A songwriting tutorial I made

[C-note]

Very nice video and good info! I enjoyed your songs.

I write mostly using voice with lyrics and melody coming all at once into a recorder but as you recommend, I don't let the lyrics get in the way of the melody. Of course since most of my songs are about some event or situation in a script/life, the lyrics do play a prominent role in the balance of the song.

Thanks,

C

[kelvyn]

I actually find that writing lyrics first - at least a verse/chorus/bridge in draft form - can be beneficial, because the natural rhythm you find from singing words can suggest melodies.

A good idea. This is why I don't want to say my methods are the only way to write a song.

when I see/hear/read tutorials like yours I worry about music making becoming a generic thing where everything is like everything else...

Listening to the radio would make you think we're already there, but I think you shouldn't worry about this. People get tired of hearing the same thing, so an artist who does something original will always get more attention. Creativity can't be learned from a rule book. I'm just trying to give guidelines which I hope will help someone who already has a good ear. Thanks for listening to my songs! You've got some very professional sounding songs on your site. Is the production influenced by Hooverphonic?

Thanks Mellotronaut

Oh crap!!! My site... Haven't visited my site for ages... just a load of old stuff. Thanks for the comment though:) Hooverphonic... no not really.

Good luck with all you do

Sincerely K

[beatflux]

Hi,
I like to think that I'm a reasonable songwriter, so I've made a video covering how I write a song. It focuses on melody, hopefully someone will find it useful. I appreciate any feedback. Thanks

Each song is different, and some songs do have a lackluster melody, BUT they have something else going for them like a catchy rhythm. Example: Macarena

The importance of lyrics also go on a song by song basis, so I will leave it at that.

One example of a song that is lyric dependent is "Stan" by M&M. It has a very memorable ending.

[ahmk]

Each song is different, and some songs do have a lackluster melody, BUT they have something else going for them like a catchy rhythm.

Hi,
thanks for the comment. I agree with you about those songs; that although the melodies in the choruses of both are good, their success wasn't just due to the melody. The thing is its hard to predict how other people will react to things like lyrics, rhythm etc, its all personal preference. But with a good melody, you can be more confident that other people will also like it. Everything else in a song is subjective and depends on the listener.