Members jhonendarc Posted January 20, 2008 Members Share Posted January 20, 2008 **NOTE** New version further down teh page. It happens to me a lot (and I imagine many other people)...you come up with a cool riff/groove/whatnot, but when it comes to trying to finish out a song you get blocked. Most notably, I've got this little poppy Death Cab meets Jealousy Curve groove thing. It sounds pretty cool (albeit simplistic), and it's got a fun bouncy groove to it...but I can't come up with a chorus part to go with it to save my life. Here's a link if you're interested in hearing it. Crappy recording with no mixing or processing, but you get the gist. I've basically just taken the same riff/chord progression, and arranged it somewhat. There's a intro part, then a quiet verse, then basically a seque that's just half of the intro part, then another quiet verse, then a loud verse. Typical pop-rock 101 stuff. The only thing is...I have no idea where to go now. I want to try to keep it upbeat and "bouncy", but I don't want to wear it out (actually, I'm already afraid that that initial chord progression is "wearing out" with the current arrangement). So, what do you guys do when you get stuck like this? For me, it happens time and time again...I've got a whole hard drive full of cool-sounding riffs and grooves that I just can't finish out. I can use any advice I can get...it's just so frustrating to know you have something with decent potential that you can't get finished. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Ziggs65 Posted January 20, 2008 Members Share Posted January 20, 2008 I always remember a tip Steve Morse gave in a series of songwriting articles way back inthe 80's - take the chords used in the verse and play them in a different order. Simple, but effective. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Ziggs65 Posted January 20, 2008 Members Share Posted January 20, 2008 Same chords, same order, different rhythm? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members jhonendarc Posted January 20, 2008 Author Members Share Posted January 20, 2008 Well, that was my initial though...but I'm afraid it'll just get repetitive after awhile (I also entertained the idea of it being one of those songs that's just one chord progression through the whole thing, but dismissed it for the same reason). I dunno though, it seems to work for some songs (Blur's Song #2 comes to mind). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Ziggs65 Posted January 20, 2008 Members Share Posted January 20, 2008 Well, that was my initial though...but I'm afraid it'll just get repetitive after awhile Have you tried it? Sometimes I find just jamming around with the chords, you come up with something that is rythmically contrasting to the original riff, and can sound far from repetitive. Worth half an hours jamming IMO, before you dismiss it outright. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Floophead3 Posted January 20, 2008 Members Share Posted January 20, 2008 Damn, that's a catchy riff. Anyways, I think there are a couple techniques you could use to get more milage out of a riff. You can take the chord progression and slow it down. Instead of have chord changes every 2 beats, you can do it every 2 measures. Also you can try harmonic changes, like modulating to a closely related key. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members jhonendarc Posted January 20, 2008 Author Members Share Posted January 20, 2008 You can take the chord progression and slow it down. Instead of have chord changes every 2 beats, you can do it every 2 measures. Oooh, I like this. Nice simple idea...I'm gonna jam on it a bit and see what I come up with. More input is always welcome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members jhonendarc Posted January 20, 2008 Author Members Share Posted January 20, 2008 Ok, I think I might have something, let me know what you think. Take Two Not sure exactly how I feel about it yet. I kinda like going to a double-time beat for a chorus, though...changes up the rhythm without losing that dancy feel. I added a bit o' production on the ol' geetarz this time around as well (they sounded like muddy garbage on the last take). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members sabriel9v Posted January 20, 2008 Members Share Posted January 20, 2008 Ever try inverting some of your chords or adding extra bass notes to make some of the chords sound fuller? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members jhonendarc Posted January 20, 2008 Author Members Share Posted January 20, 2008 Ever try inverting some of your chords or adding extra bass notes to make some of the chords sound fuller? Yeah, I actually do that a lot. This is just a rough sketch type of thing; the little polishy things can come later. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members eagle1 Posted January 21, 2008 Members Share Posted January 21, 2008 I have to agree that it is really catchy!Have you come up with lyrics for this? BTW, what are you using to record this? (guitars, guitar effects, are the drums loops?,etc.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members jhonendarc Posted January 21, 2008 Author Members Share Posted January 21, 2008 I have to agree that it is really catchy! Have you come up with lyrics for this? BTW, what are you using to record this? (guitars, guitar effects, are the drums loops?,etc.) Thank you. No lyrics yet, but I've come up with some melody lines. It's basically just me humming into a condenser mic...sounds pretty weird right now. I'm using a MIM Fender Strat HSS into a Line 6 POD 2.0 direct into my M-Audio FastTrack USB audio interface. DAW is SONAR. Drums are sequenced by hand in FL Studio and pumped through Addictive Drums. Keep in mind that this is a quick-n-dirty job (just for songwriting purposes), if you want to hear what it's really capable of check out this thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members eagle1 Posted January 21, 2008 Members Share Posted January 21, 2008 Are you using the Ampeg plugin + the Line 6 POD on this recording also? I have to play with my VAmp 2 presets! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Matt83 Posted January 24, 2008 Members Share Posted January 24, 2008 let me know how this pans out....this riff is catchy as hell man. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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