Songwriting...Im a newbie...

[Electric Blues]

I need to know how to write songs with lyrics and guitar. I am new to this songwriting stuff. I know alot of chords, scales, and theory for the guitar but the only time i ever put these to use are when playing somebody elses songs. So what do i need to do to make a good song. thanks.

[mcflytrap]

Alright man, I'll give it a shot. ;)

When I write songs, I come up with a chord progression first. I play the chord progression and hum a melody to it. It's usually the first melody that pops in my head. I grab a note pad and start writing lyrics for the melody. Sometimes I get writers block, sometimes I write really bad lines...but I jot them down anyway. You can always go back and rewrite.

If you've ever created a guitar solo, it's almost the same principle. Except instead of playing the melody w/ your guitar, you sing it.

Anyway, after that I record the basic tracks on my computer. Then I go back and add all the little things. Solos (if needed), extra instruments, drums, effects...stuff like that.


-mcfly-

[Greenshoe]

I'll give it a shot.

I found mags like "Performing Songwriter" and other pubs that interview professional musicians from many genres on how they write songs. One thing you'll find is that everyone has a different take on it. Some people write lyrics first (Dylan), others start with chord progressions (Stevie Wonder), others begin humming melody (Lennon/McCartney? I think), and others just do a combo of everything (mostly writers who collaborate - Elton John/Bernie Taupin, Jagger/Richards, Aerosmith). Some are very disciplined about it (dammit, I will finish lyrics/melody/chords in one sitting) and some don't force it but write when they feel like it. It's whatever you're comfortable with.

Not that you'd care, but I tend to write lyrics first. I then experiment with chords/melodies that fit with the mood, pacing and flow of the words and overall theme of the lyrics. I then record a "scratch track" of myself playing guitar or piano and singing with a metronome to keep time. Then add multiple takes of drums, bass, guitar tracks, and a good vocal track with the original "scratch track" as a reference.

[u6crash]

I write lyrics and chord progressions independent of one another and someday find out which lyrics match with which progressions.

[Kitty Phobes]

My drummer (husband) writes all the lyrics and I write all the music. So I guess we're kind of like Bernie Taupin and Elton John. It's weird sometimes.

KP
:cool: