Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
#4435 01/24/08 03:17 PM
Post your own Tips and Tricks here
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,900
WienSam Offline OP
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,900
Was fooling around with Google today and decided to ask some simple questions including... 'How To Write A Song?'

This is what I came up with. It's an article / web site from a woman in California who teaches SongWriting called Robin Frederick... How To Write A Song

There is even a link to BIAB!

Nothing I didn't already know but thought it might of some help to newbies

Hope it helps

Sam


Follow That Dream

Sam
Karaoke King

--------------------

Turning that corner again - I have to keep following that dream, no matter what
Post your own Tips and Tricks here
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,900
WienSam Offline OP
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,900
An added thought after re-reading that article:

Get hold of a MIDI track of a song you really like by an artist you really like and import it into BIAB. Check that it is correct by using the Audio Chord Wizard on the original. Now use the Style Wizard to make a style based on the style of that song, use the Re-Harmonist feature to change the chord progression for that song to a new chord progression based on the melody and then write a song using the remaining melody as a 'ghost song'. Last but not least (copywright issues), create a new melody for your song and... Hey presto!

Just another thought along this line


Follow That Dream

Sam
Karaoke King

--------------------

Turning that corner again - I have to keep following that dream, no matter what
Post your own Tips and Tricks here
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
M
Mac Offline
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
M
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
1) Enter the entire chordset for a song that you really like. No Melody.

2) Pick a style. Works best to pick a style that is different from the style of that original song, but not always necessary to do so.

3) Play that over and over and "find" a new melody that will fit the chord changes. Sing it, whistle it, or play that new melody you've come up with on your instrument over the changes to that popular song.

There are numerous examples of this throughout the history of the popular song, as well as in the classics.

It can be amazing how well a known tune "hides" from you in this fashion. That is yet another proof that we define the Melody as the song.


--Mac

Mac #4438 01/25/08 10:54 AM
Post your own Tips and Tricks here
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,900
WienSam Offline OP
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,900
I did that once with the chordal arrangement for 'The House Of The Rising Sun'. Really nice melody came out but people still recognised the chordal arrangement! That's why I suggest using the Re-Harmoniser

Sam


Follow That Dream

Sam
Karaoke King

--------------------

Turning that corner again - I have to keep following that dream, no matter what
Post your own Tips and Tricks here
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
M
Mac Offline
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
M
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Try changing the STYLE, too. That arpeggiated intro to Rising Sun is a signature, accompaniment serving as musical hook. But might hide if it was a Latin Style, Jazz, Rock, Country, etc. Also try different Tempos with different styles.


Some things work and some don't, too. If it doesn't work, do something else, that's all.



--Mac

Mac #4440 01/25/08 11:36 AM
Post your own Tips and Tricks here
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,900
WienSam Offline OP
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,900
I did! Still people worked it out...

Not that its a crime of course. Nobody can copywright chordal arrangements

Come to think of it, the first time I ever sang at a gig here in Vienna was as a guest of Hans Salomon, the sax player who started out with Joe Zawinul, and a bunch of other celeb jazz cats. I sang 'The House Of The Rising Sun' and the guitarist didn't know the arpeggio version! The only way I could stay on track was by the following the drummer's fills...

Sam



Follow That Dream

Sam
Karaoke King

--------------------

Turning that corner again - I have to keep following that dream, no matter what
Post your own Tips and Tricks here
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,696
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,696
First - you got to feel some kind of something - a mood, anything.
2 - choose a BIAB style that fits the mood and the rhythm
3 - put the bars in one at a time as you choose the chords based on where the emotion and lyrics take you.
4 - check out www.taxi.com for pointers on songwriting (alot of info on that website)

I usually use acoustic guitar for my creative palette but I 've come up with some good songs (objective opinion of course )
using this BIAB style sheet method.

Usually first line of the chorus becomes the hook BUT the chord pattern of stuff like "House of the Rising Sun" "Stairway to Heaven" are hooks unto themselves. So hard to conceal.


Ian
My "Original Tunes" Site
My gene pool needs more chlorine.
Post your own Tips and Tricks here
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
M
Mac Offline
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
M
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Stairway to Heaven is a good example of a "ghost" song that got resurrected to a new generation.

That "hook" is actually the base chord change to "Blue Skies".

For an example of using "House of the Rising Sun" again to good advantage, recall the Yardbirds' "For Your Love". There are still plenty of ways left to disguise that change, man. In this case, they used held chords and some percussion for a pseudo "world" sound, then coupled it to a boogie chorus.

Those of us who really study composition, I warn the rest, the knowledge takes a lot of the mystery and feeling of awe out of the thing.



--Mac

Mac #4443 01/25/08 06:04 PM
Post your own Tips and Tricks here
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913
R
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
R
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913
This is a big topic over at www.fawm.org, the challenge to write 14 songs in the 28 days of february. Someone posted a link to a BBC Radio web reference on songwriting. It is amazingly complete and would serve anyone well who wants fresh inspiration for songwriting.

Here's your link:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/soldonsong/guide/song.shtml

I will be camping out on that site for awhile.

Post your own Tips and Tricks here
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,900
WienSam Offline OP
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,900
Well posted, Bob

I'd forgotten about that site. They've been around quite a while now. Right from the link page you give:

Quote:

Harmony - Don't be afraid to use a famous chord sequence as the basis for your song.




Sam


Follow That Dream

Sam
Karaoke King

--------------------

Turning that corner again - I have to keep following that dream, no matter what
Post your own Tips and Tricks here
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7
Newbie
Offline
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7
I am so glad I found this topic! I have one complete chordal harmony and I am trying to get some lyrics for it AND find a drum track for it...I know I should have started with a drum track but I was working on some chord progressions one day and this harmony developed. I also have some lyric pieces that I jot down whenever they come into my head. Problem is, many of the ones I wrote a couple years ago were on scrap paper and are since lost! I have a mini notebook now.

FYI...I have been playing guitar for just over 2 1/2 years so I am not all that good.

I hope this topic grows...it really is a great resource!

Thank You!

Post your own Tips and Tricks here
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
M
Mac Offline
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
M
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
If you want to write GOOD songs, then never write anything down until after it is in the can and the recording company sec needs the lyrics for the cover art folder.

Because if it is GOOD, you will remember it.



--Mac

Previous Thread
Next Thread
Go To

Link Copied to Clipboard
ChatPG

Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.

ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.

PG Music News
Update your Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Windows® Today!

If you’ve already purchased Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Windows®, great news—a new update is now available! This update introduces a handy new feature: a vertical cursor in the Tracks window that shows the current location across all tracks, and more.

Discover everything included in this free update and download it now at https://www.pgmusic.com/support_windowsupdates.htm#1124

Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Windows®: Boot Camp: The AI Lyrics Generator

With Band-in-a-Box 2025® for Windows®, we've introduced an exciting new feature: the AI Lyrics Generator! In this video, Tobin guides you step-by-step on how to make the most of this new tool.

Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Windows®: Boot Camp: The AI Lyrics Generator video.

Check out the forum post for more information.

Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Windows®: Using VST3 Plugins

Band-in-a-Box 2025® for Windows® now includes support for VST3 plugins, bringing even more creative possibilities to your music production. Join Simon as he guides you through the process in this easy-to-follow demonstration!

Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Windows®: Using VST3 Plugins

Join the conversation on our forum.

Video: Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Windows: Using The BB Stem Splitter!

In this video, Tobin provides a crash course on using the new BB Stem Splitter feature included in Band-in-a-Box 2025® for Windows®. During this process he also uses the Audio Chord Wizard (ACW) and the new Equalize Tempo feature.

Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Windows®: Using the BB Stem Splitter

Check out the forum post for some optional Tips & Tricks!

Congrats to Misha (Rustyspoon)…downloaded/installed a full Audiophile 2025!

Breaking News!

We’re thrilled to announce that Rustyspoon has made PG history as the very first person to successfully complete the download and install of the full Band-in-a-Box 2025 Windows Audiophile Edition (with FLAC files)—a whopping 610GB of data!

A big shoutout to Rustyspoon for stepping up to be our test "elf!"

Thank you for your support, Rustyspoon!

Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Windows Videos

With the launch of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Windows, we're adding new videos to our YouTube channel. We'll also share them here once they are published so you can easily find all the Band-in-a-Box® 2025 and new Add-on videos in one place!

Whether it's a summary of the new features, demonstrations of the 202 new RealTracks, new XPro Styles PAK 8, or Xtra Styles PAKs 18, information on the 2025 49-PAK, or detailed tutorials for other Band-in-a-Box® 2025 features, we have you covered!

Reference this forum post for One-Stop Shopping of our Band-in-a-Box® 2025 Videos - we will be updating this post as more videos are added!

Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Windows is Here!

Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Windows is here, packed with major new features and an incredible collection of available new content! This includes 202 RealTracks (in Sets 449-467), plus 20 bonus Unreleased RealTracks in the 2025 49-PAK. There are new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 4, two new sets of “RealDrums Stems,” XPro Styles PAK 8, Xtra Styles PAK 19, and more!

Special Offers
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2025 with savings of up to 50% on most upgrade packages during our special—available until December 31, 2024! Visit our Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.

2025 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK Add-ons
We've packed our Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK
with some incredible Add-ons! The Free Bonus PAK is automatically included with most Band-in-a-Box® for Windows 2025 packages, but for even more Add-ons (including 20 Unreleased RealTracks!) upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for only $49. You can see the full lists of items in each package, and listen to demos here.

If you have any questions, feel free to connect with us directly—we’re here to help!

Forum Statistics
Forums65
Topics83,469
Posts758,244
Members39,126
Most Online3,932
Nov 19th, 2024
Newest Members
noahproph, Javiatrix, Moonbeam9067, Improv, Bertche
39,125 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
jpettit 257
Noel96 151
Rob Helms 147
DrDan 142
MarioD 134
Jim Fogle 129
DC Ron 121
Today's Birthdays
GMORR
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5