]

Originally posted by coolreens
one of the best ways to come up with lyrics is driving in the car. its quite, ur all alone, and if u start singing or ne thing no one will have to know. just dont drive off the road.:) its been raning here in my neck of the woods lately and i took a drive in the rain today and i was truely inspired. i dont know if this would work for anyone else but its sure worth a shot.
im sure this would be a great idea if i could drive and i wasn't 13

[jackassjake]

Great songwriting tips here they have helped me a lot.
If you want to talk to me about Music and guitar playing my hotmail adress is
jake_price_uk@hotmail.com

[gstock05]

i'm in a band just startin out, we have a good drummer, i'm bass, and our guitarist is ok, but i wanna be able to write songs, any tips overall and guitar tricks n stuff...... also what's a good band name?:D

[Mad_Mic_Skill]

try to get a 'hook'... a basic beat and rhythm and all that. and no matter what you hear WRITE EVERYTHING DOWN! even if it's just one or two lines. keep in mind your audience too... if you're a punk band, sorry to say, but you're a PUNK band... write punk music... don't try to be what you're not. that's why a make lyrics that span multiple rock genres.

[Dr. Cruces]

Try not using standard powerchords. They always sound more or less the same and get quite boring after a while. Ofcourse there are "situations" where powerchords are the only option but still try using other chords. You've got 6 strings so instead of using 3 of them use them all. When I first started writing songs for my band I got stuck in the powerchord-hell :) as I think a lot of people do when they start writing songs for a band, but like I said it gets boring. Also, listen to A LOT of music, and not from the same genre. You can always learn from other peoples work.

[jackassjake]

I band name i was told when starting a band was "Terra Firma"
It means ground or something.

[TheDoomed]

Ive bin writin songs for ages now, for loads of different bands, but now im in a sorta Metalish band and im kinda stuck for song ideas. I used to mostly write political goth punk stuff.

[nyfrytebassist]

i just wanted to say that ussually when i get a song in my head, i will get part of it written down and forget the rest. So i save what i have written for another time i forget a song, so if the are about the same subject, i can match them together.[/SIZE]

[Satan's Kiss]

i have a question:"why does peoples signatures never show up?"

[D!nandtott!]

^Bandwith...

[iplayacoustic]

i think i write better when im bored or have watch an emotional movie, writing right after an emotional event can help get feelings out. thats what helps for me

[mindwall_voc]

I write my best songs when I'm sitting in my room, and i feel a certain emotion. Then i take a pen and start writing about what comes to my mind. Don't worry about if it's good or not, just let it flow. after you're done there'll be plenty of time to make revisions. unless you're extremely good, or not able to be a good judge of your music, u'll often trash songs that just don't work. The key is to try and write often, so you'll have plenty of good and bad songs under your belt

[~Hatchie~]

When you first started song writing were you naturally good at it? Because i really wanna write songs but when ever i write i just end up with nothing.

[loxman]

Really the only way you can get good at wrighting dont let people get to you about your stuff let your friends read it and ask them if they would change anything with it or if its perfect. Like for me this site helps writers so much with the right guildence you can go far. Look at my stuff some is good and some is bad go read forest of sin of mine it took 2 times rewriting it and i am still not just perfectly happy with it. Another thing read other artist's stuff it will inspire you at any time and when you havew something going write it down quick thats how so many great songs are lost


-One can only fly when one through's themselves at the ground and miss

think about it

[vertigo39]

I'd have to agree with ioxman. i have yet to write a song that isn't $hit

[Joe_conlan]

I just keep paper with me all the time and if i have a cople of cool frases come into my head i'll write em down and then i build my songs up in bits. My other peice of advice which works every time for me is when ur emotional write it never fails to turn something up! Hope this helps

[~Hatchie~]

Rise thanx thats helped me :)

[ross89]

i heard being stoned helps thats how billie joe and many others write the majority of there songs, but me being a good boy i don't drugs and neither do i advise it



:smoke:

[atabner]

Whenever you write a song, especially if you've written it quickly, come back and re-read it the next day. Do this before you show it to anyone. I've only recently started writing, but already I've re-read some of my stuff and what I thought was really cool is really just cliched crap, and needs a re-write.

[BobbyBo02]

wht i like to do is jus kinda sit at my guitar and jus start bangin out chords and see wht comes out of my mouth. who gives a **** at first wht u may say. even if it doesnt really make any sense. later i may take 4 lines out of and hour of playin the same type stuff over and over again but with new words every time and eventully i find a hook and then u can always work off that. work with your heart and not your mind. and keep up with your writting everyday as much as you can. i even carry a little mini notebook around with me 2 school and where ever ese i may go. jus in case i may get an idea.


PEACE
BO

[runingwitsisocors]

i cant get any farther then the first lines of my songs. have some really good ideas but i just cant get them flowing.

[AntiGovRealist]

Instead of writing it as the first line, try building the song to lead up to that line. If you have a beat and a melody in your head. And it's not shameful to have a dictionary/thesorus/Rhyming dictionary/what ever else you can think of.

[Adz2222]

Hey, I don't know if any of you have heard of these before when writing a song but it's what I do. First I spend at least 20-30 minutes just writing down words, they don't even have to be relevant. If you cant think of words goto http://dictionary.com I think and they have a thesaurus option on there. Here is some of the words that I have got...

drug, narcotics, inject, snort, needle, feeble, unreal, girl, feelings, laugh, red, black, remorse, freedom, money, wealth, fire, burning, emotion, sun, earth, eye, bloodshot, gun, barrel, noise, bass, pain, sex, anti, drone, call, prints, forensic, intelligence, police, blue uniform, inform, photo, radio, sound, loud, rich, snitch, filth, bullet, round, death, drunk, weary, addicted, addict, shots, drink, gin, rum, vodka, beer, hear, feel, sleep, prison, jail, cell, reproduce, introduce, represent, salesmen, presence, tone, blood, evil, rebelious, population, dictation, cloudy, hell, shadow, strangers, rules, apply, fear, factor, lock, fort, store, free, bodies, corpse, overflooded, storm, deleted, edit, scratch, broken, veins, heart, lungs, breath, miles, answer, question, infection, hatred, far, wasted, losing, art, music, computers, army, time, fine, valentine, stand-alone, dog, suburbia, alright, sympathy, therapy, guarentee, riot, fight, killing, enemy, moving, knock, job, old, dreams, true, rules, american, united, stand, minute, hour, day, month, week, year, loser, user, moving, whine, nothing, everything, once, those creeps, tricks, liberation, foundation, load, pre-, broken, child, corrupt, streets, empty, starve, carve, alone, world, thought, memory, testify, brake, thinking, believe, control, reason, watching, person, personal, rewind, insomnia, crystal, shirt, alternative, escape, up, high, down, low, sorrow, trouble, individual, guitar, starting, rage, soft, audio, slave, infiltrate, destroy, rebuild, build, screaming, barricades, shade, enrage, poor, poverty, dollar, homeless, surpress, interest, forget, together, dropping, school, after, miss, waiting, last-chance, again, anything, just, arms, laugh, past, future, present, asleep, you, her, brain, fade, horizon, explicit, credit, priests, new york, fetish, relish, fire, flame, hate, induldge, revolve, expense, cost, desire, blessed, protect, fists, march, need, commanded, greed, crawl, grave, children, betray, field, lie, scope, party, rapist, crust, horror, cannabis, station, nation, improvisation, funk, brother, mother, solve, puzzle, muddle, mud, session, section, madness, crazy, baby, rage, machine, renegades, mission, revelation, different, solar, system, force, listen, groove, land, electronic, people, philosiphys, parade, shame, inflame, hip-hop, beat, heat, teachers, messing, treble, fresh, drunk, hot, chili, pepper, fraternal, message, politics, friendly, underground, ******, gold, phone, minority, bullet-proof, teenager, searching, product, pen, chilling, finished, slaughter, wine, young, bloodbath, dying, undercover, flashing, protect, detect, head, queen, king, war, vietnam, washington, think, stop, impress, iraq, smell, see, touch, hear, discredit, needle, thread, poetic, body, remover, dose, close, built, inside, fist, movements, leaders, punks, departments, network, power, legend, religion, anti, flex, flip, vocals, wake, shake, structure, flows, gutter, shutter, facist, stutter, several, retribution, 20-20 visions, visions, bridge, vibrate, inhale, decrease, sometimes, problem, friend, city, live, angels, lonely, cry, avenge, vendetta, streets, car, detail, denial, worry, lie, message, place, blow, hoe, although, way, nobody, hard, loves, hit, collison, glory, transmition, decade, weapon, cherade, polls, devoured, monopolised, oil, spectacle, reigns, fistagons, banks, ranks, drug, lord, cord, lights, contact, hi-jack, frequencies, move-on, bombing, federal, file, vile, silence, dial, somewhere, somehow, here, now, porn, hardcore, whatever, whoever, destruction, rough, road, physic, mind, sweden, edge, civilisation, settle, understood, hollywood, sells, point, stare, born, raised, praised, ageing, waging, first, chain, weave, marry, feather, constillation, high, information, star, moon, boulevard, space, fronteer, basement, spheres, dumb, speed, adreniline, pace, race, last, winner, bother, weather, creep, base, defeat, creation, earthquake, tidalwaves, save, book, dead, reading, die, death-bed, confess, cobweb, afternoon, room, emptiness, freeway, pages, lost, little, made, courtyard, wonder, house, paitently, wait, circle, square, pray, gods, devil, view, painting, heaven, place, recall, long, tall, attic, bleed, destroy, gutter, flutter, favour, retarded, sin, disapear, dirt, missing, found, proud, belate, increase, reduce, produce, use, forget, debt, hope, suffer, mercy, muscle, stimulate, re-create, paranoid, finsished, woman, life, insane, frowning, cliff, hitch, satisfy, occupy, recruit, suit, smart, buildings, skyscrapers, town, show, happiness, blind, microphone, explodes, compound, raise, doe, silence, pool, family, gel, pull, push, hope, progress, televise, improvise, bully, cut, slit, wrist, pissed, shovel, bad, protect, shower, sometimes, brave, stronger, young, shy, honest, mad, angry, jealous, bag, hi-light, window, blaze, used, unfaithful, factory, mass, mess, jackass, thong, wrong, done, dignaty, worn-out, trend, has-been, only-one, rest, spokesman, test, singer, song, compose, integrity, mtv, dancer, naked, security, mis-treat, document, imporant, straight, times, equals, divide, multiply, look, play, mess, working, nothing, blister, finger, thumb, install, repair, move, colour, faggat, earing, makeup, aeroplane, plane, millionaire, fraud, trick, thick, custom, sultan, treat, whisper, shiver, raining, meantime, turn, river, hold, everything, band, blowing, alright, ring, clothing, inside, faces, competition, sound, way, south, north, west, east, side, pride, knowledge, progress, chords, ripe, afford, lights, camera, action, scene, string, stirring, saving, shaved, easy, slide, ride, confide, check, heavy, metal, rock, jazz, paved, paradise, hotel, swinging, spot, gone, parking, counting, club, cards, ace, spades, birds, bees, please, jack, diamonds, jewels, ruby, gold, silver, platinum, solid, flow, liquid, air, oxygen, prove, novel, night, slam, girl, buy, sell, auction, net, line, show, tonight, glow, bright, tried, waiting, signing, marquee, overload, overboard, oversold, crowd, knife, chop, boot, flick, beat, ribcage, kiss, induldge, blackjack, adult, entertainment, stole, stolen, taken, main, alarm, ready, found, go, cymbal, needle, record, player, thin, wearing, foglights, wagon, like, remember, names, waited, someone, exclaim, pound, percent, shine, bracket, insert, desert, home, end, re-write, scroll, evil, angle, tried, simple, station, mistakes, lifestyle, famous, tv, celebrity, moan, rolling, talking, spend, survive, walking, fall, complaining, money, problem, mansions, rob, threat, danger, door, fruit, camera, denim, design, bet, education, career, war, strike, forces, ash, darkness,

I just keep adding to the list every time im on the pc and think of something. I started this list last night. Every time you need inspiration just go back to where you've saved the board and have a look through the words you have. Some I must admit of mine are really bad. I was just looking round at stuff, Mind you though if you look at some song words these are actually decent ones.

Tell me what you think of the idea. Thanks.
Adam (im actually a guitarist)

[AntiGovRealist]

now to alphabetize...

[tidave85]

You nerver know when you gone have an idea. It's why you should always have a piece of paper on you. For an example, last week I was in a bus comming back of work and I had a great idea fir a song. I write it down and put it in my pocket. When I was back home I don't remember the song so I look on my paper and this song stay alive.

[joshmay]

yeah ive lost tons and tons of literature due to forgetfulness, like i'll be out in the woods hunting, and think of a wonderful way to express the beauty of what i see, and when i get home i cant think of it. really annoying. then again i dont know how easy it would be to take a pen and paper hunting, and see a deer, and say hello deer im gonna write about you, and not shoot it...

:lol: hehe

[old train wrecks]

ya i've done that. i'll be playing my guitar and then randomly start singing. then i'll go to write it down and only remember one line.

[old train wrecks]

and thankz to Adz2222 for the world list those help a lot.

[that gurl who walkes in photos]

sorry, im only posting because theres 111 replies and thats my unlucky number!!!!

i love the list idea

[Boxman]

the list reminds me of cut-ups
i've only skimmed through this thread so i apologise if some else has already said this

what you basically do is write a big list of words, or a few lines of lyrics on a piece of paper. then you cut out words or phrases and piece them in a different order. bowie used to do this if i remember
its quite funny sometimes the things you can make, especially if you're using already written lyrics and compare the two

[Jacknife_Juggernaut]

Though most everyone has the ability to write decent, most can not achieve this by their own accord. I would suggest some sort of writing guide/mentor, i.e. a teacher or friend. Just be sure that these people are good writers in the first place. As weird as it may seem in the beginning, it really does help.

[sla14ca]

if you have mouth herpies does anyone think less of your writing abilities

[CryoFro624]

the best thing for me to do, is carry around my journal and a pen everywhere i go. u never know when u could have an inspriation.

[CryoFro624]

Here's a poem/song i wrote. i need so critism *cant spell* so email me at INSANEpenguin624@aol.com

A chair
In the Middle
Of a room full of Nothig
Being eaten away
By the ruthless phrases
used to descirbe
Me
and I'm sitting in the chair
Being eaten away
the chair is Gone
little of my body is left
my heart vulnerable
and You pierce it
with your dagger of Hate
It's bleeding fro You
as I laugh at your stupidity
see, you know Nothing of me
but chose to despise me
and now,
I weep
For You
Because
Your such and Idiot

[ross89]

if you want crits just make a thread

[stubob747]

help my relationship is at its edge and i need a song for my girlfriend becos there is a talent show and i want to sing it and play it there on my guitar help :wave:

[rdavidson510]

I've got a question. Good thing i read this before posting my own thread..... anyways
So me and my friends have started this little pop-punk band. We have big plans, like writing our own songs, but none of us have even attempted to do that yet. I don't know about the rest of the guys, but to me, songwriting seems very hard. I mean, writing all those tabs together, so all the instruments sound good together, just seems hard. Writing lyrics, I've done that before. Easy easy. But I'm not the singer in my band, so it's hard to connect while writing lyrics. So my question is, how can my band learn how to write some good songs (the music parts)? Should we all just get together and start jammin, see what goes good together? Should we memorize the notes, sit down and play them in our head while we write the tabs down for our own instrument? Please tell me, how all you other bands write your own stuff.

[ColdFire]

Get toghether and jam. It is the best way to get music together for instruments.

Work on the vocals after the music is sorted out. I hate trying ot fit riffs for my lyrics.

[ross89]

yeh when you play if its good itll just flow but the lyrics u cant help you with

[RichG]

hey

I have been playing guitar and singing in a band for about 3 months, and so far we have just been playing covers. I feel I need to inject some original material but when it comes to writing a tune to lyrics and chords I begin to get stuck.

can anyone give me any tips to writing a vocal melody?

and perhaps riffs that fit chords?

would be greatly appreciated.

[bulimicgoat]

Originally posted by stubob747
help my relationship is at its edge and i need a song for my girlfriend becos there is a talent show and i want to sing it and play it there on my guitar help :wave:

i would analyze your relationship with her very deeply, and from all sides. take different aspects of your relationship, both good and bad, and then try to weave it together. piece different experiences you've had with her and try to see where those experiences build up to. now if you just want to woo her, bust out a mad solo.

p.s. taking a creative writing class shouldn't hurt too much if you're looking to improve your songs.

[loxman]

All i know is that i have to say this cause no one else has and its important. In the begining when you start writing songs everything you seem to write is nothing but **** most of the time and you seem to always say to yourself "god I suck ***" or what have you. and you just dont get it when people would keep on telling you that you'll get better by time but, you so seriously doubt yourself you get the better of yourself. I mean look at me all the stuff i wite is always **** but, I push on and i dont know why. I mean could truely be only for the fact that I have only been writing for 4 months but who knows dont give up

[xHetfield_Cornell_freakx]

write whatever feels righ tto you. jusr let your self vent.Whether ur mad, sad or in a really good freakin'mood. just let everything out. dont always think that ur songs suck cause they could actually mean something to other's. what helps is putting in your fav. CD(s) and listen to the lyrics in ur fav. song(s) maybe you'll get ideas from that. it works for me. (^__^)

[byfault]

i say keep those bits ofm ur songs that dont fit, and have a littlwe book or sumthing and put all these scrap bits in, over time u'll find that if u come into trubble with a different song sumtime u can look in ur lil book and probs find something in there to fit.

and possibly if u get loads of scrap lyrics etc u may be able to form like a whole new somg just from all these things that didn't fit :D

[shrief]

people help me!!

just like a month ago , i was writing lyrics like crazy!|!! id have sooo many lyrics on papers that id lose loads of em but still have tonnes left. And id write about everything! love , hate , saddness , falling down , drugs , abusive parents etc! tonnes of stuff
but now,

.................nuthin............... *blank*

any ideas on how i can "break" this block?
or have i fully squeezed my creative lemon too hard too fast?!?(gosh hope not)

[ross89]

i'll think of a catchy chorus or verse and i'll forgot it im such an idiot

[loxman]

simply your out of material just like when a car is out of fuel wait and dont write and let the creative juice's recover

[loserkiduk182]

When I feel in the mood to write, nothing comes out. I listen to songs that I can relate to, to get ideas, but end up wanting to write the exact same things that i'm hearing.
I've wrote 3 songs altogether. I'd say 2 are decent and 1 is ok, but my opinion is a little biased. At the moment i'm trying to write this song about a girl I met on holiday but she kept going with some other guy. Any help would be appreciated.

[scottkdash]

i personally like poetry more than coming up with a tune and if i sit and try to get a tune on my guitar so i can write lyrics for it. the tune i end up with always sounds like some pop-punk song about getting dumped and/or skateboarding. well anyway lately i've been thinking alot about some mythical icons, in particular angels and the legendary bird of fire, the phoenix. i wrote some cool lyrics about the phoenix relating to myself in the way it rises from the ashes when it dies. but the problem is that i am having trouble coming up with a good tune. i want it to be a song you can rock out too but i don't know how to go about doing it. is it possible to do this?? please help me. any tips or advice is appreciated. if anyone wants to see the lyrics i will post em. also if you wanna chat about songwriting or music please feel free to e-mail me or add to msn. scottkdash@hotmail.com

[daniel7540]

well personally i like every dahm song I write with the exception of 2. also theres always people who will like what you write and then theres people that will hate it and thrash it but if you keep tryin after a while you will find that you are a song writer clearly cause that is what you have ben doing for a long period of time
another thing i have realized if you go off your own stuff with a little negative critasissm it will only make you better

[daniel7540]

ok i was wandering one thing what does the mx mean cause i started out a newbie then i went to opening act and know it says band memberand 1 more thing i was wandering how to find a sponser

[ColdFire]

MX = Music X

And what do you mean a sponser?

[daniel7540]

well we have a band and no sponser i wouldn't know how to go about that swort of thing

[drummerben]

Hey err I've posted some of my lyrics here in a thread and most of the people said my songs have no heart. I know what they mean but I really do think my songs have emotion in them. The lyrics are in the thread "Anyone wanna see some lyrics" or something like that, if anyone wants to check them out. I think my lyrics are okay the was I see them (because I feel the emotion that I had when I wrote the songs) but others think they lack emotion just because they rhyme. Can anyone help me out?

[daniel7540]

it's probabbly not you
i think
you need practice
at first people will diss you
and then you put out something good one day
peoplelike it not everyone but some
just go with the flo if it comes deeply within you it has heart

[ESPash]

dont sit and think it does not work
rather wait till it comes to you if you come up with a good
phrase write it down and keep it for later and if you come up with more later then try and butt them together

some thing that helps me write lyrics is to write a song with a buddy usually my mate joe
you could also pay attention at school especially during english
or when the teachers say you have to read poetry
cus it helps to write with onamatopia
and giving objects human qualitys
stuff like that

hope i could help

[daniel7540]

anyways as i sit here and write
i usually don't have anything untill someone offinds me or pisses me off then the song is on

[Pants]

This may be a little contradicting, but don't conform to rules about songwriting. As the old clich goes, rules are meant to be broken. Think of them as suggestions, things you could do, but don't have to.

Who says you always have to rhyme?
Who says you have to have a chorus?

Be free.

[ColdFire]

Originally posted by Pants
Who says you always have to rhyme?
Who says you have to have a chorus?

I did, you wanna fight son?

:thumb:

[daniel7540]

who needs a nother wiger and i consider this a metal forum

[DisturbedGod]

Originally posted by phetheant
I have the opposite problem, dont seem to have a problem with writing the lyrics for my songs...up to a point...but as yet ive not been able to match a single song with any music ive tried to do for it. :(

hey man just play whatever comes to ur head...ur gonna come up with riffs that just sound good
:evil:

[ColdFire]

Originally posted by daniel7540
who needs a nother wiger and i consider this a metal forum

Are you calling me a wigger?

If you are look at my status thing (under my name)

[daniel7540]

Rock the Casbah i don't know what that means anyways but that wasn't an offinsive jester just a smart *** one i think i got a little tippsy yesterday if you know what i mean i probabbly said offinsive things to people all day yesterday but don't be offinded

[ColdFire]

I am not offended. I just want to know why you consider this a metal forum?

Rock the Casbah is a song by The Clash.

[daniel7540]

oh i don't i consider this a songwriting forum like i said sometimes i get a little tipsy and say what comes to mind

[Guitar4noise]

I just realized alot of the songs i write i always seem to rhyme..How do you prevent from rhyming. Also how do you manage to make words go to a song you've written? What do you make up first the song on guitar...or the lyrics?

[kungfoochino]

write about something that you hate or gets on your nerves....when you do...it all pours out and u got your self a song

[bball_1523]

hey I was wondering, what are some tips on writing love songs or songs about a girl you fell in love with?

for example I want to write about a girl I've never met but feel in love with for some reason. What are some good suggestions?

I'm a beginner in writing. I basically know nothing lol

[D!nandtott!]

^^^

Start writing what you feel. If tht begin to bore you, use metaphors for the objects tht you are riting about.

[bball_1523]

i seriously suck at writing, if you want, I can post a cheesy portion of what I've written so far for a love type song.

[D!nandtott!]

Thats what this place is for man :)

[Bigbadbob]

Originally posted by bball_1523
I want to write about a girl I've never met but feel in love with for some reason.

:lol: Sorry man.
Dont ya just hate it when that happens!

[scylla577]

Well, while reading 'Please Kill Me' by Legs McNiell and Gillian McCain, I pick up a tip that Iggy Pop used starting out. The tip waas that he would go to restaurants and other highly populated areas and evesdrop on other peoples cnversations, listen to there promblems or whatever and then he would write a song using what he heard. A prime example of this was his well known song 'T.V Eye' in which T.V really meant Twat Vision. He Had evesdroped on a conversation between a group of girls when a guy trying to pick tem up came over ...they laughed in his face and when this hopeless man left one girl said to another "he had such a T.V eye on you" then a clueless friend asked what 'T.V stood forand then they explained it to her allowing Iggy to over hear.

Somwhere in ther is a point....and it is use other peoplles promblems.Or like jonathan davis keep whining about high school well into your thirties.

[scylla577]

hoped that helped somone

[loserkiduk182]

I've tried writing down lines that come in to my head, but they don't seem to fit in with each other. At the minute i'm trying to write a song about this realtionship that i blew 'cause i was pressuring her too much.

[Chilli_Jebus]

Hi. I am a good guitarist, and now am looking to start writng songs. If anyone could give me tips on how to start about writing a song, and prgressing through them, could u not reply here, but private msg me. Much easier. Thanks.

[daniel7540]

i was wandering if all of my songs were copywrited by any chance

[D!nandtott!]

A little bit. It depends on MX.

[daniel7540]

Ok does that mean people could copy my stuff if they wanted to and use it.
Just curios. I was told to ask.

[Pete]

As soon as you write something, you own the rights to it. The only problem would be proving that you wrote it first.

[daniel7540]

well this web site post dates i can look back to it and probablly show some swort of proof
so i guess there will be a nevermind to my question unless my suggestion couldn't work

[ThricePunk]

Here's how I write my lyrics...

Just write how you feel, write the first thing that comes to mind and mess around with it later. When I write down a song for the first time it looks like I would be the biggest emo kid in the world but then I change the words to fit my personality and then I have a screaming, deep, Thrice-like song:)

[daniel7540]

NO WHAT I ASKED WAS IF MY SONGS WERE COPYWRITED I KNOW HOW TO WRITE MUSIC

[axeslinga_32]

Originally posted by BeefiestCloud
I've just started coming to the songwriting and lyrics forums more often here recently. And I've noticed that just about all of the songs submitted are depressing, about bieng neglected and feeling sorry for yourself, wallowing in self pitty. A suggestion would be to try and write about something other then someone not bieng liked, or getting teased or made fun of. Its cliche', so maybe try and go beyound that.


u cant juz say that. if its on ure heart and its how u express ure self then it doesnt matter that its depressing. it shouldnt even matter if it sux. its all in the name of art and how u express ure self, if its how u fell, then write about it

[Spydaman_69_2001]

Originally posted by axeslinga_32
u cant juz say that. if its on ure heart and its how u express ure self then it doesnt matter that its depressing. it shouldnt even matter if it sux. its all in the name of art and how u express ure self, if its how u fell, then write about it

Nicely sed.

[hyperchic1514]

well i liike to write songs all the time.......and yes i meen all the time! but i usually come up with all my good songs when i dont have anything to write on or with so by the time that i finally get a pen and paper in my hands i have already forgotten the words >_<

maad love kait

[ThricePunk]

Originally posted by daniel7540
NO WHAT I ASKED WAS IF MY SONGS WERE COPYWRITED I KNOW HOW TO WRITE MUSIC

I wasn't answering your question... this is for tips and questions and I'm just putting in a tip for anyone who wants to read it... This tip wasn't directed to you as I have read your lyrics and you don't need tips.

[D!nandtott!]

Originally posted by daniel7540
NO WHAT I ASKED WAS IF MY SONGS WERE COPYWRITED I KNOW HOW TO WRITE MUSIC

Geeezzz

Take a chill pill dude!

[cruiservmi]

I really cant write songs... alot of the advice you people give is "write songs when you're depressed." I can safely say that I'm never depressed long enough to write a song. So I have to write happy songs and its extremely hard! I need to find more stuff to write about. Ah well...

[daniel7540]

Originally posted by ThricePunk
I wasn't answering your question... this is for tips and questions and I'm just putting in a tip for anyone who wants to read it... This tip wasn't directed to you as I have read your lyrics and you don't need tips.

i wasnt offended the writing of mine was big that day cause i was lazzy to change it.
i just want to know if my songs are copywrited if not how do i go about doing this

[daniel7540]

ok how would i put a song clip on here?

[daniel7540]

Originally posted by D!nandtott!
Geeezzz

Take a chill pill dude!

i wasn't mad dude hows a xzanax sound for a chill pill

[daniel7540]

OK this is a question.
How did i go from mx legend to are you expierianced?
just a thought

[myiaa]

Originally posted by waiting
I know its a good source of material.. but if ur depressed it might be just as effective to write a happier, more optimistic song... you might feel even better at the end of it.

Can you imagine how depressing listening to music would be if popular bands all wrote like a lot of you guys do?

I just want to comment on this. I don't think this is true. A lot of the more 'happier' songs are extremly depressing when you listen to the lyrics. I've noticwed recently a lot of the songs I've always accociated with being 'happy' are rather dark when really listening to the lyrics.

[daniel7540]

alot of just like being depressed it only means they are pathetic
just joking

[orgasmatron]

Question:
How do i write music to sound like.... not fast rock but a good medium tempo and sound a bit like metallica's style?? i dont care about lyrics at the moment i just want to write music so if you can help me out i would much apresiate it

[ColdFire]

Use the E chord into an F chord. LOL. O Metallica.....

[daniel7540]

Originally posted by orgasmatron
Question:
How do i write music to sound like.... not fast rock but a good medium tempo and sound a bit like metallica's style?? i dont care about lyrics at the moment i just want to write music so if you can help me out i would much apresiate it

Try hevy rythms and stuff to and palm only alittle but alot it's prolly hard to explain

[daniel7540]

oh yea and they use alot of harmonics

[bball_1523]

Ok you guys asked for my cheesy lyrics:

The Girl I've Never Met (title)

The day was bright
i felt something inside
something so loving dear to my sight
i know i had to fight but it wasnt right

her eyes bedazzled me
into a spree of butterfly wings
i cannot help but say
that was the day

the day I saw the girl I've never met
she had a smile as beautiful as the niagra falls
i felt like my day was set
her eyes were as charming as a heavenly wall


---now this is just a small portion of what ive written so far, and like i said it's a love song and I want to improve on my lyrics. I think I'm using useless words and cheesy lines. thanks for the help

[gimima]

Melody is bloody important, especially with simple powerchord punk chord sort of stuff, so try not to just sing to the pitch of the chord. Sing higher and lower than the chord as much as possible. Really try to lose yourself in the melody, don't feel restricted with holding ur voice to the chord. I really can't stress that enough.

[Jrostetter]

I enjoy looking through chat rooms and "listneing' to people pour their hearts pit - If one of the topics illicits a signficant response from the other members, I know its a topic that could be central to a song. Then its a personal matter as to whether I feel I have something to give on that topic. Usually it spins itself into something related but different and i can finish a lyric in minutes.

Try it - I'll bet some dorment ideas will come to life.


Jrostetter

[RoboGeek]

I only ever wrote set of lyrics and it was so terrible I want to forget I ever wrote it. But I want to try again. My problem is I don't know what to write about. Where does everyone get there ideas from?

[OneWayDown]

I'm foreva writing songs with riffs and tunes to go with them but i cant seem to stop makin rhymes which turns out well but it means that a lot of my songs have the same rhythm

any tips on how to stop this rhymin habbit?

[(SIC)CLOWN]

these are great tips on here. i've started writing songs about 6 months ago and i haven't quite the hang of it but i find what really helps me is listen to some of your fav. bands and try to get some ideas from them

[Doughnut]

hellooo, i have just written a song of mine but i need the lyrics but im not very good, can anyone help?

[daniel7540]

Originally posted by RoboGeek
I only ever wrote set of lyrics and it was so terrible I want to forget I ever wrote it. But I want to try again. My problem is I don't know what to write about. Where does everyone get there ideas from?

to get good you need to write alot
perfection don't come over night or in the second song you write give it a year of trying to break the monotiney

[scottkdash]

heres some of the best tips you will ever get.

1. rhyming helps songs flow, it seems people in here tell everyone not to rhyme. rhyme is something that should be sought after, but not to the point where u are struggling to find a rhyme, because if that happens the songs message is compromised.

2. study other peoples songs, and try to identify the parts of the song, such as verses, pre-chorus's chorus's etc. also notice how they use imagery personificaton metaphors and similies to help drive the song along descriptively

3. practice makes perfect.

4. there are no wrong answers in lyric writing. write whatever is on your mind or what is dear to you.

if i think of some more i'll get up here asap

[daniel7540]

but i disagree withthe 4. suggestion
you have to make sure your stuff is not corny sometimes it may seem hard

[italic zero]

that question wasn't really worth answering... just my psychotic problems...

[FenderLover45]

I cant ever make up tunes on my guitar help me

[daniel7540]

What are some other songwriting forums?

[UAKO JoHn]

thnx all of you guys who gave tips
i just followed my hart
treid the little pratices that people told and it really helped me out

this my tip for other people
be yourself write what you want don't let people ever change the way you are
write about your feelings it's easier good luck and thnx

[blackflag0101]

I really want to make slow, somber riffs (example: the intro of "somber angel" by shadows fall) I've been messing around with different tunings, chords, and progressions, but i cant seem to find the feeling i want..............i was just wondering for suggestions/examples as to what chords i should use, and what kind of scales thanks

[bulimicgoat]

i disagree with daniel7540. even if what you wrote was the most corn-filled piece of poo, it still helps your writing process. the more you write, the easier it will be to reach what you're trying to say, and once you purge yourself of bad writing, your poo will have less corn in it.

[daniel7540]

Originally posted by bulimicgoat
i disagree with daniel7540. even if what you wrote was the most corn-filled piece of poo, it still helps your writing process. the more you write, the easier it will be to reach what you're trying to say, and once you purge yourself of bad writing, your poo will have less corn in it.

thats what i ment so you agree with me

[bulimicgoat]

oh, all you wrote was to make sure it wasn't corny, which i disagree with. corn it up, baby!

[avengedsevenfold]

how do you guys start writing songs? what do you start with? I play guitar and I can't seem to be able to write a song on the guitar before writing some lyrics...since it gives me more ideas and stuff. So i'd just like to know if anyone here has some tips...thx

[daniel7540]

Oh well I see your point but I was talking about

IF YOU SPEND ALOT OF TIME ON SOMETHING AND IT COMES OUT CORNNY THEN IT IS A POINTLESS WRITING
JUST BE SOMETHING LIKE PRACTICE
so i guess that wouldn't be pointless
anyways practice makes perfect"or somewhat great"
Piec

[Sendor]

I write heavy metal, and ive found that the best way to write lyrics is by using something surreal as a source of inspiration. Something like a dream or some wierd thought provoking piece of art. But this only really works for heavy metal/hard rock, punk and other genres are more about real life.

[gimima]

Here are my top songwriting tips for anyone who plays any branch of rock music. They have worked wonderfully for me and they allow you to construct solid songs. I have never learnt music so these tips would probly work best for people like me.

1. Try not to make words rhyme exactly unless it suits the writing. What you should try and do is get words to loosely rhyme. "sky", "die","lie" and "try" would be an example of trying to rhyme too much whereas "sky", "climb", "bright" and "knive" would be loosely rhyming (truely random words there). Doing this will not only sound better but it will help you avoid doing number the next point.

2. Don't force lines. A forced line is like when you write a great line, and then write a weak one just to thyme with the previous one.

3. If you're writing lyrics, it's a huge help to learn how to play the guitar if you don't already. Unless you can really click with you're guitarist, it's hard to write really good sounding melodies and lyrics to the music coming from someone else.


Now for the tricky parts in my opinion, giving melody to the lyrics and putting guitar to it. Without melody, you might as well be a modern rap artist.

4. Get a guitar out, start playing a riff or chord progression you have been working on, and simply hum along to it. The trick is to avoid simply humming along to the notes on the guitar, try to hum higher or lower than the notes or chords you are playing on the guitar. Take you're voice on a rollercoaster, take the pitch up and down while always keeping you'r eye on the music. Even sit there with someone else, have a few beers and make up temporary lyrics with different melody lines.

5. Mix, Match and Modify. If you are one of those people (like me) who, as they where growing up, wrote down lots of song lyrics when they where in the mood and before they were in a band, go back to them. See if they fit with music and riffs that you or you're band has been working on. Every now and then some lyrics you wrote years ago can be fitted into some great guitar work that you couldn't write lyrics to.

The most important tip i can give to someone that has never had lessons is this. Play you're own style. The best thing about not having lessons is you can write really original stuff. The only thing i really need to know is powerchords, barre chords, a few open acoustic chords and the pentatonic scale. Play around with tuning, try things that don't make sense, and ultimately, make music that you dig.

[daniel7540]

Originally posted by Sendor
I write heavy metal, and ive found that the best way to write lyrics is by using something surreal as a source of inspiration. Something like a dream or some wierd thought provoking piece of art. But this only really works for heavy metal/hard rock, punk and other genres are more about real life.

nice thoughts

[Bottled Violence]

I come up with cool riffs all the time i just cant piece any of them together to make anything. All i have is a bunch of little riffs. any suggestions?

[theyre tryin to build a prison]

yo dudes, im new to this forum, and to the guitar, but here is what i think. I am hopeless at writing songs, and i have read all through this thread to try and get tips. People keep sayin that you need to write from your heart, and all songs must have a deep meaning, but don't think that this has to happen. Lately, i have been listening to System Of A Down a lot, and i love their stuff because its so original. A lot of their songs do have meanings, but not all of the lyrics make sense, however they are still great songs. I'm sure there a lot of people that do not agree with me, but this is just my opinion. For example, check out these lyrics to Jet Pilot: "Wired were the eyes of a horse on a jet pilot one that smiled when he flew over the bay." Now, there's probably some hidden meaning that i can't see, but to me this is completely random, but it works!! I think as long as it fits into the song, and sounds good, your lyrics don't have to make sense. Obviously, in a lot of cases it is much better when there is a meaning and it makes sense because people can relate to them, but sometimes randomness works too.

[fire-at-will]

hi all, iv been playing guitar for about 5 month and am interested in starting to write my own stuff. iv made up a few bits, and not really had much of a problem putting music to them, but i dont think much of the lyrics i write. i have a really good idea/theme/title for a song, but cant seem to put my thoughts down on paper. any suggestions?

and i dont know if this is really relevant to post here, but iv just started up a band with a couple of mates, and id like to do the singing. when im on my own, i sing like constantly, and without soundin big headed lol i think i'v got an ok voice. the problem comes when i try singing in front of anyone else, i just freeze in front of the mic and it comes out horrible. i'm not really a confident person but would love to be able to sing. any comments? or should i go lock myself in my room and never let anyone hear me? :rolleyes:

[theyre tryin to build a prison]

the problem comes when i try singing in front of anyone else, i just freeze in front of the mic and it comes out horrible. i'm not really a confident person but would love to be able to sing. any comments? or should i go lock myself in my room and never let anyone hear me?

i've just started a band too, but we have no vocalist at the moment. Although, i would love to sing and play guitar in it, but i am hopeless at singing. If you think you've got an ok voice, you should go for it! You won't regret it. I would love to be able to, so if you've got the talent, use it. To over come your confidence problem, try singing in front of a small group, eg, your band, and when you're confident enough try a larger group. I don't have much confidence when i play my guitar in front of people, but at school i have to play in front of my class and its helping me a lot.
i hoped i helped you here :)

[jockstrap]

Which chord sequences work well together? (e.g. I V IV or sumthin like that) Is there a list somewhere?

[ross89]

have a pen/pencil and a notepad stashed under your bed and when your about to go to bed if you have an idea write about, this idea could be totally random, you don't have to write about your own experience you could about something that happened to some one you didn't even know, lie and elaborate

[theyre tryin to build a prison]

thats a good idea, i've never had inspiration in my dreams but ill be sure to keep a pen handy from now on. :)

[bjroch]

once i write music and lyrics, and i personally don't always write one before the other yet, i have a difficult time coming up with a rhythm and a beat to sing to. can anyone offer some advice on this? like, how do you start singing once you have your music and lyrics pretty set?

[fire-at-will]

To over come your confidence problem, try singing in front of a small group, eg, your band, and when you're confident enough try a larger group

i tried to sing in front of two mates!! that isnt really much of a large group lol. and im not saying im a great singer or anything, but i do seriously think i could do it.

trouble is iv never been much good at gettin up in front of people and talkin, i couldnt even do speaking and listening tests when i was at school without shaking :(

really pisses me off!!!

[Albone007]

I have kind of the same problem with being in front of people and i have a couple of suggestions.

First, if your music is meaningful to you, then zone out like you are locked in your room. You are the guy in a band, the idiots in the crowd could probably care less most of the time.

Also, the only way to truly get better at being in front of crowds is by practicing it. Starting small is a good suggestion.

[punk_rock_guitarist123]

I think you should try to sound like bands you admire but put them through your own mind. dont take other peoples songs write your own.

[theyre tryin to build a prison]

i am just forming a band, we havn't had a single practice yet, and i've only ever played with my drummer, (i play guitar), but like with singing, i am not very confident. i have been playing for just under half a year now and im not particularly good, but lukily my drummer is amazing. the biggest group i have performed to is my class at school, and i went bright red! it was really embarassing. i feel confident playing with my drummer; the song we are learning at the moment is toxicity by soad, and eventually i will get more confident when we introduce more members to the band, as i will play in front of them. i think a good way to boost your confidence is that when you play in front of people, only play stuff you know you can play without fault. The same with singing, make sure you have practiced it so you know it completely and can handle it, because if you're not very confident and you make a mistake while performing, you will probably go red like me. Basically, practice the peice so you are confident with it on your own, then play with your band and then try performing in front of bigger crowds. Don't try to play stuff you know you can't pull off first try.

[theyre tryin to build a prison]

A lot of their songs do have meanings, but not all of the lyrics make sense, however they are still great songs. I'm sure there a lot of people that do not agree with me, but this is just my opinion. For example, check out these lyrics to Jet Pilot: "Wired were the eyes of a horse on a jet pilot one that smiled when he flew over the bay." Now, there's probably some hidden meaning that i can't see, but to me this is completely random, but it works!!

Ok this quote is actually from one of my earlier posts, but i take back what i said about the SOAD lyrics beng random, as i've been doin some research on their songs and i found this on jet pilot:

Jet Pilot is a song about a, or a series of, Carpet Bombing attacks, presumably on Armenia, but I don't know enough of Armenian history to know. The "skys turning Grey" is when the plane(s) come from the clouds and drop the bombs. The bay might be a certain bay in the world, but I do not know.

and

I think this might be about the unfair distribution between the privileged and the unpriviliged. The jet pilot "smiles as he flew over the bay." But the horse, "a shackled old man," can't survey the skies before they turn gray on him (he dies). All he can do is stare up at the jet pilot and watch the priviliged fly around above him.

So i guess the lyrics are just really clever ways to explain the story.

[Kirk's Puppet]

Alright, I'm now going to write a song about a bad girl that lies to my friends and always tries to trick guys. How the hell do I start out?

[daniel7540]

Originally posted by Kirk's Puppet
Alright, I'm now going to write a song about a bad girl that lies to my friends and always tries to trick guys. How the hell do I start out?


Strt by making the guitar parts first
Get the music down
then think of ways to explain how she does what she does
and name maybe one good thing you hate
And the rest of the bad things you hate
Maybe even throw some "i ****in hate you
you ****in liar
i'll desicrate you
You ****ing liar"


Thats all i can explain

[fire-at-will]

just want to say thanks to everyone who offered me personal advice, and also to everyone who posts on here (took me ages to read the whole thread!!)

advice from people like you lot has really helped me out, and iv even wrote a couple of songs in the past few days!

admittedly my musical ambitions dont reach much higher than playing in front of a few people at the pub, but playing, writing and listening to music really is my life, and learning to play guitar was one of the best decions i ever made

keep up the good work guys

(and, for those who are interested, i played a song for my girlfriend the other day, and i sung! on my own!! lol)

[crward]

I've found the following process to be quite helpful in clarifying any uncertainties in "non-generic" songwriting...

1.) First of all, ask yourself what is the song really about? This might seem dumb at first because you already know what you are going to write about, but unless you think deeply about everything that's involved you will wind up putting more basic instinctual and raw emotion into a song rather than a well-crafted and subtle engagement that is sophisticated and unique in its flow. This step will also give you a larger base of ideas to choose from so that you aren't just using different words to restate something that you've already said in the song.

2.) Think about the connection between both the overall 'tonal' mood of a song and the lyrics that you are using to accompany it
(as an example, minor chords usually go well with a sad portion of a song). Try to see if you can identify which chords and progressions best relate to and help [not hinder] the evolution of the idea that you are trying to express.

3.) Think about the connection between lyrics. Is there some way that you can create a connection between two ideas that otherwise seem unrelated? Doing this adds to the depth of a song and can often make the difference between bands' meaningless overrhyming and a song whose meaning cannot be fully comprehended on a cursory examination. I think this is the most important quality to a song, for most songs today are so predictable and meaningless that I get tired of them long before I would ever get sick of a song which properly applied this step.

4.) Last, but not least...never force lyrics on a song or vice versa.
This can lead to the total degradation of your entire production. Songwriting--like life and work--is a negotiation process and you won't have much success if you don't realize this. Specifically, what I mean is that you should not make more changes to lyrics than the number of changes you are willing to make to the song [to better fit the lyrics] or vice versa.

Well...that's all. Good luck with your songwriting.

Chris

[Kirk's Puppet]

How do you guys figure out the way to sing your songs?

[sheephead]

Originally posted by Zero0Bass
the only reason that people gets slammed when writing music is they think there is always a huge gap between musical lyrics and poetry. it IS complet