All I can tell you is what I do when I write music. There is always more than one way to do it. I surround myself with writers I love to listen. Listen close to the different types of melody there is in a song. Listen for all points they put harmonies into the song. How they structure the words in the song. Music is just poetry with rhythm. Study the different types of poetry writing style. Read the lyrics of songs and see how they match with the different poetry writing styles.
Write lyrics down everyday. Listen to the instruments in the song. How does the instrumentation make you feel, that's usually how you find what to write about. Pick topics that are close to your heart. Don't be afraid to talk about anything cause there are many going through the same things.
Now pick a some instrumentation and practice writing. Writing is a skill like any other. The more you do it the better you get. The songs I wrote in the beginning were horrible. They had good content but I didn't know what I was doing when it came to recording and mixing music.
That is another thing. Listen to music that is mixed and mastered and the difference between non mastered music. Then of course invest in your music. Make sure your engineer cares about the quality of your music. That person can guide you on how things should sound if they really care, but also learn how you want it to sound. Once you know how you want it to sound tell your engineer. Write the melodies with them if you have to.
Most important of all. Don't quit!!!!
Ask me anything and I will help with what I can
I love the intense level of detail you use to study other songwriters. A true master of your craft.
I am a dancer, and have spent some time analyzing music structure to better understand when there will be breaks, pauses and rises in the music so that I can better interpret the song in dance. I love that you take it to an even deeper level though, and I will definitely start applying some of these tactics when studying music.
How early in your song writing career did you invest in getting an engineer to mix and master your music? Sounds like having someone like that could be really helpful once I get the ball rolling and am writing more music. Where do you even find someone like that? Haha
Ps... I REALLY appreciate your open ended offer to answer questions. I may come back to you with more questions as I start actually trying to write and create. :-)
I invested in someone like that pretty much immediately. I am a perfectionist. I love putting time and effort into what ever I do. I just started trying to different studios and recording with different people. Eventually you just find out who works well with you. I did my whole first album with one person cause I liked that he took direction well and I liked the vibe the studio had. I met him recording a song that me and a friend did together at a studio that he used to work at. The engineer that was working with me and my friend was horrible. You could tell that he just wanted to record and leave as soon as possible so he didn't take the time to really mix it well.
Stay clear from people that never give advice. Don't be scared to take peoples advice either. Sometimes you end up liking the end result more than what you had planned for it. Test the waters with engineers. They all have different styles of recording. Try and find one that has a background in recording the type of music you want to make or at least has an ear for the type of music. It took me a while to find an engineer that I really click with.
I love writing songs for people or with them. I coach artist all the time with their music. Of course I have my own music but I just like working with people lol. Follow my instagram and message me if you have any other questions. I am glad to help out. That goes for anyone that is trying to make original music.
I used to dance a lot as well. That helps as well when you are breaking down music.
What type of music are you trying to make?
Wow, thank you so much for the detailed responses to my questions. It’s so kind of you to be this helpful! Thanks for giving me some more insight into the process of trying different studios and engineers. I’ve got to have songs to record first... but I will definitely reference back to your notes when the time is right.
In terms of style - I’m not 100% sure yet. Probably something on the softer, more lyrical side. Maybe something with a really uplifting/motivational feel. Probably some stuff that feels a bit darker too. I honestly don’t know what will end up coming out.
I’d also love to play around with mixing sounds/beats/ vocal overlays on music. I don’t know what that’s called exactly... but stuff kind of like what soundlegion creates.
I know that want very definitive, but I’m just all about exploring right now! 😊
Sounds to me like you should listen to a lot of Tori Kelly songs maybe mesh it with my cousins style of music. Her band is called The Internet....Solo name is Syd...Also listen to some SZA....Those are all really good artist....Try also listening to Solange's album. Then there is Alina Baraz and Jhene Aiko. Really pay attention to the production with them. No problem like I said I love helping out people.
Your awesome. Thanks for the artist suggestions! I’ll be sure to check them out. 😊
Here is something that I wrote that is very close to me
https://steemit.com/dsound/@theomgbrand/dear-mother#@artzanolino/re-theomgbrand-dear-mother-20180202t055829917z
Oh man... I’m so sorry to hear about your mom. That song really beautifuly portrayed your emotions and I’m glad you shared it with me.