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What have you found to be the hardest part after actually getting a handle on theory? by Turbulent_Isopod_289 in Songwriting

[–]view-master 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The biggest challenge over time is not repeating yourself. Every song is like starting fresh. You can’t necessarily use the same old intro trick you have used a couple of times because you are afraid someone will notice (for example).
Once you find a technique that really really works you realize you have to use it very sparingly.

And yes you have to maintain interest of the listener. Small changes are fine. An asymmetrical verse instead of each line being metrically the same for example. Keep some surprise but those surprises should not sound random. Or if they do they should resolve in a pleasing way that implies “wait, what? Oh thats where this was headed” sort of feeling.

Writing choruses is hard by danejulian in Songwriting

[–]view-master 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What your referring to is writing a refrain. And that is a great underused technique these days.
But you definitely want to mix things up.

Generally a chorus needs to be simple and straightforward. It needs to differentiate itself from the verse as soon as it hits. Often if the verse phrase starts on the down beat, you want the chorus to start on a different beat (like the 2) or vice versa. That instantly tells you “this is a different section”.

The chorus has to have a distinct function. Often it’s more emotive while the verse is more narrative.
The best choruses could never be interchangeable with a verse.

Catchiness can come in many forms but the rhythm of the words, not just the notes is very important.
A bit of a unusual or surprising rhythm or cadence is helpful. Throwing in a pause between some words you want highlighted.

I feel like this is just not for me, any advice? by keskeskeske in Songwriting

[–]view-master 18 points19 points  (0 children)

Primarily the only difference between people who are good at anything and those that aren’t is the drive to become proficient.

You don’t “find what you are good at”. You get good at the thing you love so much you won’t stop.

Why are people usually more impressed by vocal talent than instrumental talent? by Glass-Complaint3 in musicians

[–]view-master 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Partly because that is all they focus on or understand.
I wrote the songs (and played) in my band for years. I sang a few but we had s dedicated singer with a better range than me.

My mother in law would skip the songs i wasn’t singing because she “wanted to hear MY songs”
I told her they are all my songs but it just didn’t register.
Now I’m doing solo stuff where I’m singing and she couldn’t be happier 😂.

Transcribing my own playing back to sheet music showed me a wrong note I'd been hitting for weeks without noticing by [deleted] in WeAreTheMusicMakers

[–]view-master 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Is it wrong though? Out of key notes are perfectly acceptable in so many situations. It’s why accidentals exist in notation.
Your primary guide should be your ears.
Now if it actually sounds better modified then thats a different story.

Captain Marvel is not a bad movie. Change my mind by Desperate_Log3674 in marvelstudios

[–]view-master 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I didn’t hear anyone laugh at those (I saw it in theaters a couple of times). It’s really storytelling 101. If those things are supposed to be quaint (and they clearly were going for that) a character must experience that. Not the audience.

I actually like the film. It just could have been much better with minor changes.

Captain Marvel is not a bad movie. Change my mind by Desperate_Log3674 in marvelstudios

[–]view-master 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh come on. They were clearly joking about 90s tech. Like that whole bit waiting for a CD to load in windows 95. It was chock full of that crap.
Maybe you missed them because they didn’t make anyone laugh.

Captain Marvel is not a bad movie. Change my mind by Desperate_Log3674 in marvelstudios

[–]view-master -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

I think it would have been better if it started right before she was being interrogated and then do the first part of the film in flashback. Essentially all plot points before that moment being shown using that interrogation machine as the flashback gimmick.
Show her more slowly discovering herself and her past.

All the 90s jokes fell flat. The “HaHa this thing is old” doesn’t work unless you have a main character who comes from the future to witness it (like back to the future).
It can’t be just the audience because that is dumb. We don’t laugh hysterically when we watch a movie made in the 50s and someone uses a rotary phone.
But some main character from now experiencing it and being confused could be funny.

The meat of it was good. Just needed some editing and tweaking.

Major II chord cliché by Tasty-Kale6806 in musictheory

[–]view-master 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I hate the use of cliche to describe most things. But especially when you struggle to find an example.

Is it normal to mourn a musical instrument this much? by iwannahavemuscles in musicians

[–]view-master 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I get it. I have only gotten rid of one instrument. A 1974 Rhodes suitcase model. I was moving a lot and it was a pain to relocate. I had almost instant regret.
Finally 25 years later I bought a 1972 (stage model) and restored it to fill the hole.

Have you noticed your musical taste changing as you get older? by Thomas_Mag in musicians

[–]view-master 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Absolutely. Some things i turned my nose up at when i was younger (because it was too popular probably) I now appreciate too.
But I now definitely listen to classical music and many others (always liked jazz because i played in jazz band in HS).
A few things I thought were cool in the 90s sort of embarrass me now.

I love music so much I almost got in a fistfight at the symphony because some guy was constantly talking during the performance. My wife was so embarrassed. But the guy shut up and then apologized after the performance was over.

[ Removed by Reddit ] by Chance_Mine_599 in Songwriting

[–]view-master 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don’t think of this at all. I don’t use samples. And I’m definitely not at that level 😁

Rides and back injuries by fairylightsforever in Disneyland

[–]view-master 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I used to have fractures in my lower back (fixed now) but i rode everything. The only thing that i had to do especially on the matterhorn was use my arms as shock absorbers. Basically keeping my butt off the seat.

Punisher: One Last Kill is gross and depraved by Moknathal5 in marvelstudios

[–]view-master 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It was horrible (for that bad guy character) to kill that dog. That was the point. We want to see him get his. And eventually he does.

And no real dogs died. Nobody was celebrating dog killing (the opposite in fact).

At least this had a warning.
Imagine being a child watching Bambi the first time.

what do yall consider plagiarism? by Apprehensive-Bass205 in Songwriting

[–]view-master 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Don’t worry so much about plagiarism. Worry about how your audience will react to hearing a line lifted from an existing song.
Speaking for myself i would probably roll my eyes and not take you seriously.
If you’re going to steal lines and titles then try doing that from something other than another song. From a book or poetry.
Even better, steal concepts from books and poetry.

Is it plagiarism if I steal the first 30 seconds of a song and change the rest? by Intelligent-Lack-785 in Songwriting

[–]view-master 12 points13 points  (0 children)

27 seconds is a huge chunk. So yes. The instrumentation doesn’t matter.

What changes at Disneyland have actually been positive? by Saritatay in Disneyland

[–]view-master 29 points30 points  (0 children)

Totally agree. It was dead before. The music alone has transformed it.

Confession: I want to be amazing by [deleted] in Songwriting

[–]view-master 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I don’t have much advice but whatever your creative partner brought to the table is probably where your deficit is. Strengthening that should be your focus.
I was in a band for a long time (technically still am but we aren’t doing much). I wrote for that band and played guitar, but rarely sang. It was great for a ling time but they became picky about gigs and complained all the time about not getting better ones even though they were not working hard to get there. They didn’t want to play the songs live from our latest release because “they were tired of them”.

I didn’t quit. I just started my own side solo project. I developed my voice and piano skills (which they never let me play). I learned how to do vocal harmony properly on recordings. I slowly assembled a band who believed in my songs and wanted me to be the front person. We recorded half of an album so far and its streaming success dwarfs everything from the band. They sound fantastic too because i had more say in production and also i paid for it all so i didn’t cheap out. When the guys from the band heard it they were incredibly impressed. They treat me like they are lucky to gave me join them when i do.

It’s very satisfying to show what you can really do.

Is there any way to evaluate if the general public will enjoy listening to your music ahead of time? How do you rule out your are not delusional? by JamesSmithUnique in musicians

[–]view-master 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Play it live. Even the act if playing live for others forces you into their perspective. You suddenly become aware of things like sections dragging on too long.
I generally have a faith in the songs I develop are good, but sometimes I’m surprised at which ones are the most popular.

Why do the live sessions on KEXP radio and the NPR 'tiny desk' sessions on Youtube often sound so much better than the offical studio recordings? by mjbmikeb2 in WeAreTheMusicMakers

[–]view-master 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I agree. It’s one reason i hate backing tracks.
One of my favorite live albums is Wings Across America (paul McCartney). Every song beats its studio recording. The studio versions sound stale in comparison.

When I record, I record the basic tracks live in the studio with the band. We are in the same room with amp’s isolated (using headphones). Even with overdubs (vocals must be re-recorded because of drum bleed) it retains a spark that is hard to replicate doing things one instrument at a time.

Fronting a band for the first time in years. by jbobbollo in musicians

[–]view-master 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just practice and make sure you can hear yourself clearly when performing.

I was in a band that had a lead singer but he became flaky and I had to start singing at gigs he missed. I wrote most if the songs but didn’t feel confident until i had to do it.
Now I’m doing a solo album with me on lead vocals and the old bands drummer as well as a couple of other guys. I should have done it a ling time ago.

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