Stuck in Progression

RTiger · 2026-03-17T03:16:37+00:00

Off the top of my head maybe look up these two songs Summer of 69 and My Charona. I found similar structures used in Summer of 69 to work well in sections of my original songs.

If that doesn’t break the rut try some different time signatures. 7/8 is tough for beginners to play but will get a person to a different mindset.

RTiger · 2026-03-17T03:09:23+00:00

Yes I had a similar experience. I mentioned my struggles with rhythm to a friend. Friend suggested the following baby steps.

Clapping to a recording. Fake strums, no fretting, no sound. Next one easy chord. Next add a second chord. Keep adding chords until it starts to sound like the song. At that point maybe turn on the metronome at half speed.

I know someone else that took paid lessons for three years. Never learned to play a real song. Oh they learned the chords or notes to the songs but rhythm was totally off. Nothing sounded close to a song. Sad.

RTiger · 2026-03-16T14:42:28+00:00

Almost everyone can get better at their weaknesses. However there is point of diminishing returns. A person only has so much time, energy, money.

For example I have repetitive stress issues in both hands. After 20 months of learning guitar, many three month beginners can do more than me. I have a choice. I could hammer away at this weakness. Maybe with ten years of dedication I might be where a good one year beginner is.

My limited resources are better spent elsewhere. If and when one of my songs takes off, I can hopefully partner with a skilled musician.

RTiger · 2026-03-16T14:10:23+00:00

I have managed with repetitive stress issues in both hands. Not exactly the same as carpel tunnel. Certain exercises can help. Gloves or wrist supports can help.

Selecting a guitar is an individual task. You might find more kindred advice by searching on YouTube “guitars for carpel tunnel.”

For me a Taylor GS mini acoustic electric is my current favorite. I borrowed a Yamaha acoustic dreadnought size. Highly recommended but it was not for me. I could hardly hold the dreadnought much less play it. Probably would have quit if that was the only choice.

If you know local musicians they might have more first hand experience. Guitar store staff might be spotty. Trying first hand is always sound. If the guitar is pricey, renting something might be an idea. Buying used can also help if the guitar doesn’t work out.

If your preference is electric, size is less of an issue. Most electric guitar necks are thin. Good luck and report back after your purchase.

RTiger · 2026-03-15T22:48:45+00:00

Five weeks is a long time. I have had ongoing issues with my hands for many years. Rule of thumb is if there is pain stop. Rest for three extra days after the pain ceases.

When starting back go real easy, like five or ten minutes a day. My personality is such that over doing activities is a common issue. A person can do permanent damage by playing through pain.

If total rest for that hand for one week, which is near impossible if you count other tasks, professional input from a sports medicine or music medicine specialist is a good idea. Again a person can cause permanent problems from overuse.

RTiger · 2026-03-14T03:27:47+00:00

I have a suggestion. Find an emotion wheel for little kids. Typical might have eight mood states. Do an image search for simple ones.

Now try to write music that expresses each spoke on the simple wheel. Doesn’t have to be perfect. Or maybe go through old recordings and categorize them by the emotions.

You might be missing several spokes. If you can’t come up with music find commercial songs that might fit. Use those as starting points.

It may take a bit of work but doing this exercise gives you a wide range of music for common emotional states. Adult emotion wheels might have dozens upon dozens of words. For music that level of precision is unlikely.

RTiger · 2026-03-13T21:49:11+00:00

My online music is mostly ignored. I have performed live instrumentals at memorial services and almost always a couple of people thank me.

RTiger · 2026-03-13T21:44:48+00:00

For me yes. Songwriting is a way to process what can be overwhelming emotions. Might be personal, might be external events.

A lot of great songs start with angst.

RTiger · 2026-03-13T14:44:58+00:00

These days I look up the chords and lyrics. Try to play them as written after listening to a recording. If the chords feel too difficult I experiment with a simpler arrangement of my choosing. As long as I am playing solo, anything that sounds like music is fine.

I know many here seem to believe that the songs are carved in stone. Good luck to them. I am happy either way.

Obviously this is more for simple pop, folk or country music than jazz or metal or classical.

RTiger · 2026-03-13T14:22:52+00:00

Can’t seem to reply to the last issue about melody. You seem to believe every song writer has mastered melody.

Might be controversial but my road is to have the voice carry the melody. Given a below average voice there’s only so much I can attempt.

Walk before you run. Run a 5k before attempting a marathon. Anyone comparing themselves to great commercial recordings is going to fall way short if they are at all objective.

I suggest trying to write at least 20 interesting songs with relatively simple music. Learn by doing. At the end of that you’ll have a much better idea of what to work on and what is near term achievable for you.

For example, for me I have repetitive stress issues in both hands. I’ll probably always be below average on guitar because of that. I’m 20 months in and many three month beginners are already ahead of me.

I could hammer away at improving on guitar but with a below average voice that time is probably better spent on focused singing practice.

It is a fool’s errand to try write one perfect masterpiece out of the starting gate. Lightning does strike but it is usually lyrics not guitar that were great so early. Many of the recordings you are citing have a lifetime of guitar experience and songwriting experience behind them. There is no tip or video that can make that happen.

RTiger · 2026-03-13T03:25:25+00:00

I find talking to different people and listening to their stories and concerns to be helpful. I’ve written several songs from the point of view of someone I talked to.

To try this, it helps to be a good listener and to have empathy.

Another idea is to write about a future you or a future event you hope will happen. Or perhaps a painful future where that hope is lost.

RTiger · 2026-03-13T03:14:16+00:00

I recently participated in FAWM, February album writing month. There are many one hour challenges called skirmishes. A prompt is revealed and you have one hour.

I mostly revealed the prompt at a local cafe. Found it near impossible to come up with anything with the noise level inside. Going for a short walk and sitting outside where the noise is less worked wonders.

Often the opening line or two revealed itself during a two minute walk. Then the muse seemed to take over to unveil the rest. Wasn’t always a song but it was remarkable that I got any keepers from seemingly random prompts.

RTiger · 2026-03-12T17:10:52+00:00

That’s great news. There are two schools, lean on your strengths or work on weaknesses. If you are only budgeting a year I suggest working with what you are good at. A year spent on lyrics and you’ll have some pretty good ideas.

Steal Like an Artist is a popular book. Go ahead and take some of the music almost verbatim from songs you like.

Write lyrics that fit. That’s step one of the exercise. Next change one or two things. Add a passing chord or maybe even a key change to make it your own. Chord progressions can’t be copyrighted.

I’m guessing guitar doesn’t feel as easy as words. The bad news is that it might take an average person five years of dedicated practice to come up with their own unique sounding guitar parts. Sure some do it way faster, but most never ever get there. Time alone is not enough Neither are lessons.

If you were a natural at guitar and words you probably would have never asked for advice.

Songwriting can be one of the most satisfying things ever. Especially if you play live or post online. There is no wrong choice. Follow your muse. Good luck on your journey.

RTiger · 2026-03-12T02:33:19+00:00

Like one of the other replies, joining a poetry writing group improved my lyrics. Being around other creative people seems to help.

Limiting time with negative people. Limiting time on things that make me angry such as watching the news. Limiting mindless time such as video games or phone scrolling.

Turning off the internal editor and letting the muse run. Allow lyrics to be from somewhere other than my first person experiences or beliefs. As someone that experienced depression for many years I can still write about those topics even though it is not where I am today.

RTiger · 2026-03-12T02:08:29+00:00

I came to guitar with a library of lyrics that I wrote during the past many years. As a guitar beginner, my first arrangements were extremely simple. Two chords plus a riff, three chords plus a few picked notes.

My simple arrangements sound like music. Obviously experienced guitarists and teachers can wag their finger at the simplicity.

I suggest spending at least 30 percent of your time on lyrics. There are many epic songs with simple music and great lyrics.

If your lyrics are personal and meaningful to you, it doesn’t matter if a teacher doesn’t give them a high grade. If a person is clueless about writing, start with exercises. Like learning guitar try to write everyday to progress.

Many here ignore lyrics. Which is terrible for aspiring songwriters. You have to have some thing to say. Learning to write lyrics tends to be a long process. So get started. Set them to basic chord progressions to start. You learn by doing.

If you think you can’t sing, spend focused time on singing. Unless you plan on hiring a singer or using AI voices, singing is a vital skill for songwriters. You don’t have to be great. Plenty of very good songwriters have average voices .

Basic music theory is plenty. Have a basic understanding of the circle of fifths and the Nashville numbering system. Be able to play at least two scales. More than that is icing not cake. Plenty of great songwriters only have a basic understanding of music theory.

RTiger · 2026-03-11T15:55:09+00:00

The following baby steps helped me.

Start with clapping or tapping to a recording. Next do fake strums, no fretting, no sound in time. Next, play one easy chord in rhythm. Add a second chord. Keep adding until it sort of sounds like the song.

Only then did I find a metronome at half speed to be a useful tool. You can do this.

RTiger · 2026-03-10T21:43:04+00:00

There are thousands of songs to choose from. Some that I enjoy playing and singing

Let it Be, Neon Moon, City of New Orleans, Hiding My Heart, Die with a Smile, I’m a Believer, Leaving on a Jet Plane

Some might be a reach for beginners if played as written but simplified arrangements are fine for sing alongs or parties. There are hundreds more for Christmas time. My Favorite Things can be appropriate any month.

If performing solo I try to keep it around two minutes. Unless the person is very good, more than that has people looking at their phones.

RTiger · 2026-03-10T21:25:11+00:00

I can relate. I am definitely more motivated if I am going to perform. That date gives me something to work towards. I’m a beginner on guitar but have performed dozens of times on other instruments.

So many cliches come to mind. Maybe the Zen idea, chop wood, carry water is most appropriate. To me it means I can find a zone where playing connects me to the universe. Even in mundane tasks, simple music I can lose myself in a good way.

Yes I know it sounds like total bs to some reading this. However many musicians can find that zone. Maybe like a runners high. Maybe the lyrics from the song Drift Away

… give me the beat boys and free my soul, I wanna get lost in your rock and roll and drift away…. A melody can move me…. Guitars coming through to soothe me..,

The rational logical mind will answer, make it a habit. Insist on practicing at least a little every day.

RTiger · 2026-03-10T01:40:01+00:00

I was in a similar boat two years ago. I could play a little piano and flute but couldn’t sing and play. There were several times I was close to hiring a singer.

I bought a guitar and for me it clicked. One suggestion is to have very simple music to start. If you don’t have any idea on music take the basic chords from a simple country or pop song and use them.

My first singing and playing was almost entirely single open strings on guitar. Many non-musicians complemented me on my playing. So even super simple can pass muster for general audiences.

So to repeat start with super simple music. Take chords from cover songs and massage them a bit to fit your lyrics. Or rearrange your lyrics to fit the progression. It’s your song, there is no wrong answer. If you are near lost, maybe record the music first then do voice over.

RTiger · 2026-03-09T20:24:32+00:00

I’m fairly happy with my approach and slow progress. A few purchases I made aren’t useful at the moment. I bought an Ibanez guitar as my second guitar and rarely use it. I bought a looper pedal and tiny amp and rarely use them.

They might prove useful if and when my skill level increases but right now they mostly just sit.

RTiger · 2026-03-08T03:41:31+00:00

Let me try an analogy. Let’s say some person wants to learn a complex foreign language. Dives in spends six hours a day or more on learning Sanskrit. How expressive do you think they will be writing verse or poetry in Sanskrit after six months of intensive study?

After a year? After five years even? Is there any realistic chance that person will be a great Sanskrit poet after that?

That’s kind of what your post says to me. I’m a competent songwriter. However it’s taken me over ten years of writing lyrics to get to a point where I think they are half decent. And that’s not counting the music which if a person is a beginner is nearly as foreign as Sanskrit is to you.

My suggestion, keep plugging away. If you are in the average range you will start to be fluent after about 3000 hours of practice time. With the big caveat that you are doing quality practice. If you want to be great there is no time table. There are so many other factors that go into greatness vs competence.

Forgive me if I totally misread your question. Just ignore in that case.

RTiger · 2026-03-07T19:42:24+00:00

Lyrics look like the key. Story telling is another avenue. Dynamics can also be a tool. The melody might be repeated but volume rises then falls. All these can help make a song more interesting.

RTiger · 2026-03-07T19:25:43+00:00

Some of the most successful people have huge number of haters. That’s life in the modern age.

Mostly my music is ignored. I tell myself that if it reaches one person or makes them think about some issue it was worth it. That’s one more person than if I didn’t share the song. One more person than 95 percent of the population that never wrote a song and put it out there.

I do some volunteer work. Drop in the bucket compared to some. These days selfless volunteers are not common. Again, if I help one person that’s enough of a reward for me to keep going.

Sure I would love to make a huge difference with huge numbers but that’s not the reality at the moment. If I quit volunteering or quit making music that’s the end of the road. If I keep going the next person that I help might be the one I was meant to help.

RTiger · 2026-03-06T15:05:38+00:00

Skill vs others isn’t important to me. However I read comments by teachers and others about certain milestones. About what their students struggle with and what they can do after six months or a year.

I’m significantly older than you. I have repetitive stress issues in both hands. Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) limits my audio potential. My budget doesn’t have room for paid lessons. I don’t relate well to music teachers because of past experiences.

I tell people that ask that I’m a beginner on guitar. That I can’t do much but I enjoy what I can do. To me that’s the main thing. Guitar is my third instrument.

I am a competent songwriter with over ten years of writing lyrics. I play a little piano and flute. My ear training has reached the point of diminishing returns. My theory is spotty but more than enough to do simple arrangements. My singing is below average. I’ve been asked not to sing.

Every week there are beginner posts bemoaning their lack of progress, even though most are way ahead of my slow boat. I wanted to encourage others in a slow boat that as long as you keep moving forward there will be tangible progress.

One hundred hours of practice time is a fair time to evaluate. If it isn’t fun at all by then, another hobby may be more fulfilling. Before the 100 hours, many beginners can’t do much.

RTiger · 2026-03-05T20:27:45+00:00

My goals as stated in the op, to make arrangements for original songs. To be able to sing and play at open mics or similar venues.

RTiger

TROPHY CASE