About Daniel Johnson Expertise I can answer questions on verse and chorus construction.
I can answer questions on lyric and melody writing.
I can suggest ways to overcome writers block and to spark a creative flow.
I can`t answer advanced questions about notation or music theory.
I can`t answer questions about composing classical music or eastern music.
Experience I am an active songwriter and have been writing off and on for over 35 years. I have written and performed in a wide variety of styles, including folk, rock, pop, bluegrass, country, old school R&B and soul. Over the years I've performed my original songs in a variety of bands, duos and solo in the USA, Canada, Europe and Central America.
Publications I co-author a songwriting newsletter, the Songwriter's Tip Jar and I started an online songwriter forum also called Songwriter's Tip Jar.
Education/Credentials I studied classical music at Penn State University as well as guitar, jazz and theory with several excellent private teachers.
Question Hi, Im a fledgling freelance student of music,self taught in guitar. My biggest dream in life is to be a successfull songwriter but ive run into some pretty difficult blocks. I can start a song with a simple riff but I get into it and I don't know where to go next.I don't think there is any lack of talent, for I can follow a rythm very well and even improvise but i get stuck in what i call rythm rutts.haow do I start a song and finish itand how do I know when it is finished, how do i not only follow others rythm lead and improvise on it but how do i understand how it works so I can put some variety into my own music if you could help me with these questions I would appreciate it very much thx sincerely Steven Toronto, Canada
Answer Steven,
I'll try to tackle as many of your questions as I can.
First of all, I can tell you what works for me and it may not be helpful at all to you. Everyone has their own way of doing it. If there was a simple 1-2-3 step process that worked for everyone, we'd all know about it. Not to say that the solution that works for you won't be simple.
I'll also suggest that you take my following comments with a grain of salt. If something strikes you as true, maybe that will be helpful to you. If it seems ridiculous, it's probably not for you. And get other opinions from a variety of other songwriters and teachers, as many as you can. I'll turn you on to a good source in a minute.
Here are three real tough ones you ask: how do I start a song, finish it and how do I know when it is finished?
As far as starting a song, I believe it has to come from your heart. You could simply pick a subject that you have no connection with and try to write a song about it, but the result will be like a school project, dry, boring and a chore to work on. When I say it has to come from your heart, I mean you should write about something you have strong feelings about.
For example, many writers choose to write about their romantic partners or someone they wish was their lover, or an ex-lover. Each of these are packed with an emotional charge. Not just love or longing, but any strong feeling is a good beginning for a song, whether it's positive or negative. Many people have written about war from the feeling of hating it. People write about things they're afraid of.
Other examples of things you might be passionate about in a positive way: your dog, your truck, your favorite beer, your garden, your favorite sports team, your guitar, the mountains, the beach, the moon, travel, chess, sewing, etc. It doesn't matter how others feel about it, it only matters that you are passionate about it.
If you write about something you're passionate about, you'll (automatically) have something to say and the words and music will flow right out. And it makes it easier to know when it's finished.
Here's a suggestion about rhythm ruts. I think I know what you mean. You find a nice riff or groove and it's good, but it's not enough. And if the whole song stays on the one rhythm, it gets a little old. What you need is a break from that rhythm and a refreshing return to it later in the song.
Perhaps the chorus uses the riff and you have an alternate riff going in the verses. Or both chorus and verse use the riff, but the bridge introduces a new rhythmic element.
OK, how to you find this new rhythmic element? Here's one thought. You know it has to be different from the other one, so why not make it as different as possible? Make it the opposite. For example, in a song with a fast groove, make the other part slow. If the primary riff is smooth, make the other one choppy. If one is syncopated, make the other straight.
If you're still having trouble, try this. I assume from your question that you have more than one unfinished song and at least a few of these have a good riff. Why not do what the Beatles did? Take two different songs (hopefully with different rhythms) and combine them. One of the songs will set the basic rhythm for the chorus and/or verses, while the other song/riff will be the bridge or alternating rhythmic element.
For more tips like this, check out Songwriter's Tip Jar. It's a group of 2,000+ songwriters who share and trade hot tips, time-saving tricks, advice, anecdotes and song critiques online (all free). They also publish a free weekly ezine.
