by AxAxSxS » Sun Nov 08, 2015 4:15 pm
My methods are probably not super helpful if you have a deadline.
I really, really, really like having interaction with the other guys in the band to write. I have a few guidelines.
If you come in with a riff, play it and no one cares, put that riff back in your pocket.
Do not get butthurt if the riff you've been woodshedding on all week falls flat. Play a different riff and keep going.
If you come in with a riff, play it and everyone else joins in, you have a start point. A seed if you will.
Write harmony lines for the basic riff. these can frequently be transposed down and become the basis for the next riff. A looper can be killer for this. Loop the seed riff and see what you can play over it. endless variations. Use the same litmus test for what comes next.
If someone has an idea, never dismiss it out of hand unless you are 100% sure it's not going to work. (Rhythm change would interfere with vocal cadence or something)
When trying out an idea, get it right and play it to the standard the person who thought it up wants before deciding if it is good or not. Some of the most interesting things don't exactly lend themselves to being played tightly and working on it to get it right is the only way to really know if it works or not.
Do not get butthurt.
It's ok and I would even say a positive to have one person in the band be the creative vision holder and if that person does not like what you are doing, respect that, if you are that person, don't dismiss anything that the others bring in. Be respectful, give things a proper chance, and if it sucks, try to be nice about it. Resist the temptation to write songs that are filler.
learn to play the other guys instruments. Humming is bullshit. If you have a bassline idea, grab a bass and play it. I really need to learn to pay drums as that's a wekpoint in what I do. Ryder's awesome at being patient with me as I try to describe something I am incapable of describing, it'd be a lot easier if I could jump back there and just do it.
RECORD EVERYTHING ALWAYS!
Big no no's-
Don't fucking play your instrument when someone is showing something new. Wait till you have it and then join in. DO NOT EVER START TRYING TO PLAY YOUR OWN THING YOU WANT THE BAND TO DO THAT IS ENTIRELY DIFFERENT WHILE SOMEONE IS SHOWING SOMETHING. Rude, both riffs are now indistinguishable, and time is being wasted.
Don't play your fucking instrument while people are talking things over. Again rude, and a time waster. If you have nothing to contribute to what is being said, then let it get hashed out. Better would be to put the damn thing down and join in the conversation.
If you don't like where something is going, speak up about it, be nice, be respectful, but speak up.
If someone is nicely and respectfully hinting that what you are doing sucks, take the fucking hint.
Do not get buthurt.
DO NOT FORGET TO PRESS RECORD!