I really agree with the idea of starting simple. That does not mean it has to be simple in the end. I just find it less problematic to begin with simple ideas.

I don't have any special process in the beginning to come up with a song. I may play some melody I like or write lyrics I like or play some chord progression I like. After that basic starting point, I have a more structured approach.

At that point I normally pick out a couple of simple basic drum lines. What basic drum line I use is defined by the words and/or the chord structure. If I have written lyrics, I try to construct a drum line that works with the word placement and syllables. The drum line also has to match the context of the lyrics. That process most often gives me a good idea of the BPM.

Next I have two choices. I can devise a bass line and infer the chord structure or devise the chord structure and write the bass line later.

For me, I seldom come up with a melody before I decide on a chord structure. Perhaps because I have a much better understanding of chord/harmonic structure than melody. It is pretty easy to hear what melody notes will work over a given chord progression.

I think drums and bass are the most critical part of almost every song. With a great drum and bass line one has a good chance of producing a good song. With a poor drum and bass line, great lyrics and melody have little chance.

This is just my take on things and there are as many ways to do things as there are musicians. These comments are also mostly confined to main stream popular western music.

Cheers,

Billy

Last edited by Planobilly; 03/14/17 12:08 PM.
“Amazing! I’ll be working with Jaco Pastorius, Charlie Parker, Art Tatum, and Buddy Rich, and you’re telling me it’s not that great of a gig?
“Well…” Saint Peter, hesitated, “God’s got this girlfriend who thinks she can sing…”