Lyrics + Guitar

[dcb001]

I can write lyrics, and I can play the guitar. I have no idea how to match lyrics to a guitar part.

 

[Hugo H]

When you're playing guitar, you're probably strumming chords. It's hard to just magically go from chords to a melody. What you need to do is figure out a melody to go with your lyrics. Try singing your words or humming along with them. Then find chords to strum that go well with the melody.

 

[grn]

well you don't have what you need to write songs then - unless you want to just talk over yourself playing guitar... and if that's what you like... fine. I write the melody first with the guitar part (or whatever instrument I have in my hand at the time). so I'll sing just random words while playing chords until I figure out the melody, then I'll write the lyrics. then you can add whatever instruments you want...

to be honest, this is how I started writing songs, the only way to learn how to write songs is to just do it and keep doing it. at the point where I am now, I just have a song in my head and I play it. the idea all comes out at once and then I refine it.

 

[true-eurt]

well you don't have what you need to write songs then - unless you want to just talk over yourself playing guitar... and if that's what you like... fine. I write the melody first with the guitar part (or whatever instrument I have in my hand at the time). so I'll sing just random words while playing chords until I figure out the melody, then I'll write the lyrics. then you can add whatever instruments you want...

to be honest, this is how I started writing songs, the only way to learn how to write songs is to just do it and keep doing it. at the point where I am now, I just have a song in my head and I play it. the idea all comes out at once and then I refine it.

It is strangely comforting, to know someone else mumbo-jumbos words during the birthing process!! !

 

[frequency_]

start playing the chords in loops and try different combinations for the voice melody...do it for 10 minutes, you should come up with something

 

[gullfo]

It is strangely comforting, to know someone else mumbo-jumbos words during the birthing process!! !

worked for the Beatles... where do you think they got such clever lyrics?

 

[Nutdotnet]

start playing the chords in loops and try different combinations for the voice melody...do it for 10 minutes, you should come up with something

This is a good idea for beginners. Get your chords, record them, and then start experimenting with different melodies while listening and looping the guitar parts. If something comes to your mind that doesn't quite fit the chord progresion that's fine, you can always change the chords.

 

[Narnia]

if you're really a beginner, i suggest you to try out different chords on guitar first. Then working out the basic structure of the song you going to write. (for example: Verse->chours->Verse2->bridge->end) write the chords + structure on paper. Then get youself a recorder (any types will do!) and whilst you're playing the chords you could hum along with it and get your recorder and record your playing and humming, there, you get your melody line done.

For lyrics, there is a issue there about wether to write the melody line first or the lyrics first. In my opinion, writing out melody line is the easiest way to do. To write lyrics, you might have to consider rhyming, and the theme of it...it's simple....blah blah blah....

for finishing touches, you could add riff, guitar solo, or having a rhythm guitar playing chords and another guitar playing guitar line.....

Best of luck for the songwritting!

 

[guitarmanelb]

As Far As Trying To Match The Song To Your Guitar Chords You Better Back Up A Step!

Time To Get The Horse Back In Front Of The Wagon
First You Have To Structure Your Song And Keep It To A Single Thought Process, Don't Vary From That, After You've Got Your Verses, And Bridges And Your Catch And Ending Then Sit Back With Your Guitar And Just Say The Lines As They Feel Comfortable To You, Then Repeat With A Chord Pattern That Is Both In Your Range And Spped That Matches You Breathing, Just Continue Till You Have The Beat Count And Measure Length That Fits, Hey You Have The Idea, Just Dont Give Up!

 

[thedaveness]

well you don't have what you need to write songs then - unless you want to just talk over yourself playing guitar... and if that's what you like... fine. I write the melody first with the guitar part (or whatever instrument I have in my hand at the time). so I'll sing just random words while playing chords until I figure out the melody, then I'll write the lyrics. then you can add whatever instruments you want...

to be honest, this is how I started writing songs, the only way to learn how to write songs is to just do it and keep doing it. at the point where I am now, I just have a song in my head and I play it. the idea all comes out at once and then I refine it.

This is exactly what I used to do, and I came up with some great songs.

Although more recently the best work I've ever done has birthed from this combination.

Whiskey+Acoustic Guitar+Dave = a new song

just keep some kind of recorder around or else you'll forget it.