Writters Block
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Posted on Feb 08, 2003 10:48 pm
Dan
Member Since: Nov 21, 2002
It seems the hardest part of writting a song is writting a catchy opening line. ive used common openings such as "Come with me", "Here we are", "look at (fill in blank)", etc etc. But, now i am really in a stump, i mean i have the message to convey, but i just dont know where to start... Sorry i just had to vent some frustration. Do other people have this problem?
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WaltChief Cook and Bottle WasherMember
Since: May 10, 2002
Feb 09, 2003 04:16 am Maybe just write your thoughts down. Jot down the images, tangents, mediphores, feelings surrounding your message. Then play with different words for each of the thoughts / images until something pops out. Most of the best songs I have heard make the listener work a little. Maybe re-order your message.
ozzy11Member
Since: Jan 23, 2003
Feb 09, 2003 11:13 am For me its like this,
I write mostly acoustic type ballads.With a story.I always have a beginning middle and end
of the story(yeah like a book report in school) So when coming up with an opening line or two,I
simply go to where my story starts,pick up my
acoustic and just sing every word i think of out loud no matter how weird it sounds,write down EVERYTHING,and then pick and choose until something works.This almost always works for me.
Good luck man.And like walt said,I always get the visuals flowin.
flame...bringing sexy backMember
Since: Jul 01, 2002
Feb 09, 2003 01:23 pm ive got a little book i carry about full of ideas and lyrics...one liners i ick up from places, cool chord sequences, anything..and just flick through that when im stuck for a lyrical idea. its handy to keep everything in one place as well
DanMember
Since: Nov 21, 2002
Feb 09, 2003 06:32 pm I used Ozzy's method of writting it as a story, then i put it to verse. Thanks guys
ozzy11Member
Since: Jan 23, 2003
Feb 09, 2003 07:37 pm Glad to help bro.
Feb 09, 2003 11:47 pm i remember reading somewhere the Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails got all the lyrics for the album "Pretty Hate Machine" from personal diaries and skibblings he had kept over the years. Having heard that I started writing down every cool little phrase or rhyme i came up with. Now I pages and pages in a txt document with tons of poetry that are all potential lyrics.
tonyd1970The fat one always watches us.Member
Since: Nov 08, 2002
Feb 10, 2003 07:51 am Whats a writter? Haahaha (this from the famous tonyd that cant spell anything)
anywho- try this one for size-
1 listen to a song you like
2 catch the beat and feel in your head- then with foot tapping write your own words to that beat, chorus and all.
3 wait 9 min and 32 sec- then pick up your instrument of choice and create totally new music to the words youve written.
4 youll find that the arrangement is good, cause you copied the flow of another song- but with all new chords and new words it sounds nothing like the song you listend to. this technique has worked a few times for me when i have writters.
Feb 10, 2003 08:28 am To me lyrics actually making sense are a moot point, if they do say anything logical or tell a story, that's cool, but ultimately it comes down time dynamics and rhyme.
Often time you could just make up a bunch of garbage words that fit the melody and keep writing the tune, and as you play, write and record the tune more logical lyrics may come into your head. It has worked for me.
glynbMember
Since: Dec 16, 2002
Feb 10, 2003 09:17 am I agree with what was said in the previous post about just getting things down on paper no matter how silly or awkward it sounds, even if it doesn't rhyme, scan or make sense, just get it down while the idea is fresh in your head.
A wordprocessor is superb for songwriting, makes the process of rewriting so much easier. Just think, prior to it you had to write down stuff in long hand in the right order then rewrite the whoile thing when you wanted to delete/amend a line. Using Word or whatever you can juggle the words and phrases to your hearts content.
When you have 'writters' you must accept it, don't panic, and use the time to look back over those half written lyrics, jam sessions, nice riffs, etc, and try to work them into something.
Writters doesn't last for ever, the muse will return eventualy, use the time to do some hard work finishing things off, mixing, recording etc.
For me at the moment songs are coming fast and I make sure I record a rough demo, even if its just my voice with no instrument. I know a lean period will come, then I can work on these 'back -burner' ideas.
Feb 10, 2003 09:26 am Also, check out a program called "The Lyricist" from Virtual Studio Systems coldfusion.affiliateshop....836&BID=686 it has a full songwriting suite. It's super cool, with a thesaruasus (sp?), rhyming dictionary, web-based copyright tools a notepad for lyrics with chord charting, even a wizard that you can tell what notes you are playing for a chord you may not know but sounds right and it will tell you the chord.
It's actually a super cool little application. Besides that, a purchase from that link helps support HRC :-)
Not to belittle the app itself, I have used it a lot, it is super cool!
flame...bringing sexy backMember
Since: Jul 01, 2002
Feb 10, 2003 10:08 am just ordered a copy..looks good!
flame...bringing sexy backMember
Since: Jul 01, 2002
Feb 11, 2003 05:38 am dunno about their software yet, but their customer service is GREAT! i emailed them a question,and got real quick reply explaining exactly what happens, why it happens etc...
they seem really friendly too - five stars for service!
