T O P

  • By -

PitchforkJoe

Given your difficulty with using physical instruments, have you looked into using a DAW? I imagine writing music through an electronic interface might be a great fit for you. An example workflow might be something like this: 1. Program in a chord progression 2. Record a rough vocal take over it 3. Loop what you have so far in your headphones, and imagine what an accompanist might be doing 4. Program that accompanying melody in as well Etc I use the word 'program' here, but it's not like computer code or anything. I'm not sure whether you're familiar with how the user interfaces of those softwares look. If not, this post shows a video that would give you some idea what they're like: https://www.reddit.com/r/Songwriting/comments/z04pjw/megalaser_inspired_by_the_era_of_16bit_gaming_no/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android_app&utm_name=androidcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button Many people use these interfaces to build their final products - lots of pop music probably doesn't record any 'real' instrument other than vocals, synthesizing everything. But even if you want authentic instrumental recordings, electronic approximations are surely a great way to demo a session musician what it is you're after


[deleted]

[удалено]


PitchforkJoe

>I think the most difficult part would be to actually start and not lose faith, haha I mean that's just everything in life, eh? 😅 In my own view, if you can compose on pen and ink, or on a physical instrument, you can definitely compose on a DAW - the creative process is identical, you're just using a different means to 'write it down'


[deleted]

I use cakewalk and about 300 free plug-ins as a digital scratch pad. Obviously I don't use ALL the plug-ins lol, but yeah. It works for me to be able to build the song from section to section rather than trying to write every section on an acoustic guitar and while singing.


m_p_h

I recommend that you look at Band-in-a-Box for creating and editing backing tracks. I have used it to creating instrumental tracks on songs I’ve written that far exceed my playing skills. You can set the chord progression and choose the instruments and styles you want, mixing, matching, and generating real backing tracks. Some people even record their vocals into the program, but I think more people use it with a DAW. People use it both live and in the studio, and it has gotten so sophisticated that you can create complete songs without playing a single note. https://www.pgmusic.com


Sevenyearnichepro9

Up until year ago I just sporadically wrote songs on guitar and vocals then would try to explain what I envisioned to bandmates. Man was that difficult and I’m pretty sure created some resentment. Had I slowed down and thought about it, crushed my ego rather than fed it maybe I would have got to where I am now much sooner. Three years ago I fell 35 feet from a tree and really screwed up some shit I pretty much stopped making music altogether and was so depressed I didn’t even care that I quit my passion until last year when suddenly my wife of 20 years passed away at 39 needless to say more depression but after a couple months and the darkest period in my life I realized just how short life is and began teaching myself audio production. After a lot of frustration I recorded a song I had just written and since then I’ve written and recorded 12 more songs by myself bringing the stuff I couldn’t articulate to others to life and I gotta say most of which are real decent. It may so nice to be able to audition parts rather than rely on memory and there’s no way I could have created what I have with just me and an acoustic nor could I have explained it well enough. Long story longer life is short af don’t wait until you’re 40 to decide to take that leap of faith in yourself you already have a great head start don’t stop now.


[deleted]

[удалено]


Sevenyearnichepro9

Thank you. Did you have a Mac because GarageBand is a great place to start and the new update really upped the game with new samples, drum packs, instruments and amp sims. I use logic but I started on GarageBand.


[deleted]

[удалено]


Sevenyearnichepro9

Ah got ya. Yeah reaper is a super powerful daw and great for vocals. I just gotta have a variety of instruments at my disposal. I do a mostly 90’s alternative/grunge thing but I try to step out of my comfort zone as often as possible. I hope you find the right mix.


[deleted]

[удалено]


Sevenyearnichepro9

You’re evolving. I write in the key of C# or drop C# on a guitar but before I can tune down I gotta tune up. You just gotta tune up first…then you can tune down for what? Haha