# Writing Songs

Category: Jam Session

## Post 1 by charrington (Zone BBS is my Life) on Sunday, 25-Jan-2009 20:55:04

So, Pretty self explanatory. Does anyone here know how to write songs? and if so, How do you do it? How do you get ideas what to write about? Also, How do you get lyrics to match up to music?
Thanks,
Chris Harrington

## Post 2 by cumbiambera2005 (i just keep on posting!) on Sunday, 25-Jan-2009 23:13:22

I have written several songs, and I feel like it is something that is sort of a trial and error. A song is sort of like a poem. Usually what hehlps me is, first I kind of picture the music in my head, and it really just depends on how I am feeling at the time, or what the song is about. Most of what inspires me to write are strong feelings I may have at a given time. So first I imagine the music in my head, and try to picture the topic I want to write about. Then I begin to express myself. It's really kind of hard to explain, because it's sort of a talent. Some people are able to do it, and some are not. I haven't actually put music to songs I have written, but I do have an idea of what they should sound like, so I can eventually try to write the music accordingly. well anyway, hope this helps. Sorry I couldn't really explain better, but my head is really worn out at this time. In fact, I'd write one now if it wasn't for my head and thoughts wanting to go all over the place!

## Post 3 by motifated (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Monday, 26-Jan-2009 5:46:10

Hmmm. Writing songs is hard work. I rarely do lyrics, because I'm a keyboard player who sings, but hates memorizing words. Having gotten that out of the way, sometimes, I've found that if I have a drum machine,I'll put that on, and start with a rhythm groove. That is how I start, unless I have a specific task to do. If I'm working out an arrangement for someone, they might say "I want a really nice balad." Then I start thinking in terms of instrumentation beyond percussion, such as a string pad, regular or electric piano, guitars, etc. Many years ago, I did some gingle writing and commercial writing. That was very different, because the person paying the bills wanted a specific type of music, and it had to fit in certain time guidelines. Hope this helps.
Lou

## Post 4 by andrew1989 (Account disabled) on Monday, 26-Jan-2009 10:41:52

I don't generally write songs with lyrics either. I have a pretty extensive collection of midi synthesizers, which allow me to get music to sound like pretty much whatever I want. Usually I come up with ideas when i'm just randomly playing something on the keyboard, and put drums and whatever else i want behind it. I know people who write songs with lyrics, and some of them come up with the lyrics first, and then the music. personally, i'd probably want to have some idea of the music first, but it's not entirely necessary. Some tracks I write have been written thanks to really strong emotions of some kind (sadness, anger, happiness, whatever). It really depends.

## Post 5 by Gracesong (Zone BBS is my Life) on Tuesday, 27-Jan-2009 10:02:56

Well, for my personal process, i find that reading a lot always helps. A good smattering of different types of literature, i.e. philosophy, Victorian literature, Asian literature, etc. will do wonders for the creative process.
Other than that, it also helps to be familiar with different literary devices and just to recognize that language itself is a metaphor.
In terms of getting lyrics to fit into music, I usually compose a melody first or vice versa and then fit the form of the music into the words.
Most importantly, though, remeber that the music that you create will be a part of yourself. Just go for it, and have fun!
If you would like some pointers, though, feel free to drop me a line!

## Post 6 by cumbiambera2005 (i just keep on posting!) on Tuesday, 27-Jan-2009 10:13:35

Hmmmm, well I play piano, and I also do a bit of composing on there, and I dont really have a process for that! Usually what I would do is just kind of play around. One of the first songs I wrote, actually the first song I ever wrote was inspired by a melody I'd heard on tv. The second big hit was called "The Mistake", due to the fact that it was written as a consequence to messing up on another song I was trying to play at the time! The piece also had a sort of thought, and set of lyrics, associated with it when I played it, which also helped me to name it. Very simple, but interesting piece all the same! This was the first song I'd actually played in public or showed to people outside of my family. Another song I had written was actually a pretty free for all type of song, and was nnot something I had planned to do, but rather something that kind of "just happened," so to speek! Luckily, that one just so happened to be recorded, and I had to learn to play it again because it was not something I'd really kept up with, but merely done out of just playing around. But I liked the song though, and it's probably changed a lot when I play it now a days, to when it was originally recorded.
So those are just a few stories concerning my piano music. i have not composed in a while, and so dont really have a certain process I go through.

## Post 7 by charrington (Zone BBS is my Life) on Friday, 30-Jan-2009 9:08:35

Anyone on here do stuff on the guitar at all? Thanks for the pointers! Keep them coming!