Your Method
 

Someone asked if you write lyrics, music, or melody first? Answers do not have to be limited to one or the other. What's your method?

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I usually come up with a basic guitar part first and then start singing something over it. Once I'm comfortable with a melody I'll decide if I like what I'm singing about or not. I've written songs based on improvised lyrics before which saves me a lot of work. Otherwise the pain is ready to begin at that point (but what sweet pain it is.) Writing guitar and melodies are the easy parts for me.

I write the lyrics first...mainly because I cant play guitar that well lol. But I usually have an idea of a melody I want

formulaic songwriting sounds like crap.

Agreed.

I don't do it in order, if I have a good idea for a song, I write it. If I have a good idea for a melody I write it and same goes for music. I don't see the point of turning a song into a boring generic process like that.

I'm sure that your songwriting doesn't sound like crap. Feel free to link us.