How Do You Start Writing A Song? Options

[Cosmin Lupu]

When I feel inspired and I want to start writing an acoustic song, I sometimes pick up my acoustic guitar and fiddle around with my voice until I can get a good vocal line.

I've always felt an irresistible attraction towards the intimate sound that an acoustic guitar can release, so it's always a rewarding experience, even if the result turns out to be just a simple chord progression.

What's your approach when dealing with writing acoustic stuff?

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[The Uncreator]

Complete and total immersion in atmosphere.

Before there's music, before there is words - I know exactly what the song will feel like, and I go on that alone. First - (and this all takes place in my head) I imagine colors that I associate with this feeling, then the colors will form blends, more complex until they create a picture. Usually something vague, like some galactic landscape, a persons eye or mouth, or anything really - It varies wildly.

Then, secondly, the pictures move and I create details: Location, time, characters, a plot. Third - all this basically turns into a movie that I play over in my head, the characters now have faces and names, and even dialogue. Then lastly, I start envisioning the soundtrack to this imaginary movie.

And that's my song. I will forget the names and faces I imagine to create this story, but every time I listen to the finished product I will always have that atmosphere, that feeling, and I can see everything in my head again as clear as day.

It's the greatest feeling in the world to me I only hope one day I become proficient enough to vividly convey everything I conjure In my head.

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[MonkeyDAthos]

I grab my guitar! and "create" a Riff, then im going take a shower, and is when i am in the shower that creativity strikes...

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[Gabriel Leopardi]

When I feel inspired and I want to start writing an acoustic song, I sometimes pick up my acoustic guitar and fiddle around with my voice until I can get a good vocal line.

I've always felt an irresistible attraction towards the intimate sound that an acoustic guitar can release, so it's always a rewarding experience, even if the result turns out to be just a simple chord progression.

What's your approach when dealing with writing acoustic stuff?

I start writing a song exactly like you most of the times! I also feel that there is some magic that appears when I try to compose melodies and chord progressions with the acoustic guitar.. I don't know why but I feel much more inspired when I jam with the acoustic... however the songs always end being played in electric guitar...

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[Mike RR24]

I'm new at this and have no Theory back ground however I fiddled around on my electric guitar and conjured up a riff and then
try to figure words for it later. Not sure even how to do this. I've done it once and it just came to me while I was messing around on the guitar.

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[Ben Higgins]

Most of my riffs are accidents that happen when jamming, including acoustic !

Complete and total immersion in atmosphere.

Before there's music, before there is words - I know exactly what the song will feel like, and I go on that alone. First - (and this all takes place in my head) I imagine colors that I associate with this feeling, then the colors will form blends, more complex until they create a picture. Usually something vague, like some galactic landscape, a persons eye or mouth, or anything really - It varies wildly.

Then, secondly, the pictures move and I create details: Location, time, characters, a plot. Third - all this basically turns into a movie that I play over in my head, the characters now have faces and names, and even dialogue. Then lastly, I start envisioning the soundtrack to this imaginary movie.

And that's my song. I will forget the names and faces I imagine to create this story, but every time I listen to the finished product I will always have that atmosphere, that feeling, and I can see everything in my head again as clear as day.

It's the greatest feeling in the world to me I only hope one day I become proficient enough to vividly convey everything I conjure In my head.

I can't pretend that I apply this to everything I do because I don't... but in recent years I have come to think of riffs and musical passages as if I were directing a movie. What would the camera be showing at that given moment etc..? A riff that repeats for a long time is setting a scene, a mood I think it's an incredible way to look at music.

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[Cosmin Lupu]

I'm new at this and have no Theory back ground however I fiddled around on my electric guitar and conjured up a riff and then
try to figure words for it later. Not sure even how to do this. I've done it once and it just came to me while I was messing around on the guitar.

Well, fiddling around, can usually bring out nice ideas, the thing is, that after that you have to pay a little attention, isolate the ones which you feel that are naturally sticking to your memory and try to develop them from there

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[Ivan Milenkovic]

I don't have acoustic guitar, so cannot comment on that, but I enjoy composing on an electric guitar too

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[moleman]

When you guys are creating songs, do you write out parts that you want to remember?
And if so, do you write TAB or proper music?

I have been recording riffs with my phone or pc, and then explaining how to play it to myself. It is a bit embarrassing to listen to again though
Writing proper music seems cooler.

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[Cosmin Lupu]

When you guys are creating songs, do you write out parts that you want to remember?
And if so, do you write TAB or proper music?

I have been recording riffs with my phone or pc, and then explaining how to play it to myself. It is a bit embarrassing to listen to again though
Writing proper music seems cooler.

Well, in my opinion, writing music is a good exercise but, if you can record, it's a lot easier. Writing down music will teach you a lot of stuff and of course, if you want to perform with other musicians who can read scores, it's the nicest and most elegant way of collaborating

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[noztnac]

I almost never start writing with a guitar in hand. I have found that when I do I tend to fall into familiar patterns.

It is my preference to begin with a melody- away from the guitar. I sing the melody into a little digital recorder.
Actually I will sing 50 or so little melodies throughout the week. Then I set aside a day to go back and pick the best melodies.
THEN I pick up the guitar and work out the chords that go underneath.

At that point I start sketching out a structure.


This method is probably not the way most people write but it is worth a try if you find yourself writing the same types of things over and over.

I have also found that I think of the best melodies when I'm driving... something about the motion and scenery flying by. So maybe try carrying a little digital recorder with you next time you are out driving.

Don't wreck:)

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[audiopaal]

I just play, and sometimes good riffs/melodies appear
When that happens I build on them and in the end I sometimes have a song.

I've been playing more and more acoustic guitar lately to be honest.
I'm even thinking about about selling/trading my Nik Huber Junior Korina guitar for a top end acoustic.

I'll post some of my playing again once I've started recording again

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[Ben Higgins]

I almost never start writing with a guitar in hand. I have found that when I do I tend to fall into familiar patterns.

It is my preference to begin with a melody- away from the guitar. I sing the melody into a little digital recorder.
Actually I will sing 50 or so little melodies throughout the week. Then I set aside a day to go back and pick the best melodies.
THEN I pick up the guitar and work out the chords that go underneath.

At that point I start sketching out a structure.


This method is probably not the way most people write but it is worth a try if you find yourself writing the same types of things over and over.

I have also found that I think of the best melodies when I'm driving... something about the motion and scenery flying by. So maybe try carrying a little digital recorder with you next time you are out driving.

Don't wreck:)

That's a really interesting way of doing it, definitely worth trying

When you guys are creating songs, do you write out parts that you want to remember?
And if so, do you write TAB or proper music?

I never write or tab out things, I just record them. I've lost count of how many potential band memebrs have asked me 'Do you have any tabs for the songs' ..... and I always think, 'Of course not - why would I ?'

But I see how useful it is to have GPro files etc now...

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[Ivan Milenkovic]

When you guys are creating songs, do you write out parts that you want to remember?
And if so, do you write TAB or proper music?

I have been recording riffs with my phone or pc, and then explaining how to play it to myself. It is a bit embarrassing to listen to again though
Writing proper music seems cooler.

I don't really write music in note system, never really got fast with it. I could do it, but it would take me couple of hours to write down a solo, which is not efficient. The most efficient thing for me is to record it, or if it's tricky part - to tab it in guitar pro.

I've been using my phone to record some stuff as well, and it works cool, that's a good way if you're away from the computer.

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This post has been edited by Ivan Milenkovic: Jul 25 2011, 11:00 AM

[zoom]

I write songs on acoustic mostly. I find the hard part is getting good lyrics and good structure. It's a real art for sure. Another thing I struggle with is how to add drums to my ideas. I guess this is the structure side. Hats off to the great backing tracks and mixes the instructors come up with!

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[Cosmin Lupu]

I don't really write music in note system, never really got fast with it. I could do it, but it would take me couple of hours to write down a solo, which is not efficient. The most efficient thing for me is to record it, or if it's tricky part - to tab it in guitar pro.

I've been using my phone to record some stuff as well, and it works cool, that's a good way if you're away from the computer.

I've got a looong experience with walking on the street or being in the most unusual of places and having to record an idea so i wouldn't lose it it may look weird to people, but at least you have your ideas somewhere. The tricky part is, that devices such as phones don't have multi track recording facilities and you'll most likely forget the harmony which you heard along...so when you'll listen to it again, chances are you won't find your idea so enticing just because it doesn't have a harmonic support anymore... pffff

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[Adrian Figallo]

i compose in the same way, acoustic some times, electric some times (gets me distracted tho), and piano a lot of times, i love composing on the piano and i dont really know how to play it, but i love the super-simple pop melodies i can get from an instrument that i dont know very well, it limits my technique so my imagination has to play it.

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[thefireball]

I don't have an acoustic guitar, but when I write music, I start with a main theme and write the song as I go. I change things along the way too.

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