Corey,
How do you write your songs? In particular, how would you create the chord progression?
I wrote some lyrics for a song. I would call it sort've a reggae song, but I don't know how to create a chord progression to accompany the lyrics. Any advice?
Thank you,
Kurtis
Greetings Kurtis -- For me, the song and melody come first and then I write lyrics to it. I have a lot of lyrics that I have written but did not find the right music for it so they stay in the notebook. It doesn't usually happen for me that I write lyrics and then the music comes. So I would say you should think about what kind of song you want to write, musically. Think of it like you are ordering a sandwich..what the ingredients will be and how you want it to taste. Do you want it raw or no? Complex or simple? This way we can whittle down to what we want to do. So create chord progressions that you like...listen to the rhythms that are already there and then grow them dialy by going back to the song over and over again. Thru trial and error, you will eventually know what feels right for you (and it has to be right for YOU and nobody else...it has to move YOU first). Find the right music within you and the words will follow!
Nice, thank you for the well written answer. I really appreciate all of your help.
Great advic! That's generaly how my music partner and I write songs; the feel, the mood, the emotion of the melody tends to come first but often a lyrical chorus and melody come at the same time. We proceed to a versues. Although we are only humble songwriters in our own hearts, the great Bernie Taupin and Elton John did it differently. Like on Goodby Yellowbrick Road, Bernie presented Elton with lyrics and somehow Elton turned them into magic.Two separate stages. No influence from Bernie on the emusic and no influence from Elton on the lyrics. Sounds like a tough way to do it but it shows anything goes. Have you considered finding a collaborator? Sometimes that helps. I'm lucky in that mine not ony has a degree from Berkely, but has real-world chops and feel.
Timothy, thanks for your input. How do your go about finding a collaborator? I thought about asking my cousins if they could contribute...they are both musicians. I'm not sure why I decided not to do that. I guess I was scared to sing the lyrics by theirself because I'm not really a vocalist.
Best Regards,
Kurtis
For me I have always found collaborators by trusting my inner feeling. By trial and error, i have always been able to know what works and what doesn't. Given that one is a good musician, it is really their attitude and what they bring to the table...chemistry...that's what makes a good collaboration. It is also important to find collaborators that complement what you are doing. Good luck to you.
More great advice from Corey. Take it from someone who only wishes I could sing out of my mouth the melodies in my heart, sing the Lyrics. use your smartphone for ideas. Take the best ones to a collaborator who is strong in things that you are not. Even if you can't sing, together you'll find the melody. Often improving it. Complimentary skills help a lot. My ear is not the best but i have decent rhythm and timing and words flow. My partner is a great arranger arranger and pianist. His piano and my guitar work together. While I might fuss over the meaning and color of a word he will care about how it sings and sounds. You want to bevdifferentvthan your collaborator but have that chemist ry Corey talks about. And honesty. Respectful honesty and an open mind and one who isn't lookingbto be the hero but contribute whatever the song needs because its not about the songwriters it's about the Song. I like that we play different instruments. Different timbre and feel. Tomorrow i go visit him in NJ. A weekend of working on ideas we have shared over the past six months. I can't wait. good luck. Try different collaborators. And sing my friend. Let go of any fear when creating music. Feel safe. it will come out. You'll be heard.
