songwriting question

[kevbass5]

Hey JMJ

I seem to run into this problem when I'm writing music...I'll come up with one cool idea for a song, and then I'll struggle to find something else to compliment it.

For example, I'll come up with a great progression for a verse, but can't come up with a chorus that works well with it. Or a great melody, but no lyrics, or vice versa.

Do you ever have this problem? How do you approach finding and keeping a single identity for a song, rather than just kind of throwing a couple of contrived ideas together?

 

[JimmyM]

good question, dude. i'd be interested to hear the answer, too.

 

[jmjbassplayer]

Dude, I TOTALLY have that problem. Jeez. So tough sometimes. But the best songs seem to lead you down the path from one solution to another.

I don't have an approach as far as "keeping a single identity", though that is of course a worthy goal. My approach is to bang my head against the wall and rock that song within an inch of its life until something blossoms. If it doesn't happen with much tenacity and effort, then I bail. The erstwhile song then gets relegated back to the "ideas" bin. Poof! Game over...next idea...

JMJ