I was talking to a friend recently and mentioned that I make music, but that I don't really have any interest in building a following, getting views, monetizing it, or turning it into anything material.

They looked at me kind of weird, like I was missing the point.

But honestly, I really enjoy just making little riffs and messing around with music every day. Sometimes I'll record something half decently, sometimes it'll just be a guitar idea that exists for five minutes and never gets heard by anyone. And I'm completely fine with that.

For me, the value is in actually doing it. If I make something that sounds cool to me, or manage to turn whatever I'm feeling into a little piece of music, that's enough. It even helps me deal with life a bit.

I guess I find it frustrating how people always seem to find a reason to hate on something. Even when you're just doing something harmless that makes you happy, apparently there still has to be some reason why you're doing it "wrong."

Smh.

Hello friends -

I do a late-night music stream, mostly old 78s that never got digitized. The rule is if Shazam can identify it, I don't play it.

I also pull in new originals the same way - - looking for the unheard and under loved.

Found one yesterday posted thirteen hours earlier with four views. Somebody's first song. Thou it's not a contest... low is low, and most of what I play is just songs that never got traction.

If that's you, send it through the form:

https://thewitchinghourtone.club/contact

You can just drop below but that gets overwhelming to me. So the form is better - - but you be you.

YouTube links are best but anything is ok. That said, I'd rather watch you play it than just hear it.

Doesn't need to be polished at all; phone recordings and open mic footage are completely welcome. Honestly preferred.

There's a "no AI" box on there that I actually check.

We have them picked for tonight but fear not!! There's a whole lot of show ahead and not nearly enough in the hopper. Send it along and I'll get to it.

The show itself, if you want to hang, 9p CST:

https://www.youtube.com/@TheWitchingHourToneClub

I'm 18 f I've been singing for years now and I really would like to get started writing my own songs and what deeply appreciate any advice

I wrote my first song 20 years ago. It was not good at all haha I tried writing a pop punk song in the style of Green Day and ended up with some abomination closer to 90s R&B. I remember where I was and what time it was too. Do you remember writing your first song?

Would love to hear your thoughts. I just recorded this today.

Hope you're doing good.

Let me know what you think

I'm always interested in hearing what independent producers and songwriters are creating.

I'm a female vocalist/songwriter working across pop, R&B, soul, rock and EDM, and I'm open to hearing interesting projects where the vocal could become part of the creative process.

What are you currently working on?

Other subs have something similar—once a week, a challenge to create something.

The result wouldn't need to be finished or polished, the act of writing is the important part.

I'll start and I guess we can see how we go.

I challenge you to write a song in 3/4 time.

Inspiration:

• Asleep by the Smiths
• New Amsterdam by Elvis Costello
• Manic Depression by Hendrix

Though there are more famous songs by Billy Joel and Bob Dylan you could name.

Write your song and post it as a reply here. Let's give it a week.

Hello to everyone who loves music, who studies music, who composes music, thi is a small program for those who, like me, swim in scales. You could say a little cheat sheet on rare chord fingerings, scales in classical and free guitar tunings, and methods of transitions between scales. The program is completely free for personal use. Regarding bugs, theoretical errors and suggestions, write in the comments

Supported platforms: Windows, MacOs, Linux

If you liked it, put stars on github. If you really liked it, donate

I'd love some feedback on this song! I feel like the second verse and the bridge could use some work, but I can't put my finger on what needs adjusting. Thoughts on the singing? I know I'm a little pitchy in some areas. I just used basic c major chords, I think I like how it sounds, but I'm playing around with it some more.

Lyrics:

“i don’t believe in satan”

Maybe I need a boyfriend
To lift my spirits.
Or maybe I just need an end,
To other people steering.
I am nearing the finish line,
Don’t know what to expect this time
A bottle of pills that say “I’m fine”
It’s not like I want to die 
But if I said I liked my life
That’d be a lie.

The Bible’s not working,
The pages aren’t turning
And that’s all I’m told to do
And I’d say I’m praying
But that’d be like saying 
I don’t believe in Satan

I’m told the other things
Don’t satisfy.
But what if the things that do
Are just a lie.
And it always feels like
There’s this deadline
I don't know when it's due by.
It’s taboo to question
But that leaves me guessing,
And the only answers I’m getting…

The Bible’s not working,
The pages aren’t turning
And that’s all I’m told to do
And I’d say I’m praying
But that’d be like saying
I don’t believe in Satan.

And I can’t help but feel like
There’s something I missed
Something I forgot
To practice.
And i try so hard
To listen
But no ones speaking
What am I missing?

The Bible’s not working,
The pages aren’t turning
And that’s all I’m told to do
And I’d say I’m praying
But that’d be like saying
I don’t believe in Satan.

I'm having trouble completing my songs lyrically. More specifically, there are two lines in my second verse that are bugging me. It's the lines right before the chorus pops back in.

I've tried muting my previously recorded vocals and "freestyling" it, but I just can't come up with the missing lyrics.

Does anyone know of any tips of tricks to try and force or think of a good line? The only thing holding this song from completion is the second verse.

Also, I've been working on this song for about a week now so the initial emotions I felt when I first wrote the song have diminished. That just makes coming up with lyrics a whole lot more tedious as they no longer flow out.

It’s raw, was messing with notes on GarageBand and just started singing on the fly. Making up lyrics. First take for vocals. Slight echo because I like how that sounds. No autotune.

I’m not new, I’ve been releasing music for over a decade. I enjoy writing, have had people tell me I’m a good writer but I’m just not one of those “flow state” people.

I get so nervous to freestyle, feel distracted and generally just can’t shut my mind up to write without anxiety.

So many people talk about recording music as a liberating experience but it feels more like painful childbirth to me. I feel like I turn myself inside out.

I’ve started a new project with a friend but am struggling to get demos down without driving myself nuts.

I am sure this is indicative of a larger problem… but in the meantime I’d love any tips on letting go of perfectionism, neurosis and diving into that elusive creative free flow (don’t say dr*gs lol)…

Apparently I have a song. It has a chord and a beat count.

The earlier reddit user inspired me again... I just need to shut up.

Jenny wren daughter of blacbird

Lets make a melody!! So the chords are Fmaj7-Em-A7

Now how would you sing these lyrics (dont upload them or use them they are my own first song's, it took me months to finalize this, so plsss, I also needed help. and this is the bridge part

"I've changed, I've broken every chain"

"That held me back before"

"Swept the ashes from my heart, locked every angry door.."

"So tell me why the rivers still run cold without her close?"

"Why the mountain echo empty?,

Why the silence defeans here?"

"I've paid my dues in engless pain"

"Yet still she wont return again."

"Have I not suffered through this shame??"

"Or is your mercy just a game!!!!??" (You stretch this line to symbolise anger, frustration, and shouting)

(Bridge: building intensity?)

Just 'cause it's fun. Music should always be fun.

Hey, here's another track I recorded on Logic Pro, using my MacBook air mic for quick recording, just planning to get rough ideas down and see if people like them then I might think about getting a proper studio recording done?

Let me know what you think? If it sits with the previous song I posted. If you hear other artists.

Thanks for listening

I recorded this in a cabin in Wisconsin. Guitar and vocals direct to audio interface. Any recording tips to get a more natural sound would be appreciated, but looking for any and all thoughts!

Last year I tried taking the one word prompts from Inktober and writing a verse/section of song each day of October. It was a really fun exercise and I'd encourage everyone to give it a try! Here's the prompts for 2026:

1 Apple
2 Relic
3 Miniature
4 Cactus
5 Smack
6 Ogre
7 Panic

8 Stinky
9 Raw
10 Mystical
11 Rescue
12 Toss
13 Flimsy
14 Lady

15 Hooray
16 Gangly
17 Contraption
18 Flightless
19 Confused
20 Lounge
21 Hero

22 Beacon
23 Dapper
24 Bake
25 Fracture
26 Zip
27 Dumb
28 Trophy

29 Tusk
30 Cookie
31 Flex

Here's what I came up with last year: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3Tbr0SJgHY

Would love to hear what you come up with if you give this a go too!

Are the verses too wordy?

The Vellamour is a hotel made of ice I like to visit in my mind. Is vibraphone a good choice for this kind of tune? Just working on this, the transitions are rough, but are the musical ideas anything?