Questions on writing songs (guitar parts)

afro1669 · Unread post by **afro1669** » Mon Feb 17, 2003 11:00 pm

I have a few questions about coming up with a song on the guitar. First of all, once you get a rhythm for the song, is there a certain way the words should be sang to sound good to the rhythm? I know Dave is a rhythm player, and sometimes he sings melodies that are a lot different than the rhythm on the guitar part, but sound very good together. So my question is, do you just sing what you feel sounds right to the rhythm of the guitar? Sorry if this was confusing, i couldn't really put in words what i wanted to ask. Secondly, how are the harmonics supposed to be played in songs (ie the harmonics on this site for Typical Situation)? I couldn't get them to sound right. And is there a way to know what kind of harmonics might sound good on a song, or do you just go through some of them and play what feels right? Finally, for any of you that come up with your own guitar music, do you just play random things and put what seems to sound good together? i find that just messing around with chords and notes i can come up with a decent melodie, but can't find anything to play for the chorus of the song after i get a verse i like (orvice versa). Well i've been working hard on writing songs lately and was just looking for a few tips from some better players out there. Sorry if this whole thing was a confusing mess.
Thanks and peace, brendan

johntherevelator · Unread post by **johntherevelator** » Mon Feb 17, 2003 11:56 pm

just fool around with different things

some songs will jump out at you
others youll have to dig around for for hours

patience is a virtue

afro1669 · Unread post by **afro1669** » Tue Feb 18, 2003 11:34 am

johntherevelator wrote:just fool around with different things

some songs will jump out at you
others youll have to dig around for for hours

patience is a virtue

Ok, thanks. This is what i've been doing, and as you said some things do just jump out at me. I'll just keep playing around and see what happens! Thanks for the info.
peace, brendan

firedancer86 · Unread post by **firedancer86** » Tue Feb 18, 2003 11:36 am

another comment that is noteworthy is that if a song sounds weak after you write it, don't give up on it...if anybody remembers my HAPPY HEART DAY post, I thought I had that song done like 3 times...then I changed the key, and added a better break, so just stick with something...that is one of the hardest things for me :wink:

cave_cricket · Unread post by **cave_cricket** » Tue Feb 18, 2003 11:49 am

firedancer86 wrote:another comment that is noteworthy is that if a song sounds weak after you write it, don't give up on it...if anybody remembers my HAPPY HEART DAY post, I thought I had that song done like 3 times...then I changed the key, and added a better break, so just stick with something...that is one of the hardest things for me

say how did that work out anyway?

firedancer86 · Unread post by **firedancer86** » Tue Feb 18, 2003 11:50 am

the song? what do you mean???

cave_cricket · Unread post by **cave_cricket** » Tue Feb 18, 2003 12:05 pm

firedancer86 wrote:the song? what do you mean???

yeah that valentines day song that you were sweating out...how did it end up?

firedancer86 · Unread post by **firedancer86** » Tue Feb 18, 2003 12:16 pm

well about a year ago, i wanted to write something for my gf...not just your average 3 chord song, but something original not only in the different chords, but in the time sig too...I fooled around with some chords while sitting on my bed in a PUNCH drunk stooper...i played the firt 3 chords, in the same pattern, only in a lower key...i recorded it a few days later, and put some keyboards to it (i think it sounds best withought drums). from there, i FORGOT about it, and kinda remebered it and started playing it higher :lol:

...funny huh? well then i liked it even more (less downcast, and more cheerful and honest sounding)...then I conformed the chorus accordingly, and started perfecting a bridge...i hit a dry point, and forgot about it once again...then i stumbled accross the low-original and thought, "hey, i remember that!"...one thing led to another, and I recorded the final copy before words, and am now stuck on writting the perfect words for my perfect girl

...well anyway, sorry if i wasted your time

, but you asked :wink:

cave_cricket · Unread post by **cave_cricket** » Tue Feb 18, 2003 12:32 pm

firedancer86 wrote:well about a year ago, i wanted to write something for my gf...not just your average 3 chord song, but something original not only in the different chords, but in the time sig too...I fooled around with some chords while sitting on my bed in a PUNCH drunk stooper...i played the firt 3 chords, in the same pattern, only in a lower key...i recorded it a few days later, and put some keyboards to it (i think it sounds best withought drums). from there, i FORGOT about it, and kinda remebered it and started playing it higher ...funny huh? well then i liked it even more (less downcast, and more cheerful and honest sounding)...then I conformed the chorus accordingly, and started perfecting a bridge...i hit a dry point, and forgot about it once again...then i stumbled accross the low-original and thought, "hey, i remember that!"...one thing led to another, and I recorded the final copy before words, and am now stuck on writting the perfect words for my perfect girl ...well anyway, sorry if i wasted your time , but you asked

no that's cool...is there anyway I could hear the music? i'm interested to hear what you came up with...

firedancer86 · Unread post by **firedancer86** » Tue Feb 18, 2003 12:33 pm

you hadn't DLed it when it was up???

cave_cricket · Unread post by **cave_cricket** » Tue Feb 18, 2003 12:35 pm

firedancer86 wrote:you hadn't DLed it when it was up???

maybe i did...what was the name of the file?

firedancer86 · Unread post by **firedancer86** » Tue Feb 18, 2003 12:37 pm

hmmm...either HAPPY HEART DAY, (that's what it read on the site), or ToJ...

firedancer86 · Unread post by **firedancer86** » Tue Feb 18, 2003 12:39 pm

cave_cricket wrote:
firedancer86 wrote:you hadn't DLed it when it was up???
maybe i did...what was the name of the file?

and why are we the only ones talking again...mt TS tab hasn't even been hit by anybody other than you :cry:

j/k

cave_cricket · Unread post by **cave_cricket** » Tue Feb 18, 2003 12:40 pm

firedancer86 wrote:hmmm...either HAPPY HEART DAY, (that's what it read on the site), or ToJ...

K i DO have it. I like it. How do you get that mellow sound in the background. Keyboards?

It sounds nice. Can't wait to hear some lyrics with it.

Peace,

firedancer86 · Unread post by **firedancer86** » Tue Feb 18, 2003 12:41 pm

thanks...the keyboards do the "soft pad" fade and I fool around with the same chords as the guitar...

DMBTabs.com

Questions on writing songs (guitar parts)

Questions on writing songs (guitar parts)

Who is online