I like dabbling around on paper and coming up with all kinds of crap. What are the steps in the song writing process? Write the song first?... Make the music first (guitars, beats, etc)? What else is involved? Help me, pretty please.
There is no set way to do it...that's why it's called "creativity". Sometime it's a rhythm, sometimes a melody, sometimes it happens in an evening and sometimes it takes years, sometimes it's an arrangement, sometimes a great hook... If you are an extreme beginner, listen closely to music you enjoy and try to see why that music "works". Writing songs is a craft/skill which like any other craft/skill needs to be repeated often to become proficient. Sorry...that's the best I can do...
So it's entirely possible to start off with some songs written down and have everything else layed on top of it? Is that common or is it harder that way? Just trying to make something out of a hobby.
Not trying to be a d!ck here but why are you asking this question?? I mean every songwriter has a different system when they write. Its impossible to have a set formula. Sometimes I have a melody in my head, sometimes a few lyrics that sound cool - I'll write them down. Other times I will just start strumming or singing BS - sometimes it sounds cool sometimes it doesnt. The only piece of advice I can give you is: always carry a pen and pad of paper wherever you go.
Your still not making yourself clear. By "start off with some songs written down" I am assuming you are using "songs" interchangeably with "lyrics". A "song" is the end product and it is comprised of many things...tempo, rhythmic structure, a melody, lyrics (assuming it's not an "instrumental"), chord changes, an "arrangement" which may include a solo or a key modulation or dynamics, and of course harmony... As you see, "lyrics" are a small (but significant) part of the bigger picture. Like Drewdog mentioned, every songwriter is different and even the same songwriter is inspired at different points in the creative process... sometimes the melody comes first, sometime a set of chord changes, sometimes a rhythm... In addition to his advice about always writing things down, I would repeat my earlier comment about listening to why certain lyrics "work" in a song...the meter, the aliteration, the melody... We may not be answering you very directly, but you are not giving us much to go on.
There is no specific way! But we all would love to see your song when you are finished! Don't be a "d!ck"! I guess you get it editted or looked at?
There is a good book called The Craft of Lyric Writing that is helpful with brainstorming lyrics. It is a bit dated in the sense that the woman who wrote it bases most of her technique on vocal standards, but if you are writing pop music, it can be very helpful. As for music, it can vary widely. There are a number of good books out there dealing with the creative process of different artists. One I've always liked is Written on My Soul. It is a collection of interviews with tons of musician/songwriters from rock, pop and folk music about the craft of songwriting. For myself, I usually just plop down with a guitar or in front of my keyboard/piano and just mess around with chord progressions until I find something that strikes me.
For me, half the time it starts with a melody. I then try to create the instrumentation around the melody and sometimes come up with new melodies to add to the song in the process. Then, once I have a complete song with instrumentation I come up with the lyrics and add the vocals. A lot of times it's a single line I think of that inspires the melody. The other half, it's a guitar or keyboard riff that gets me started rather than a melody. The lyrics always come last.
Vienna Sausage are yummy. Steps to write a song: 1. find a good song writer 2. steal his song and get mucho rich. I dont write songs or care to really.
Sometimes I'll sit down in a public place (often the fountains at UH or Starbuck's near my house) with my guitar and just sit and watch people go by. I'll pick out one or two in particular and just kinda imagine their story. Then I'll play it out in my mind and as its playing, usually some kind of soundtrack will come to me -- a ballad, something jazzy and chill, something classic/zepplinish. From there I'll start working it out on my guitar as best I can. Its kind of a peculiar way to write music but its been, by far, the most effective vehicle for me to convey my feelings. At any rate, it something for you to experiment with. Good luck!
All that has been said is true, it is a random, undetermined process that is best left without restrictions or guidelines. But, like Imadrummer said, there is actually a set formula that will get you started and maybe even on the radio. Start off with a three or four chord pattern that you like and play it in four/four time over four measures. Some classics to give a beginner an example would be the G-D-C-C of Knocking on Heaven's door or the D-A-Bm-G pattern of With or Without you. Many modern songs use these common chordal progressions with slightly different tempos or melodies such as "Let her Cry" by Hootie as Knocking on Heaven's Door and With or Without you is loosely based on Pachelbel's Canon in D. Then there are the two chord switches which are very popular these days. Sublime uses one to great effect with "What I've Got". For beginners I would suggest starting with the chords and then adding the lyrics. Once you have a good feel for your instrument then you will be able to take a chorus or melody that may have popped into your head and find the right chords to play underneath it. Good luck, it is a most rewarding hobby.
