Learning to compose rock music.
 

I'm trying to learn to compose music and write lyrics, but I'm unable to even find out where to start with the whole endeavor, because I missed out completely on music in school. I want to learn to sing and write lyrics.

So, I need some really basic information on music. I don't know how to read it or how to write notes or how to play music at all. All I know how to do is sing and write poetry. And I'm not even very good at those things yet.

If you have any suggestions on where and how to start out learning music as an adult, please make them.

I kept this post short, but you can ask me anything you need to know or anything you'd like to know and I'll answer today.

go to your local music store (the kind that sells instruments not albums). ask one of the clerks where they send the new people for lessons. contact that place and get enrolled in basic lessons.

if you want to supplement the information you'll get from a teacher then you can check through the 'music' section of any major bookstore for basic theory books. they'll have dozens of books along the lines of '100 and 1 ways to write a love song' and 'music theory for dummies' etc. pick up a copy of whatever book strikes your fancy the most and go from there.

although, ultimately, there's no real 'correct' way of composing rock music. seriously, take a peak through the songwriting forum on this site. it's not a matter of being good at it, it's a matter of just doing it. there's no substitute for practice and experience, there's no magical piece of knowledge that someone can type here that will somehow elevate your abilities beyond what you've established for yourself.

Thank you for the outstanding advice. I will be going to a book store on the 1st of next month and I should be able to pick up some good books then. We don't have any music lessons in this town really. But I can still check around I guess.

you could also go the online route starting out if you can't afford lessons right away or in your case, aren't near anyone who could help at the moment. that's how i started, and while i did get some lessons later on, learning a bit on my own helped in progressing faster cause i already knew the most basic things. so yeah, i'd say along with books, see if you can't look up any online lessons as well.

Smash fifth chords really hard and have the drum go badump badump badump badump and you're set.

Get one of these ****ers and **** around.

http://cache.gizmodo.com/assets/reso...08/pikasso.jpg


But seriously, learn how to play any augmented chord and just walk. Did wonders for me.

ah, Metheny's Pikasso guitar. half striking beauty, and half the look of a disfigured child.


good stuff :yeah:

Don't forget to analyze the lyrical and musical phrasing of your favorite artists, there is no substitute for letting your ears do the walking. Have fun..

You don't compose rock music, that's why it's rock music. Just get some friends together with like instruments, and jam. If you don't have friends, craiglist. It's insanely easy to find people who want to play good ol' fashioned rock n' roll.

all you need is three chords and the truth - Bono

yeah, but he blows.

^^ doesn't mean the statement is wrong

I only like ONE U2 album - Zooropa

Making music is like making love.

It doesn't take a lot of talent or experience. But once you do it enough, you'll have both.

I like your idea very much. I hope I can help you, but I am sorry...

...What? O_o

how long have you been playing, ive only been playing 2 years and i see no problem writing music

Just play the **** out of power chords and call it a day.

Go get an ACOUSTIC guitar. You don't have to spend more than $150.00. (Starting on an Acoustic guitar will train your ear and make transition to electric easier and is best for songwriting. Kurt Cobain, Jimmy Page, pretty much anyone who's written great songs, writes them on an acoustic guitar first) Then go home. Type in Guitar Tabs + song you want to learn. Start with a basic song. Polly by Nirvana might be a good place to start :) Start playing. And practice. When you learn the basic Cowboy chords, E, Em, A, Am, G, C, D, B, Fmajor, and some Barre Chords, then you'll be on your way. Go To Youtube. Watch beginner and instruction vids. Youtube is GREAT for learning songs. There are nice folks who will show you exactly what to do to play a particular song!

Frankly, if you have to have lessons in lyric writing you probably shouldn't be writing lyrics. Music's a different beast, but lyrics need to be instinctive.

get a newspaper, cut up all the words, ranndomly put them together - taddaaaa! you're the next David Bowie

as for the songs, just learn the I-IV-V, E-A-B, G-C-D, etc. that's all you need

Do like That guitar lead/ singer from Megadeth which i don't remeber the name and just play it. If you see something interesting comin' out of the guitar, go happy, sing on the rain, compose more, combine.

The problem about this is how to memorize a certain quantity of song you've already done. Doing this, try to put on a video so you can remember or post it on the facebook or sumthing. don't forget your songs, man.. imagine if you had a song that would be famous someday! That's all i got to say about composing. (btw, composing is for a few, also, you need to have the sensation. don't push it to hard).

Yes, Perfect example of how virtuosity doesn't always come from looking in the book, and cycling through chords 85 hours a day just so you can remember each one: