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Posted by: paulnoahchrist5 Oct 15 2008, 07:47 AM

when you start to write a song what steps do you take . do you start with the riff ? start it in akey signature whats the best approach ? )

Posted by: audiopaal Oct 15 2008, 08:04 AM

There's many ways of doing this, and most people have their own approach.

I usually start out with a riff or a melodyline and build a song around that.
Then I'll probably add a second guitar.
After that I lay down the drums and bass.
When I'm finished with that I'll re-record the guitars, playing it in perfect sync with the drums and bass.

And if I need some other instruments I'll lay them down afterwards


But sometimes I'll start with a cool bassline or a drumpattern, it's difficult to tell how it's supposed to be done as there is many approaches
You should try out a few things and find out what's best for you!


I'm not sure if this was helpful at all, but I hope it was

Posted by: Nemanja Filipovic Oct 15 2008, 08:29 AM

Well,there is not some general best approach.For me,some times it could be just two words,a very short melody,or I sit play until some thing comes out.
Good exercise is to force your self to produce amount of short themes per day.
Arrangements should come at the end of the process,but then again you should change pattern from time to time to frsh things up.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Oct 17 2008, 01:08 AM

When I write songs for my band I usually have two ways to start writting a song. The first one is starting with a cool riff/rhythm as an idea for the intro or the Verse. Composing a great riff is very important for a good song but sometimes I find difficult to continue the idea. For example you can check my lessons "Mentiras by Cirse". I had the riffs for many time until I could finish the song.

The other way is starting with a nice melody + chord progression for the chorus. The chorus of a song is the most important part for me and it always suggests me a good song around it.
Once I have the chorus I try to make the Verse, the Bridge and the Intro. Then I use to do a part C after the second chorus.

I hope that it helps, let me know if you have any other questions about composition.

Posted by: audiopaal Oct 17 2008, 05:42 AM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Oct 17 2008, 02:08 AM)

When I write songs for my band I usually have two ways to start writting a song. The first one is starting with a cool riff/rhythm as an idea for the intro or the Verse. Composing a great riff is very important for a good song but sometimes I find difficult to continue the idea. For example you can check my lessons "Mentiras by Cirse". I had the riffs for many time until I could finish the song.

The other way is starting with a nice melody + chord progression for the chorus. The chorus of a song is the most important part for me and it always suggests me a good song around it.
Once I have the chorus I try to make the Verse, the Bridge and the Intro. Then I use to do a part C after the second chorus.

I hope that it helps, let me know if you have any other questions about composition.

Posted by: Gus Oct 17 2008, 06:36 AM

Great advice Gabriel. Your lessons give very good insight into composing.

What I am doing right now is that every time I am practicing guitar and have an idea I like I record it. Be it a lick, a riff, chord sequence or whatever. I just record it so that I do not forget it.

Then, when I have something reasonably good I show to my singer and let her also think about melody.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Oct 17 2008, 11:45 PM

QUOTE (Gus @ Oct 17 2008, 02:36 AM)

QUOTE (audiopaal @ Oct 17 2008, 01:42 AM)

Very good advice Gabe

And I'm sorry I answered in this thread before you, I didn't notice it was in your forum