Hello and Merry Christmas

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shrimphead

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I am a intermediate/beginner guitarist and wanted to say hi to all on this forum. I have been on here before, briefly, and my questions that I posted were gratefully answered. I am a self taught guitarist but have taken a few lessons before. I am new to recording and have just the basics to get started. My interest in recording is renewed and now I have again some questions. Thank you.

My biggest problem when ready to record is that of song form and multitracking. I just purchased a DAW...Reaper and am just now learning how to use it, for it is my first daw. So my questions are:

On one track I need the timing and feel so I would record a drum loop. Second, I would play rhythm guitar with the drum loop, third, I will improvise with the other two recorded tracks. Is this correct? How long should a song last? I know as long as you want but for listeners. In a nutshell is this how you multitrack?

Finally, song form. Do I follow a 12 bar blues form and what are the other forms that people use? I need to have some organization in preparing to record and actual recording the correct way. Sorry for being long on this forum. Thank you
 
Hey there, see you have been thinking about this for a long time.

Here are my opinions on a few of your questions. I tap out a BPM to get an idea of the tempo, find a drum loop that gives me a good feel. Play through a few times to confirm the tempo, make adjustments, then proceed to start the recording.

Next I may lay down a scratch track or a working track to get words, vocals and timing situated. This may be the case if I already have words, sometimes I will do the instruments and do the words later. Nothing set in stone, but BPM, drum or click and start recording. After that, nothing follows a rule.

If your song needs to be 12 minutes, then it is 12 minutes, however, it needs to hold the listener's attention. You will be the final judge, I target 3-4 minutes as a target only.

Form, I change form and use nothing intentional. I make it a point to use a capo to work with different keys (I play with a lot of open strings), try different time signatures, anything to keep it fresh for me and hopefully to keep my music interesting.

I'm not the best on this board, there are a lot of talented people on here, but I think I do OK and I keep moving forward and growing. Which for many of us. growing in our music and recording is as much the objective as the actual creation.

Hope this helps.
 
Oh thank you so much. This information kind of sums it up and is greatly appreciated.
 
My approach to recording is similar to David's, except I already have the song well planned when I hit the record button the first time.
1) Throw a repeating drum loop on a track, adjust tempo by playing along with it until the right speed is found
2) Record a scratch track - guitar or keyboard.
3) Review - does tempo neeed to change at some point? Does a part need to be extended or shortened?
4) Adjust (per 3) if needed, and re-record scratch track.
5) Set markers in project - start of each song section (verse 1, chorus 1, etc)

Now the next part is really up to how YOU like to work on songs. Some people will do the drums next - whether real or VSTi. For me, I lay down the basic rhythm instruments next because I get a better 'feel' for the song this way. then I'll do the drums, then bass, then vocals. Keyboard accents and lead guitar parts will usually come at this point, although I may do lead parts before vocals for some songs if I have a good idea what is needed.

There are certain 'rules' for songwriting - which are made to be broken - it all depends on what you want to do with the song, who the targeted listener is, etc.
 
mjbphotos said:
5) Set markers in project - start of each song section (verse 1, chorus 1, etc)
Click to expand...

This is a good idea I just started using. When a song is new, knowing these things from feel is not there yet. I've learned this sort of late, but it is a good idea and will help you a lot when building the song.
 
Hey thanks for that information. Sometimes I can read about how to do something and get lost with details. Just hearing or reading from others like yourself helps to quickly put things into perspective. I will work on these suggestions overtime and will get back to you on my results. It seems after all this time on learning your instrument, the dedication it takes to keep on going, and finally hearing back your final song on a cd is rewarding even when nobody else listens to it.
 
Sorry for this stupid question but what is a scratch track? Thanks.
 
shrimphead said:
Sorry for this stupid question but what is a scratch track? Thanks.
Click to expand...

Actually, not a stupid question. I think I learned the term here as well. It is just a track that may or may not be used in the final version to help guide the song when it is being created. Rough draft that you are not too worried about the quality, but to give you an idea of the song as a reference while all the other pieces are coming together. Mostly used by the singer/song writers on this board.
 
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