Writing music...

[-=AnatomiC=-]

So, how do you guys write music? I've encountered some very good musicians around here, which I cannot say about my self :frown:
I hope the lack of experience is the main reason, and not the lack of talent (because I'm prepared to work hard to gain experience, and I'm still young)

I'm a classical piano player (next year, conservatory - I hope) , and I'm writing music for about 6 months now. It does keep getting better and better, but still - I'm never satisfied and I'm afraid I never will be. I just throw away everything I create, because at certain point, I realize that it's worthless.

Does it just comes in time (if you work hard) or is it a gift?
How do you begin with it: do you use theoretical knowledge, or do you just improvise (jamm).
Are there tips and tricks (like guides on i-net: I've searched for one, but I've never found it) for different music styles: like, what instruments should I use in a certain music style, what are typical drum patterns, the typical structure of the song... etc etc.

Because, when I start to write, I don't even know where to begin. All I have is the technique of a classical pianist and some knowledge of harmony and other music rules.

[mlunapiena01]

Improvise!!!

What is writing music? writing music is essentially notating improvisation .. I never write anything down, but I improvise all the time... it's absolutely essential to opening up your musical creativity... also, if you're trying to write in certain styles, learn those styles inside and out ... what makes them that style, why do they work? etc. you may want to consider signing up for Accent (JR's online magazine), that's got some good stuff that would probably help with this...

another helpful thing is playing by ear & figuring out melodies & harmonies like that,c cuz then you can improvise w/ them & you can theorize about them...

also, remember, the rules you'll learn in classical music theory apply to classical music... every style of music has it's own "rules" or facets & every style has a different approach... also, part of composing is breaking the rules...

hope this was at least a bit helpful... just remember have fun & try and stretch your mind and concept of music as much as possible.. this stuff takes time to develop & with hard work, you'll get there :)

best of luck.

-Mike

[MrPillow]

All of the music we, and I, write, is based off of improvisation, but all my improvisation are based on groundwork theory knowledge.

The rules you learn in most theory teachings, the ones that have been around for hundreds of years, feel free to break them. In fact, try to break them, as long as you keep it within good soundings. If everyone followed Bach's ideals, we'd all be writing the same thing.


I usually just sit in front of the home piano, play chords, write down the progression if i like it. After that I start making up melodies, bassline variations, etc. Sometimes I just make up the whole thing at once.

To make a slightly confusing story shorter, it just comes as it comes, it many different ways. Don't try to force yourself to write music, it will sound like what it is.

[Staccato]

As already mentioned.. improvise! Begin slowly.. think a melody in you head and try to play it. Then continue doing so, more notes, faster tempo and so.. I usually get new ideas in my head all the time.. some of them becomes songs.. other just disapears.. but try to get the hand-ear connection.. a brilliant tool!:) Haha, the best part of imrpovising is when doing wrong to what you wanted from the beginning but it turns out good anyway.. mistakes can sometimes be good!;)

[Taurus]

No, you should not improvise. You're more likely to refer back to the fingermemory of scales and prelearned licks.

Compose first, take your pick with every note, be precise and make something creative. After that, you can start thinking about improvising at a very slow speed, playing the melody that's in your head. Not the one that's in your fingers. Sing it first, then play it.

[Litefinger]

I definately take a different approach here,

I personally believe that the basis of all good musical composition comes down
to the relationship between the artist, his emotions and the emotions of the listener.
We as musicians i feel are sort of priests in a way, we are able to communicate with a deeper part of ourselves then most can, and its our role in a way to allow the listener to experience a part of this and to go places he or she would not normally be able to go.

If you spend too much thought at the initial stages of the writing process on things like theoretical structure, counterpoint and " fitting a chorus here a verse here etc etc " i feel that you can easily miss the point of the musical process altogether.
One the song has begun to take shape then for sure i delve straight into
the theoretical aspects.

The point is to create an entity, when you think of any great song
i believe you consider and remember the journey that particular peice takes you on, whether or not you write it play it or someone else does, look at Bob Dylan, The song takes on a life of its own and even though you are the creator, you are not the controller, once you release that entity out into the world you are no more in control of it then you are in control of the world.
Your version is simply that.

So i think the most integral point is to make music with almost and idealistic standpoint, because we as humans are more similar then we would like to admit, music that moves you is more then likely going to be able to move others.

The last thing you ever want to do is allow yourself to become dogmatised by the societys expectations of you as a musician,
Dont throw away your peices, because there is no right or wrong, no good or bad its all a fragment of your musical mind.

And that my friend is a beautiful beautiful thing.

C

[attic-keys]

Yep I agree with all of you, I always get like things in my head, and I go like, wow that's cool!!! And I run to my keyboard en work it out before I forget it.

Funny thing is these things usually pop up when I'm either under the shower or taking a pee ( I don't know why that is, probably because these are moments of relaxation in my busy life). I got these audio pop ups at school to during a boring class. From now on I always carry a MP3 player with build in mic to record the things that fly into my head.

Well ....
not under the shower.

But anyway from these things usually riffs I build up and up applying bass, percussion chords and solo's, If I think it should be a number for the band I start writing lyrics. This is one of my ways to write a song. Just building it up like lego.

But I agree Improvisation is one hell of an important thing if want to write serious songs.

©

[bobbykunkle]

Wow, all of you have great ideas.

Here's the summed up version of it all:
Composition is based on improvisation. The definition of improvisation is composing on the spot (it fits well together). Since you have studied classical, you may understand some classical theory which is something great that you can apply to your music. I think the most important thing to do is if you get a cool lick or a nice short/long chord progression going, WRITE IT DOWN! I have been caught on too many days forgetting or not getting the chance to write down that one lick that could be a hit. Keep a file of short little blurps that you have written down, you never know when you will apply them to a piece. I have so many sibelius files that are only like 4 measures long of cool ideas that I have liked. In the end, the music you write should appeal to you. Music is meant to bring out emotions (happy, sad, thrilling, passion, insomnia?!). Write what you feel based on all of the comments that have been posted here so far. Don't be afraid of writing, it's like anything else, it takes lots of practice to develop. How long did it take you to learn to play piano? More than a couple months I hope (unless you are some crazy prodigy). Just keep on writing and in time you'll be composing masterpieces.

[kingkostas]

Yeah i also agree with all of you.Thats the way to compose a music.
Every day i think of melodies and i run to my keyboards to play it. But the best result comes when i am relaxed and in good mood( some times bad mood make us create good songs :D) and full of imagination. If you try to compose something when you will be in this emotional state you will see that you will create fast a very very good music and of course the same for the lyrics.

If you are going to create music that will have the style of another "band" just hear their songs again and again and i am sure that if you go to play right after you hear their songs, you will make a music in their style.

Just one more thing. If you play music when you love it , you will improvise and you will make great pieces :D

see ya all

{and never delete older pieces that you create, just like litefinger said }

[TheMayhem]

all these posts were too much for me to read so i'm just going to post my $.02

when you play, try to play something new, explore a lot

also, just write something you think sounds rockin, don't compare yourself to mr. rudess


you're not jordan, don't try to write his stuff, be yourself.

imho, it's just practice and experience, as you age and you continue to work with music you'll develop a sense of individuality.

[NiceKid]

after a short conversation with my fellow musician - friends. we realized that we have different approach to write a song. i ussually play some chord progression, improvise a bit, and then i write it, and the last step is to find the perfect patch/sound.
while my friend here have a very unusual approach (for me at least), he play some patch randomly, until he find "cool" patch to write a song. make a beat, etc. and his last step was to create the chord progression.

how about you guys? :smile:

[EDIT: Moved to recent thread with the same subject :wink:]

[peppe]

I use improvisation: playing my keyboard a sequence of chord and if I like it
I write it. simply, leater I try to improve it, also playing it another day when I feel other sensations. Yes , I agree with you my music is mine and no one can take it away from me, it's a part of me whatever other people can think about.