Ask Me Help Desk - Writing lyrics/creating a song

Writing lyrics/creating a song

Hi, I've seen all these threads about writing songs and getting help with doing so, so if its all right id like to give it a try, I play the guitar, albeit not that well, and that's really the extent of my musical expertese :D, so any help on where to start and how would be great, thanks :D

What kind of music? I have friends that write music just for fun. They say that the easiest way is that once you come up with a name for your song its like writing a 3 minute story about that word.

Hmmm thanks, I've already tried writing lyrics but haven't hiven it a title yet, also I was thinking more along the lines of guitar solo apart from the choruses, kind of slow rock if you know what I mean, but... I can't think of a tune. And my lyrics that I've written down need work :)

Hi, albear!

I've received your emails as well as private messages.

It's not hard. The important thing is just to start it.

As I've already mentioned to you, I can help you with all aspects of writing a song.

But, you do fear about it being something that's personal here...

If I were to help you on this site, that is something that I will help you with for free. If it goes beyond being on this site, well that is something that I would need to charge you for what I've provided to you.

If it happens on this site, then it's free!

I have no problem with people using the music that I've written on this site in other ways. I would also hope that you don't have a problem with others using the lyrics that you've written.

What us written this site can be a help to you in how to compose songs. It's not the end of the line here...

I hope that you understand. I think that you do. It's just the way things are...

I can think of tunes instantly, albear! It's part of the "gift" that I have.

Thanks!

Yea, your right about me being hesitant because it's a bit personal, but no I don't mind others using whatever I write,

Have you tried listening to slow rock singers? You know.. maybe get an insperation, come up with ideas, I'm not saying copy them just gets some ideas:D:D

Yeah, which is why id like it to be in that style, well also because I think it fits the words as well.
So I take it you'd like me to post up the bit I have done so you can help me with refining it and helping me creating a tune

Hi, albear!

Would you please post at least a couple lines of lyrics that you would like to have set to music?

Thanks!

Reet, this is what I've got for the first verse:

Did you ever wonder if you were good enough for the people around you,
For the people who you care for,
For the people that care about you.
Did you ever want to make the world a better place
Did you ever wonder if the world would be a better place without you

I'll work on that and get back to you here, albear.

Thanks!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clough

I'll work on that and get back to you here, albear.

Thanks!

Thanks :)

lol sounds great, have you tried the typical method of repeating the same verse and then changing the words around? kind of like the songs that repeat the same word (name of the song) over and over again.

i dont know if that style works for you but it seems to work for the pros.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BackFrumTheDead

lol sounds great, have you tried the typical method of repeating the same verse and then changing the words around? kind of like the songs that repeat the same word (name of the song) over and over again.

i dont know if that style works for you but it seems to work for the pros.

I want the song to progress with each verse, but returns to the same chorus

I think it would be best then if clough helped you out the rest f the way I was just giving any advice my friends would give me. All I got now is try putting how you feel into the song instead of making something up. Good luck :D :D :D

Quote:

Originally Posted by BackFrumTheDead

i think it would be best then if clough helped you out the rest f the way i was just giving any advice my friends would give me. all i got now is try putting how you feel into the song instead of making something up. good luck :D :D :D

OK, thanks for the advice though :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by albear

reet, this is what ive got for the first verse:

Did you ever wonder if you were good enough for the people around you,
for the people who you care for,
for the people that care about you.
Did you ever want to make the world a better place
Did you ever wonder if the world would be a better place without you

Do You Ever Wonder?

Did you ever wonder if you were good enough
For the people all around you,
For the people who you care for,
For the people that care about you.

Did you ever want to make the world a better place
Did you ever wonder if the world would be a better place without you

Hi again, albear!

Okay, I've added the word "all" to the first verse so that it's a little more balanced for a melody. I've already got a melody in my head for this.

What would you think about using those last two lines for the chorus? Also, can you read music with notes that are on staves?

Do you think that Do You Ever Wonder? Sounds good for the title?

Thanks!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clough

Do You Ever Wonder?

Did you ever wonder if you were good enough
for the people all around you,
for the people who you care for,
for the people that care about you.

Did you ever want to make the world a better place
Did you ever wonder if the world would be a better place without you

Hi again, albear!

Okay, I've added the word "all" to the first verse so that it's a little more balanced for a melody. I've already got a melody in my head for this.

What would you think about using those last two lines for the chorus? Also, can you read music with notes that are on staves?

Do you think that Do You Ever Wonder? sounds good for the title?

Thanks!

Hi again, thanks clough, yea the 'all' looks all right

That was intended to be the first verse out of the five that I've written
This was what I thought could be the chorus:

How can we tell, how can we trust those around us, to tell the truth, how can we trust ourselves, to believe the truth,
What are the tell tale signs
How can I believe people like me when I don’t like me
How can people stand to be near me when I don’t want to be near me
Why can't I see why they say nice things about me,
Do I truly believe that I am such an undeserving person
How ?

As for 'Do You Ever Wonder?' for the title, I don't think it fits to be honest

Its been a long time since I've read music, I've fogotten what notes they mean now, however I'm more familiar with tab if that helps?

I can write in tabs, but it would be quicker with actual notes. I'm not all that familiar with tabs, but I do have a program that will write them.

I'll work with your chorus later tonight.

It's important that lines of the lyrics be about the same length in order to fit with a melody and rhythm the best. Also, it helps to have an even number of lines for verses and the chorus.

Thanks!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clough

I can write in tabs, but it would be quicker with actual notes. I'm not all that familiar with tabs, but I do have a program that will write them.

I'll work with your chorus later tonight.

It's important that lines of the lyrics be about the same length in order to fit with a melody and rhythm the best. Also, it helps to have an even number of lines for verses and the chorus.Thanks!

Yea sorry abou that ill have to devote some more time to work on them. I've only bolded them so they stand out when I re read to remind me.

Do you want me to post up the rest of what I've done so far or work on this now and post it later?

Thanks

I think that it would be best to work on a little bit at a time. So, I would suggest that you post additional things later.

Thanks!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clough

I think that it would be best to work on a little bit at a time. So, I would suggest that you post additional things later.

Thanks!

OK, no worries :)

Would I be able to hear the tune you've got, because I think it would be easier to write lyrics to a tune rather than writing the lyrics without hearing how theyd sound, if you get what I mean :)

Right now, you would'nt be able to hear the tune because I can't find my microphone! When I find it, I'll let you know.

Whether to start a song with the tune first or the lyrics first is kind of up for grabs. Either way works. Because I come up with the melody in my head, it's easier for me to write or work with existing lyrics first.

Thanks!

OK, no worries, I've been re hashing the lyrics anyhoo and trying to find a better chorus that would fit with the paragraphs.

Would you post them here, please?

I have to go and do some yard work while it's still light out. I'll return in a few hours...

Thanks!

Yea sure, no worries :)

Did you ever want to make the world a better place
Did you ever wonder if the world would be a better place without you
What would the world be like without you, would lives be better?
Yes?
Did you ever wonder if you were good enough
For the people all around you,
For the people who you care for,
For the people that care about you.
Yes?

Cause I'm the same, wandering around searching for those answers
Before they destroy me like cancers
But if I can't find them I hope that you do
Cause if I fail, ill be gone before you

The last verse is the chorus but its still a woki in progress (as the whole thing is :d but this more so :) )
Hmmm on second thought I think ill remove those 'yes's'

Hey, albear!

I'm sorry that I haven't been around! I've been ill and my Internet connection has been lousy! I do look forward to working with you!

Thanks!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clough

Hey, albear!

I'm sorry that I haven't been around! I've been ill and my Internet connection has been lousy! I do look foward to working with you!

Thanks!

No worries clough, sorry to hear you've not been well, you did tell me you had internet problems, hope your feeling better :)

I'm trying to deal with my health issues with the professionals. I had some sort of seizure on Tuesday night in the middle of rehearsal when I was playing something on the piano with my men's group.

I think that my computer has gotten some sort of virus! Am trying to figure out how to deal with that, too.

Thanks!

Oooh, that doesn't sound good, yeah better let the pro's deal with it, get well soon, both you and your computer

I'm going to bring my computer from home over to where I'm house and dog sitting. I'm not on my home computer here and all of my music writing stuff is on my own computer.

It won't be tonight that I'll get my computer over to here, but in the next couple of days.

Are you interested in learning some things abou music theory in order to help you with composing music for your songs?

Thanks!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clough

I'm going to bring my computer from home over to where I'm house and dog sitting. I'm not on my home computer here and all of my music writing stuff is on my own computer.

It won't be tonight that I'll get my computer over to here, but in the next couple of days.

Are you interested in learning some things abou music theory in order to help you with composing music for your songs?

Thanks!

Yea that would be great and most probably help when your explaining things to me :D

Yes, it would help...

First question on this - What would you like to know about music theory?

By what you ask, and the subsequent discourse that ensues and follows, I can get an idea as to where you are with understanding and knowledge of the nomenclature and structure of music.

Thanks!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clough

Yes, it would help...

First question on this - What would you like to know about music theory?

By what you ask, and the subsequent discourse that ensues and follows, I can get an idea as to where you are with understanding and knowledge of the nomenclature and structure of music.

Thanks!

Oh I thought since you offered to teach you'd have a rough idea what I needed to know, but OK, well I don't know what I would need to know, I can read tab, I know which strings are which notes on a guitar, but as for reading normal music on a scoe I've forgotten which notes are whch, I know the one with a hole on the middle counts for 2 beats, and if they're joined at the top then they're linked - (yes I know obvious but I can't think of how to describe what I mean by that in better detail) and that's about as much theory as I know to be honest

Then we can start at the beginning then...

What are the seven letters of the alphabet that are used in music in the Western world, please?

Hint: They start with the letter "A".

Thanks!

Quote:

Originally Posted by clough

then we can start at the beginning then...

What are the seven letters of the alphabet that are used in music in the western world, please?

Hint: They start with the letter "a".

Thanks!

a,b,c,d,e,f,G?

You're correct! Please use capital letters when referring to the notes.

And, after the note "G" the sequence of letters starts over again.

Do you have a piano keyboard of some kind available to you?

Thanks!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clough

You're correct! Please use capital letters when referring to the notes.

And, after the note "G" the sequence of letters starts over again.

Do you have a piano keyboard of some kind available to you?

Thanks!

I did use capitols but for some reason they all turned back (apart from g which was an edit because I can't count :D)

Sorry I don't have a keyboard, I could probably find one online or if you already have a site?

I found this
http://www.bgfl.org/bgfl/custom/reso...iano/index.htm

Oh the second row on your comp keyboard relates to the keyboard on screen

I do have a keyboard online for us to use. I will find it and post the link here.

Here's the link for the Virtual Keyboard.

VIRTUAL KEYBOARD - PIANO

Please check it out and tell me what you think. Okay?

Thanks!