Ending A Song...
VilleFIN
Jul 24 2009, 11:37 AM
Tone Seeker
Posts: 1.430
Joined: 10-March 08
From: Finland
Hey

I run into this problem all the time. I come up a few riffs and start to make a song. Example: Ok the intro, a little solo here and here starts the the main riff...and then it's happening. I don't know how to end it. Seriously I have like 7 unfinished recordings in my computer.

I know maybe I try too much and something what is over my limits. But after few days I lose interest on song and give up.

Is there any tips for this ?


Ville

You are at GuitarMasterClass.net


Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!


This post has been edited by WeePee: Jul 24 2009, 11:39 AM
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
audiopaal
Jul 24 2009, 12:11 PM
Competitions Coordinator - Up the Irons
Posts: 5.462
Joined: 17-February 08
From: Stavanger, Norway
QUOTE (WeePee @ Jul 24 2009, 12:37 PM) *
Hey

I run into this problem all the time. I come up a few riffs and start to make a song. Example: Ok the intro, a little solo here and here starts the the main riff...and then it's happening. I don't know how to end it. Seriously I have like 7 unfinished recordings in my computer.

I know maybe I try too much and something what is over my limits. But after few days I lose interest on song and give up.

Is there any tips for this ?


Ville


Only 7???

I have probably 100 unfinished riffs/recordings on my computer laugh.gif

I know what you mean though, it's hard to end a song if you don't have a full idea of the song smile.gif
I am much better at it now, than I used to be. So my guess is that practice makes perfect, even in this smile.gif

You are at GuitarMasterClass.net


Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
Matt23
Jul 24 2009, 12:19 PM
Accomplished Tone Master
Posts: 1.745
Joined: 17-January 08
From: Scotland
Try building up one idea at the end into a sort of explosion for an ending. This could be just everything playing one long note, or a frantic shred passage, or drum fill or anything. Just try to build it up.

You are at GuitarMasterClass.net


Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
Gus
Jul 24 2009, 12:36 PM
GMC:er
Posts: 999
Joined: 21-January 08
From: Brazil/Denmark
I also have lots of unfinished ideas on my PC. I hope they will come to life some day tongue.gif

I think the two main approaches of finishing a song is
1) Slow down, to make the listener understand it's going to end . Here clean and silent works better than loud.
2) Make a lot of noise (drums, bass, everything) and finish it suddenly.

Well, here are some ideas:
1) Probably most straightforward way to finish a song is to play the chorus sequence and then throw the main chord (key) to end.
2) A variation is to add some dissonance or coloration (finish with E9 instead of E).
3) For blues endings there is a GMC lesson : https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/rhythm-gu...s-endings-in-a/
4) Lot's of songs finish with fadings. If the solo is finishing your song, I think it is a nice way to do it (for instance the end of sultans of swing).
5) And there are the more fancy ways of ending, with lots of variation on the drums, bass and guitar.
First example that come to my mind is the epic ending, like Metallica's "Call of ktulu", but not every song needs that.

You are at GuitarMasterClass.net


Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!


--------------------
my "Thank you GMC!" video

If you like it please vote in the competition ;-)

Gus Stairway to Guitar Heaven - my practice agenda

Check out my lesson here Phrygian Dominant Solo lesson


Gear : Ibanez RGT320q (I just love the neck-thru sustain), Washburn EA-20SDL (acoustic 6 string), Standard strat (Mexico), POD X3 Live

Some of my Guitar heroes: Jimmy Page, Slash, Kirk Hammett, Augusto Licks, Joe Satriani, Gus G, David Gilmour, Mark Knopfler...
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
Muris Varajic
Jul 24 2009, 01:17 PM
Instructor
Posts: 15.459
Joined: 22-June 07
From: Sarajevo,Bosnia
You need to listen to your song,
lay down on a couch and listen to it few times,
song always kind a seeks for certain ending,
of course not every person would hear same "seek"
but you should hear it instead of pushing yourself to make one by all means. smile.gif

You are at GuitarMasterClass.net


Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!


--------------------
Youtube
MySpace
Website



Album "Let It Out" on
iTunes
and CD Baby

Check out my video lessons and instructor board!

The Pianist
tune is progress,check it out!

"ok.. it is great.. :P

have you myspace? Can i to personalize this for you guy?"
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
Vasilije Vukmiro...
Jul 24 2009, 02:25 PM
Jazz Instructor
Posts: 2.691
Joined: 1-October 08
From: Belgrade
I think the ending is not So important, if it's just couple of bars, no problem. The trick is that different songs ask for different endings. Harmony. The easiest harmonic solution is to finish song on I min(if you started in min), that is a safe bet!

You are at GuitarMasterClass.net


Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
Trond Vold
Jul 26 2009, 11:03 PM
Instructor
Posts: 3.497
Joined: 16-February 08
From: Norge!
I'm always having problems with finding suitable endings for my songs, but it usually works itself out when i do what Muris suggests.

I take a little break from working on the song and then start listening through what i've got so far.
Will usually come up with better ideas for arrangements and also an ending eventually.

You are at GuitarMasterClass.net


Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!


--------------------
Guitars: Schecter Stiletto Classic, Jackson SLSMG, Ibanez RG-380 Japan, Gibson Les Paul Studio

Amp: Marshall JMP-1 -> Rocktron Velocity 100 -> Marshall JCM-900 Lead 4x12

FX and stomps: T.C Electronics G-Sharp, Korg SDD-1200, Emma Transmorgrifier, BYOC Tribooster, GGG Green Ringer, Dinosaur Overdrive, Voodoo Lab SuperFuzz, Sovtek Bassballs, Line6 Tap Tremolo, EHX Screaming Bird.


___________________________________________________
My Lessons!

My Instructor Board!

My Myspace!
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
VilleFIN
Jul 27 2009, 07:09 PM
Tone Seeker
Posts: 1.430
Joined: 10-March 08
From: Finland
Well it's good to know that I'm not the only one with song ending problems wink.gif

You all had very good tips for this. Thank you, your help was appreciated. cool.gif

You are at GuitarMasterClass.net


Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
Muris Varajic
Jul 27 2009, 08:37 PM
Instructor
Posts: 15.459
Joined: 22-June 07
From: Sarajevo,Bosnia
QUOTE (WeePee @ Jul 27 2009, 08:09 PM) *
Well it's good to know that I'm not the only one with song ending problems wink.gif

You all had very good tips for this. Thank you, your help was appreciated. cool.gif


You're welcome. smile.gif

You are at GuitarMasterClass.net


Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!


--------------------
Youtube
MySpace
Website



Album "Let It Out" on
iTunes
and CD Baby

Check out my video lessons and instructor board!

The Pianist
tune is progress,check it out!

"ok.. it is great.. :P

have you myspace? Can i to personalize this for you guy?"
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
Ivan Milenkovic
Jul 27 2009, 11:57 PM
Instructor
Posts: 25.396
Joined: 20-November 07
From: Belgrade, Serbia
You must practice ending your songs. Check out some songs similar to your style, how do they end? Fade out or sharp cut? What are some often used arrangements/concepts for a song? Try to apply some of these concepts to your songs and combine, experiment see what you can come up with. Listen to your songs, for couple of days until you catch the moment of inspiration.

You are at GuitarMasterClass.net


Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!


--------------------
- Ivan's Video Chat Lesson Notes HERE
- Check out my GMC Profile and Lessons
- (Please subscribe to my) YouTube Official Channel
- Let's be connected through ! Facebook! :)
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
thefireball
Jul 30 2010, 04:21 PM
Learning Roadie
Posts: 4.537
Joined: 9-March 10
From: United States, Arkansas
Cool thanks guys - everybody! This even helped me! I know what you mean, Muris. I listen my songs through. I'm having trouble with the metal and rock songs I do, but I'm working on techno songs with Linux Multimedia Studio. I say to myself, when I put in the notes, no that's not what my ear was wanting to hear. This makes it sound scary, when I'm trying to make it sound just cool. ...Stuff like that.

You are at GuitarMasterClass.net


Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!


This post has been edited by thefireball: Jul 30 2010, 04:22 PM
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
fkalich
Jul 30 2010, 05:48 PM
GMC:er
Posts: 2.789
Joined: 12-February 07
From: People's Republic of Lawrence Kansas
You need to reprogram your mind to rid yourself of this obsessive character trait, that is so common in society today. It is not limited to music, and looking at it just from that angle is not going to bring any more than partial relief. There is only one way to do it. Every time you find yourself in this state (not just with music, any time), recognize it, and move on. In this example, just finish it, finish it with something, and just move on. It is a matter of dopamine being being transmitted over neural synapses in your mind, leading to obsessive striving to perfection. The only way to stop it, is to STOP it. Gradually those neural connections will dissipate with disuse, and the problem will vanish over time. But anytime you act on the obsession, striving for "perfection" in this sense, just just strengthen the impulse.

I don't think any one here is more of a perfectionist than me. But my striving for perfection is now a healthy one, there is a difference. I used to have the problem you have, it held me back in a number of ways in trying to accomplish things, my first attempt at guitar years ago, golf, advanced math beyond calculus, etc. I got over it, and all that is left are harmless remnants that only I would recognize. But I have gotten rid of the deleterious aspects that hold one back in trying to accomplish something. You can too, but you have to just catch yourself, and move on, just do it, and the problem over time will just go away on it's own. That is how the mind works, it is plastic, and your actions reprogram it with persistence.



G

QUOTE (WeePee @ Jul 24 2009, 05:37 AM) *
Hey

I run into this problem all the time. I come up a few riffs and start to make a song. Example: Ok the intro, a little solo here and here starts the the main riff...and then it's happening. I don't know how to end it. Seriously I have like 7 unfinished recordings in my computer.

I know maybe I try too much and something what is over my limits. But after few days I lose interest on song and give up.

Is there any tips for this ?


Ville

You are at GuitarMasterClass.net


Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
Pedja Simovic
Jul 30 2010, 09:10 PM
Instructor
Posts: 8.109
Joined: 13-September 08
From: Nis, Serbia
Try to compose everything in one go... More brakes you make the song changes the mode. Interesting post by fkalich also smile.gif

You are at GuitarMasterClass.net


Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!


--------------------
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post

Reply to this topicStart new topic
1 User(s) are reading this topic (1 Guests and 0 Anonymous Users)
0 Members:

 




RSS Lo-Fi Version Time is now: 28th March 2024 - 05:40 PM