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Ok. But im not an expert at lyrics >_< I just do them sometimes... Usually my friend does them. And it doesnt have to comply to what I have said... It's just A FEW TYPES of techniques. It might not be applicable to everybody. >_< And If the lyrics which I've wrote doesnt sound nice or is incorrectly used, please forgive me cuz I was just giving an example XD Well yea...

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Then I'll start then :) Hopefully you all understood the previous few lessons :P

Shall we go faster this time? :)

Lets do "lyric writing and melody insertion" today then? :P

Ok. Im not very good in lyric writing... Cause my language skills sucks...

BUT

I can give hints and tips to writing lyrics.

Ok. I can't tell you what words you have to use, but I can share with you some techniques. :)

Basically, writing lyrics is similar to writing a melody. You have to consider the length of the lyrics and its pattern. Its just like writing a poem. If you can write a poem, you can write lyrics :P

The most basic of writing lyrics is, you will first need a theme. You will need to understand what is the feeling you want to get out of the song. Is it happy, peaceful, sad, disappointment, sense of giving up, furious, panick...???

But let's try the most basic: Sad and happy(or cheerful).

Usually, for sadness, the lyrics are often spaced out and consists of one word or short sentences.

For example:

Rain... Rain is pouring... Teardrops are falling... Water is everywhere...

Short and sweet. Sometimes, it is perfectly fine not to have any grammer or subject in the lyrics (BUT DON'T GO TOO FAR "Water ARE everywhere" is NOT fine :P)

However, for happiness, or cheerful and lively songs, the lyrics are often spaced closer to each other and tend to have longer sentences.

For example: If you're happy and you know it clap your hands... If you're happy and you know it and you really want to show it, if you're happy and you know it clap your hands! :P

OR (let me write a new example :P)

erm...

here goes o.O

My heart is beating fast til I don't know what to do...

I need something to calm me down but I haven't a clue...

So everybody come, maybe they can help me out?

Oh no~ This is bad.. I'm so hot now but my fever is not coming down~~~ XD XD XD

... Something like that? :P (Ok.. I know this sounds more like panic instead XD Ahhh but you get the idea... :P)

Ok...

Now that we know what is the theme of your song and how you are going to write it, lets go on to patterns.

Ok. For EVERY SONG WRITING, WE NEED TO USE PATTERNS.

What are patterns?

Well, its a repeat of something... like words, or rhythm or verses. And choruses repeat and verses repeat as well.

So you need to know how to write repeats and write patterns.

You know that your song has verses (unless you dun intend to give it one... like my "Life" <--) :P

So, if you intend to write verses, you have to have the same pattern for your first verse and your 2nd verse................... What do I mean? :)

Lets say, if you said something like "Rain... Rain is falling." --> Subject... Subject is verb.

Your second verse should have the same thing as well, for example...

"Wind... Wind is blowing."

"I... I am sinking."

... This is a common convention used in song writing. :) If you don't like it, you can try something a little different.. example:

"No... Nothing is right." <--- Realise, that the first and second expression is not the same word, but it carries similar meaning and the last word is not exactly an action verb. This will make the song a little less easy to write because you have just changed the number of syllables for each word.

Yep! Now, we come to the next part. Syllables! Well, the best is you can write with the exact pattern in the syllables: "1 syllable, 1 1 2" <--- according to the above. So if you don't want to write according to the "Subject and verb pattern" Then you should at least follow this? But Of course, if you are an expert song writer, this is actually nothing to be concerned of... But well, Im telling you a convention. :P

Some techniques in song writing...

Well there are lots! This will have to come from your creativity...

I can name a few... but the rest you will have to come up yourself :P

You could repeat the words for the starting and ending... erm... lets see...

Example: Friday... Friday... XXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXX on Friday

Everybody's lookinnn... XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Weekend... Weekend...

^ Repeating the words technique. :P

Hmmmm... how about the "repeating the sentence" XD ... ok you prob knew that already :P ... Like IF you're happy and you know it clap your hands... If youre happy and you know it clap your hands... XD

Ok.. There's also a "describe the above word" / "describe the bottom word" pattern :P

E.g

Memories...

They're empty as ever...

My heart...

They're broken like glass...

Or perhaps:

Wait...

I ask my darling to wait...

So that I can tell him what I wanna say...

Stop...

I asks my legs to stop...

I couldn't control them any more...

Or perhaps...

I see myself but its not me...

I move around and it follows me...

Reflection. :P

Or maybe..

I'm your biggest fan, I'll follow you until you love me...

Papa... paparazzi :P

Right... and There are many others... well, it all depends on your creativity. Well, you could write a story.. or flashback:

We were both young when I first saw you

I closed my eyes and the flashback starts

I'm standing there...

On a balcony of summer air...

You could do echos as well:

Stand under my umbrella,

..Ella, ella, eh eh eh...

Under my umbrella,

.. Ella , ella, eh eh eh ...

under my umbrella....

Or perhaps you've heard of... Pappppppaaa... paparazzi...

Or maybe:

Keep bleeding

Keep, keep bleeding love

I keep bleeding

I keep, keep bleeding love

Keep bleeding

Keep, keep bleeding love

You cut me open~~~

Ok.... well, I think we'll continue part two of this some other day... It's a ... long enough post now :P

Lets continue with the lesson then....

Okay...

Ok. Now you know how to write the lyrics. Now you need to know some ways of writing the entire song.

That means. Song structure.

SONG STRUCTURE:

Im sure you know what are verses, what are choruses.

Verses are like the build up of a story... Whereas choruses are the climax. Hmmm.... Verses are just like... DC where Kaitou Kid issues a warning and all the police prepares for his appearance. Choruses will be like the actual Heist, or the time where you see all the actions... or the time where it is most captivating.

If you want to imagine it,

it could be something like...

Verses:

You are collecting balloons, one by one... slowly.

Chorus:

You let go of all the balloons batch by batch and it gives a really magnificent sight.

There is another called a Bridge.

A Bridge is something that actually links the verse to the chorus. OR

It is something added between two parts of the song. No matter whether is it between two chorus, or verse and chorus. It's melody is usually different from either verse or chorus. It is a totally separate entity by itself and is only used as a join. Something like... the silence before a storm... =\ hmmm not sure if that is understandable XD

Ok... There are other stuff in the song too... but we dont care about those first. We just learn the simplest stuff first.

Verses and choruses.

Verses and Chorus:

Usually, the most common occurence is this:

Verse-Chorus-Verse-Chorus-Chorus

and

Verse1-Verse2-Chorus-Verse3-Verse4-Chorus-Chorus

and

Verse1-Verse2-Chorus-Verse2-Chorus-Chorus

If you wanna know in-depth, I've found it in the internet... >_<

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Song_structure_(popular_music)#Pre-chorus

Yep.

Once you know the song structure and what I have said in previous tutorials. You can start writing the lyrics of a song now!!!! :)

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Eh.. What's this "raifu"-thing..? óÒ'' I don't get it..

Hmmm... How do I multiquote using iPhone?? O.o

Nvm...

It's our band Kidd :) wanna join? :P lol you can help be our promoter or percussionist :P

XD

Anyways we talk about all the music related or even unrelated stuff <_< here XD haha

You can come in to learn as well... We welcome phantom thieves as well... :P

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Lets continue with the lesson then....

Okay...

Ok. Now you know how to write the lyrics. Now you need to know some ways of writing the entire song.

That means. Song structure.

SONG STRUCTURE:

Im sure you know what are verses, what are choruses.

Verses are like the build up of a story... Whereas choruses are the climax. Hmmm.... Verses are just like... DC where Kaitou Kid issues a warning and all the police prepares for his appearance. Choruses will be like the actual Heist, or the time where you see all the actions... or the time where it is most captivating.

If you want to imagine it,

it could be something like...

Verses:

You are collecting balloons, one by one... slowly.

Chorus:

You let go of all the balloons batch by batch and it gives a really magnificent sight.

There is another called a Bridge.

A Bridge is something that actually links the verse to the chorus. OR

It is something added between two parts of the song. No matter whether is it between two chorus, or verse and chorus. It's melody is usually different from either verse or chorus. It is a totally separate entity by itself and is only used as a join. Something like... the silence before a storm... =\ hmmm not sure if that is understandable XD

Ok... There are other stuff in the song too... but we dont care about those first. We just learn the simplest stuff first.

Verses and choruses.

Verses and Chorus:

Usually, the most common occurence is this:

Verse-Chorus-Verse-Chorus-Chorus

and

Verse1-Verse2-Chorus-Verse3-Verse4-Chorus-Chorus

and

Verse1-Verse2-Chorus-Verse2-Chorus-Chorus

If you wanna know in-depth, I've found it in the internet... >_<

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Song_structure_(popular_music)#Pre-chorus

Yep.

Once you know the song structure and what I have said in previous tutorials. You can start writing the lyrics of a song now!!!! :)

Hmm... I see. If that's the case then prob we have to stall until August? :P Im pretty free in July though... XD Well, lets see if pipichan comes back soon :)

*Im guessing she'll be like... What happened when Im gone? :mellow: *

Ok.... then lets continue then :P

Yea! You have now learnt the art of writing lyrics!!!!! Lets fill in the melody now!

We have decided the theme of the song from the front few steps. --> Happy or Sad.

We know that If the theme is sad, the words will most likely be short and simple and the sentences are short. When the theme is happy, the words tend to be spaced quite closer to each other and the number of words is longer.

So the song is the same too. There are "sentences" in a song as well. We have to take the song as a story and there are sentences and paragraphs. We have to determine which are sentences and which are paragraphs. Usually the sentences in a song, corresponds with the sentences of the lyrics.

What does that mean? In a song, for most cases, 4 bars of music could be a sentence and 8 bars of sentences is a paragraph(or a section of a song). Some characteristics of the end of a sentence are short breaks or some long notes which continue with a repetition of some of the previously played melody. So, a sentence of a song may end with the ending of the lyrics.

Ok... Im feeling sleepy XD

Lets continue with the placement of notes.

There are a few ways of writing your melody. But lets talk about two most common ways.

Major and Minor.

Major Key is usually used for happy and lively songs and minor key is usually used for sad, depressing songs. (There are other uses, but since we're talking only about happy and sad I wont include the rest in yet)

Ok Let's talk C Major Key:

C D E F G A B C1

Ok, now it's minor key:

A Minor:

A B C D E F G# A

Usually when you write a sad song, it will usually be slow or its initial development is slow.

Also, a sad song can usually be written in minor key. Minor key usually brings forth negative emotions. So its good for writing sad songs. However, it is common for writers to actually interchange the keys here and there. So it is not uncommon to use a major key for a sad song and then change it to minor key in the middle or the other way round. :) A happy song usually just uses the major key.

Side notes: You noticed a G# in the minor key? Sometimes these things are ignored. They use a minor key and when these are needed, they switch it back to major XD hahaha... But sometimes, this actually makes the song nicer. :P

Ok lets work with a sad song now.

How do we start? We need to start by drawing out sections of the song. Meaning sentences and paragraphs...

How do we do that?

Look at the lyrics. For now, just draw it out exactly like the lyrics.

Eg

Rain... --- 1 sentence

Rain is falling. ---- 1 sen

I am crying. ------- 1 sen

When the wind blows

I feel so cold. ---------- 1 sen

I need some warmth. ---------- 1 sen

I need someone to be here for me. -----1 sen

Where is that person? -------1 sen

Something like this.

So according to what you've drawn out (you can do that in your head its ok...)

You have to put the melody according to the sentence.

Ok. SO the first word is "Rain...."

Now, select a note from the minor key (Ok lets go with minor key :P)

Usually, the starting of the song, will use either of these notes: 1st note from the key, third note from the key or fifth note from the key.

Select one.

Ok I shall select the first note: A <---- (just and example... you can choose either of the three notes...)

"Rain..." A ~ ~ ~|

I chose one bar for one sentence this time. (You can choose 1/2 bar or 2 bars, or 4 or 8, but.... 1/2 is too short for a sad song and 8 bars is too long for ONE word... so I go with 1 bar...)

Now, the next sentence:

"Rain is falling." Ok not a ONE WORD this time... But I shall use 1 bar again for this then.

However this time, since this is not the first note or a single note, you need to choose the note that it will end in. (Note that you have to decide what note to end the sentence in)

In this case, I think I shall use the scales (as the pattern :P) So this time I will end with a B. So...

"Rain is falling." O A-1 B-1 C B-1 |

O is a one beat rest. :P

and I continue with the pattern:

"I am crying." O B-1 C D C |

"When the wind blows

I feel so cold." - Ok this is long... I shall use 2 bars for this then... and make this sentence as the end of the paragraph...

"When the wind blows O C D E D |

I feel so cold. " C D C B |

OK. Now... For MOST Songs, there will be a sub ending in the middle of a verse. THis is NOT the ending of a verse. It is just the ending for a paragraph in a verse.

For these kind of subs, we have to get it a subending. There are usually only two to choose from for SUB-ENDING: 2nd or 5th note of scale --> 2nd note OR fifth note of the scale.

I used.... 2nd then... which is B. (Shown above :) )

-----------------

I need some warmth. ---------- 1 sen

I need someone to be here for me. -----1 sen

Where is that person?

---------------

Let's skip all the way until the LAST NOTE from the verse.

OK. This part you can choose to end it in a "SUB ENDING" way or a "FULL ENDING" way... (I will use these terms so that you can understand)

Sub ending will allow the ending to transit more smoothly from the verse to the chorus so that will be no danger. Full ending will be to give an ending to the verse and the next arc of the song shall begin.

Since you already know about sub-endings, let's do a full ending instead.

XD

Ok for an ending, if yours is minor key, you can end with either these again: first, third or fifth... again. Ok . this time I shall end with the:

with the 3rd note which is C.

So let's say...

"Where is that person?" X XX Person... // G FE D C|

*Sorry half asleep while doing this... Hopefully its understandable... * If not please inform me... >_<

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Hmmm... How do I multiquote using iPhone?? O.o

Nvm...

It's our band Kidd :) wanna join? :P lol you can help be our promoter or percussionist :P

XD

Anyways we talk about all the music related or even unrelated stuff dry.gif here XD haha

You can come in to learn as well... We welcome phantom thieves as well... :P

Thanks, but.. no thanks!! :D I don't wanna join.. :) I'm sorry...

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...

I know that about songwriting, but I'm out of ideas :(

Occasionally I might get 'flashes of inspiration', but otherwise I can't focus on one thing for too long

Blame me.

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