Quick Question

[The saYer]

Which works best for you...

-Coming up with music on your own time (in your head or holding the instrument)

-On the spot during Jamming sessions.

Me and one of my guitarists were having this argument, cause I can't work like that during jamming!

OFF TOPIC-I just found out we have rep points! I have 10 points from way back when. HAHAHA.

 

[poundingmetal74]

There's no reason to argue. Both are valid, and people work differently.

Personally, I've written songs under both conditions. Some songs are born out of just jamming, although most songs I've written we're born out of a jam session but just came to me. Usually I finish writing the actual song later to hammer out lyrics, how many times riffs are played, etc.

 

[Hawk]

Most of the songs I wrote I wrote on the spot. Most of the time in the shower!

Since I don't play an instrument jamming does not work for me.
I can come up with riffs, rhythms, vocal melodies en lyrics.
In my old band I used to write all the songs. However when I explained my ideas my band started to jam with them and the songs kinda developed themselves! Worked for us!

But poundingmetal74 is right, there is no reason to limit or force yourself into a strict set of rules. See what works for you and the band.

 

[Bryant]

I found both to work equally well. The three best songs I have written were written three totally different ways. The first, entitled "The End" is an acoustic/vocals only song, yet is 100% metal. I wrote it basically dicking around with my acoustic and found chord combinations that sounded cool. I also wrote the lyrics. The second is an instrumental that has never had a title though it is about nine minutes long. It is basically progressive thrash much like Metallica meets Dream Theater. It took about three years to construct from riffs I simply created at one time or another and recorded.
The last is really more like a hard rock song with a bunch of metal and Southern rock tendencies in the song called "Fast Train." I wrote it in about 20 minutes along with my brother, who is a singer (he hates the word vocalist.)
Having said all of that though, I am typically not a great songwriter when working alone. I am much more of a technician than an artist. I am great at working with a fledgeling guitarist or a singer who can strum some chords out on acoustic giving me a basic chord progression to work with, then I sort of transform it into a more full and intricate composition.


Bryant

 

[The saYer]

There's no reason to argue. Both are valid, and people work differently.

Personally, I've written songs under both conditions. Some songs are born out of just jamming, although most songs I've written we're born out of a jam session but just came to me. Usually I finish writing the actual song later to hammer out lyrics, how many times riffs are played, etc.

I know, no reason to argue except this guy wanted things his way or else he didn't show commitment, but instead showed just enough to waste my time. I found out today our band just broke up. It was just starting to go somewhere, we needed to buy a mixer to record a quality homemade demo, and all of a sudden this. It was weird, it seemed so right and so wrong at the same time. I am trying to start something with the other guitarist right now, even though they (both guits) are trying to start a metal band with another drummer. The other guit says he might be able to stick around with me, but he isn't sure, the other guys I just can't work with, thier ideas sound so illogical to me starting with their genre: "metal" what is that? generic?
Oh well, I wish them well, but I wish myself better? I will hopefully rise up from the ashes, no demo in the next month anymore though.