Writing Prog Rock

Basically, you should just write what you feel like and what you think is interesting to play. Don't force it. Your writing skills will improve eventually as will your playing skills. While music theory certainly is useful, it's not required. A lot of people get one fine without it. It is useful, of course, if you want to write really complex music.

william314159 wrote: The Wizard wrote: Get really high and fool around with your instrument.   don't do that. thats how really crappy stupid music is made. i suggest becoming a music major and then dropping out and moving back in with your parents.

Isn't that how Dream Theater started? 

That's actually a serious question. 

you've got to listen to prog at all times. Let it really get into your head. Knowing some basic theory helps too, but I must admit, I don't know much 'formal theory', but my musical intuition, mixed with extensive knowledge of all sorts of scales has done me well. also, getting aquainted with the concept of jazz improv will open your mind to new ideas and melodieas you would never have considered before. Whatever you do, try to avoid the basic songwriting pattern of verse bridge chorus etc. It's tough...I know, but we as progressive musicians should explore different waters than others have. As for time signatures, don't force it. let it come out naturally. If it comes out in 5/4, so be it. I had a good riff naturally come out in 9/8 once. Just let the music tell you! Also, if it is a progressive song it should naturally progress in some way.

The Wizard wrote: Get really high and fool around with your instrument.

I learned music theory and other musical concepts a while ago, and now I just sit down and play whatever I feel like playing (all of the theory I've learned does stick with me though).  All I really care about is making my music flow to the next section, what feels right, and stuff like that.  I don't purposely try to write oddly timed music, it just happens to come out odd.

Just...have fun.  I like to mess around with whatever I can and then think of what layers I can add on top.  Those layers that go on top (or behind) can help a song flow into more new ideas.

Another idea is to create music with a certain mood.  Sometimes I like to sit down and play something melancholic, or groovy, or whatever.  Good results can come from that.

I don't know how helpful I am, but I hope some of this may be able to help you.

Novalis wrote: The Wizard wrote: Novalis wrote: The Wizard wrote: Get really high and fool around with your instrument. Like half the teenagers in the world do? Yep, and half the prog musicians too. I know what you are getting at, but I think you need some form of music theory or training as well. Of course there is that small group of people who are born supermusical, but we can't guarantee that, can we?

The Wizard wrote: Novalis wrote: The Wizard wrote: Get really high and fool around with your instrument. Like half the teenagers in the world do? Yep, and half the prog musicians too.

I know what you are getting at, but I think you need some form of music theory or training as well.

Of course there is that small group of people who are born supermusical, but we can't guarantee that, can we?

The Wizard wrote: Get really high and fool around with your instrument.

Like half the teenagers in the world do?

I'm going to elaborate a bit on some things others have said here - keep it simple, and don't try to write prog, just write music.

There was a time when I used to think the same thing - how do I write a prog song?  After all, I loved progressive rock, and I wanted to make music that I liked.  But the problem is, when you go about trying to write a particular type of song just for the sake of making that type of song, somewhere deep inside your heart isn't quite in it.  I have never had a song turn out well if it didn't come to me naturally.  In fact, the most 'proggy' music I have written to date has come to me seemingly from out of the blue, while my attempts at writing prog purposefully do not flow or sound more ordinary than other songs I have written.

I think the best thing you can probably do, assuming you're writing music alone, is just play your instrument - and if you want your songs to be about something, or if you're feeling emotional, I personally would suggest singing or thinking about a vocal line while you're playing.  That's one way that lyrics can come naturally from you.  You might even figure out things that have been bothering you for weeks, months, even years, that were just waiting for the right time to come to the surface.  These things can be great inspiration for songs.

I also find it helpful to write down absolutely any idea that comes into my head regardless of where I am.  If you can't write it down right that second, keep it in your head until the instant that you can.  Sing in the shower. :)  I'm serious.

^ I wouldn't suggest getting high, myself.  I wouldn't know if it makes you more creative or not, but starting habits that are hard to break usually isn't a good idea.

Don't sit down and tell yourself "I'm going to write prog", because prog is just a wider term used to describe otherwise completely different artists. Decide what you want your songs to be about and then devise a way to get that story out to the listener.

You could start by writing a chord progression and then basing a melody around it, or the opposite.

Take the time to study music in school. Knowing theory will help you get a much more powerful grasp on composition, inserting melodic and interesting solos, and making chords stay in the same key. Transpositions will sound interesting, rather than the way most bands transpose (let's play the same thing, but on the next string up on the guitar).

There's a lot you can do, and a lot you can mess up. Just try to enjoy yourself, and the music will come out sincere and candid, which is what too many musicians lack today.