• Writing music?
    23 replies, posted
So, those of you who write music either solo or in a band . . . Which comes first, they lyrics or the music? The reason why I'm asking is because I'm trying to write a musical . . . but I don't write music at all, so I'm just writing the lyrics, hoping that eventually I'll meet some people to put music to my words. The problem is, the above description sounds lame and pretentious. Should I form a band then write the musical?
Usually you write the music, then the lyrics. Unless you have some talented musicians who can compose off of lyrics.
Both written and musically planned together, that's the only way they will mesh correctly. Ask any composer.
Lyrics can be put in anytime as long as they're written to the music.
Depends. Real heartfelt emotive music would be written to lyrics a bit I would imagine. Most rock and metal for example is just fitting words to riffs.
It really depends on the style, genre of music, skills, preferences and so on... but usually for example in pop music you write first the lyrics then the music, metal is usually first instrumental and later lyrics.
It can be either. Sometimes you have some lyrics and you then get ideas of music to put with them. Sometimes you have some music and it inspires the lyrics. Try some stuff like word painting, where you write music that reflects the meaning of the words literally. Or do the opposite, e.g. if the ltrics are about something really loud and fast then make the music quiet and slow.
Trust me, from experience, you write the music notation first, then the lyrics.
[QUOTE=Racid;17369261]Trust me, from experience, you write the music notation first, then the lyrics.[/QUOTE] No, it doesn't always go that way.
[QUOTE=TurtlePower;17369552]No, it doesn't always go that way.[/QUOTE] From my experience of writing an album, it does, but that's just my experience. I suggest writing the music first, then the lyrics. I've worked with 2 bands, and that's their default way with making music.
[QUOTE=Racid;17369580]From my experience of writing an album, it does, but that's just my experience. I suggest writing the music first, then the lyrics. I've worked with 2 bands, and that's their default way with making music.[/QUOTE] It's the way I usually work too. But I'm just saying that lyrics can come before music.
[QUOTE=Racid;17369580]From my experience of writing an album, it does, but that's just my experience. I suggest writing the music first, then the lyrics. I've worked with 2 bands, and that's their default way with making music.[/QUOTE] And I've always thought that to be a bit backwards. I understand that it makes the instrumentation sound smoother, but at the same time it also constrains the lyrics and vocals. But that may be because I care more about lyrics and vocals than the actual music. Who knows?
Thanks guys. Super helpful, though discouraging. I working on lyrics, which I suck at, but then they're supposed to be punk lyrics, so bad is good in a way. I guess I'll either have to learn to write music or get a band together.
[QUOTE=cephalopoid;17370937]Thanks guys. Super helpful, though discouraging. I working on lyrics, which I suck at, but then they're supposed to be punk lyrics, so bad is good in a way. I guess I'll either have to learn to write music or get a band together.[/QUOTE] Do you know how to play any instruments? If you do, then I'd opt for getting a band together. Personally, in my own opinion, I find it a lot easier to write music with the band that intends to play it. That way you get their input on their parts (and possibly their input on their band-mates' parts), they can put in their own personal influences into the music, and, to be frank, so you don't have to write [b]everything[/b]. Let them do some of the work. Now, I have no idea if this is how it really works since I've never been in a band, but I would think it'd make more sense if the individual members, if not write their own parts completely by themselves, at least bring their ideas for their parts to the table, and then as a group you can work out individual parts. If you choose to take the learning to write music path, then you don't have any of these things to help you with, unless you get together a bunch of people that play instruments, and you ask for their opinions. But then it's more disjointed than an actual band, because those people will never really be playing with each other (well, they could, but its not as likely as with an actual band), and then you're basically forming your own band anyways. So I guess a tl;dr would be: Form a band if you can contribute to it, otherwise try and learn how to write music.
I'm able to write music, but never lyrics.
I'm too modest to be a lyricist
I'm currently writing some tunes for my band to play. Just the music though, I'm waiting until I see if my bandmates like it for the lyrics.
I usually complete the whole song before I add lyrics. I already have a vocal melody but I only use it as a guideline and don't stick to it too much. Remember that there's no wrong or right, do what you feel is most comfortable. Sometimes I get the feeling like "I wanna make a real heavy song" and then I make the melody and everything then try to come up with lyrics afterwards, but sometimes it's the opposite, like "I wanna make a song about this subject" and then it's almost easier to begin writing the lyrics down to make sure you don't have to compromise any lines you think were good.
[QUOTE=Hiccuper;17373484]I'm able to write music, but never lyrics.[/QUOTE] [QUOTE=SilverHammer;17373504]I'm too modest to be a lyricist[/QUOTE] Really? I'm the opposite. I can write lyrics, but I can't compose music to save the life of me. The only problem I have is that I haven't quite mastered my ability to write okay lyrics at will (slightly higher than average or better), I have a hard time sticking to a theme that isn't a concept (As in I can write lyrics to concept albums, but I can't write lyrics that stay to a certain general theme that isn't macabre), and my lyrics either tend to drag on or stop abruptly. I think all of these things just come with time and practice though, and if they actually were composed into music I would know what sounds bad and avoid/change those things in the future.
Since you're writing a musical, the most appropriate thing to do would be to compose the lyrics and vocal melodies side by side, and then figure out instrumentation afterwards. I'd advise doing all three simultaneously, but since you've said that isn't possible, then just write the lyrics and melodies. Musicals rely heavily on strong melodies to carry the weight of the lyrics, and if you've spent a lot of time writing and refining lyrics then they might be rather disproportionate when applied to an instrumental piece. You'll have to whittle down lines and syllables to make them fit the rhythm and structure, which isn't ideal at all.
I suck with lyrics unless it's a school project. [editline]01:03AM[/editline] [QUOTE=Racid;17369580]From my experience of writing an album, it does, but that's just my experience. I suggest writing the music first, then the lyrics. I've worked with 2 bands, and that's their default way with making music.[/QUOTE] There isn't just one way to go about it. Just about all the books I've read says it's just personal preference.
More Thought out lyrics can come before a melody if it's about the story rather than the tones.
For example the finnish prog rock band CMX bases many of their songs on the poetry of the bassist/singer A.W. Yrjänä.
Everyone does this process differently. Some bands (Tool, Portugal. The Man) will literally record an entire album before writing the lyrics to go with it. Others will come up with lyrics first, then with a melody and chord progression. It all just depends on the singer's style, and what he's more comfortable with.
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