Kurt's Song Writing Method

2009-09-04T13:17:00.000-07:00

Writing songs can be done several different ways... No method seems to be foolproof for me but I often stick to the same formula. Deciding exactly how to write a song can help in the process. It's easy to get in a slump and give up.

I have heard Kurt Cobain say that his method was "music first, lyrics after". He was basically saying that he comes up with the music first before anything else. When he get's that to something that sounds listenable he starts adding lyrics to the existing music.

After hearing that tip I started considering and using this method. I would sit with my guitar and come up with a chord pattern. I would play that again and again many different ways to see what seemed the most catchy. Fast, slow, different rhythms.

Then I could often put the guitar down because I had basically memorized the music from playing it so long. The pattern was often simple so I would have the music in my head and it would simply linger around in there.

I could then finish the songs later at the bar, coffee shop, living room, work office. I already had the music. I would simply start writing lyrics and a melody that went along with the music I already had in my head.

This method helped me churn out many songs in a relatively short period of time. If I was a decent guitar player (Im a drummer) I could certainly work out a lot more.

You can absolutely use this method with a band situation too. Put some music together first. Get the parts down together and play it over and over. Then site down or play a bit at a time and write the lyrics. Or the singer can write an "goof" around on the mic while the band throws these chord patterns together.

This style of song writing may not work for everyone but it has done good things for me. I don't write a whole lot of music these because I am always typing on this keyboard. But if and when I do go on another song writing spree most of the songs will probably be created this way.

Well I'm off to the next blog to write some other free music jargon. Check it later!

My Basic Song Writing Method

2009-08-31T21:10:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my Blog to discuss my song writing method. I have been writing songs for years using a variety of different techniques. Music production and song writing has been a passion of mine for over 20 years.

Am I super star, rock star, money making music professional? No. But I write songs for the fun of it...Just like I create websites for the fun of it.

Song writing is therapeutic for me. And I hope it is for you too..
Any questions? Contact me at my mains site where I offer free music for download.

How To Write Songs

Kurt's Song Writing Method

My Basic Song Writing Method