steps to writing a song

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HOMEBBS

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Can anybody tell me what is the formula to write a song
I hear the term bridge and stuff like that but how does it work
I thought one would just write whatever kind of like raps
 
That's a big question from a short post! If you can produce lyrics as pithy and succinct as your questions you'll be off to an excellent start.

You'll get lots of different views but here's mine

"I thought one would just write whatever kind of like raps"

Well I think that - you can do anything you like as long as it works. (That's a huge "if", however).

"Can anybody tell me what is the formula to write a song
I hear the term bridge and stuff like that but how does it work"

There is, of course, no formula unless you are producing commercial ear candy. There are, however, ways of doing things which are proven to get better reactions from your listeners. For example most people use a verse/chorus structure and don't have more than one change of key in a song. But you already know how songs work because you'll have listened to thousands of them. Once you start writing you tend to listen more carefully to how they are constructed, and perhaps take ideas from the bits that you like. You don't need any theory to do that.

BTW a bridge does what its name implies - takes you from one part of the song to another.

You can learn a lot by reading through this forum - there are some very accomplished writers here - and just pick up your pen, guitar/keyboard or whatever, and see what happens.
 
If your planning on recording RAP then don't worry about a formula or talent because RAP doesn't require any of that.

As for real songs let me put it this way, you have to born with the ability to write. I've written many songs, taught guitar to many people and some have the talent to write and some don't. I've had alot people ask me, "How do write a song"? If you have to ask you probably don't have what it takes. If you have the ability to create a melody and apply lyrics then practise makes perfect.
 
JamesBond said:
If your planning on recording RAP then don't worry about a formula or talent because RAP doesn't require any of that.
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Not here to start any type of flame war, or even defend rap...but since I've been listening to it (a lot less over the last couple of years, though) since it's inception (when all the naysayers said it would die a quick death), it does require a formula and talent, in it's own respect. Does it require the same type of talent needed to score a symphony? I think not. How about to write a country, pop or jazz song in 5/8? Still, I think not, but if u understand hip hop music and its evolution, oh yes...it requires talent. Talent, these days, is defined differently.
 
of course, everyone is intitled to his or her opinion, but all the musicians I know feel that RAP music is just a passing fad that never knew when to die.

But I agree, lets not start a war on words here, we each have an opinion and that's cool.
 
JamesBond said:
of course, everyone is intitled to his or her opinion, but all the musicians I know feel that RAP music is just a passing fad that never knew when to die.

But I agree, lets not start a war on words here, we each have an opinion and that's cool.
Click to expand...

Precisely, I know many musicians that feel the same as the ones you know...but as we say...everyone is entitled to opinion.
 
As a musician, who ties to embrace all forms of music, I've tried very hard to learn to appreciate Rap. While it does not utilize melody and harmony it certainly has very defined rhythm and in many cases the lyrics tell very potent stories.

So is Rap a valid art form - after about 2 decades I think it has estabished itself as an art form. And since art has always been a reflection of society .... well, we can each draw our own conclusions.

I don't particularly like Rap, but I must acknowledge the artistic value. I do find it very sad and disturbing that so many of the lyrics are hateful and filled with violent images, but .... it does reflect society!!!!
 
Yeah well I guess Homebbs must be a rapper, if that means an ignorant twat who raises questions all over the feckin' board and can't be bothered to acknowledge anybody who's taken the time to answer them. Asshole :rolleyes:
 
mikeh said:
As a musician, who ties to embrace all forms of music, I've tried very hard to learn to appreciate Rap. While it does not utilize melody and harmony it certainly has very defined rhythm and in many cases the lyrics tell very potent stories.

So is Rap a valid art form - after about 2 decades I think it has estabished itself as an art form. And since art has always been a reflection of society .... well, we can each draw our own conclusions.

I don't particularly like Rap, but I must acknowledge the artistic value. I do find it very sad and disturbing that so many of the lyrics are hateful and filled with violent images, but .... it does reflect society!!!!
Click to expand...

Mikeh...
Well put. In my opnion, the problem with rap, especially today, is it's lyrical content and it's portrayal of many walks of life, more often than not, it definitely glorifies violence, and in it's infancy stages, it wasn't like that. But suffice it to say, a large part of that, in my humble opinion, is fueled by the music industry. After all, it's all about the (money) "Benjamins" and records sales. Analogous to the way sex sells? I believe so. The same could be said for some forms of metal and rock (Marilyn Manson, etc)...I hear u loud and clear though.

I know enuff about hip hop culture to be convinced that there are some that would present an opposing argument, but all that I have heard, really holds no water these days.

I, too, am a musician (guitarist) who tries to embrace all forms of music, hoping to gain from its universality, though I am not a fan of all genres, either.
 
"As for real songs let me put it this way, you have to born with the ability to write. I've written many songs, taught guitar to many people and some have the talent to write and some don't. I've had alot people ask me, "How do write a song"? If you have to ask you probably don't have what it takes. If you have the ability to create a melody and apply lyrics then practise makes perfect."


This is the naked truth. Ugly, ain't it?
An entire industry has evolved in the last 30 years to feed people's desire to be a "writer". From vanity presses(you've written the Great American Novel, but all the publishers turned it down), to the home recording market (you have been rejected by publishers, or you are a closet rock star, currently headlining at The Bedroom). When I started playing, it was a novelty, and really not very respectable to be a musician or a writer. It's still that way for professional musicians. Try telling a prospective landlord or employer (OR prospective father-in-law!) that you're a MUSICIAN....lots of luck.:D

I know this forum is devoted to "Songwriting", but I see very little discussion on actual songwriting, but rather thread after thread of "How do I copyright my songs?" "How do I get my songs to producers?" etc. Why the hell do you need to copyright your songs? They're SO GOOD that some bigtime producer is willing to risk his reputation and livelyhood by STEALING your inspired compositions? You have a mastered market-ready product? A possible publishing deal? A clue?
There are scores of books (remember them?) about the music business and songwriting in particular. Why don't people read them? That would, at least, give us a respite from these tedious questions ("What is a 'bridge', and how do I write one?") Just shoot me.....now....please!
I frequent several songwriting sites, and am always amazed at the level of self-delusion displayed by amateur writers. Often these sites just turn into mutual admiration societies where members of The Club exchange gushing compliments on music that will (thankfully) never see the light of day, except for the net.

007 is right. You cannot learn to write. You can only learn to write "better". You think somebody taught Carlos Santana to play guitar? Or Dianne Warren to write hit songs?

Sorry for the rant. Too much Columbian coffee.
 
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Yeah, what Bob said.

Doesn't mean we can't have fun trying though:)
 
Good Rant Bob........


That's the truth for sure......


Depressing....ain't it?

Joe
 
Ability to Write Songs

As for real songs let me put it this way, you have to born with the ability to write. I've written many songs, taught guitar to many people and some have the talent to write and some don't. I've had alot people ask me, "How do write a song"? If you have to ask you probably don't have what it takes. If you have the ability to create a melody and apply lyrics then practise makes perfect."


Buffalo Bob: "This is the naked truth. Ugly, ain't it"?

007: Yes it is the truth, can you imagine if a person just had to take a class to learn how to write decent songs? Of course there probably are some dip shits out there doing just that!!

Buffalo Bob: It's still that way for professional musicians. Try telling a prospective landlord or employer (OR prospective father-in-law!) that you're a MUSICIAN....lots of luck.

007: I couldn't agree or understand more! I went to the bank last year looking into getting a loan for my home recording studio and the loans officer looked at me like I was some kind of nut...needless to say I just went to another bank! But I agree totally with Bob, many people can't unuderstand the passion that drives a musician to play and write.
 
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