Do you just Jam, and record it,
Or do you sit down and write it at the piano, or guitar

For me it depends what mood im in, sometimes i just feel like doing a freestyle jam
Other times i wan't to meticulously arrange .

oim getting into the habit of writing melodies and bass lines down in Musical Notation

Im writing my first Piano instrumental, and im using full Music Notation
ive finally using that song book i bought from sam ash

It just comes to my head--fully formed...

I just take dictation on how the notes of every instrument is supposed to be..






Jshua

it sometimes comes in a flury as a complete composition. other times it comes as a hook. other times as a groove. I try not to force it.

Sometimes....just recording a beat..days later I find something that works with that.

At work. Making up hymns, drums, piano, sax, guitars and the works in my head.. then tryin it at home, facing the reality I cannot do that and it doesnt work so I end up doing a half assed job.

Then tryin 2 hard and it all fails.

paisleypark4 said:

I know what you mean. This happens to every artist sometimes. I think creating art implies the risk to fail.

As far as songwriting is concerned i prefer to play an instrument and jam as long as there are the right ideas. If the songwriting process is interrupted by taking a break, it's often difficult to get yourself in the right mood again.

Listen to "Tangerine" from "Rave In2". I'm pretty sure Prince didn't invent the 2nd part on the spot. It sounds too forced, IMO.

Most of the time, I have the beat in my head, and I just write lyrics accordingly- I keep a note pad on me at all times, and if I don't have a pad, I have my hand I can write on. If I am near a tape recorder, I'll hum the beat into it.

Then, later, I go to my home recorder and my keyboards, and make the music. The lyrics are already arranged in my head by that time.

Uninterrupted, the whole process from thought to production only takes about an hour at the most. But, I have alot of interruptions and necessary responsibilities like being a dad and husband, a Pastor, social policy writer, and economic advisor. That's why I was lucky to have Kelly and Vina there to run with the New Funk Order administrative stuff (site designs and operations- pretty much the whole darned show) because I don't have the time nor the resources to design websites, create really cool graphics, organize the CD's, track the sales and downloads, etc. I am thankful that they were/are there to move the initial New Funk Order movement and message forward.

Peace,
JD

Styles said:

that's exactly how I compose and record, too. I write the song, it usually comes fully formed...then as I am recording I usually tweak the arrangement until it is as perfect as I can make it.

Thats great guys, hehe thats great,

I'm sadly out of the Studio, (have to upgrade my software, but im on a cash flow budget, bought a new Strat )
So basically im just getting a whole lot of writing done,
since i can't record at the moment
I have to take advantage of writing down the Notes,
And be careful with each note,

I feel like a real Composer now lol

Usually I'm starting with a bassline, a drum groove, some chords or whatever and the rest just follows as I jam along. Sometimes a basic concept is already there before I start, sometimes it just creates itself while jamming.

i used to write on piano but thought the stuff was too 'flowery', trying to justify the spare fingers.

now, all on guitar, unless ive been listening to stevie wonder all day.

i guess you can judge whether its been worth the effort when i post some stuff and suggest that i write on a triangle with gaffa tape wrapped round it.

I like to play around with chords.The patterns develop and it kind off just happens. My favourite Keys are Minors, and Maj 7ths. Say Am -Dm -Gm.
Or F maj7 -Cmaj7 and cycle through the relative patterns, listening to what mood is created as links develop. It's really nice to just let the patterns form and feel your way through till you feel satisfied, like a form of meditation I s'pose.It's amazing the numerous themes you can get with three chords, changing rhythmns and intonations.