|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Songwriting
|
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 225
Apprentice
|
OP
Apprentice
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 225 |
I'd like to share a little idea / story that comes from my own experience.
I'm a guitar player. I've been playing since I was a kid, which means about 40 years ago. I'm 50 now. And I've written several hundreds of songs. Songwriting has always been my true passion, even though life took me to other directions other than music. I'm not an english mother tongue by the way, so please forgive my English.
Anyway, I always wrote my songs with a guitar in my hand or - occasionally - with a piano. That's been fine.
But some years ago I discovered the ukulele. That was well before Eddie Vedder's album and ukulele-mania. I loved the uke, right away. And one of the reasons why I loved is that it increased by orders of magnitude my songwriting "productivity", so to speak. I started writing dozens of new songs in a short period of time. Songs I liked. Over time, this "productivity boost" slowed down a bit, of course, but not too much. I am a MUCH more prolific songwriter with a uke than with guitar and piano, even though I am surely a much better guitar player than a uke player.
Why is that?
I am not sure, but here's my theory.
Being a pretty decent guitar player, when I pick up my guitar and try writing a song, I get "carried away" and "concerned" about the guitar arrangement. And that concern sometimes interferes with the pure songwriting process. Sometimes, I tend to think too much about the guitar arrangement, and less about the fundamental elements of songwriting (melody, harmony, lyrics). Also, guitar is a complex instruments, it has a wide range of octaves from bass to highs, it gives you many possibilities, so I get "lost" in that large amounts of possibilities.
A uke, on the other hand, only has 4 strings, as you know. Just 4 strings. No bass. Not many arrangement possibilities (unless you are a virtuoso, which I am not, but even if you are a great uke player, for example, still you don't have the wide range of arrangement possibilities that a guitar or a piano will give you). So, just 4 strings. And 4 srings is JUST enough to play harmony. That's it. Just one chord. A few embellishments maybe, but not much at all. I am OBLIGED to focus on the BASIC elements of the song. I don't get distracted by anything. Pure songwriting. Pure focus on the song. So, the uke seems to put into practice the idea that "less is more", in the songwriting process. Less about arranging, less about tweaking details, more about creating, more about writing THIS song, HERE and NOW. More about pure musical ideas, less about technique. More about honesty, less about hiding behind an instrument.
Then, of course, once the song is finished, I may decide to arrange the song with guitar, or piano, or a full band. It doesn't have to remain just a "uke song" (occasionally it does of course).
So ... what can I say ... try a uke (a tenor uke is easier, if you are a guitar player). Maybe you dont like it as an instrument, and that's absolutely fine. But it may help you to increase your focus on the creative part of songwriting. It did for me.
Cheers!
Last edited by Jon Thomas; 08/06/17 03:15 AM.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Songwriting
|
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 728
Journeyman
|
|
Journeyman
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 728 |
Interesting article, Jon. I think every new instrument we learn to play has some song ideas built right in, it seems. I played acoustic and electric guitar since I was a kid. But when I was about 22 I took up bluegrass (5string)banjo. The style of playing is VERY structured, so at least initially I was relegated to playing simply. I got tons of great songs ideas. Later, as I got deeper into bluegrass music I took up playing the Dobro. Six strings but a very simple tuning (GBDGBD) and a BAR to make chords and individual note melodies. Even more restrictive than the banjo initially. I got new ideas for songs from the Dobro too. Perhaps each instrument taps into a different portion of the "musical brain" and so makes us think about the music and songs we can create in a different way. Many years later I took up pedal steel guitar, anything but simple: two necks, twenty strings, 8 foot pedals, 5 knee leavers, and...a volume pedal. Goodness gracious it's complicated. But oh what beautiful sounds come out of it. Anyway, I got some new song ideas from the steel too. I think each instrument we learn makes us think differently. And of course you take that thinking back to the other instruments you can play. For example, learning to play banjo with fingerpicks made my acoustic guitar playing SING with extra volume and a more detailed sound. The musical mind is an amazing instrument all on its own. Enjoyed your post. Thanks. Bob 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Songwriting
|
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 225
Apprentice
|
|
OP
Apprentice
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 225 |
I agree 100% with you Bob. The same thing happened to me. For example when I started "playing" (more or less ...) keyboard and piano, years ago. Or, more recently, when I tried the banjolele and the mandolin. A new instrument always brings out new ideas, as you said so well. And complex instruments also work, in that respect.
But I was really surprised about what a really, really simple instrument like a uke, probably the simplest of stringed instruments, did for my creativity. I was amazed. And I think that 4 is the key number here. Having 4 strings allow you to play a wide range of chords, but not too wide (jazz players will disagree with me, I'm sure .:-). 3 strings would be too limiting, I think. And 5 and 6, it would be too "tempting". 4 seems to be just right ... to me. But I still love guitar of course, I still write songs on guitar, it's still "my baby" :-)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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
Topics86,045
Posts799,262
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