Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
#4435 01/24/08 04:17 PM
Post your own Tips and Tricks here
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,900
WienSam Offline OP
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,900
Was fooling around with Google today and decided to ask some simple questions including... 'How To Write A Song?'

This is what I came up with. It's an article / web site from a woman in California who teaches SongWriting called Robin Frederick... How To Write A Song

There is even a link to BIAB!

Nothing I didn't already know but thought it might of some help to newbies

Hope it helps

Sam


Follow That Dream

Sam
Karaoke King

--------------------

Turning that corner again - I have to keep following that dream, no matter what
Post your own Tips and Tricks here
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,900
WienSam Offline OP
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,900
An added thought after re-reading that article:

Get hold of a MIDI track of a song you really like by an artist you really like and import it into BIAB. Check that it is correct by using the Audio Chord Wizard on the original. Now use the Style Wizard to make a style based on the style of that song, use the Re-Harmonist feature to change the chord progression for that song to a new chord progression based on the melody and then write a song using the remaining melody as a 'ghost song'. Last but not least (copywright issues), create a new melody for your song and... Hey presto!

Just another thought along this line


Follow That Dream

Sam
Karaoke King

--------------------

Turning that corner again - I have to keep following that dream, no matter what
Post your own Tips and Tricks here
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
M
Mac Offline
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
M
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
1) Enter the entire chordset for a song that you really like. No Melody.

2) Pick a style. Works best to pick a style that is different from the style of that original song, but not always necessary to do so.

3) Play that over and over and "find" a new melody that will fit the chord changes. Sing it, whistle it, or play that new melody you've come up with on your instrument over the changes to that popular song.

There are numerous examples of this throughout the history of the popular song, as well as in the classics.

It can be amazing how well a known tune "hides" from you in this fashion. That is yet another proof that we define the Melody as the song.


--Mac

Mac #4438 01/25/08 11:54 AM
Post your own Tips and Tricks here
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,900
WienSam Offline OP
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,900
I did that once with the chordal arrangement for 'The House Of The Rising Sun'. Really nice melody came out but people still recognised the chordal arrangement! That's why I suggest using the Re-Harmoniser

Sam


Follow That Dream

Sam
Karaoke King

--------------------

Turning that corner again - I have to keep following that dream, no matter what
Post your own Tips and Tricks here
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
M
Mac Offline
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
M
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Try changing the STYLE, too. That arpeggiated intro to Rising Sun is a signature, accompaniment serving as musical hook. But might hide if it was a Latin Style, Jazz, Rock, Country, etc. Also try different Tempos with different styles.


Some things work and some don't, too. If it doesn't work, do something else, that's all.



--Mac

Mac #4440 01/25/08 12:36 PM
Post your own Tips and Tricks here
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,900
WienSam Offline OP
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,900
I did! Still people worked it out...

Not that its a crime of course. Nobody can copywright chordal arrangements

Come to think of it, the first time I ever sang at a gig here in Vienna was as a guest of Hans Salomon, the sax player who started out with Joe Zawinul, and a bunch of other celeb jazz cats. I sang 'The House Of The Rising Sun' and the guitarist didn't know the arpeggio version! The only way I could stay on track was by the following the drummer's fills...

Sam



Follow That Dream

Sam
Karaoke King

--------------------

Turning that corner again - I have to keep following that dream, no matter what
Post your own Tips and Tricks here
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,696
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,696
First - you got to feel some kind of something - a mood, anything.
2 - choose a BIAB style that fits the mood and the rhythm
3 - put the bars in one at a time as you choose the chords based on where the emotion and lyrics take you.
4 - check out www.taxi.com for pointers on songwriting (alot of info on that website)

I usually use acoustic guitar for my creative palette but I 've come up with some good songs (objective opinion of course )
using this BIAB style sheet method.

Usually first line of the chorus becomes the hook BUT the chord pattern of stuff like "House of the Rising Sun" "Stairway to Heaven" are hooks unto themselves. So hard to conceal.


Ian
My "Original Tunes" Site
My gene pool needs more chlorine.
Post your own Tips and Tricks here
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
M
Mac Offline
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
M
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Stairway to Heaven is a good example of a "ghost" song that got resurrected to a new generation.

That "hook" is actually the base chord change to "Blue Skies".

For an example of using "House of the Rising Sun" again to good advantage, recall the Yardbirds' "For Your Love". There are still plenty of ways left to disguise that change, man. In this case, they used held chords and some percussion for a pseudo "world" sound, then coupled it to a boogie chorus.

Those of us who really study composition, I warn the rest, the knowledge takes a lot of the mystery and feeling of awe out of the thing.



--Mac

Mac #4443 01/25/08 07:04 PM
Post your own Tips and Tricks here
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913
R
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
R
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913
This is a big topic over at www.fawm.org, the challenge to write 14 songs in the 28 days of february. Someone posted a link to a BBC Radio web reference on songwriting. It is amazingly complete and would serve anyone well who wants fresh inspiration for songwriting.

Here's your link:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/soldonsong/guide/song.shtml

I will be camping out on that site for awhile.

Post your own Tips and Tricks here
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,900
WienSam Offline OP
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,900
Well posted, Bob

I'd forgotten about that site. They've been around quite a while now. Right from the link page you give:

Quote:

Harmony - Don't be afraid to use a famous chord sequence as the basis for your song.




Sam


Follow That Dream

Sam
Karaoke King

--------------------

Turning that corner again - I have to keep following that dream, no matter what
Post your own Tips and Tricks here
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7
Newbie
Offline
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7
I am so glad I found this topic! I have one complete chordal harmony and I am trying to get some lyrics for it AND find a drum track for it...I know I should have started with a drum track but I was working on some chord progressions one day and this harmony developed. I also have some lyric pieces that I jot down whenever they come into my head. Problem is, many of the ones I wrote a couple years ago were on scrap paper and are since lost! I have a mini notebook now.

FYI...I have been playing guitar for just over 2 1/2 years so I am not all that good.

I hope this topic grows...it really is a great resource!

Thank You!

Post your own Tips and Tricks here
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
M
Mac Offline
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
M
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
If you want to write GOOD songs, then never write anything down until after it is in the can and the recording company sec needs the lyrics for the cover art folder.

Because if it is GOOD, you will remember it.



--Mac

Previous Thread
Next Thread
Go To

Link Copied to Clipboard
ChatPG

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.

PG Music News
Video: Making a Song with Band-in-a-Box®, ChatGPT, and Synth V

Take your Band-in-a-Box® project to a whole new level when you incorporate ChatGPT and Synth V to add lyrics and vocals to your song!

We wanted to demonstrate how this is done with our video, where we show you how to go from nothing to a finished "radio ready" modern pop song by combining the features of Band-in-a-Box®, ChatGPT, and Synth V!

Listen to the finished song, so you get a listen to the finished product: https://demos.pgmusic.com/misc/behindthefame.m4a

If you like it, watch the video. Either way, let's hear your comments!

Henry Clarke: Revolutionize Your Band-in-Box® Tracks with Regenerating Function

One of the new features added with Band-in-Box® 2024 is the Tracks Window, which will look familiar if you've worked with other DAWs.

Henry Clarke explains why he loves the Re-generation function within the Tracks Window in their video Revolutionize Your Band-in-Box® Tracks with Regenerating Function.

Watch video.

Learn even more about what the Tracks Window can do with our video Band-in-a-Box® 2024: The Tracks Window.

User Video: Next-Level AI Music Editing with ACE Studio and Band-in-a-Box®

The Bob Doyle Media YouTube channel is known for demonstrating how you can creatively incorporate AI into your projects - from your song projects to avatar building to face swapping, and more!

His latest video, Next-Level AI Music Editing with ACE Studio and Band-in-a-Box, he explains in detail how you can use the Melodist feature in Band-in-a-Box with ACE Studio. Follow along as he goes from "nothing" to "something" with his Band-in-a-Box MIDI Melodist track, using ACE Studio to turn it into a vocal track (or tracks, you'll see) by adding lyrics for those notes that will trigger some amazing AI vocals!

Watch: Next-Level AI Music Editing with ACE Studio and Band-in-a-Box


Band-in-a-Box® 2024 German for Windows is Here!

Band-in-a-Box® 2024 für Windows Deutsch ist verfügbar!

Wir waren fleißig und haben über 50 neue Funktionen und eine erstaunliche Sammlung neuer Inhalte hinzugefügt, darunter 222 RealTracks, neue RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, "Songs with Vocals" Artist Performance Sets, abspielbare RealTracks Set 3, abspielbare RealDrums Set 2, zwei neue Sets von "RealDrums Stems", XPro Styles PAK 6, Xtra Styles PAK 17 und mehr!

Paket | Was ist Neu

Update Your PowerTracks Pro Audio 2024 Today!

Add updated printing options, enhanced tracks settings, smoother use of MGU and SGU (BB files) within PowerTracks, and more with the latest PowerTracks Pro Audio 2024 update!

Learn more about this free update for PowerTracks Pro Audio & download it at www.pgmusic.com/support_windows_pt.htm#2024_5

The Newest RealBand 2024 Update is Here!

The newest RealBand 2024 Build 5 update is now available!

Download and install this to your RealBand 2024 for updated print options, streamlined loading and saving of .SGU & MGU (BB) files, and to add a number of program adjustments that address user-reported bugs and concerns.

This free update is available to all RealBand 2024 users. To learn more about this update and download it, head to www.pgmusic.com/support.realband.htm#20245

The Band-in-a-Box® Flash Drive Backup Option

Today (April 5) is National Flash Drive Day!

Did you know... not only can you download your Band-in-a-Box® Pro, MegaPAK, or PlusPAK purchase - you can also choose to add a flash drive backup copy with the installation files for only $15? It even comes with a Band-in-a-Box® keychain!

For the larger Band-in-a-Box® packages (UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition), the hard drive backup copy is available for only $25. This will include a preinstalled and ready to use program, along with your installation files.

Backup copies are offered during the checkout process on our website.

Already purchased your e-delivery version, and now you wish you had a backup copy? It's not too late! If your purchase was for the current version of Band-in-a-Box®, you can still reach out to our team directly to place your backup copy order!

Note: the Band-in-a-Box® keychain is only included with flash drive backup copies, and cannot be purchased separately.

Handy flash drive tip: Always try plugging in a USB device the wrong way first? If your flash drive (or other USB plug) doesn't have a symbol to indicate which way is up, look for the side with a seam on the metal connector (it only has a line across one side) - that's the side that either faces down or to the left, depending on your port placement.

Forum Statistics
Forums66
Topics81,850
Posts738,002
Members38,598
Most Online2,537
Jan 19th, 2020
Newest Members
WesleyHowie, 3DGtrman, longus, Jase Oz, RWSwan
38,598 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 176
rsdean 120
dcuny 108
DC Ron 105
Today's Birthdays
There are no members with birthdays on this day.
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5