|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Songwriting
|
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 728
Journeyman
|
OP
Journeyman
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 728 |
Although this is a new forum, there are already as many approaches to songwriting presented here as there are songwriters posting information. Some are pretty specific others more general. But for most folks a structured approach that starts with the basics and builds on that seems to work the best for most new endeavors. Songwriting may seem like a simple task; I mean you know how to write words, you learned to talk a long time ago, and you have a pen and a pad, or a word processor. That's all you need, right? Well..not exactly. Songwriting is an ocean wide and deep. And while you can jump in just about anywhere, it's a lot easier to get a little help navigating the waters. You might want to get a notebook for your songwriting and start writing down all the links and tips your find in this forum and elsewhere. Or copy and paste the suggestions into your word processor and start collecting ideas. See what works for you. I always tell folks who ask, to start with the "free stuff" and work up from there. While some free stuff is worth what you pay for it, here is a link I think really is worth your time. Your first step on a long, interesting quest: Learn How to Write a Song - Robin Frederick Have fun, Bob 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Songwriting
|
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,086
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,086 |
Robin is a wonderful teacher. I have one of her books, get her newsletter and always enjoy watching her talk songwriting on TAXI TV. I've lost count of how many songwriting books I've read over the years. I'm always interested in what other songwriters have to say about how they approach the craft. For a beginning writer, I always recommend the book 6 STEPS TO SONGWRITING SUCCESS by Jason Blume. You can check out http://www.jasonblume.com/index.html for more about Jason. You can get the book from his site, any book store or grab a used copy cheap from ebay.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Songwriting
|
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 8,453
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 8,453 |
All great tips. One thing I know that all great songwriters learn are these Three things: 1.) Getting past fear and self doubt 2.) The power of mumbling and the power of crazy 3.) Singing and playing for joy All three are critical I think. You should learn as much about theory as you can stomach. Paul Simon says that without a strong foundation in chord theory you won't be able to get yourself out of those little corners you inevitably paint yourself into during the course of writing a song. But when you sit down to write, that should go completely out the window, I think. You know this stuff, but you don't write to a formula. You write from your gut and just use theory when you run into a traffic jam and there's no way out. For example, I think just sitting in your room strumming a guitar and mumbling until something pops up is a great way to go. I once listened to an outtake of the Stones working on "Miss You." They recorded the entire writing session which was like 8 hours long and Mick was babbling incoherent things the entire time over top of Keith's riff, stuff like "Walking like a lark, lighting up the park" and so forth. Then finally he went "And I miss you..." And you could hear Keef in the background yelling. "That's it. That the title." There is an awful to be learned from that I think.  Oh and Jimmy Page. Here's a guy to study. Not many people know this, but Jimmy Page is a chart reading monster. He was the #1 session guitar player of his time in Britain in the early 60s. He recorded with Burt Bacharach on the instrumental versions of some of his most famous stuff and recorded with countless other famous icons in his early years. He was legendary for never having to rehearse. He would just look at a score and go "I got got. Let's cut this thing." BUT--I highly doubt he worried about any of that when he played the guitar solo in Stairway to Heaven. That came from a whole different place man.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® users: Build 904 now available!
If you're already using Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, make sure to grab the latest update! Build 904 is now available for download and includes the newest additions and enhancements from our team.
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® users: Build 1237 is now available!
Already a Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows user? Stay up to date and download the build 1237 to get all the latest additions and enhancements.
PowerTracks Pro 2026 for Windows is Here!
PowerTracks 2026 is here—bringing powerful new enhancements designed to make your production workflow faster, smoother, and more intuitive than ever.
The enhanced Mixer now shows Track Type and Instrument icons for instant track recognition, while a new grid option simplifies editing views. Non-floating windows adopt a modern title bar style, replacing the legacy blue bar.
The Master Volume is now applied at the end of the audio chain for consistent levels and full-signal master effects.
Tablature now includes a “Save bends when saving XML” option for improved compatibility with PG Music tools. Plus, you can instantly match all track heights with a simple Ctrl-release after resizing, and Add2 chords from MGU/SGU files are now fully supported... and more!
Get started today—first-time packages start at just $49.
Already using PowerTracks Pro Audio? Upgrade for as little as $29 and enjoy the latest improvements!
Order now!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows Special Offers End Tomorrow (January 15th, 2026) at 11:59 PM PST!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PST on Thursday, January 15, 2026!
We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
Version 2026 introduces a modernized GUI redesign across the program, with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, and a new Dark Mode option. There’s also a new side toolbar for quicker access to commonly used windows, and the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, making it easier to customize your workspace.
Another exciting new addition is the new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. You can view the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to process an entire track or focus on specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Windows to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!
Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade during our special, you'll receive a Free Bonus PAK of exciting new add-ons.
If you need any help deciding which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We are here to help!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® Special Offers Extended Until January 15, 2026!
Good news! You still have time to upgrade to the latest version of Band-in-a-Box® for Windows® and save. Our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® special now runs through January 15, 2025!
We've packed Band-in-a-Box® 2026 with major new features, enhancements, and an incredible lineup of new content! The program now sports a sleek, modern GUI redesign across the entire interface, including updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, a new dark mode option, and more. The brand-new side toolbar provides quicker access to key windows, while the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, creating a flexible, clutter-free workspace. We have an amazing new “AI-Notes” feature. This transcribes polyphonic audio into MIDI so you can view it in notation or play it back as MIDI. You can process an entire track (all pitched instruments and drums) or focus on individual parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PST on January 15th, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® today! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.
Happy New Year!
Thank you for being part of the Band-in-a-Box® community.
Wishing you and yours a very happy 2026—Happy New Year from all of us at PG Music!
Season's Greetings!
Wishing everyone a happy, healthy holiday season—thanks for being part of our community!
The office will be closed for Christmas Day, but we will be back on Boxing Day (Dec 26th) at 6:00am PST.
Team PG
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics86,047
Posts799,299
Members40,015
| |
Most Online44,367
Mar 4th, 2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean