Should My Music Sound Like My Lyrics?

html5468 · 12-27-2013, 06:05 PM

Hello, all!

When I write my songs, frequently I write the lyrics and then add music. However, my music sounds REALLY close to my lyrics, almost as if I were reiterating my lyrics with my piano. I was wondering, is this how the music is supposed to sound? Or is it supposed to vary from the lyrics? Thanks in advance!

TheBig3 · 12-27-2013, 06:22 PM

Well, first of all there isn't a "supposed to."

If you're asking if thats normal, I can say that it isn't abnormal. Try writing the music first a few times, no?

xLizardx · 12-29-2013, 05:55 PM

Absolutely depends upon the song. Generally I would say that most of the time, the chords played simply follow the root note of the melody, so they complement the vocals, instead of copying them. However, singing the exact same melody as the music can be used to great dramatic effect, and can sound catchy on hooks or choruses [like in the intro to this song:
Clutch - "Electric Worry" DRT Entertainment - YouTube ]. If I were you, I'd try to use a combination of both styles.

12-27-2013, 06:05 PM	#1 (permalink)
html5468 Groupie Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 1	Should My Music Sound Like My Lyrics? Hello, all! When I write my songs, frequently I write the lyrics and then add music. However, my music sounds REALLY close to my lyrics, almost as if I were reiterating my lyrics with my piano. I was wondering, is this how the music is supposed to sound? Or is it supposed to vary from the lyrics? Thanks in advance!

12-27-2013, 06:22 PM	#2 (permalink)
TheBig3 killedmyraindog Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Boston, Massachusetts Posts: 11,172	Well, first of all there isn't a "supposed to." If you're asking if thats normal, I can say that it isn't abnormal. Try writing the music first a few times, no? __________________ I've moved to a new address

12-29-2013, 05:55 PM	#3 (permalink)
xLizardx Music Addict Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: UK Posts: 71	Absolutely depends upon the song. Generally I would say that most of the time, the chords played simply follow the root note of the melody, so they complement the vocals, instead of copying them. However, singing the exact same melody as the music can be used to great dramatic effect, and can sound catchy on hooks or choruses [like in the intro to this song: Clutch - "Electric Worry" DRT Entertainment - YouTube ]. If I were you, I'd try to use a combination of both styles.