How do you compose?

**sleeplessdragn** · 10-15-2006, 05:12 PM

Re: How do you compose?

50% of my songs have started from the bassline. 30% from one of the melody lines. 20% from not being in a sober state. Usually I establish a good 2-3 layers of synth lines, and their FX addons, before I think about how I want the percussion to sound. From that point transitional effects and beats usually come into my head so I put those down. When I have everything down from there, which usually takes about 2 weeks of production, I spend the next week or two mixing down, and ultimately becoming sick of the song in general.

**beatmouse** · 10-15-2006, 11:06 PM

Re: How do you compose?

I make a synth first and put all the FX on it. I find it's easier to make up original melodys when you have a good sound to work with. Then I usually go with drums from there, bass is usually the last thing I add in. Then I play the song over and over and keep adding small things. 95% of the time the song comes out sounding nothing like I was planning on going into it.

**Verruckter** · 10-16-2006, 08:25 AM

Re: How do you compose?

Originally posted by beatmouse

I make a synth first and put all the FX on it. I find it's easier to make up original melodys when you have a good sound to work with. Then I usually go with drums from there, bass is usually the last thing I add in. Then I play the song over and over and keep adding small things. 95% of the time the song comes out sounding nothing like I was planning on going into it.

Ah, for me it's the opposite, the songs sound exactly like what I had in mind.

**shrimpy** · 10-16-2006, 08:57 AM

Re: How do you compose?

I just use Sibelius and do it the hard way.

**sleeplessdragn** · 10-16-2006, 01:40 PM

Re: How do you compose?

By hard you mean not having to program synthesizers.

**Verruckter** · 10-16-2006, 01:53 PM

Re: How do you compose?

Lmao. Yeah, programming synth is a pain in the ass, since using knobs etc is rather abstract. I'm not too good with synths either, especially not those I have since they're mostly good for electronic music. My brother uses them a lot though, since he makes electro (house, techno, trance). Reason just isn't good enough for him :P

**sleeplessdragn** · 10-16-2006, 05:41 PM

Re: How do you compose?

It's not too hard if you understand what is going on with the synthesizers. What I meant was that Sibelius uses midi samples to playback whatever is written. That's it. You can do exactly the same thing in any sequencing program, Sibelius just happens to allow you to write more classical compositions down in more standard music format. Like if you wanted to write something for a school band, or orchestra.

**lord_carbo** · 10-16-2006, 06:09 PM

Re: How do you compose?

In music theory later this year we're going to use Sibelius :/

Anyway I try to get things done in one sitting when I have a good idea down. Unless I'm about 90% through the piece and all I need are some minor touchups, then I feel like it's hard to make a piece in more than one sitting.

**Omeganitros** · 10-16-2006, 08:02 PM

Re: How do you compose?

First, I get a good or halfway decent melody stuck in my head during school. This melody usually ends up actually being the bass, but whatever. If I manage to still remember it by the time I get home, the first thing I'll try to do is make a good instument. See, all I really have is Jeskola Buzz, and I'm too lazy to look up Buzz Tutorials on how to make the basic instruments sound anything good, so usually I just record some sound of me or find a .wav and use that as my instrument, and sequence-ize it with Buzz.
Most of the time, I can't get the recording precisely the way I want it or I realize that it's completely retarded and just drop the whole thing, and thus why the only "song" I've ever made is Tree!.mp3, the worst piece of **** ever.

**iPatcH** · 10-16-2006, 11:02 PM

Re: How do you compose?

I sit on the keyboard until something catchy happens.

Also, I let my cat run across it.

**SpookG** · 10-17-2006, 11:42 AM

Re: How do you compose?

So I read what you all wrote and thought it would help me explain it, but honestly I have no ****ing clue and I still don't.

These things just kind of happened. Sometimes i have the entire thing written in my head, some times i have nothing. Other times i have an idea of what I want based off of something else i heard, it just is this amalgam of crap that conjures up a tune.

I wish it was constructive and helpful, and I know it isn't just to go about saying "I pull this **** out of my ass" but it's the truth, unforunately.

a good example..

http://www.spookgoblin.com/songs/FGJ!_KR_DancefloorRobot.mp3

I think I was about 16 when this one was written..and i just..am at a loss for words as to how this happened.

**Verruckter** · 10-17-2006, 11:54 AM

Re: How do you compose?

Forgot to mention this site which helps me a lot when I compose to find the rythm guitars and other accompanyments.

**beatmouse** · 10-17-2006, 12:59 PM

Re: How do you compose?

Spook you owes me a muh'****in song

**FluorescentArmy** · 10-17-2006, 04:33 PM

Re: How do you compose?

Look at some scales. I start fiddling with them. Boom, you have a magical piece that actually makes musical sense.

How do you compose?

How do you compose?

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