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Lenovo YOGA 900 Window s 10 Home 64bit M4 pro Mac mini 1tb HD 24GB mem casio wk7500 presonus audiobox i2 usb interface
casio wk-7500
biab & realband 2025 everything pk both with Current builds
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Songwriting
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I just watched this video a few hours before. The only app I hadn't heard of was Mindful Harmony. I looked and saw it was subscription and immediately rejected it because I can do pretty much everything it does in Scaler.
But then I saw that AudioPluginDeals has a deal on it today for a $29 purchase, instead of the usual price of $199.99. While Scaler does more, it does so much that I can get lost in it. This is very simple, and that might be a good thing for me. I thought I'd pass it on
There are a few chord suggestion apps for the iPad and there are ones in DAWS. Can this kind of thing be done in BIAB?
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Songwriting
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Joined: Dec 2002
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By the way, Scaler is currently on sale for $29.
BIAB – 2026, Reaper (current), i7-12700F Processor, 32GB DDR4-3200MHz RAM, Motu Audio Express 6x6 - My SoundCloud.
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Songwriting
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Joined: Nov 2008
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Really interesting video, and nicely presented. The narrator hints at this, but to me, these tools seem less about "songwriting" than about helping the user build the harmonic knowledge necessary to writing more complex and (hopefully) interesting music. Having done my harmonic learning the old fashion way, it's mind blowing to think how much more quickly these tools can speed the learning process...
DC Ron
BiaB Audiophile
Presonus Studio One
ASUS I9-12900K DAW, 32 GB RAM
Presonus Faderport 16
Too many guitars (is that a thing?)
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Songwriting
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Joined: Dec 2024
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Hi, I would like to start writing songs but I'm not very knowledgeable about it. Do you have any recommendations on where to start, maybe some other apps than the video ones? (I went to music school. I can play the violin and piano) 
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Songwriting
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Hi, I would like to start writing songs but I'm not very knowledgeable about it. Do you have any recommendations on where to start, maybe some other apps than the video ones? (I went to music school. I can play the violin and piano) Google/Bing songwriting for dummies and you will find all the information that you need.
My boss calls me "the computer".
Nothing to do with intelligence. I go to sleep if left unattended for 15 minutes.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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Songwriting
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MariannaB02
heres my tip.
read newspapers and view topics on the net.
this should inspire song ideas....as well as your daily life and whats happening in your country/state/town etc etc.
merry xmas.
om
my songs....mixed for good earbuds...(fyi..my vocs on all songs..) https://soundcloud.com/alfsongs(90 songs created useing bb/rb) (lots of tips of mine in pg tips forum.)
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Songwriting
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I start songs in a variety of ways, but one thing I like to do is get out of my apartment and take a walk in the park. And I bring a notebook and a pen that I only use for songwriting. It could be any notebook and any pen, but after time doing this, I bought a nice notebook and pen, to make it special. As I walk, I let my imagination wander. For me, as the whole purpose of the walk is to find ideas--ideas often come. Not on every walk, but sometimes I get many song ideas during the same walk. Sometimes it's just a title. Sometimes I sit down on a bench and write verses. As I walk I ask myself, "What's on my mind?" "What bothers me the most right now?" "What memories in my life stand out?" If a melody comes to me, I go someplace out of the way and sing it into my phone. I also work on songs in coffee shops. Anything to get out of my place. Always remember, this is for fun.
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Songwriting
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Hi, I would like to start writing songs but I'm not very knowledgeable about it. Do you have any recommendations on where to start, maybe some other apps than the video ones? (I went to music school. I can play the violin and piano) Tools like the one in this video may not help much (or any) if you have a music school foundation. There are apps that will assist you with AI on some or all of songwriting, but I'm going to answer more organically with the assumption you want to write songs for others to listen to and don't want AI to write songs for you. Songwriting is storytelling. Know what your story is and tell it in a way the listener can enjoy. This applies to all the facets of the song: Lyrics, melody, tempo, harmonic structure, arrangement, etc. A good song is not really different from a good book, a good movie, or even a good joke. They all share a story that takes the reader/listener on a pleasurable journey. So my suggestion is to start with a simple subject for a song and just experiment with the story and how to tell it. How does the story begin? Where does it take the listener? How will it end? I'm perhaps oversimplifying, but I'm not that far off either. FWIW, I also like all the previous responses. And for goodness sake...MAKE IT FUN!!
DC Ron
BiaB Audiophile
Presonus Studio One
ASUS I9-12900K DAW, 32 GB RAM
Presonus Faderport 16
Too many guitars (is that a thing?)
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Songwriting
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Songwriting is storytelling. Songs are storytelling, but songs aren't necessarily stories. At least, not in the traditional sense of story structure. As a broad generalization, stories typically have a conflict, and the story is often about how the main character resolves that conflict. That's especially true with formulaic film writing. Unlike traditional stories, there's no need to resolve the tension. A song can simply state the core conflict - often in the chorus - without resolving it. Importantly, it doesn't even have to be a conflict. It can simply reflect how the singer is feeling. The goal of a song is to create emotion in the listener, with that emotional idea reflected in the chorus and detailed in the verses Many songs have a three verse form. You can think of the verse as the core idea/emotion of the song. The function of the verses is to give details, explaining why the chorus is true. In many song styles, each iteration through the verse adds more details, giving a slightly different meaning to the chorus as it's revisited after the verse. So while storytelling is an important element, the song is about eliciting emotion, not telling a story with a beginning, middle and end.
-- David Cuny My virtual singer development blogVocal control, you say. Never heard of it. Is that some kind of ProTools thing?BiaB 2025 | Windows 11 | Reaper | Way too many VSTis.
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Songwriting
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Joined: Jan 2010
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This is lots of valuable information and ideas I can use. Thanks for sharing.
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Songwriting
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Joined: Oct 2016
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We all have our areas of challenge. I recognize some of mine in each of the personal narratives posted in response to the theme of the topic. Personally, I force myself to listen to NPR, especially at times my usual I-heart has something of non-interest. You have to overlook NPR's constant jumping through hoops to avoid conflicts with their "woke" patrons; but, it can be done. What NPR does, from time to time, is to present personal narratives by people selected for having a gift of introspection. Basically, interesting people looking back on their lives and talking about it. It is only recently I have become aware of the hidden value of this kind of program. In spite of the common beliefs, I don't think people who practice self expression -- artists and musicians - are naturally gifted in introspection. Maybe the music becomes the outlet; I really don't know. Whatever, NPR has discovered that these programs draw listeners. With respect to the creative process, I find observation to be every it as valuable as introspection. Simple point of view, really, not some earth-shaking breakthrough.
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Songwriting
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Joined: Oct 2016
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In our music, the chord progression is the frame upon which the house is built. Coincidentally BIAB produces an infinity of rhythm patterns and chord progressions. So, work with the 1-3-5, or the common chord, and the 1-4-5, or, typical chord progression, in a variety of keys. Listen to the BAIB backing tracks; I mean, really listen. Let them be the inspiration.
Last edited by edshaw; 12/06/24 06:37 AM.
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Songwriting
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Marianna,
Since you're already a trained instrumentalist you have a distinct advantage. A song is basically lyrics and a melody. Lots of folks write lyrics and can't play so you could start by adding music that expresses the feelings of someone else's lyrics. You will typically write the melody and chord progression. Sometimes a lyric writer will already have some musical ideas in their head of what they want and sometimes not. Either way, working with someone who's already writing lyrics will give you a good jump start and you will learn things as you go. So when you see someone who has a lyric that moves you and wants a music writer contact that person and give it a go. Or just go to the songwriting forum and post and let people know you are available. I imagine you will get some replies and then go from there.
Good luck. And have fun.
Last edited by Sundance; 12/09/24 07:46 PM.
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Because you play piano you are miles ahead.
Try to pick a style of music you like to play. In the begining I would keep things simple. Three or four chords. Perhaps stick with majors or minors in the begining. Songs do not have to be complex to be good. Play some chord progressions on the piano and sing what ever comes to mind. It does not matter if you think you can sing or not.
Write about what you know, your life, your town, things you like, and subject matter that will fit in the style.
Listen to lyrics in songs you like to get an idea what subject matter is common in that style.
If you would like to write about something you don't know much about it could be framed in another way. For example, I would like to be a cowboy but I live in the city.
Experment with different styles. Country, pop, jazz, rock, and modern rythmic bass and drum styles without much melody.
A million good songs have been written in a simple 1,4,5 chord progression in the key of C.
As you write more songs they will natuarlly change and get better.
If you have a drum program, turn on some different beats and play piano chords over the drum beat. That may very well lead to some lyrics developing in your head. Don't have drum software. Get it for free on youtube.
Listen, play, sing and songs will naturally come out. They will get better as you learn the craft.
Most likely some of the best songs you will ever write will come out of your head in less that twenty minuits, some make take years to develop. Rome may not have been built in a day but it did start on one day.
What day will you start? Best to make it today!
Good luck!
Billy
Last edited by Planobilly; 12/10/24 09:58 AM.
“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…”
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Songwriting
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So... the notion is that apps can jam together a bunch of chords together so that you can claim you've written a new song... that no one will listen to.
"Cool chords" have never made anything worth listening to all by themselves. Steeley Dan is the proof—if it was only the chords, no one would ever have cared.
BIAB 2025 Audiophile Mac
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Digital Performer11, LogicPro, Finale27/Dorico/Encore/SmartScorePro64/Notion6 /Overture5
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