How do YOU go about writing a song?

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In the band that I'm in, I love covering other bands' songs, but I have trouble writing my own. I can come up with an endless number of cool riffs or chord progressions, but I REALLY struggle with creating a good vocal melody, and if i DO come up with one, I have trouble putting lyrics to it.

How do you songwriters go about this task? Do you come up with the melody and then put it with chords? Or maybe come up with the chords and then mess around with different melodies until you find one that clicks? Any advice would be great.

― Nobert, Thursday, 15 December 2005 21:36 (twenty years ago)

Take melody from chart-topping hit, reverse, plump up with harmonies, uhh, and Eno suggests duets.

― Jay Watts III (jaywatts), Thursday, 15 December 2005 21:38 (twenty years ago)

This board might be useful: http://ilx.wh3rd.net/newanswers.php?board=12

― mcd (mcd), Thursday, 15 December 2005 21:42 (twenty years ago)

nah, these guys
are much more friendly and helpful

― .- \(O_o)/-' (mookie wilson), Friday, 16 December 2005 03:28 (twenty years ago)

if youve got a chord progression or riff, just play it and sing nonsense over it til you stumble on a melody. i prefer to do this alone

― jifdo, Friday, 16 December 2005 16:26 (twenty years ago)

Alternate path: write 2 - 4 lines with a definite rhythm. You will find that any series of strongly accented syllables will soon suggest a melody to you.

Here's a made-up-on-the-spot example:

The king is waiting in the hall
He hasn't got too far to fall

A simple schema, in that both lines have 8 syllables. Music is made of patterns; symmetrical patterns are pleasing.

Try to use concrete nouns ("chair", "gutter", "pills"), stay away from abstractions ("drama", "peace", "heartbreak"). Find a way into the song and jam on it. Go for the unusual. Try to surprise yourself. Good luck.

― Edward III (edward iii), Friday, 16 December 2005 18:40 (twenty years ago)

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