How do you write songs?

[caffuchino]

I've found whenever I've tried to write anything, it's always partial. A chorus from a song, a verse, maybe an intro or an ending. But it's always ridiculously difficult to string 2 or 3 parts together. So, how do you guys write? Do you come up with one good part you like- which seems not to be the problem - and then write music that fits around it, or do you recycle ideas and create some sort of amalgamation of all the good ideas you've had?

[runmikeyrun]

sit down with whoever seems to be the driving force(s) in your band when it comes to writing. If you and the guitarist write the songs, then sit down with him and throw out riffs or parts of songs you have, then form something together. It helps to have a tape recorder so you don't forget the songs you write.

Some people write at practice with the whole band there.

[DaDrew2112]

sometimes i find a riff that inspires me and work off of that. Sometimes it just pops into my head. Sometimes my singer has a melody. It's different everytime really.

[kevteop]

Usually I come up with melodies and work out the music around that, often the initial ideas come in the shower for some reason. Very rarely I begin with a beat.

In terms of creating enough variety to format a 'pop song', melody-led writing lends itself much more easily to this, and it's easier the more you learn about music theory.

If you're beginning with a riff or a beat, maybe that's your big hook and maybe you don't need a real verse/chorus structure at all. If you don't think that riff/beat is a big hook then perhaps it's not worth spending a lot of time on, and you should try other ideas instead.

[Slowgypsy]

I've found that something very important to song writing is to do it frequently. If it's a haphazard and occasional endeavor, it might be difficult to take a project to completion. If you do it routinely, often, as a steady thing... at some point the process becomes a part of your life.

Something I do is, I always carry a notebook with me. When I see something, or think something, or just feel that urge to capture a thought... my notebook is right there. I've tried digital recorders, but for me it doesn't work as well as a notebook. Most of the time my writings are just segments. But at some point those segments usually connect together. And then there's the somewhat rare occasion when a complete song just flows out... and my trusty notebook is there.

[KenHR]

For me it usually starts with chords and melody.

It does get difficult after hammering out the first section, whether it's a verse, chorus, bridge or what-have-you. Basically, after that first rush of inspiration, it's a lot of work, trying out a lot of different ideas for the next section, maybe looking back at other half-finished things in my files to see if they fit, etc.

Slowgypsy is absolutely correct in that you have to work at songwriting every day, just like you practice your bass; waiting for inspiration to strike won't cut it. He's also right that it's good to have something like a notebook handy at all times to capture ideas; I also like the recorder function on my iPhone for making a quick reference.

Also: be prepared for 90% of what you write to be...not so good. The ratio gets better over time, but the point is to finish what you start...that gets easier over time, too.

An inspirational book is Songwriters on Songwriting, which is composed entirely of interviews with great songwriters about their processes. The thing I came away with from my reading: everyone has a completely different process, but everyone stresses that songwriting is work, and that you have to work at it every day for it to flow.

[icecycle66]

Originally Posted by KenHR

Also: be prepared for 90% of what you write to be...not so good. The ratio gets better over time, but the point is to finish what you start...that gets easier over time, too.

I agree.
Just crank out a dozen or two songs. Record them. Listen to them. Hear how they suck. Make corrective action for future song writing adventures.

[Nev375]

There's several different approaches, I suggest using any you can think of.

Write words and melody to a chord progreassion
Write a chord progression based upon the moods of lyrics from line to line, then form the melody.
write words and chords to match an existing melody.
pick a bunch of notes out at random and find a way to structure a song around those notes and make it sound good
copy an existing song and just rewrite the words
just jam with a band and wait for everything to just fall into place

Do whatever works. Like anything else it gets easier with practice. I'm often using the 2nd method these days. The fourth method up there is fun for a challenge and often inspires some originality.

[rtslinger]

For me it is the hook which isn't always the chorus. I find it 1st add verses from there lots of times driving home from the office I come up with stuff and sing it a few times throw it on a digital recorder I keep with me. most of the time the words that come up first are just scratch stuff and then it changes until it is complete. I have about 75 copy written originals
and about 30 or so that are work in progress.

[Jawshco]

I generally get a tune in my head first. Usually it's a couple guitar/bass riffs. I hum those into my iPhone memo recorder initially, then I take the idea to my instrument and either change it to fit my playing ability or I keep it close to the same. Once I've got the basic key, progression, etc... I then try to imagine what's next and I try to map that. Then I record a click track on my Fostex recorder and add tracks for bass, guitar, and vocals. I like to make sure the beat of all the various parts are compatible with eachother. What works in my head doesn't always work with a drummer, so the click track or simple drum machine pattern helps me iron that out. My singer rarely uses my vocal ideas so I only sing to map out the sections of the songs, hooks, repeats, etc. I'll create a theme for the lyrics, but most of the words are babbled. I'll mix together these tracks using my laptop and burn a few of these song ideas on a CD. Usually, I'll play the CD for my bandmates, then I'll lead them through the individual sections. Usually the singer will have me play through each section many, many times as he writes the vocals and lyrics, and many times re-maps the sections to suit his idea. Often my bridge will become his verse, and my verse will be his chorus, and so on and so forth. Once the bones are there, our drummer writes most of our transitions, vibes, and kicks from either from his drums or from the keyboard be keeps next to his kit. Finally, the other guitarist and I work on the final touches, embellishments, solo's etc... then based on that we determine which of us will play guitar and which of us will play bass based on our strengths as players and the needs of the song. Then the song evolves a few times during gigs before we either scrap it or record it.

Wow... Sounds more complex than I thought! LOL!