Having trouble writing music

[Hemispheres85]

I've taken a general music theory class, which included some composition, and my music teacher gave me a book on composition for some exercises in writing music.

I feel like I can learn all about different composition techniques and yet when I sit down to write a piece of music, nothing flows.

I try to write on bass, which usually ends up in me playing something that sounds like one of the old rush songs I know, and it's not great in the first place. I've tried writing on guitar, piano, and just paper, all of which haven't given me any interesting pieces.

I really love playing music and I would love to be as good of a writer/ composer as I possibly can, but I feel like everything I write is 2-dimensional, the techniques I know (even simple ones) are hard to apply and melodies, and chord progressions never come to me when I try to write, or even when I'm just fiddling around.

Any recommendations for a troubled musician like myself?

[Rota]

Whenever I try to write, I only ever get somewhere when I don't have a thought in my head about playing. I just play something, and suddenly realize that it's really catchy or cool sounding, and continue from there. When I try to force it, I get nothing. Same when I'm improvising on stage, just don't force it or concentrate too hard, and things will flow.

[ryco]

Keep a small note pad and write out thoughts, ideas, phrases that pop into your mind. Get these things down quickly because they tend to fade fast.

Practice writing a little bit at a time. You don't have to finish a whole song in one sitting. Work on little snippets and go back and work and rework what you've done - like polishing a stone. Have a few song sketches going on at the same time - if one isn't gelling at the moment, work on another one.

There are several starting points you can use. Maybe the lyric will come first - a phrase, a rhyme, a double meaning. Or the music will start first. Maybe when practicing you'll come up with a cool bass riff, or a striking chord progression, or an interesting interval or two. Maybe you'll hear a little melody line. Or you can start with a rhythm pattern, or maybe a new beat will spark inspiration.

Another fun way is to find other writers and start collaborating. I have had a lot of fun and learned a lot writing with ppl who have been writing for awhile. Sometimes songs will go in directions either one of you would have expected.

Be aware and open to your environment and surroundings. Snippets of conversation, noises, rhythms of machinery.

These are a few things I have used from time to time. There are also some good books on songwriting that can clue you in on publishing and bizniz as well as the craft of writing songs.

But it comes down to starting to write and working on it a little bit every day. It gets easier the more ya do it.

[rosanne]

I keep a hand held tape recorder by my bed b/c ideas often hit me as I'm going to sleep. Just pick it up and hum/sing the idea into it. Good for music and lyrics both. You can learn to use the thing in the dark, and then you don't have to turn on the light in order to write something down.

[bryan bailey]

I feel I write better when I'm under the influence of something or another, just the mental aspect of "ok, I'm gonna write somethintg" lifts and it comes naturally.

[BassChuck]

Originally Posted by ryco

Keep a small note pad and write out thoughts, ideas, phrases that pop into your mind. Get these things down quickly because they tend to fade fast.

Practice writing a little bit at a time. You don't have to finish a whole song in one sitting. Work on little snippets and go back and work and rework what you've done - like polishing a stone. Have a few song sketches going on at the same time - if one isn't gelling at the moment, work on another one.

There are several starting points you can use. Maybe the lyric will come first - a phrase, a rhyme, a double meaning. Or the music will start first. Maybe when practicing you'll come up with a cool bass riff, or a striking chord progression, or an interesting interval or two. Maybe you'll hear a little melody line. Or you can start with a rhythm pattern, or maybe a new beat will spark inspiration.

Another fun way is to find other writers and start collaborating. I have had a lot of fun and learned a lot writing with ppl who have been writing for awhile. Sometimes songs will go in directions either one of you would have expected.

Be aware and open to your environment and surroundings. Snippets of conversation, noises, rhythms of machinery.

These are a few things I have used from time to time. There are also some good books on songwriting that can clue you in on publishing and bizniz as well as the craft of writing songs.

But it comes down to starting to write and working on it a little bit every day. It gets easier the more ya do it.

Excellent post!

Why are musicians OK with practicing for years to master an instrument, but assume that composition can be learned overnight? Creating music takes practice too. Don't beat yourself too much... take your time and work everyday.