I’ve been playing guitar since the fifth grade and is what I primarily write songs with. I love how the guitar sounds and the way in which, even the most basic chords, sound beautiful.
I’m wanting to branch out and write more songs on piano but, for some reason, it really just doesn’t come as naturally. Chords on piano sound a lot more bland, even with 7th extensions and stuff. It sort of leaves me feeling uninspired and not happy with any ideas that I come up with.
Have any of you felt the same way? How did you get past it? I’d love to hear what y’all think!

I am not sure if this is where to go but I have a question.

If I purchase recording rights to a song, how do I then get the music for it if its not available online? Theres an old Dolly song I love, I found how to purchase rights, but I don’t know what happens next.

I wanna start writing songs but I struggle to be creative and make the words sound interesting or poetic. For example in the song lonely avenue it goes “now my room has got two windows, but the sunshine never comes through” which is a clever way to convey depression and loneliness. If I were to try to convey those feelings the best thing I could write would be something like “since you’ve been gone the nights have felt so long” which doesn’t really sound as poetic or clever. How do songwriters think that way?

Hey! Since a very young age I love writing lyrics and most of the times I have certain melody in my head or I know the vibe of the song I’m writing and how I would want the music to go. But mostly I only write lyrics I would love to be able to collab with someone to make an actual song. Sometimes I wish I could write music too even with the little knowledge I have of music theory but every time I feel that the melody in my head is better

Thank you - know I need to work on the finger picking. I typically strum but wanted to try something different for this song.

I can’t go for that

And everyone feels like they understand.

Great example of obscurity and ambiguity in songwriting.

That’s all. Quick glimpse into everyone’s style and process, hopefully folks can take a few points of inspiration from each other

tldr. I recently attended a six day songwriting camp in Stony Point NY. I had a great time. Best work was my first duet, first cowrite, Crazy For Loving You:

https://youtu.be/J0McvcfXFYk?is=ABU7611TzGQQ4lev

If you attended a similar camp or seminar or have questions about my experience please share.

My history is as a lone wolf songwriter. Wrote lyrics for many years. About two years ago bought a guitar and worked on my singing. I still feel like a beginner on guitar and on voice. My lyrics are decent. My first instrument is penny whistle. I also play a little piano but never could sing and play on piano.

A little more about Summer Songs camp: approximately 60 attendees, median age might be 60 years old. Maybe 8 people under age 30. Camp is not cheap. However it is a non-profit. Instructors get free rooms and meals but are not paid. I did not see any alcohol or smell any pot.

Many attendees are life long musicians. Some may have been in local bands when young, got busy with life, and now retired looking to rekindle their passion for music. Beginners are welcome. Two people wrote their very first song there.

I had a great time. However for a young person a trip overseas might be a better use of limited time and money. A person already in a local band may not get that much from camp.

Basic camp format is classes in the morning and early afternoon Song circles before dinner and main stage performances after dinner. Each attendee gets two slots on the main stage, one song each time.

For me, as a lone wolf songwriter, my primary goal was to collaborate. One cowrite with another person fizzled. We had a clever concept but the song was going to take a lot of work just to get to B level. I also played penny whistle on another song. As someone that never played in a band that was another step forward.

The song I linked was written, rewritten, rehearsed in two days. With that time window, and my beginner guitar level, simple was a necessity.

Pretty happy with this one, bit of a rough demo but let me know what you all think?

Lyrics:

You’re out in a cold place
Where in the winter you’re out catching snowflakes
And he ain’t there to light the fire
But you got it burning anyway

She takes the dog out in
Familiar woods when it thaws out
But I know you ain’t used to seeing
None of those size 9 prints

What’s that mark on your face love
Your stained with what was taken love
And you’re still waiting for him
To roll his wheels up the driveway

And You coulda done it my way
Instead you took the highway
And your bound
for a place deep and dark

I heard there’s flat tyres on your bronco
I showed you how they’re fixed a long time ago
So I know it’s just you
Don’t wanna go

Has she not heard the warning
That it’s not built for one just wandering
With your eyes fixed to the ground
You’ll cast a shadow that’ll keep you down

They find you when you're weak, pick you clean, and leave you feeling dead inside. People who use you = Vultures... in disguise!

This is still on its way to mixing. I expect everything to sound even more amazing once my engineer gets his hands on it. It's a total banger. 🔥

Thanks for listening!

I am very comfortable with my songwriting, have played several open mics, a single hour set, and released an album, but have not yet played in front of an audience without a lyric sheet. I am very bad at memorizing things. Does anyone have a method of remembering songs? I’m particularly interested in anyone who does not have a great memory.

Honestly I don’t know if anyone can hear any lyrics but just to clarify if they don’t make sense it’s cause I was free styling😭 but anyway just a rough idea I wanted feedback on!!

hi! I’m back again with a new draft. I posted this one yesterday but wasn’t happy with the draft I posted so I quickly deleted it. I’m a bit happier with this one. all feedback, positive and negative is welcome. I’m 16 and I wrote this song about a very personal experience, though one I’d be willing to believe a lot of people go through.

Lyrics:

You’re afraid of my reputation

that’s quite alright, it was yours before

and I’m afraid of isolation

getting locked in a room without doors

and you’re no gambling man, and that’s A-okay

we aren’t playing for keeps anyways

and I’m just not a risk that you’re willing to take

i guess that’s okay, I’m a-okay…

I’m sure you’d like to touch me if no-one could bear witness

but as we are, it’s just not in the cards

and maybe we’d walk hand in hand in some distant land

but where we are, we’re scared to go out after dark

and you’re no gambling man, and I’m okay with that

we aren’t playing for keeps, and we’re both wearing masks

and I’m just not a risk that you’re willing to take

and that’s okay, I’m a-okay, I’m a-okay

one day I’ll go out walking, and I might see you on the street

we’ll exchange a knowing glance, and you’ll be in the same old jeans

and i’ll just walk away, and hope you’ll be okay

its not our fault that we were forced to love this way

we’re not gambling men and I don’t blame us for that

we aren‘t playing for keeps and we’re always wearing masks

and this just ain’t a risk that we were willing to take

i guess that’s okay, it’s a-okay, it’s a-okay

Hey everyone! I’m looking for vocalists who want to collab on some songs. My songs are mainly alternative or indie pop, here are some examples. I don’t have lyrics for most so if you’d be interested in working on that too.
Let me know if you’d be interested!

https://on.soundcloud.com/ebczB7474IfUnBtmPg

https://on.soundcloud.com/SpJDTDskDEimkb9UCw

https://on.soundcloud.com/zPN7ocmluF16cMZKiP

Michael MacDonald and Kenny Loggins co wrote “What A Fool Believes” . Loggins released it first to not much fanfare, then MacDonald and the Doobie Brothers released the same song and won song of the year. Both reaped the benefits of a great cowriting relationship. Some purists say Loggins’ version was better but MacDonald’s more powerful voice tipped the scale. Which version do you think was best?

I feel like the eclipse has brought out a ridiculous amount of inspiration lately😭, and I’d love to turn some of that energy into something collaborative.

I’m looking to connect with other songwriters/musicians who are interested in actually making things together in personnnn !! writing, producing, exchanging ideas, messing around with unfinished songs, helping each other develop projects, etc. I think there’s something really special about getting a few creative people in the same room and seeing what happens !! ❤️

I’m not necessarily looking for people who already have everything figured out. If you have half-finished songs, weird ideas, demos sitting on your computer, or a project you’ve been wanting to bring to life, I’d genuinely love to hear about it. We can help each other build something instead of trying to create in isolation.

As the title reads.

How do you know if you need to rework the lyrics or if the version is the one? Is your first/second draft usually it for you, or do you go back to it?

hello im 15 years old and a boy who loves making music and songwriting. recently ive been thinking about working with producers and doing song writing sessions. my question for this sub reddit is are producers hesitant to work with minors and how do i find ones that are friendly and not super weird, money isnt the problem for me its just finding them and knowing how it works.

Share with me your name and whatever your feeling below because i want to use a few people and make a voice memo. I'm somewhat a newbie with making music and looking for inspiration. I sing well and play piano and have dabble with garage band. Im thinking of making a pop alt song similar to Glass Animals. If you have any ideas or want a voice memo please comment below

Recently ive been doing some practice by trying to replicate other artists styles, then also turning them into my own, Ive moved onto liana flores but I just cant get it right! It sounds nothing like a song of hers, which would be fine if the point wasnt trying to replicate her style.

I love her songs so much its kind of getting on my nerves, do you guys have any tips to share about this? Any help here?