Song writing style

[cossie]

Hi,

I've been giving a determined effort at trying to write my own songs or at least come up with song ideas to share with my friends. I've almost got 3 complete songs now with lyrics, guitars, bass and drums recorded. It's been very hard work but I find it very rewarding and it has definitely improved my all around musical abilities - there's nothing like listening to a something you thought sounded killer the night before and hearing how awful your timing / sense of melody is the next day!

What I've found the hardest is have my own style of song writing. This may be due to the fact that I'll record any riff / line / melody idea that comes into my head and then try to turn it into a song. I don't dismiss any idea because it sounds too pop / metal etc.

So I have a question for those people who do write their own songs, did you find you started out with your own style from the get go or did it take a while to develop?

Cos

[MalcolmAmos]

I'm Country and write Country songs. The story, and the melody are original, beyond that I use a basic cookie cutter format of 4 line verse and chorus. Rhyme or not, usually does. In the first draft I'll use a I, IV, V, I for the first two lines of the verse and this repeats in the next two lines. Lyric flow and chord progression is next. Reciting the lyrics over the chords will get the beginnings of a melody working.

I'll use chord tones for the melody line - one note per lyric word and if the story, progression and melody flow well I'll use that same combination for each verse and more than likely the chorus as well. Hard part is the original melody. I tend to keep it simple and build the melody from Major pentatonic notes over the individual chords. Never take it beyond that - lead sheet format in pencil. Drums and bass line would be left to the bass and drummer. Few make it into the light of day.

So, if that is a style, that's mine. Thousands of Country songs have used that same format. If there is a point to my post it's you do not have to re-invent the wheel, borrow from those that came before you and add your original lyrics and melody. I would imagine an original style would develop after a hundred songs or so plus or minus a few.

[cossie]

Originally Posted by MalcolmAmos

I'm Country and write Country songs. The story, and the melody are original, beyond that I use a basic cookie cutter format of 4 line verse and chorus. Rhyme or not, usually does. In the first draft I'll use a I, IV, V, I for the first two lines of the verse and this repeats in the next two lines. Lyric flow and chord progression is next. Reciting the lyrics over the chords will get the beginnings of a melody working.

I'll use chord tones for the melody line - one note per lyric word and if the story, progression and melody flow well I'll use that same combination for each verse and more than likely the chorus as well. Hard part is the original melody. I tend to keep it simple and build the melody from Major pentatonic notes over the individual chords. Never take it beyond that - lead sheet format in pencil. Drums and bass line would be left to the bass and drummer. Few make it into the light of day.

So, if that is a style, that's mine. Thousands of Country songs have used that same format. If there is a point to my post it's you do not have to re-invent the wheel, borrow from those that came before you and add your original lyrics and melody. I would imagine an original style would develop after a hundred songs or so plus or minus a few.

Thanks for replying Malcolm. I guess I will find a style that works for me the more songs I write, and I'll have to just keep hammering away at it. I've developed an enormous appreciation for people who write great songs.