song writing for dummies

[nsakers]

I have been playing guitar and dave covers for a couple years and have recently wanted to make my own songs. Whenever I try it just doesn't seem to flow and sound just the way i want it to, and in the end i just give up. I was wondering what some tips are for writing songs. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
:banned

[DaveHead36]

Man, everyone is so different when writing songs. I usually write chords first, then just let words flow out until I hit upon something that sounds good. Then work from there and build a song around it. Sometimes my lyric that I start off with ends up as the 3rd verse, sometimes it's the first. Other people are very adept at writing words and forming a melody around that. I've done that twice, but that is more difficult for me.

If I write 10 songs, 2 will be really good, 5 will be adequate and 3 will suck balls. Sometimes I get stuck on an idea that's just horrid, but my mind won't go elsewhere until I finish that idea. So I just finish it off and it becomes a throwaway song. I'm not the greatest songwriter so it doesn't bother me that I write crappy songs.

If you're just starting out, chances are you'll write some crappy songs until you get the hang of it. Just keep at it. Also studying other songs is good too. Beatles taught me song writing form, Dave taught me circular writing, et cetera. I hope all of this helps. Just keep at it, once you find your style it'll just come naturally.

[RippingChillies]

I'm not sure if this will help, but...

My songwriting comes along when I have some catchy tune stuck in my head. Even if I know the words, I end up rewriting the lyrics according to how I feel at the moment. I write down what I like and ditch the rest.

Whenever I noodle out something on guitar that I like, I'll rework it until I have something solid. At that point, it's just a marriage between my piles of lyrics and the latest tune I've come up with. Once in awhile, I'll have some success and other times I end up trashing the whole song.

Either way, the major thing for me is that none of this is forced. I can't sit down and write a song. It has to just happen. Sometimes it's at 3:00AM when I have to get up early the next morning, but you have to write things down when that creative energy strikes. Above all - have fun. I hope this helped out...good luck!

[mavonw]

I agree with the above, you never plan it. if you are sitting down and a melody comes out and lyrics start coming out don't leave, stay there, create a song. usually you are only going to create garbage if you force it. also, as with everything, you get a lot better at it with practice. i usually don't have much of an idea for lyrics, it is just whatever words come out first then i take those words and use it as the subject of the song. anyways, hope it helps a little

[twojump]

Thanks guys i have the same problem as the dude posting. It just seems ever since i started playing DMB that nothing is evan superior to his stuff therefore i just throw it away, evan though i shouldnt think that way becuase he is the one and only Dave that noone will ever come close to in style, but i just feel like ALL my shit sucks. Im gonna go give it another shot...

[unccrombie]

write your own, don't try and mimick someone else. you dont want to be "another dave matthews". also experiment with different voicings and progressions, maybe some blues, modes, etc. try not to fall into a rut of only writing a certain way

[nsakers]

thanks guys for your feedback. i think my main problem is that when i get something that i like and i listen to dave i just throw it away because it doesn't sound as good. i probably shouldn't try to compare my first songs to daves songs...he is an amazing songwriter and i have to find my own style and go with it. once again, thanks for the replies and they will help me in my songwriting attempts!:thumbsup

[firedancer91]

I have an idea ... when you get frustrated with song writing, put down the guitar and play the drums!

Talk to you later, bother!
oh- cherry:haha