Songwriting 101: Are You Afraid Of Writing A Bad Song?

[articles]

I've worked with a lot of bands and songwriters in my day. Some people are relaxed and comfortable when creating. Others get mega self-conscious and actually limit their creative output because they are to busy fearing that a bad song may come out. When writing, a bad song is the best thing you can hope for. I'll explain...

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[isaacbrick]

this is so true.

everyone critiques their own stuff, sometimes way too harshly. you'll never know if what you came up with is genius or just plain ordinary unless you plug it out and let it expand.

[DT Chris]

Nope. But then again, I have years and years of improvisation and jamming with many other musicians that have removed any worry of that.

The worst thing to do is think that a song is good or bad anyway. I sound like a broken record, but people can really get caught up in the over-analyzing of themselves and the songs they create.

[brandondrury]

people can really get caught up in the over-analyzing of themselves and the songs they create.

Yup and in the end the they are usually wrong.

Brandon

[RobDanger]

Hrm, I don't even get as far as making a bad song. I'm not terrible at guitar but im not great and I can't make a beat for nothin in the world. I have a healthy chord vocab, my scales are a lil rusty but I can find my way around, know a fair bit about harmony and theory. I can't make a song for nothing. Can't put any of those elements Ive learned into a moving groove. Am I just not a musician?

Not trying to be the pity party, I'm just curious if after 4.5 years of playing, 6 years attempting to make computer music, and a couple grand spent on the "hobby", I should be getting somewhere, assuming I am mentally/physically capable. I've read articles like this one in the past and followed their suggestions, but just not seeing much progress.

[brokenlover]

This may seem random/odd. but a lot of people have so many ways of doing things. outta curiosity do most of you write the music or lyrics first?!

[maestoso]

Hrm, I don't even get as far as making a bad song. I'm not terrible at guitar but im not great and I can't make a beat for nothin in the world. I have a healthy chord vocab, my scales are a lil rusty but I can find my way around, know a fair bit about harmony and theory. I can't make a song for nothing. Can't put any of those elements Ive learned into a moving groove. Am I just not a musician

just write dude you are your worst critic! i hate my voice but everyone tells me i sing good. just play to drum beat repeating pattern don't worry about theory or things like that they help but you don't think of theory when you play you think of feeling, mood,message and fun. you only get better by doing, just like recording so trust yourself and you will!

[brandondrury]

I don't even get as far as making a bad song.

That's your decision. Let me make one for you. 4/4 time. Kick on 1 and 3. Snare on 2 and 4. The chords are D minor and C playing quickly muted 1/4 notes. You figure out the rest.

I can't make a beat for nothin in the world.

This is bull! Are you trying to "make a beat" or "discover a new beat".

Any dipshit can make a beat. Nothing has to be complicated about it.

A trillion awesome songs go

kick - snare - kick - snare on all 1/4 notes.

A trillion songs use the We're Not Gonna Take It - Twisted Sister beat.

When you've written 40 songs with those, let me know.

can find my way around, know a fair bit about harmony and theory.

You can't come up with a beat, but you know a little harmony and theory? I can come up with a ton of beats and I know don't a damn thing about harmony or theory.

Am I just not a musician?

It sounds like you are a closet musician who is trying to hide it. Some people refuse to be creative. The biggest reason is: Trying to be creative!

[Nezscape]

Just saying hello, Gald to be here and I am here to learn. That is my only agenda

[lolgreg]

I used to write bad songs.

I know when a bad song is coming.

I trash it immediately.

I need to post a song that I actually wrote/recorded. I'm currently in the process of doing so.

-Greg