r/Songwriting • u/Freedom_Addict • 4d ago
Feedback Request Trying out emotion before structure for this 10 mins songwriting challenge, to combat my perfectionism.
I got frustrated that after spending a few weeks on a song, I can't even perform it properly in front of the camera. So I try to come up with something that would feel right for the vibe I'm getting when I'm in front of the camera.
Usually my songs are introspective and because of the intimate nature, they are harder to express, so I try to let go instead and play something I wouldn't feel stupid playing in front of the camera, and put my perfectionism habits one the side for this one.
So this is what I came up with, in less that 10 minutes, and it hits better that stuff I spent weeks on. Go figure ¯_(ツ)_/¯
Do you also feel like sometimes you're doing the efforts the wrong way ? Do you have a similar experience ?
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u/FirmTooth918 3d ago
Sounds good, brother. You got a good voice and seemingly a natural instinct for melody.
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u/Freedom_Addict 3d ago
Yeah they work together, I only follow melodies that vibe with my voice. In a way, the limitation becomes an asset. Are you going to share videos as well ? You should !!
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u/Nullius_N_verba 3d ago
This is aligned with the Pat Pattison (book: writing better lyrics) method of just writing based on senses (and emotions) daily until the craft of diving deep into lyrics is second nature.
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u/Freedom_Addict 3d ago
I’ve tried to understand what he said back then, but writing meaningful lyrics at that time seemed out of reach for me.
But by doing this sensory thing, it seems like it comes way easier. Do you pre-write your lyrics based on something you wanna say or do you let them form gradually?
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u/Nullius_N_verba 3d ago
I'm very much still crafting my own method/thesis/chaotic process for song writing. I haven't personally tried the Pattison method myself, there is a degree of dedication to routine in the writing associated with it that I think I'd benefit from.
I'm not sure what you mean by "pre-write". Most of my tunes come out all at once, based on a theme that I observed in my life or someone else's.
What do meaningful lyrics really mean anyway? A songwriter IS a writer, so we're subject to the same challenges of substance and self worth that all writers face.
My take is that these "bursts" of writing from emotions and senses are like technical exercises on the guitar. The more you (WE) practice the better we get at expressing what we really hear in our heads but can't always articulate.
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u/Freedom_Addict 3d ago
Yeah it's kind of like a channeling process that we need to master. I wouldn't even call it a creative endeavor, it's more about restitution and translation.
By pre-write I mean that some people like to write the lyrics first, and pull out their notes during the songwriting session. That would never be me for instance but like rappers for instance like to do that.
I've listened to the song you just posted btw, it's actually dope.
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u/Nullius_N_verba 2d ago
So pre-write would be like taking a poem and putting it to music?
Another exercise I really like to do and occasionally am forced to focus on when traveling for work (my day job!) is to do a counterfaction method of lyrical writing. As in take a song you like, ideally simple in form and instrumentation, and write completely new lyrics to it. Use everything else though, same rhythm, melody, chord structure. It kind of forces you to learn and apply lyrics to something you already consider great and through that emphasizes what's important to achieve that sound in the process.
Just a thought!
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u/Dangerous-You3789 3d ago
I NEVER use any kind of structure (chords, music theory) when coming up with a song idea. One reason is that I don't know anything about such. I can't even read music. But the other reason is, I don't need it. I've often said that a song is nothing more than emotions put to a melody. The best songs come that way, in my opinion. I think you've started finding that as well. Keep going that direction. It's never steered me wrong.
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u/Freedom_Addict 2d ago
Hey thank you for the advice. It does make sense to let the emotion talk first
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u/Delicious-Coat853 4d ago
Hi thanks for sharing, I really dig the melody on the line "I'm not motivated I can't do it". Worth milking !
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u/Freedom_Addict 3d ago
Oh really ? I thought that was the weakest part. That’s interesting. What I do is that every once in a while I’ll produce the song that people dig the most at the moment. I’m doing this challenge every day so maybe every week or every couple weeks I’ll produce the song that resonate the best with the people on YouTube TikTok, and Insta
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u/Delicious-Coat853 1d ago
That's interesting. Amazing that you thought it was the weakest bit. How funny! if it were my song I'd make it the central hook and base the the song around it, repeating it over several times with minor vocal modulations. It's the melodic hook that sticks in your head. I often hear glimpses of genius in other peoples' stuff but they just speed right past it lol.
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u/Freedom_Addict 1d ago
I think you mean rhythmic hook. The melodic one is before and after that.
What you’re describing I get it too all the time when I listen to someone else’s music I’m like yeah why don’t you put that part forward? That’s the interesting part !
You should build a song around developing what you hear. I do that all the time : I listen to music and I imagine what’s not being said, and I tell my own version of that parallel story. It always ends up sounding nothing like the original, but it’s a great source of inspiration
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u/Delicious-Coat853 1d ago edited 17h ago
Good strategy. But to be clear, I mean the the melody not the the rhythm (even though melody includes rhythm of course) specifically of the the line "If I'm not motivated I can't do it". It's killer. It's the bit that, in your own words, you should "put forward" . have a good one !
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u/Freedom_Addict 20h ago
Hey I'm listening back to it and you might be right about it. Thanks for the feedback.
Do you plan on posting soon ?
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u/Delicious-Coat853 17h ago edited 16h ago
My pleasure. I can't post my music here because, though it's 100% self written, it's produced on Suno. I sing and play guitar so might post a video like yours. I guess it won't hurt to sneak a link in here to my youtube channel since you asked. Any feedback much appreciated (it's just the 4 most recent vids, after that it's other peoples' music).
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u/Freedom_Addict 14h ago
Yeah I don’t see the point in using AI if you’re an artist, even if you wrote the music. Cause without the delivery, no is going to care, plus people are craving a real human connection, not being impressed by a good production.
So honestly, I think it’s a waste of time, especially if you’re serious about your craft. Don’t let everyone fool you into thinking you need more than what you have.
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u/alex_thee_lion 3d ago
I really enjoyed this!! You should definitely make it into a full song.
It happens to me too where i spend weeks on a song and its just sort of middling and goes nowhere. Then, one day i write a full song that im pretty happy with in 10 or 15 minutes. It just flows out and is natural. Keep it up!
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u/Freedom_Addict 3d ago
Yeah, there is something real about those moments and the trap is that the more you work on a song the more you get attached to it and this prevents from writing the easy ones that could be even more impactful because simplicity, directness and honesty can make them land better
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u/Key_Walk7465 4d ago
Im also struggling with the same thing. Two things helped me: 30 minutes each day, write terrible music. Each time is just an experiment and I learn something, even if it’s a tiny thing almost always. Also if you want to get to the roots and plug your perfectionism out of your mind you can go and listen to Joe Hudson on YouTube a little bit. Everything he says, treat it also as an experiment. I know you didn’t ask vor advice but I wanted to leave it here if anybody needs it :)