...gives you all the most trouble? For me, lately, it's the introduction. When I first began writing, it was the easiest thing to come up with. But now, as I have learned how to focus a piece of music better, I find myself torn when it comes to the intro. When I write a 'complete' intro, they are usually too long, and throw the balance of the work off a bit. When I hold back, I end up with something too brief, in which case I may as well skip it entirely. But then THAT means I have to start right into the first theme, which inevitably leaves me with less material for development.

Of course, I know I'm anal about it, but for me, the 'right' intro is the most elusive part of a piece for me to write and be happy with.

What gives you guys the most gray hairs?

For me it's the arrangement of a piece. I just have trouble connecting everything together -- whether it be a cool guitar riff, a piano melody, or whatever -- to create a listenable tune.

I've found that when I construct a strict verse/chorus/verse/chorus song, it sounds WAY too generic and "cookie cutter". It's too "poppy" for my taste. smilies/wink.gif I often notice that my favorite pieces that I write sound like two or three songs crammed together, with elements of the first (and second) "song" squeezed in between the later song's "verse", "chorus", or "bridge". To the casual listener, it might not be noticable, though... smilies/rolleyes.gif

The most difficult part for me when composing a piece of music or writing a song is what to do with the chorus. I always overdo it and complicate things too much to where the guitar part will be good enough to pass for a main riff or an interlude but too complex to do anything lyrically over that would have a melody different from the guitar part (counter melody.) The worst part is that I KNOW a simple chord structure for a chorus would work better for lyrics to fit over but when I'm sitting at home practicing/writing the song I always think that it's too generic and simple. What I've gotta learn is to keep the guitar aerobics in the solo section or outro etc. instead of where an integral melodic section in the tune is (chorus.) I gotta stop listening to Yngwie - all that guy does is is screw me up with that shit. smilies/cool.gif

Lyrics, and melody line. Over the years, I've found that the music is the easy part, but finishing it, i.e lyrics and melody's a bitch.

My problem is I hate standard melody lines, so coming up with something unique but catchy is tough for me.

Lyricly, I always want to say something, either political, psychologically engaging, or emotional. I'm not much for "party", or "pussy" lyrics, but I'm not wanting to be peter gabriel or Bono either, or come off as some egotistical know it all prick, (even though I am smilies/biggrin.gif)so it's tough.

Oh, how could I forget...drum programming. BLAH! smilies/mad.gif

Is anyone here actually adept at it? For me, it's got to be the biggest drain from a creative perspective. It just sucks the life out of me, or in short, it just SUCKS.

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by AbeVanHalen:
Oh, how could I forget...drum programming. BLAH! smilies/mad.gif

it just SUCKS.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Ditto

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by homeunit:
Lyrics, and melody line. Over the years, I've found that the music is the easy part, but finishing it, i.e lyrics and melody's a bitch.

My problem is I hate standard melody lines, so coming up with something unique but catchy is tough for me.

Lyricly, I always want to say something, either political, psychologically engaging, or emotional. I'm not much for "party", or "pussy" lyrics, but I'm not wanting to be peter gabriel or Bono either, or come off as some egotistical know it all prick, (even though I am smilies/biggrin.gif)so it's tough.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Oooo, I forgot about lyrics. A decent melody line is no prob for me, but I absolutely stink at lyric writing. smilies/tongue.gif Sometimes I don't even bother. smilies/wink.gif

Lyrics for me too.

My lyrics make Source of Infection look like genius smilies/eek.gif smilies/redface.gif smilies/scared.gif smilies/wink.gif smilies/biggrin.gif

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by ScottRoberts:


Oooo, I forgot about lyrics. A decent melody line is no prob for me, but I absolutely stink at lyric writing. smilies/tongue.gif Sometimes I don't even bother. smilies/wink.gif<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>


I can take EXISTING lyrics and help shape them up a bit, but as for writing them, I don't even bother.

Judging by the usual length of my posts, can ya blame me? smilies/biggrin.gif

For me it is writing a melodic solo. I don't put solos in songs to show off my chops, I put it in there as something else in the song to listen to. I don't just try to speed through a scale, I want to write it with melody, and feeling. I don't want people to say "hey he is pretty good" when I'm playing a solo. I want them to say "this sounds cool!" It has to compliment the song, and lead write back into the song without missing a beat. And that is what I have the most trouble with because when Im writing a song I don't try to make it difficult, that's why a lot of the stuff I write is easy. I just want it to sound good. I could take the time to write something really complicated, but that isn't me. I have to write things off the top of my head, with feelings and emotion. If I dont write the song in one day, the feeling changes, and it doesn't mesh as well, but what I do is improve what I'm playing, and make it better every new day I play it.

Writing a complete story lyrically...I ALWAYS listen to Springsteen and really envy the way his stories always...resolve...

Lyrics gave me trouble for a long time. I focused on it and have improved, but my biggest hangup is arrangement. I can write lyrics and melody fairly consistantly, but my arrangements can be hit or miss. If I run into a brick wall, I'll work on something else for a while and that usually helps.
Great topic, by the way.

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by SactoFan:
Writing a complete story lyrically...I ALWAYS listen to Springsteen and really envy the way his stories always...resolve...<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Laugh at me all you want, but my favorite "storyteller"-type writer is Bob Seger. I absolutely envy the way the guy is able to put lyrics together and make it sound sincere and "from the heart".

90% of the stuff I've ever written that was a "keeper" was usually done with a couple of other people jammin' for about 20 minutes-mixing the jam up a little and then going back and listening to the tape and picking out parts that were cool

they use to call me "coach" because I would always go back wand listen to the "game film" over and over!


as far as lyrics???

fagidaboudit!
me and my friends are the lyric police!

we have about a 10 page list of lyrics that you can not use in a song ever again


examples
"my back's against the wall"
"it's a sticky situation"
"I want you I need you"

I just can't take myself seriously enough to be this little "singer/songwriter"

which is what this town that I'm in IS


it's like monday night at 12th and Porter writer's night

a bunch of horned rim glasses dorks who have NEVER played in a band before sitting there telling you how they came up with the song(which lasts about 10 minutes) and then playing their little song(which lasts about 3 minutes)

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by hain23x:
I just can't take myself seriously enough to be this little "singer/songwriter"

which is what this town that I'm in IS


it's like monday night at 12th and Porter writer's night

a bunch of horned rim glasses dorks who have NEVER played in a band before sitting there telling you how they came up with the song(which lasts about 10 minutes) and then playing their little song(which lasts about 3 minutes)<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Ahhh...the artistes. Funny thing is, without the explanation of the songs, their audience wouldn't have a damn clue what the hell they're singing about. Not to mention they would need to triple the amount of material to get through a show.

Kinda like the days of the old open stage jazz/beatnik clubs. You know, where guys in berets (chicks too) step up to the mic, and recite their poetry. For example:

"Flush.
Green beets fall outside beyond the carrots.
Destruction.
Bzzzzz.
Whump!
So low.
Shazaam!
Joyous cataclysm.
I feel pain.
We swim the pavement.
Zam zango!
Cheerios.
Leaking rocket fuel.
Defenseless babies."

Then they sit down with their 'hipster' friends, and they all discuss how 'deep' and 'soul-searching' their poetry was.Of course, but if you weren't a member of their clique, they dismissed you as spewing 'meaningless drivel'. Many decades later, these people all bought acoustic guitars, sit in coffee shops, and have turned their 'poetry' into 'story songs', and instead of discussing them AFTER the performance, they feel the need to present their biographies as part of the show.

:yawn:
:gag me:

Lyrics, for sure. In my band situation, it's nice, I can come in with some music and our singer/other guitarist is usually inpsired enough to put some words over them. But recently he has been working on his own shit, so if I want to play my stuff, I know I've got to write lyrics. Honestly I don't care what they're about as long as they flow and there is a workable melody for him. I've actually come up with a few good lyrical tunes that even my wife thought weren't bad (she is the lyrics guru in the family). So with her seal of approval, I knew I was probably on the right track. smilies/smile.gif

Other than that, I think intro is sometimes a problem for me. Either too simple or too elaborate, usually I need another ear to kind of point me in the right direction of what will work best.

Hey Abe, can I use those words for my next song?

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by tribb:
Hey Abe, can I use those words for my next song?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>


Ummm...I want 48% of all royalties earned as a result.

(let's see....48% of a loss of unreal proportions)


Take em...please...free of liability (and credit/blame). smilies/biggrin.gif smilies/biggrin.gif smilies/biggrin.gif


Is there any wonder why I don't write lyrics???? smilies/biggrin.gif