Question:
Why can't I write music?
MJUASZIZC
2010-07-17 17:41:59 UTC
I am 16 years old and I have been playing piano my entire life and have a good understanding of music theory and such. I can also play guitar to some extent, as well as a couple other instruments. What I really want to do though, is write music. I have no problem creating the musical parts of the song, but I can't for the life of me write lyrics that are any good. I have a fairly good command of the English language, but I cannot figure out how to add words to music. Should I write the music first, or the lyrics? I'm very confused. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
Seven answers:
anonymous
2010-07-17 17:44:49 UTC
It could be frustration at not having written something, write something just anything.. take even 5 minutes on it. Then do it again next time you're in the mood and you'll find yourself just flowing soon enough. It'll happen again when you write something really good and can't write anything better.
?
2010-07-18 00:51:56 UTC
When I started writing, I was in the same boat as you. I had all the left-brain skill, but the right-brain creativity was more difficult, even though I always considered myself more of a creative, altruistic person. This is how I started.



Write about something that is near and dear to your heart, or something that really speaks to you. Using descriptive words are good, as well as imagery (words that relate to the senses). Try picking a topic, brainstorming a list of words that pop into your head when you think of that topic, and then write the music. Listen to the music while you're in the lyric-writing process, to fuel your thought. My music theory teacher gave us that advice when we were composing a piece for an end-of-the-year project, and mine came out really really well using that process.

Or, pick a memory of something that really stands out to you, and take some quiet time to sit in silence & dwell on that memory. Think of every possible thing-what it looked like, what people were there, if any, what time of day it was...ANYTHING and EVERYTHING. Then, freely write a poem. It doesn't have to be any kind of structure or sequence, just write about the memory. Then write your music while you're still in that zone. After that, try to match key words and phrases in a rhythmic pattern to the music, and presto.



Hope this helped-both methods work for me!
Where'sthatconfoundedBridge
2010-07-18 01:48:21 UTC
i have the EXACT same problem, you might like to take a look at the question i asked a while ago



https://answersrip.com/question/index?qid=20100602173637AAtK0dE



then the thing i realized was, i'd never really sat down with a pencil and paper for a couple hours purely concentrating on trying to come up with some lyrics... i guess writing lyrics is differant then music, its not like you just mess around on an insturment and wait for something that sounds good to come up, i think you have to be more deliberate, which is somthing i'm not good at
Wormfriskie
2010-07-18 00:44:53 UTC
Write the music first. As you are playing the music, use your emotions to create lyrics and sing them with the song. A song is only good if it is heartfelt. Also, have confidence in yourself. Sing loud, sing proud.
Kevin B
2010-07-18 00:45:02 UTC
Write instrumental music.
Pineapples aren't quiet Strawberries!!
2010-07-18 00:53:56 UTC
i say write the lyrics out. a song is pretty much a poem/story whatever sung out. :] i write poems from my own experience and others, and turn them into songs. maybe that will help you.





seriously, write about anything.
Future Mrs. Lautner
2010-07-18 00:45:16 UTC
Writing about you own experiences is easiest. that way theres no making things up. your just writing what you think


This content was originally posted on Y! Answers, a Q&A website that shut down in 2021.
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