Tips on Lyric writing...

pooch · 09-09-2005, 10:30 AM

cheers for the advice guys, im currently writing a pretty cool tune...

ta

phoenixflames · 09-10-2005, 09:53 AM

Kinda getting into the game late, but here are my recommendations:

Try to be observent or the world around you, of the things that normal people pass by. When you see or experience something thats interesting, think of how that will fit into a story (because in most instances thats what songs are, in some form or another). If you feel like its something powerful or meaningful, you might be ready to take it into a song.

Generally, I write a song after I have music, that way everything flows good and your lyrics doesn't sound awakward with the music. So if you are doing something on an acoustic, try to get alot of the song roughed out (verse and chorus chord progressions, maybe a bridge if you decide to have one).

Once you have a good idea how it will sound, try to start writting your lyrics along to your music. Reguardless of genre, try to make the message of the lyrics fit the mood of the song. Don't have some peppy lyrics with a sad sounding song and vice versa (unless that is the effect your are going for).

As far as the rhyming bit goes, I think thats a technique you learn with time. It also helps to have a rhyming dictionary (or just to run through words in your head). Whenever you get to a spot that you want the word to rhyme, just take a minute to find the word that is what you are looking for. Use a thesaurus to find new words that have the meaning you want and also try to find ones that rhyme (assuming its a spot you want to rhyme in).

Over time your songs will get better. Most likely, your beginning songs will be crap and you will probably be ashamed of them in a year or so! Just keep trying because its like everything else in life, you get better with experience. Hope I've helped some and that you enjoy writing music!

09-10-2005, 10:57 AM

once i wrote a song about a tap dripping

EDIT: the point of which is that you can write a song about anything...

my advice, dont try to hard, let it flow... i often just get an idea when im bored in class and then construct something round it...

DontRunMeOver · 09-20-2005, 06:53 AM

Hi, I''m new to this site but thought I'd give some input in addition to what's already been said on this post.

As well as being true/meaningful/insightful etc. with your lyrics, it can really help to throw in a few unique phrases to grab people's attention and keep them thinking. For example, saying "I love you" to somebody may be a very meaningful experience in everyday life but used within a song its generally going to be an unimaginative cliche. So you have to find another way to express these ideas, a new way which ideally uses words in a way which is rarely heard and which the listener or reader might appreciate you having brought to them.

Sorry I was just about to give examples, but I'm deing dragged off to lunch...

Later

TheBig3 · 09-25-2005, 10:05 AM

It often helps me to think how another band would do a song. Not because you want to channel them exactly, but difrent bands would write from diffrent perspectives. Rage against the machine doesn't tackle a topic the same way radiohead does. If you get stuck its good to sometimes say something like "what would maynard do."

09-10-2005, 09:53 AM	#12 (permalink)
phoenixflames Something That You're Not Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Cold And All Alone Posts: 475	Kinda getting into the game late, but here are my recommendations: Try to be observent or the world around you, of the things that normal people pass by. When you see or experience something thats interesting, think of how that will fit into a story (because in most instances thats what songs are, in some form or another). If you feel like its something powerful or meaningful, you might be ready to take it into a song. Generally, I write a song after I have music, that way everything flows good and your lyrics doesn't sound awakward with the music. So if you are doing something on an acoustic, try to get alot of the song roughed out (verse and chorus chord progressions, maybe a bridge if you decide to have one). Once you have a good idea how it will sound, try to start writting your lyrics along to your music. Reguardless of genre, try to make the message of the lyrics fit the mood of the song. Don't have some peppy lyrics with a sad sounding song and vice versa (unless that is the effect your are going for). As far as the rhyming bit goes, I think thats a technique you learn with time. It also helps to have a rhyming dictionary (or just to run through words in your head). Whenever you get to a spot that you want the word to rhyme, just take a minute to find the word that is what you are looking for. Use a thesaurus to find new words that have the meaning you want and also try to find ones that rhyme (assuming its a spot you want to rhyme in). Over time your songs will get better. Most likely, your beginning songs will be crap and you will probably be ashamed of them in a year or so! Just keep trying because its like everything else in life, you get better with experience. Hope I've helped some and that you enjoy writing music! __________________ ----------- I'm the lead singer and bass player for the band The Ascent (And Decline) Of Terrion. Yay for me... We're from Ohio. Yay for us... www.theascentofterrion.com Be our friend on MySpace

09-25-2005, 10:05 AM	#15 (permalink)
TheBig3 killedmyraindog Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Boston, Massachusetts Posts: 11,172	It often helps me to think how another band would do a song. Not because you want to channel them exactly, but difrent bands would write from diffrent perspectives. Rage against the machine doesn't tackle a topic the same way radiohead does. If you get stuck its good to sometimes say something like "what would maynard do." __________________ I've moved to a new address

09-09-2005, 10:30 AM	#11 (permalink)
pooch Groupie Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: New Mills Posts: 39	cheers for the advice guys, im currently writing a pretty cool tune... ta

09-10-2005, 10:57 AM	#13 (permalink)
pastor of muppets Guest Posts: n/a	once i wrote a song about a tap dripping EDIT: the point of which is that you can write a song about anything... my advice, dont try to hard, let it flow... i often just get an idea when im bored in class and then construct something round it...

09-20-2005, 06:53 AM	#14 (permalink)
DontRunMeOver They call me Tundra Boy Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: In your linen cupboard. Posts: 1,166	Hi, I''m new to this site but thought I'd give some input in addition to what's already been said on this post. As well as being true/meaningful/insightful etc. with your lyrics, it can really help to throw in a few unique phrases to grab people's attention and keep them thinking. For example, saying "I love you" to somebody may be a very meaningful experience in everyday life but used within a song its generally going to be an unimaginative cliche. So you have to find another way to express these ideas, a new way which ideally uses words in a way which is rarely heard and which the listener or reader might appreciate you having brought to them. Sorry I was just about to give examples, but I'm deing dragged off to lunch... Later