Really Set In My Ways - At 19 Years Old!!

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Wannabe Producer/Tech Student
Member Since: Aug 11, 2005

Hey Guys,
I'm having a really problem with song writing recently - everything is coming out the same!!!

Most of my stuff starts life on guitar, but i seem to only be able to write to a number of different formats these days - nearly everything includes a 1-7-6 or 6-7-1 chord progression and everything goes:

intro, verse, bridge, chorus, verse, bridge, chorus, mid8, solo, chorus, end.

Just can't seem to write anything else days. same is happening with my solos too. Just finished recording the music to my last solo effort and did all the lead guitar work in one session, and i noticed while playing that i have 3 or 4 "moves" that are just recycled over and over again.

Anyone got any idea how to get out of it?

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Prince CZAR-ming
Member
Since: Apr 08, 2004


Jul 20, 2007 11:10 pm

listen to jazz. that may kick you in a new direction.

Member
Since: Jan 18, 2003


Jul 21, 2007 12:17 am

well, hmm.

get the book called 'how to write songs on guitar' and 'songwriting sourcebook' by rikky rooksby, and also 'writing music for hit songs.' these are in my opinion the best songwriting books generally available. much on chord progressions in those books. modal mixing for chord progressions, too.

as for song structures, just find a new structure you like and copy it. i got very into writing short songs with outro choruses that are different from the main choruses, songs like 'would?' by alice in chains and 'without light, i am' by danzig. a big 'reveal' at the end. the key to making these 'sudden new chorus structures' work seems to be (and i might be wrong about this, but this is how it seems to me) suddenly redefining the key by introducing an important chord you've withheld for the entire song. i dunno. i really like that structure and i will keep trying to write a good song that uses it. once i get one or two, i'll zero in on another structure and try to write a song using that structure.

as for soloing, i don't know. i think i've deliberately avoided learning 'licks' perhaps to avoid this problem. i think i figured it could happen, judging by some of the playing i've seen out there.

I am not a crook's head
Member
Since: Mar 14, 2003


Jul 21, 2007 12:54 am

Lots of my inspiration comes from the music I listen to. Sounds like its time to inject some new music into your life!

Maybe hop on Amazon.com, find a CD you own and like, and explore the "people who bought this also bought..." and "listmania" kinds of things on there. Heck, a lot of websites have that kind of thing lately. Its a great way to find new music.

Czar of Cheese
Member
Since: Jun 09, 2004


Jul 21, 2007 09:25 am

These are all great ideas...I'm going to have to try some of them myself!

Hold 'Em Czar
Member
Since: Dec 30, 2004


Jul 22, 2007 12:59 am

jesus, pjk and tad beat me too it, hands down, the best thing you can do to explore your own 'sound' is explore different sounds....listen to more music and you'll easily be that much more inspired. and stay the **** away from radio above 92mhz!

hearing new things, makes you think "wow, that was cool"

Prince CZAR-ming
Member
Since: Apr 08, 2004


Jul 22, 2007 11:38 am

That's what I was kinda thinking, listen to other types of music than what you're used to.

Listening to your normal fare will keep you in your present rut.

Listen to country, they have a lot of interesting chord progressions, and musical directions. Even some of the old boom-tick stuff is interesting, if you listen to it analytically.

That's the key, listen to other stuff with an analytical ear, to see what structure, and composition is there.

once you get some new ideas kickin around, it shouldn't be too much to incorporate some of those into some of the ideas you already have. Kinda 'mesh' the two together to make something new.


Quote:
jesus, pjk and tad beat me too it


I didn't know Jesus posted in here too, I missed that one. It must have got deleted =).

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Jul 22, 2007 01:40 pm

Yep, listening to something completely different will help things out. If I get stuck in a rut I will sit down and pop something on that I have never listened to or at least not heard in a very long time. I will then just kind of jam to it and usually something will come from that.

One thing is to get a chord book and try building a song out of chords you have never used before. That and just tweaking a chord into something else.

Also try new sounds, experiment with different effects on the guitar and such. You will be surprised how much that can help steer you in a different direction as well.

Member
Since: May 10, 2007


Jul 22, 2007 05:38 pm

If you only fill your noggin with the same style of music you will most likely only spit back out the same when you write.

DIVERSIFY ! :))

Listen to more prog stuff and fusion... if those two dont get you thinking outside your box then I would suggest taking a couple of weeks off and then just quit! :))hahaha just kidding....

The biggest thing would be to not sweat it and just relax... we all go through dry spells.


I would suggest listening to anything from Wayne Krantz and Scott Henderson.


Typo Szar
Member
Since: Jul 04, 2002


Jul 22, 2007 10:10 pm

Alot of people here are suggesting listening to different kinds of music, i think that should be something done in kind of a "collecting repertoire" way, where u acquire alot of sounds and ways to play things. But before i write music i try to distance myself from listening for a month or so, or ill just end up writing something that ive been listening to lately. Sometimes its interesting to see that when you have no references at all, wat do u really sound like?

Member
Since: Jul 10, 2007


Jul 22, 2007 11:30 pm

Something that will force you to think of songwriting differently, if you have the time, is to play in a band where you're not the songwriter. Double plus points if its a different style than you're used to. Nothing else I've done has stretched me better than playing with different folks and being a part of their songwriting process. When I go back to my own stuff, I have way more ideas of what to do and what not to do from being involved in someone else's process for a while.

denmanjum
Member
Since: May 27, 2007


Jul 23, 2007 10:32 am

I lived in Nashville for about 5 years and though I'm not particularly into country music, living there writing and playing with all kind of folk was an invaluable experience for me. It opened me up to so many different perspectives on songwriting.
When I went down there I really thought I knew an incredible amount about writing, come to find out I knew very little but learned a ton.
No matter what your style is, if you can go down for a visit, go to the writer's clubs such as the Bluebird Cafe and Douglas Corner you will become a better songwriter.You will learn something new and you'll have a great time doing it!

Wannabe Producer/Tech Student
Member
Since: Aug 11, 2005


Jul 24, 2007 03:16 am

thanks for the all the help guys, ill definatly be trying some of these ideas out

Chief Cook and Bottle Washer
Member
Since: May 10, 2002


Jul 24, 2007 08:57 am

Cool thread. I'm no song writer, just not there for me, but I do agree as accompnement (bass) playing and listening to all kinds of stuff is invaluable. Knowing what to choose to darken or lighten, what to choose to 'mix it up', knowing how to alter a rythmic structure without destroying the grove, knowing when to get out of the way and when to fill, are just a few examples. There are tons of techniques and styles that are 'typical' to different genre's, but they are in no way limited to a genre'. Obviously some descretion needs to be used. Slaping an open E to end a swing balad goes over like a turd in a punch bowl.

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