Help me! i copy subconciously!

[ax2x3m]

i try to write something cool and when i do, i find out it sounds like a song from a band i like and i givge up on the idea

how do i avoid this habit? i dpnt want to waste anymore time doing songs already done

[puffin]

Even if you find you are writing melodies that are similar to others around, you can always just tweak it to make it slightly different. I find that if I have this problem arise, I just change the melody a little and take it in a different direction.

Don't be 'precious' about your songwriting. If it's not working, tear it down and start again. You'll write something you think is better in a week's time. I guarantee it.

[Dani Pace]

The music we like and listen to influences the music we write. Comming up with an idea which is totally new is cloce to impossible.
An interesting concept was stated in an old country song (by Waylon Jennings) about how "we've all been making a living stealing each other's songs." We don't exactly steal, but we all do get ideas and inspiration from the songs we listen to.
Don't worry, we all write things then realize...that sounds just like (insert song or artist here.)

[PHILANDDON]

Yeah, I wouldn't worry about it all.

Woody Guthrie's "This land is your land" is the exact same melody as the Carter Family's "Little Darling Pal of Mine." Dylan is always copying from old English/Irish/American folk melodies.

All the greats copy. George Harrison copied the melody of my sweet lord from an old girl-group song. He got sued and I think he lost, but I bet he didn't regret writing or recording the song.

I think there's a quote that goes something like "all artists borrow; great artists steal."

Hey, and even if you become famous and get sued for copywrite infringement, these days that would be good P.R.

[azraelswings]

I woud have to agree with everyone else that you will always be strongly influenced by the songs you listen to. But also, you will probably become less and less dependent on other melodies as time goes on. The more you write, the more you'll find your own style. You'll certainly always be influenced by other musicians, but you'll feel less and less like you're stealing.

[puffin]

Originally Posted by azraelswings

The more you write, the more you'll find your own style. You'll certainly always be influenced by other musicians, but you'll feel less and less like you're stealing.

I think that's spot on. I've been writing my own songs since I was about 17 and I only now feel that in the last 6 months(i'm 25) I have been starting to find my 'voice'. Songwriting is a craft and you just don't get better at it without putting the hrs in....as frustrating as those hrs might be!

Good luck!

[azraelswings]

Originally Posted by puffin

I think that's spot on. I've been writing my own songs since I was about 17 and I only now feel that in the last 6 months(i'm 25) I have been starting to find my 'voice'. Songwriting is a craft and you just don't get better at it without putting the hrs in....as frustrating as those hrs might be!

Good luck!

I think the most frustrating thing is finishing a song and realizing that it probably isn't one you'll want to play out. It's very frustrating to look at songs as stepping stones to better craft.

[puffin]

Originally Posted by azraelswings

It's very frustrating to look at songs as stepping stones to better craft.

True, but with some songs - even if I'm doing them live - I will continue to rewrite them and change lines or little things about them, so they don't really become stepping stones - more like 'boats' if you will.

I guess when I started writing I didn't see it as a "craft" exactly. More like fun - and it always should be. But the more quality songwriters I hear, the more I appreciate that they aren't that good by pure luck.

I also really dig making every word count.

It is pretty frustrating when I look at the songs that I have written and don't play anymore but it just seems to be par for the course. It let's you realise the ones that stand the test of time.