Songwriting

I usally just write a song that i really like, sometimes i start off with a poem that pops into my head eitherway its not too hard

Wrong.

I have a friend who studied composing. He showed me some of his works, and methods, the ones that they taught at school. He was able to build a melody, then add a bass line under it, and then add chords to make a perfect song. Perfect as in a song that has everything that is needed, and nothing sounds bad, repetative, uncalled for or just boring.

But that doesn't mean he'd need any of this when composing. Sure, for flawless pieces, but those can be done anyway. I myself studied enough theory to be able to create chord progressions that go together, or to tell the difference between a half and a full step.

Myself I write lyrics to my songs first, if I do any. Then all I do is start singing them, and voila, I've got a melody. The best melody is the one you think of when you sing a poem or lyrics. Just learn to write that melody. In my case, as much as I do know about 7th or 9th chords or majors or minors or dims, it never affects my composing. I don't planon putting a chord after the other before trying out how it sounds. Though nowadays usually I don't try anymore, I just plug in the recording device and start playing. They come along. If not, I'll think about it a little.

coleio wrote: Can you compose without knowing music theory?

Say Ayreon


Edited by sircosick - August 11 2007 at 12:41

Just because you may not know the names and terminology, doesn't mean you don't know theory.
You've taught or been taught what sounds good, by practice, just because you can't put a name to it doesn't mean it isn't theory.
It's like people who can't write, they can still talk, but they just know letters, grammar, punctuation etc.

I'm an ignorant drummer: my knowledge of musical theory away from rhythmic snuff is extremely limited, but I have been able to make some decent songs on Garage Band....you can hear them here. 

anything you play can be a song. If you write a piece of music and play it roughly the same every time, you may declare it a song! I'm a terrible songwriter myself, but I consider myself a good musician. I don't have 'the gift'. I mostly just play crazy art rock crimson-esque stuff and call it all songs! I've heard 4 second songs before. Anything can be a song...there's no one way, unless your dealing in pop anyway, which you aren't, right? (shaking my fist at you)

Can you compose without knowing music theory?

There isn't any law to songwriting dude.
The reason you can't find anything is because you seem to be looking for things to tell you how to write songs.
But you've just got to learn how to write and play music, self -study in music theory.
Simple.

^Is that legal???

Do you mean songs as in just the lyrics, or music and lyrics?