Do people do collaborations on this forum? I have been more interested in writing lyrics than in actual recording lately. Do people record songs using other's lyrics? And, if so, how would I go about posting my lyrics, etc. (i.e., is there a special section on the forum for such things)?

Yes....

Many here do collaborate in one aspect or another.
If you're desirous of collaboration you might post your request and what you're interested in acccomplishing here in the "Song Writing" forum.

Maybe await other responses in case they might suggest a different forum in the collaboration arena.

Welcome....

I've been told this is the "correct" forum for requests along this line.

That said, I've done a number of collaborations though always as the (primary) lyricist. Of the attempts at collaboration I've made here on THIS forum, I am batting 1 for 6. That's OK.

Lately with BIAB the more experiment driven pieces I've been up to are way outstripping any lyrical ideas I've been able to finish. It might be fun to try things the other way and write a piece for lyrics. Mind you, I'm not a great singer and might not be able to do much more than demo the song's vocal and vocal melody.

Make clear what you are looking for, start to finish. There are many ways to collaborate. There are pitfalls, and some experiences are better than others no matter the musical outcome. PM me if interested. Or ask here for clarification.

Thank you everyone. I have worked on collaborations before, albeit not on this forum. The reasons I am seeking to write lyrics now (and not any music) are twofold. The first reason is that I am in creative slump and I am trying to do something musical every day (write lyrics, play guitar, etc.). The second reason is that I am not that good at arranging song (chord structure, etc.), or at least I don't think I am (and maybe that's part of the slump). Also, my PC is dying and I am having trouble recording anything these days.

Here are the rules that I always lay down on collaborations:

1. No obligations
2. No rush
3. All work is 50-50 split

I guess I'll post my lyrics on this room in the forum and when someone shows interest, I'll remove the lyrics. That might work.

Hello, guys. My name is Yan and I'm from Bulgaria, Sofia.
I recently bought BIAB and my main occupation in music is singing.

I could record vocals for songs. The deal may be for me to obtain the right to perform the song in gigs.

If requested, I can send a demo of my singing.
Regards, Yan.

So yeah, that sounds about right. I'd add to that one of my rules in addition....

4. Nothing is sacred. Meaning everything can be changed and edited as needed. If it is sacred, there has to be a damn fine reason to support it.

The best way to get up with folks....

1. You can start a new thread and of course pop in your lyrics or ideas to see if anyone is interested..... in other words, casting a wide net.

2. You can listen to the work of others here and see whose writing is in line with the ideas you have written and them contact them via private message. This takes longer, I think, because you have to take the time to see who's here, make a list, visit their websites and listen to several songs or more and then contact them individually. I think this might be the better way to work....I've used this method and had several folks beg out, say they were too busy, didn't like the idea, or, back out after we started. Not withstanding all that, there's been several that worked, we clicked, and amazing music came out of it.

I say, yep.... go for it.

Personally, I'm not as good with lyrics and most of my collabs have been with folks who could write lyrics better than me.

Hey JPT,
I have done a couple collaborations here and they went really well. So wish you the best in your endeavors.

I also have done a few collaborations with BiaB folks and others. I've never had a problem because if what I do works fine. If it doesn't work, fine. In a collaboration I am just a hired hand trying to improve, if I can, their song. Period!

JPTx3: This is where Band in a Box can really help you overcome those shortcomings in what is called "arrangement." That's when the song lends itself to recognizable arrangement of lines, measures, and keys. The magic of today's music is just how much creative latitude is permitted within our limitations of 3/4 and 4/4 time. The greatest single roadblock to putting lyrics to music is the poet's disregard of the intended musical form.
This won't do you much good if your computer is dying. As long as your gittar holds out, though, you'll be in business. Apparently Ken Burns' "History of Country Music" goes into the theory. You can also find thousands of backing tracks, many made in band in a box, that musicians use to practice with and composers such as yourself use to write lyrics to. I suggest this not as and end, but as a way to improve your collabs, to whip your poems into shape. Words people and Music people have been collaborating for centuries.
Put up some words and give it a shot.

It so happens that not long ago I actually made a specific request (in that childishly named "Wishlist" forum) for PG to simply add a designated "Collaborations" forum for this very purpose! - It gave only two feedbacks from other users, that's how (not!) invested people seem to be in this concept, and I must admit that rather surprised me, not to mention disappointed.

So I guess the cases of collaborations continue to be flukes & chances as they have been around here so far


EDIT: p.s, To the original poster: Almost all my music is instrumental, but not necessarily because I wanted them to be but rather because I'm really bad at lyrics... and my singing is even worse, make my cat jump out the window

I've done a couple collaborations on this forum and they went really well and it was just sort of by chance.