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Songwriting
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,191
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Veteran
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,191 |
I use a lawnmower and seem to get great ideas while mowing the lawn during the Spring, Summer. Got so wrapped up in a song last year I actually strayed into the next door neighbour's lawn (open plan around here) Until a deep booming voice rang out, "Hey you get off my lawn"  Musiclover
Last edited by musiclover; 01/27/17 05:55 AM.
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Songwriting
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913
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Veteran
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913 |
1. Freebie McGill Rhyming dictionary
2. Several online rhyming dictionaries and tools, specifically recall a dillfrog domain name
3. Trello in iOS for organizing thoughts and phrases, then PC version when I'm at my DAW
4. Google docs for cross globe collaboration
5. Notes app in iOS for voice memos when I don't have a pen and paper with me (but I always have my phone. Weird how that works)
6. Camera app in phone to capture inspiring images
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Songwriting
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 886
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 886 |
"....instead of depending on a program to write your lyrics, do it yourself."
This seems to be a running misconception in this thread. I have not seen ONE PERSON that says their recommended program WRITES their lyrics, just that their program HELPS them either organize, find rhymes, etc....
That is no different than my way, paper-pencil-rhyming dictionary....just a LOT FASTER!
BUT sometimes that is also a problem, because as I am writing down my thoughts-ideas I can go at x-speed, and no faster....and sometimes while writing things down another idea will pop in the mix and change the outcome of the line.
Now, in THAT respect I can see the argument that the program is writing your lyric......but that is a stretch.
Just a IMHO, YMMV, yada yada type of post....
i5 3.20GHz, 32gb RAM, 1tb SSD OS, 12tb HDD, 4gb gForce vid card, 32" monitor, Audient id44, Win10 x64, BiaB/RB 2023, Reaper 6,IK Multimedia Total Studio 3.5 MAX, Waves 10
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Songwriting
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913 |
Verse perfect is the same tool as the McGill rhyming dictionary I mentioned
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Songwriting
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Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 36
Enthusiast
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Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 36 |
And, after all this, what have I learned? Old School remains my mainstay. And to you Beta-Test crowd using Quills, I retort: "CHARCOAL on CORN HUSKS!" Seriously, though - I had a flirtation with "Lyric-generating software", then a flirtation with "a huge Excel list of phrases" and a couple macros to auto-assemble them, and many other Geeky endeavors. None really worked - especially the software. In the time it would have taken me to learn the software and get a MEANINGFUL, CREDIBLE RESULT, I could learn to play cello, and still have time to write a dozen GOOD songs the old-fashioned way. I still maintain the Excel file, just for single-phrase Inspiration. And some other observations that I hope might help: 1. Keeping a list of phrases, as I mentioned, is a BIG help to "spark" a song idea. It's actually better than BB's "title generator", because only pre-vetted ideas are in my list. 2. After a 15-year writer's block, I recently joined a Meetup group for songwriters. That was 2 weeks ago; I've since written 3 songs. Peer pressure helps! 3. After I mentioned "I've run out of things to write about", a person suggested "Exo-Autonomous Writing" - that is, forget I'm "me", and write from another person's point of view... AND STYLE. 4. An example - I developed a tune reminiscent of the Rolling Stones.But all the lyrics I wrote just didn't work. So, I Internet-Trolled through several dozen sites with lyrics to all the Rolling Stones songs, and lifted lines of lyrics that [to me] epitomized their style. Then I assembled those lines (and re-assembled a few dozen times!] into a lyric. Which sucked, of course. But THEN my own mind took over, and started tweaking and tweazing those lines... always forcing myself "not to think like ME, but like THEM". I am very close now to a credible lyric. Maybe you're an old Star Trek fan, and recall the TOS Episode "The Ultimate Computer", where Commodore Wesley calls Kirk "Captain Dunsell", and says "you have a great job, Jim! Sit back and let the computer do the work!" Real life ain't like that, when you're an Artist.
We get 168 hours a week to be alive, for as many weeks as God lets us live. What shall you do with yours?
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Songwriting
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,299
Veteran
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OP
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,299 |
Yeah not looking for an app/prog to write the lyrics FOR me. Just what people are using when they write their lyrics. Got a lot of great ideas! Thanks for all of the input!
Chad (Hope that makes it easier)
TEMPO TANTRUM: What a lead singer has when they can't stay in time.
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Songwriting
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Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 674
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 674 |
I write my songs mainly on my Ipad in the Notes app,and then map out the chords to fit the words and the style,seems to be working ok so far!
R.
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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.
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Introducing XPro Styles PAK 11 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!
XPro Styles PAK 11 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 (and higher) is here with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 31 RealTracks/RealDrums!
Guess who’s back again? That’s right! It’s our XPro Styles PAK’s triumphant return with the 11th edition in this series! 100 new styles are coming your way spread across the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres. And this edition's wildcard genre explores the immense and far-reaching catalogue of electronic music! The included 31 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1-11 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.
Video: XPro Styles PAK 11 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2026 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 22 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2026 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
It’s time to celebrate! Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Band-in-a-Box® is here, and we've got 200 brand-new styles coming your way!
No Xtra Styles PAK is complete without the classic rock & pop, jazz, and country volumes you know and love, and we’ve got plenty to share, with 150 styles spread across too many genres to list! Of course, it also wouldn’t be complete with our special wildcard volume to add a little spice and pizzazz to the mix. This year, because we loved it so much the first time, we’ve decided to make the second iteration of our SynthMaster volume, full of new sounds, interesting genres, and 50 engaging styles, all making use of the diverse SynthMaster plugin! Here you can find genres such as airy yacht rock, sultry electrotango, and even some synth soca funk. Don’t wait, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 22 today!
In this PAK you can find: dulcet folk ballads, funky gospel country, Brazilian jazz fusion, upbeat 1980s pop, classic Americana, a plethora of breezy bossa novas, indie singer-songwriter, scintillating synthwave, exuberant electronica, and many, many more!
Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1-22 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 22 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 22.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 22 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 22 requires the 2026 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
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