Song Writing

Your probably going to ignore this anyways but whatever.


NOTE: THIS IS MOSTLY FOR PEOPLE INTERESTED IN DOING SERIOUS WORK WITH LYRICS. ITS EVEN BETTER IF YOU ARE A LYRICIST AND A VOCALIST (IT ALSO MAKES THINGS EASIER AND FASTER)

I’ve finally decided to enhance my man lyrical ability. I’ve come up with a step-by-step process in making lyrics.

This is the template I’ve set up for myself.

First I pick a theme (but I don’t write it) With this theme I begin to write sentences, or free write. This allows me to express the idea without being limited to any amount of syllables or minutes. The whole free write could consist of several paragraphs even.(but usually one or two)(when I say paragraphs, I don’t literally mean paragraphs, I just mean about 5-8 sentences)

Now, onto lyrics.
How do you do this part? It depends. If you already have your music ready, then here’s what you can do (If you don’t, then go make it.)

Note that I am not a professional, all-knowing musician, so this might not work for you.





Uhh... yeah i dont know. Like i said, I suck when it comes to music all around. Here's some proof of my suckishness...
LINK

This post has been edited by Mike Shinoda on Nov 5 2009, 04:03 PM

"Poem" in your template should be removed, seeing as lyrics in a song is a whole poem itself.


Lyrics, in my opinion, are hit and miss (shut up Draco i know you're going to say they're always a miss with me). Your idea could work quite well, depending on the word choice and flow of your words. Some times it's better to adapt the music to the words, but some times the words get either over-complicated or stretch too far, and you have to adapt the words to the music, in which case it's better to create the song, then create the lyrics according to the song.


Hell, the way I compose a number of songs (even instrumental) consist of me saying things as any one would normally phrase them in real life, and then creating a melody out of that - in that regard, it would be as I said, a hit or a miss whether the music sparks the lyrics or not.

If I'm gonna write a song, I write the lyrics first and then begin to think about the music.

Especially because I consider myself better with words than with music, and I can just ask anyone with better music skills than me (and willing to lend a hand) to musicalize the song, or give me advice on the subject.

It's still a ***** because writing a poem and writing song lyrics, while it seems similar, requires a totally different approach to the task.

The poem doesn't actually require rhythm, it's a poem as long as the structure is solid and the rules are respected. However, songs require musicality; you need to supervise the rhythm of each verse so it has good flow. You can rip the idea of structure to shreds, you can write whatever floats your boat disregarding even rhyme; and the song can still work as long as it behaves like one.

This post has been edited by El Huesudo II on Nov 5 2009, 02:22 PM

or you can just pull a Beastie Boys, pull a music beat, put it on loop and then yell out whatever the hell you want ignoring the fact that there's music playing behind you

oh god Yoshiman

that post

bracing for impact

it's like people aren't afraid to troll now we're one day ahead of new message board software

you ever try to put down one of their songs into rhythmic notation format


i tried it once - my time signature kept switching between 2/4ths, 3/4ths, 6/8ths and i think i even had about two bars of 17/24ths

and each verse... or line, anyways, as far as i could take it, either inserted half-way through a bar, 3 half-beats before the end of the measure, or waited 1 1/5 of a bar before coming in again


not to mention trying to follow it in Rock Band via mic is pretty crazy



don't ask me why i did that - i think i was sick that day and needed something to do other than twiddle my thumbs and sleep

I hate it when people strive to be formulaic in song writing. Sure you're going to be forced to be formulaic to a certain point, repeating chords and melodies and whatnot, but alot of my favorite songs don't follow the normal framework you threw up here at all. And when I write stuff I purposefully try to go against it most of the time just because.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-uVhAjpEslY&translated=1
^Excellent song by Beirut that doesn't follow this format at all^

Somehow i feel like i offended people by sharing me idea. I mean, i'm not forcing it on anybody. Im not making you do this. But if its really that bad of an idea i can simply remove this...

by the way
did i mention have no musical talent and wish to learn?

This post has been edited by Mike Shinoda on Nov 5 2009, 04:16 PM

It's not a bad idea, but songwriting shouldn't have to be so linear. I don't know it sounds like it might suck the fun out of it :P

Meh, maybe it works for some people without sucking the fun out, and doesn't work with others.

Well, i'm not necessarily going to be so strict about it. I suck at songwriting, so i was thinking taht i would use this to start out, and then once i got the idea of it, i would just get straight to lyrics.

I know Songwriting should be spontanious and stuff, but for now im gonna use an actual method.

Okay before i confuse people, let me explain


I make instrumental music, and have always wanted to make lyrics to them, but could never make it work. I made this method in hopes that it would aid me in my long dangerous journey to make a song. I guess it wasnt the bbest idea, as it is to formal and removes the fun of music. I think i will fix this now.

This post has been edited by Mike Shinoda on Nov 5 2009, 04:15 PM

Stop saying you're 14, what does that have to do with anything?

There problem solved.

This post has been edited by Mike Shinoda on Nov 5 2009, 04:16 PM

I listen to longer stuff so my opinion on song structure is a tad odd.