What's your composing style?

[moog]

So there are obviously alot of musicians on here, but composing wise there arent as many. Ive been listening to alot of compositions on here and mine as well and it seems they follow a certain style.

So whats your style for composing? Me, I lay out all my instruments first (in Finale), usually a bunch of piano staves, percussion and timpani. Then, I write the melody on one of the pianos. After that, I write out the counter melody and the percussion parts, then just mess around with the sounds to see what sounds right.

I usually have a upbeat/contemporary style when I write, it usually sounds the same, sometimes improv.

So! Whats your composing style? Let everyone know!

 

[rexxzecutioner]

My composition technique is utilitarian. It changes to suit what I am writing for, so it is a difficult question to answer. Some pieces will require a more improvised method, where others should be meticulously crafted with great detail.

 

[moog]

My composition technique is utilitarian. It changes to suit what I am writing for, so it is a difficult question to answer. Some pieces will require a more improvised method, where others should be meticulously crafted with great detail.

Actually, sometimes I am like this too! Either I will compose as it comes to me or I will progressivly sit over a week or so putting together a piece, if not more.

 

[mega_man_aXe]

Well sometimes I know EXACTLY what I want the song to sound like.  Either I've been hearing a melody or mood playing in my head with lots of pictures of where that song would be played and I sit down and complete the entire song in one sitting.

But..not always, other times I just am fiddling around and something massive comes out of me fiddling around, more than I expected!  Do you guys ever surprise yourselves like that?

Lately though, I've noticed I've been going back to a whole bunch of Midi I composed forever ago and applying my since then gained knowledge and tweaking the songs.  I mean, I can write decent stuff now, but there are some songs that I listen to I've composed years ago that I just can't seem to duplicate.  Something about the naiveness of my writing style then that gave it a more original feel than what I do now!

 

[Haki]

I compose rock music in Guitar Pro 5. First I create a riff, something that repeats trough the entire song with a few variations. I write the melody of the instrument that plays that riff. It can be a bass, a guitar or a piano. Then I do the simple percussion just to hold the rythm of the song. Next I write the rythm guitar. I tend to use the same chords over and over in the same song, with few variations. Sometimes I don't use the rythm but the combination rythm-lead in one guitar's lines (like Hendrix). Finaly I add some melody on the bass and piano, some more complicated drum lines and throw in a nice guitar solo. Then I check on real instruments if what I just composed is actualy playable. I've written 20 songs and I'm currently searching for a drummer and a lead guitarist (I've already found a bass player (me), a pianist, a singer and a rythm guitarist) so we can form a band to play those songs. I suck at writing lyrics, though.

 

[Anonymous]

i fuck around a lot and just sortof let things flow. very rarely do i actually know what i'm doing going into it.

 

[Karasawa]

I have no idea...I need an idea in my head of what my music will represent. I need a purpose or a 'theme' for my music.

Like, if I wanted to make a song to play while a midget spreads butter on his toast, I have to visualize the proper kind of song to play while a midget spreads butter on his toast.

From there, it's easy.

 

[moog]

But..not always, other times I just am fiddling around and something massive comes out of me fiddling around, more than I expected!  Do you guys ever surprise yourselves like that?

Surprisingly enough, my better tunes come from this, unless I plan out everything way before hand. I think the experimenation method works best sometimes when theres sort of a writer's block occuring.

 

[Sonata]

When I compose I usually pick a chord formation first, then I come up with the base line, and next I figure out the melody. Most of the time I just fuck around on my guitar until I find a cool lick to base It around. Following that I add supporting instruments and then I just edit and refine.

 

[h3ir]

i only use keyboard(synth-, drums- and piano-mode) and guitar... i start playing something one guitar and then i start making tabs for synth, drums and piano... I only use "guitar-tabs" for playing and composing...

 

[moog]

I only use "guitar-tabs" for playing and composing...

Imo this is a bad habit to get into. I used to write like this back in middle school, but as I got better with notation I soon found it was difficult to juggle the two in a composition.

 

[Gilleece]

I have been asked this numerous times before, its a hard question.

Here goes notting.

I usually get inspired by something, then I pick what style I want [if its using synth then I usually just use a midi lead sythn and pick a good proper sythn that fits it after.] I will decide weather I want an orchestra, band, solo, odd groupings etc.

I then pick a key that I feel will express the mood of the piece.

I then pick a tempo and time signature.

Then I decide on the main melody, I choose what scales I will incorporate, what chord plan etc.

That is a rough Idea of a general way I do it, but it usually varies from that, some times I just sit down in the key of C and write what comes to mind as I go along. My ways always vary which keeps me interested and creative.

Its hard to really describe what way I do it as its really a new experience every time! The way I stated above is what I somtimes like to stick to as foundations and branch of it.

 

[mega_man_aXe]

That is a rough Idea of a general way I do it, but it usually varies from that, some times I just sit down in the key of C and write what comes to mind as I go along. My ways always vary which keeps me interested and creative.

For some reason I always write evil/ominous tunes in C harmonic minor....it just happens!  I need to stop that...really though.  Also, why is it that the note C is such a good starting point?  I can think of a couple reasons, but...still, why C?

 

[moog]

That is a rough Idea of a general way I do it, but it usually varies from that, some times I just sit down in the key of C and write what comes to mind as I go along. My ways always vary which keeps me interested and creative.

For some reason I always write evil/ominous tunes in C harmonic minor....it just happens!  I need to stop that...really though.  Also, why is it that the note C is such a good starting point?  I can think of a couple reasons, but...still, why C?

Because C is the gateway scale. Anything mapped on it can easily be re-drawn on any other scale as long as you know them. (that was prolly the reason you were thinking of :3)

Personally I just hum my melody, find it on the piano, then use the corresponding scale. Always works like a charm.

 

[Gilleece]

Its always interesting to see how much procedures vary between composers, its a great way of expanding musical horizons!

 

[Gulch666]

i dont really have a method, i wouldnt call myself a musician, but ive written at least 50 songs, most of which are well composed. mostly what i do is when i get a good melody in my head i work off it, i usually write the lead melody first and then accent it with rhythm instruments, add "solos" bassline, drums, but sometimes i do it the other way around, write the "backbone" of the song first, drums and bass. depends on the mood really