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Posted by: Jartski May 22 2009, 03:15 PM

How did you guys start composing?
Can you guys give a little hint where to start?

Posted by: jer May 22 2009, 03:29 PM

QUOTE (Jartski @ May 22 2009, 09:15 AM)

Posted by: Jartski May 22 2009, 03:37 PM

Well, all of the above.
EDIT: sorry, i was playing my guitar while i was posting and i knew i missed something .

Posted by: Dexxter May 22 2009, 04:24 PM

Well, I sometimes hear a riff in my head and try to transfer the notes to my guitar. This can take a lot of practising and sometimes make you end up forgetting the riff while trying to play it And sometimes I just play around, making up some riff until I get something I like and think sounds cool. And then I kind of hear the riff/riffs that follows as I play.

After that I arrange all my riffs for intro, verse, chorus, bridge, solo and what not. Then I listen to all the riffs and try to come up with lead melodies or vocal melodys and lyrics while having the feeling of the song.

For the solo I also listen to the riff and try to hear a solo inside my head. If that dosn't lead anywhere I improvise a few times (sometimes a lot) until I hear something or plays something I like and that feels good.

The style I mostly write is metal, if that helps you or if it matters.

I don't know if this was helpful, but it's how I kind of do it. Every time is different ofcourse and it doesn't always happen in this order. But I think you should always use your feelings. That's the most important thing IMO. Maybe your thinking like "what do he mean "listen to your feelings", is he crazy!?" But it comes with time and experience of music and the guitar. At least it did for me. Well, I hope you could get something helpful from this post

Posted by: Disturbed21 May 22 2009, 04:26 PM

Personally i would start with what you want it sound like then find an appropriate scale or chords for that sound (example: sad sound = minor scale). although sometimes certain riffs and songs just sorta write themselves while you're playing
Although i think some instructors may be able to give better advice than this

Posted by: Jartski May 22 2009, 05:56 PM

QUOTE (Dexxter @ May 22 2009, 04:24 PM)

Well, I sometimes hear a riff in my head and try to transfer the notes to my guitar. This can take a lot of practising and sometimes make you end up forgetting the riff while trying to play it

QUOTE (Dexxter @ May 22 2009, 04:24 PM)

I don't know if this was helpful, but it's how I kind of do it. Every time is different ofcourse and it doesn't always happen in this order. But I think you should always use your feelings. That's the most important thing IMO. Maybe your thinking like "what do he mean "listen to your feelings", is he crazy!?" But it comes with time and experience of music and the guitar. At least it did for me. Well, I hope you could get something helpful from this post

Posted by: Dexxter May 23 2009, 05:21 PM

QUOTE (Jartski @ May 22 2009, 06:56 PM)

Yeah, that has happened to me many times, annoying isnt it?

QUOTE (Jartski @ May 22 2009, 06:56 PM)

Posted by: Muris Varajic Jun 7 2009, 04:07 PM

Oups, it's written in general instructors board
so we all missed it, sorry!

Composing is very complex process and there are many ways to achieve certain goals.
You'll find many songs made of just few chords but with nice as sweet melody line.
This can be achieved by putting chord progression at the beginning
and then singing along.
You can do it the other way around, you come up with the melody
and then you find your chords.
Very often these 2 methods are overlapping tho but it's not big deal
as long as you're getting nice results.
For making that kind of songs you don't have to be real theory master imo,
you need good hearing/voice and basic knowledge of chords/keys.

For more demanding stuff you do need better skills, theory knowledge etc.

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Jun 7 2009, 07:42 PM

If you want to make some simple songs take a guitar, strumm couple of chords and sing a long nananana. When you find a good vocal line - record it. Write down some lyrics and there you have a song. It's the simplest way

Posted by: Jartski Jun 7 2009, 08:00 PM

Thanks, guys. I tried to do like you adviced me and i got a few things down. Ill see if its possible that i can record my progress with something, so i can show you guys.
Thanks again.

Posted by: Pedja Simovic Jun 7 2009, 08:06 PM

Since in music you have 3 main components (rhythm melody and harmony), you can pretty much approach composing using your strongest choice.
I like to mix things up a lot. Sometimes I will do chord progression then add melody to it, others I might do melody and do some interesting harmonies over it. The common thing in both processes is the rhythm of course. If there is no rhythm it all sounds like exercise

I hope you will post your recording so we can all check out how you are doing.
Good luck and have fun !