Accidently Making Other Riffs

person345 · 03-16-2018, 12:55 AM

Ive been playing guitar for a little over a year, i stopped for a few years but never got good prior till now. Ive learned theory and all the fun stuff.
But, ive never really sat down and learned a favorite song all the way though. I get bored, and just end up making up my own things. Composing appeals to me more than trying to learn exactly what someone else does.

But, I find I am accidently making things that sound wayyyyy too familiar. Sometimes its exactly the same as another song. Other times its like a note or two off. Or transposed.

Does this happen often to anyone else? I dont know how this happens if ive never actually learned the songs I keep mimicking on accident...and usually its songs ive never attempted to play before

~~MicShazam~~ · 03-16-2018, 02:15 AM

I wouldn't worry about it. It's more important how you use those riffs in your own music. Also, if you take influences from more genres into your playing, your riffs will start sounding more original.

The Batlord · 03-16-2018, 04:05 AM

Wait till you accidentally ripoff a top 10 hit.

~~MicShazam~~ · 03-16-2018, 04:14 AM

You'll get attention, so it's still a win.

The Batlord · 03-16-2018, 04:19 AM

It's 'bout that paper, tho.

Psy-Fi · 03-16-2018, 11:12 AM

Nirvana Play a Bit of Boston's 'More Than a Feeling'

Quote:

When Kurt Cobain first came up with the "Smells Like Teen Spirit" riff, he didn't think he had anything that special. "It was such a cliched riff," he said. "It was so close to a Boston riff or 'Louie Louie.' When I came up with the guitar part, Krist [Novoselic] looked at me and said, 'That is so ridiculous.'"

grindy · 03-16-2018, 12:04 PM

Just play dissonant ****. It'll probably still sound like some No Wave band but nobody cares and/or notices.

person345 · 03-17-2018, 06:04 PM

Wow i never realized teen spirit is close to more than a feeling. I would never have guessed that. Hm so i guess its not a huge deal depending on rhythm and key variations. Any other examples out there?

03-16-2018, 12:55 AM	#1 (permalink)
person345 Groupie Join Date: Feb 2018 Posts: 4	Accidently Making Other Riffs Ive been playing guitar for a little over a year, i stopped for a few years but never got good prior till now. Ive learned theory and all the fun stuff. But, ive never really sat down and learned a favorite song all the way though. I get bored, and just end up making up my own things. Composing appeals to me more than trying to learn exactly what someone else does. But, I find I am accidently making things that sound wayyyyy too familiar. Sometimes its exactly the same as another song. Other times its like a note or two off. Or transposed. Does this happen often to anyone else? I dont know how this happens if ive never actually learned the songs I keep mimicking on accident...and usually its songs ive never attempted to play before

03-16-2018, 12:04 PM	#7 (permalink)
grindy . Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: . Posts: 7,201	Just play dissonant **. It'll probably still sound like some No Wave band but nobody cares and/or notices. __________________ A smell of petroleum prevails throughout.**

03-16-2018, 02:15 AM	#2 (permalink)
~~MicShazam~~ Account Disabled Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Aalborg Posts: 7,634	I wouldn't worry about it. It's more important how you use those riffs in your own music. Also, if you take influences from more genres into your playing, your riffs will start sounding more original.

03-16-2018, 04:14 AM	#4 (permalink)
~~MicShazam~~ Account Disabled Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Aalborg Posts: 7,634	You'll get attention, so it's still a win.

03-17-2018, 06:04 PM	#8 (permalink)
person345 Groupie Join Date: Feb 2018 Posts: 4	Wow i never realized teen spirit is close to more than a feeling. I would never have guessed that. Hm so i guess its not a huge deal depending on rhythm and key variations. Any other examples out there?