Quote:
Originally Posted by El Bajo  
Hey people
Just wanted to know and hopefully pick up some advice on songwriting. I really want to write some songs but when I sit down and think theres this deafning silence in my head. Absolutley nothing comes out. I even try to write some easy 3 chords in key of C songs with simple guitar chords (all I can manage on guitar) and still nothing, no inspiration.
I'd just like to be able to put some ideas forward and not leave everything to other band members. I get ideas in my head but its hard to compose all instruments in your head and then try and get your idead across (especially if you cant play Keys drums and guitar).
How do you guys get on. Do you try and take control and contribute? Or do you take ideas from fellow members and take them to another level? |
Some, if not all songs will stand on their own with just your 3 guitar chords, the song's structure, and the lyrics/title. You need to understand that first. All the other instruments are embellishments to your "finished" song. You should have heard the original writer's version of "Light My Fire", or "Strawberry Fields Forever". Nothing like the recorded version because the band, producer, and arranger will take your completed product and probably modify it.
If you're coming up with no ideas...that's the problem. It starts with the idea. Carry something to write with at all times and I think you'll be surprised at how many ideas pop into your head at the most inopportune times - but you MUST be disciplined to take the time, stop the car, whatever, to write down what you thought of.
You don't have the technical ability to write a song based on a really great guitar riff, adding lyrics later. If you can hear the guitar riff but you can't play it, forget it - you trying to explain it is not gonna work.
For practice you can always take somebody elses 3 chord song, transpose it to "C" and replace the lyrics with lyrics you've written - they can mean nothing, it's just practice.
Good luck.
