Are there any music artists in here? Questions on where to start.

[NewSc2]

I've been playing the classical piano for quite a few years now - about 12-13 years, ever since I was 5, so I've had a pretty good grasp of Beethoven, Mozart, and the like. I'm starting to play the keyboards a bit more lately, and I've been practicing guitar a little bit (not good with it by far, however).

My question is, how did you artists first take the plunge and start writing your own songs?

I can't for the love of me start composing music, and I don't really know where to start - hooks, choruses, verses, all that stuff. Since I'm not good with guitar, I'll stick to keyboards for now, but I'm trying to look to write some simple pieces but nothing comes to my mind.

Any ideas on how to start?

 

[Kerouactivist]

Originally posted by: NewSc2
I've been playing the classical piano for quite a few years now - about 12-13 years, ever since I was 5, so I've had a pretty good grasp of Beethoven, Mozart, and the like. I'm starting to play the keyboards a bit more lately, and I've been practicing guitar a little bit (not good with it by far, however).

My question is, how did you artists first take the plunge and start writing your own songs?

I can't for the love of me start composing music, and I don't really know where to start - hooks, choruses, verses, all that stuff. Since I'm not good with guitar, I'll stick to keyboards for now, but I'm trying to look to write some simple pieces but nothing comes to my mind.

Any ideas on how to start?

If I were you I would get a job at a piano bar those bars are awesome
I know that is not what you're asking for but, I think it is a cool idea

 

[nan0bug]

I listen to things that I like, and then try to find ways to blend things that I like from not only different songs but different genres into one cohesive unit. Its okay to try and recreate a sound you hear in another song, because chances are unless you're REALLY skilled its going to come out YOUR sound and not the sound you heard. Just don't steal riffs, or if you do, change them enough that you can't tell.

Pick up FL Studio, its the easiest program to learn and its actually pretty powerful. Not that I would advocate warez or anything but *ahem* I hear you can pick up VSTi plugins (virtual synthesizers that you use inside of Fruityloops and other music suites like Cubase, Logic, etc) pretty easily off kazaa

Start by making a simple beat, then maybe a bassline, or a hook.. it should all sort of flow. If you feel like you're hitting a brick wall, take a break, but COME BACK TO IT. Don't get frustrated and say 'ah hell im never gonna do it'. It happens. You gotta at least keep pluggin away and making them beats and hooks that you dont like, because eventually you'll hit a zone where it will all come together.. you'll know it when you feel it.

Oh, and don't listen to what your friends think about your music, because they're about useless for constructive criticism. Go into an irc channel or a forum and get people there to listen to it.

 

[NewSc2]

I never considered really the "professional piano player" route.

There are a lot more people more talented in technique that I can't compete with. It's not that I'm a bad piano player, I just was never interested in perfecting the technique to handle Rachmaninoff well, and never went the route of pop piano (i.e. memorizing hundreds of songs and playing them on command).

 

[NewSc2]

Originally posted by: nan0bug
I listen to things that I like, and then try to find ways to blend things that I like from not only different songs but different genres into one cohesive unit. Its okay to try and recreate a sound you hear in another song, because chances are unless you're REALLY skilled its going to come out YOUR sound and not the sound you heard. Just don't steal riffs, or if you do, change them enough that you can't tell.

Pick up FL Studio, its the easiest program to learn and its actually pretty powerful. Not that I would advocate warez or anything but *ahem* I hear you can pick up VSTi plugins (virtual synthesizers that you use inside of Fruityloops and other music suites like Cubase, Logic, etc) pretty easily off kazaa

Start by making a simple beat, then maybe a bassline, or a hook.. it should all sort of flow. If you feel like you're hitting a brick wall, take a break, but COME BACK TO IT. Don't get frustrated and say 'ah hell im never gonna do it'. It happens. You gotta at least keep pluggin away and making them beats and hooks that you dont like, because eventually you'll hit a zone where it will all come together.. you'll know it when you feel it.

Oh, and don't listen to what your friends think about your music, because they're about useless for constructive criticism. Go into an irc channel or a forum and get people there to listen to it.

I haven't considered the electronic/digital route yet, but I guess it might be easier? I was more interested in how to write music directly from the head to fingers to notes, and structure of songs and stuff (getting measures/timing down), and how to reach that "divine interpretation" of being able to write a well-thought out song.

 

[nan0bug]

Originally posted by: NewSc2

Originally posted by: nan0bug
I listen to things that I like, and then try to find ways to blend things that I like from not only different songs but different genres into one cohesive unit. Its okay to try and recreate a sound you hear in another song, because chances are unless you're REALLY skilled its going to come out YOUR sound and not the sound you heard. Just don't steal riffs, or if you do, change them enough that you can't tell.

Pick up FL Studio, its the easiest program to learn and its actually pretty powerful. Not that I would advocate warez or anything but *ahem* I hear you can pick up VSTi plugins (virtual synthesizers that you use inside of Fruityloops and other music suites like Cubase, Logic, etc) pretty easily off kazaa

Start by making a simple beat, then maybe a bassline, or a hook.. it should all sort of flow. If you feel like you're hitting a brick wall, take a break, but COME BACK TO IT. Don't get frustrated and say 'ah hell im never gonna do it'. It happens. You gotta at least keep pluggin away and making them beats and hooks that you dont like, because eventually you'll hit a zone where it will all come together.. you'll know it when you feel it.

Oh, and don't listen to what your friends think about your music, because they're about useless for constructive criticism. Go into an irc channel or a forum and get people there to listen to it.

I haven't considered the electronic/digital route yet, but I guess it might be easier? I was more interested in how to write music directly from the head to fingers to notes, and structure of songs and stuff (getting measures/timing down), and how to reach that "divine interpretation" of being able to write a well-thought out song.

Well, for me that kind of stuff just came naturally I guess. One way to kind of teach yourself is listen to music, any music, but instead of just hearing it, try and pick apart the individual sections and focus on them rather than listening to the music as a whole. Focus on the repetitions of the drum beat, and how often it switches up. Focus on the atmospheric sounds in the background if there are any. Try and recognize the patterns in songs.

 

[fonzinator]

Originally posted by: NewSc2
I've been playing the classical piano for quite a few years now - about 12-13 years, ever since I was 5, so I've had a pretty good grasp of Beethoven, Mozart, and the like. I'm starting to play the keyboards a bit more lately, and I've been practicing guitar a little bit (not good with it by far, however).

My question is, how did you artists first take the plunge and start writing your own songs?

I can't for the love of me start composing music, and I don't really know where to start - hooks, choruses, verses, all that stuff. Since I'm not good with guitar, I'll stick to keyboards for now, but I'm trying to look to write some simple pieces but nothing comes to my mind.

Any ideas on how to start?

Get yourself a tape recorder. If you haven't done this, do so now (it can be a cheapie). Every time you sit down to compose, hit record. You may play something you really like, then not be able to remember it by the time your pencil makes it to the paper. Don't get discouraged...ever!! Yes, at the beginning you will probably suck at composing music/lyrics. Keep at it, things will improve over time. You'll probably have to write 20 bad songs to get 5 good ones.

Technically speaking...don't set out to create some musical masterpiece the first time out. Just sit down, pick a key that's easy for you to play/sing in, and start. Let your first few songs be really really simple. With lyrics and singing, simple can be your best friend. You can turn up the difficulty level later. I have a hard time where I am my own worst critic. I'm techincally critical about everything musical because I can't stand bad music! This is a bad thing though...I need to cut loose and just write stuff, even if it sucks.

Keep a notebook of your lyrics, song ideas, ect. Don't feel like you have to sit down and finish the song in one sitting. I have stuff that's a year old waiting for some verse or chorus or whatnot. I guess when that experience in my life comes along that will complete that missing segment, I'll insert it. If I didn't write them all down, I'd never remember them!

In what genre of music will you be composing?

 

[nan0bug]

Originally posted by: fonzinator
Technically speaking...don't set out to create some musical masterpiece the first time out. Just sit down, pick a key that's easy for you to play/sing in, and start. Let your first few songs be really really simple. With lyrics and singing, simple can be your best friend. You can turn up the difficulty level later.

This is probbably the best advice right here.

Go and listen to Nine Inch Nails 'Something I Can Never Have'. That song is exactly what he described. Simplicity defined, and to this day most of the Nine Inch Nails fans I know consider that to be his best song.

 

[NewSc2]

Originally posted by: fonzinator

Originally posted by: NewSc2
I've been playing the classical piano for quite a few years now - about 12-13 years, ever since I was 5, so I've had a pretty good grasp of Beethoven, Mozart, and the like. I'm starting to play the keyboards a bit more lately, and I've been practicing guitar a little bit (not good with it by far, however).

My question is, how did you artists first take the plunge and start writing your own songs?

I can't for the love of me start composing music, and I don't really know where to start - hooks, choruses, verses, all that stuff. Since I'm not good with guitar, I'll stick to keyboards for now, but I'm trying to look to write some simple pieces but nothing comes to my mind.

Any ideas on how to start?

Get yourself a tape recorder. If you haven't done this, do so now (it can be a cheapie). Every time you sit down to compose, hit record. You may play something you really like, then not be able to remember it by the time your pencil makes it to the paper. Don't get discouraged...ever!! Yes, at the beginning you will probably suck at composing music/lyrics. Keep at it, things will improve over time. You'll probably have to write 20 bad songs to get 5 good ones.

Technically speaking...don't set out to create some musical masterpiece the first time out. Just sit down, pick a key that's easy for you to play/sing in, and start. Let your first few songs be really really simple. With lyrics and singing, simple can be your best friend. You can turn up the difficulty level later. I have a hard time where I am my own worst critic. I'm techincally critical about everything musical because I can't stand bad music! This is a bad thing though...I need to cut loose and just write stuff, even if it sucks.

Keep a notebook of your lyrics, song ideas, ect. Don't feel like you have to sit down and finish the song in one sitting. I have stuff that's a year old waiting for some verse or chorus or whatnot. I guess when that experience in my life comes along that will complete that missing segment, I'll insert it. If I didn't write them all down, I'd never remember them!

In what genre of music will you be composing?

Good idea, I think I'll have to invest in a better keyboard as well. I was just thinking of doing some pop stuff like the Beatles at first, then go onto some NIN or Pink Floyd more complex stuff. Kind of hard to put a stamp on a genre.