How do you compose?

[myinstrument]

Wondering how does everyone write a song from scratch. Do you start with lyrics? Rythm guitar? Bass? Drums? I can write lyrics pretty easily but Imhaving a hard time translating it into a song. When you and a band decide to write original tunes where does it begin? Does the singer have a lyrical idea? Does the guitar player have a riff? how do you meld these into a song??? I know it's involved but I think a broad range of views would help me and others here.

[monroe]

Some write a hook or refrain first, or conversely, some will, as a musical exercise, write from a theoretical premise. Some tell a story. All of the things you mentioned will work for some of the people some of the time. You have to try them all and see which allows your creativity to shine most.

[lp_junkie]

Sometimes I start with a riff, but then other times I start with a lyrical idea with no idea what the riff should be until the lyrics are written.

No rhyme or reason to it, it will just hit me sometimes.

There have been times where someone will play a little thing and it will just go from there, I was in band where an innocent jam session produced 2 discs worth of material.

[Splattle101]

Well, I like to sit back with a nice India Pale Ale, my Les Paul, and my old Fender Super Reverb. Then it’s less a case of composing than of decomposing.

Splat

[meursault]

always riffs and rythm... i almost never find something when i'm on my guitar... always when i walk down the street with my headphones... then i had an idea of riff or rythm, not even chords or notes just rythm... and i record it on my cellphone... then try it on my guitar and find the best sounding chords and/or notes... i never think in terms of songs, chorus, lyrics etc... then we elaborate the "thing" with the band... i bring some "bones" then the other guys bring the missing bones and the flesh

[tarddoggy]

it usually starts with a melody type lick and is built from there.OR,Im feeling extreme and I just let it flow

[paulygates]

It can start from anywhere. If you already have lyrics try strumming some chords and singing them. If you already have an idea for the vocal melody try working it out on the guitar. That should give you some idea of the chords.

Good luck. I haven't written anything for years.

[Voxman23]

for me ..whatever flows...sometimes ill just start playin,,then it'll turn into something..then lyrics start comin in, then i get a pen and go to work

[Hemply]

For me it has always started with the guitar. Once I have the arrangement written I begin working on the lyrics but in all actuality the lyrics had been brewing since beginning the musical portion.

Lyrical phrasing to fit with the arrangement, adjustments to the arrangement as needed... basic tweeking.

Then I take my finished product and run it to tape with a click track.

From there I begin working on the other musical parts of the song, bass, drums, key's, etc. whatever the song calls for.

If I am using live musicians... rehersals, lots and lots of rehersals!

[Nicole Rose]

i often start with a riff or a rhythm pattern, and add lyrics and melody and change the pattern to suit the melody, and from there add both music and lyrics at once. Or sometimes i'll start with lyrics and make the rhythm fit the lyrics instead of the other way around.