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looking for composers/songwriters
Posted: Thu Mar 26, 2009 7:21 am
by dyien
Hi everyone,Long story short:I'm a lyricist, have been writing for several years now and have many songs that have all the potential of becoming hits - all they're missing is music. Good music.To get a better idea of what I'm after, think (in no particular order): Avril Lavigne, Evanescence, Lacuna Coil, Christina Aguilera, Lafee (german singer), Bon Jovi, Nickelback, Cruxshadows (and similar),... This list is by no means exhaustive, and is just a reference.I'm looking for anyone who can create music - composers, songwriters, people who play the piano or guitar... you get the idea.The music would have to be written to already existing lyrics (you get to choose the ones you want to write music to).Most of my songs were written for something along the lines of pop-rock, but I have a wide range and anything from heavy metal to pop music is possible.If you're interested I would love to hear from you - please email me on
stephrexo@gmail.comThanks,steph
Re: looking for composers/songwriters
Posted: Thu Mar 26, 2009 9:21 am
by tuite
Hey man,I don't mind working with someone. But it's so hard to find someone you can trust who is really good and can compliment your work.Personally, I think it's very rare for someone to be sufficient at songwriting without playing an instrument or at least having melodies and structure in mind. It's very hard to fit pre-written lyrics into music, that's not to say it can't be done but it's not the best way of doing things. The music should compliment the lyrics and vice-versa so I feel the foundation of both the lyrics and the music should be written together.I don't mean to put you down or blow you off. I just know from experience that after I have written a piece of music for your lyrics, I would have to change lines here and there and change a few phrases to make it fit better rhythmically and I would then have to add harmonies and maybe change the chorus or something. So after all that I would feel, "well why didn't I do that myself"? Get me? I think 9 times out of 10 it would be more hassle than it's worth.However, I'm still very open to hearing your ides and if you can prove me wrong I'd love to hear your stuff. I could only work with you though if you have a song recorded with one instrument, even if it's extremely roughly and out of tune?Cheers,Colm.
Re: looking for composers/songwriters
Posted: Thu Mar 26, 2009 3:27 pm
by dyien
Hi there,I totally understand what you mean =) Believe me, sometimes writing lyrics to music is not easy either!However I have had several successful collaborations done this way. I guess it depends on the person and whether they're inspired or not - sometimes I have periods of time when I write song after song (as lyrics to existing music), other times I'm struggling or am just plain blank (the same applies to people who made music for me).All my lyrics are written with a melody in mind, or at least a song that I want them to sound like when they get music written to them - that counts, doesn't it? I know it's not quite the same as someone who can compose and play properly, but I did have piano lessons for several years

And well, after all I call myself a lyricist and not a songwriter for a reason ;-)I have some rough recordings for a couple of songs, will PM you.And no worries, what you wrote was your opinion and I'm always open to new points of view =)
Re: looking for composers/songwriters
Posted: Fri Mar 27, 2009 6:47 am
by ciskokidd
Lyrics are my forte as well and it can be tough finding that collaborator who can take your words and make them into solid songs.It really comes down to how good your ideas are, how easily they can be structured into a melodic phrase, and how well you compromise with the composer when writing.If you think your lyrics are so precious that the composer has to find melodies to work with your exact words then you will be in for some disappointment.That being said, a good lyricist is not a dime a dozen as some folks would like to think. A good lyricist with the right composer can make magic happen.I wish you the best in finding your perfect match and maybe even a couple of perfect matches. I know I have found that right combination with a few really wonderful composers although I have taken the steps over the years to learn my instrument well enough to get my ideas in the right space that makes it easy for me to work with collaborators.Best,Cisko
Re: looking for composers/songwriters
Posted: Sun Mar 29, 2009 8:37 am
by bigdaddy123
Getting the song written a' capella even without an instrument is a great foundation for a composer to work with. I find that my guitar playing sometimes gets in the way of the vocal delivery, but how else can you stay on key ?
Re: looking for composers/songwriters
Posted: Mon Mar 30, 2009 3:31 pm
by ontariolightning
those bands you listed write their own songs...
Re: looking for composers/songwriters
Posted: Mon Mar 30, 2009 8:24 pm
by greatmoves
Hey man, I understand you don't play an instument but can you sing or hum in tune? I think having a ear is very important for people that write the way you do. If your answer is yes then you just need to find a like-minded individual to collaborate with. If no... then I'd say you should just do lyrics for now.Don't worry about all this lyrics or music first crap. IMO it does'nt matter. but it does show another persons bias/limitations when they balk at this method.after you show your Lyrics, You will probably have to convince others that you have a musical ear. All that being said, Man ASAP go to your Pawn store and pickup the cheapest (No You Don't Need a NEW One) keyboard you can find, you should be able to buy one for around $50 dollars, (don't spend over $100.00) IMO. Then go online and get some free video piano lessonsdont get caught-up with all the other fancy keyboardsMake sure it has Mid size or full-size keys, DON'T get mini-keysPS, the reason I say get a keyboard is that the sound is what you get no matter how you place your fingers on the key, unlike guitar, not that one is better than the other... Hope this helpedBB, Greatmoves
Re: looking for composers/songwriters
Posted: Wed Apr 01, 2009 4:43 pm
by jeep
or go to jamstudio.com it's free
Re: looking for composers/songwriters
Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2009 2:52 am
by dyien
Mar 30, 2009, 6:31pm, ontariolightning wrote:those bands you listed write their own songs...Yes, a good deal of them do, and...? Sorry, I'm just not sure why you mentioned that
Re: looking for composers/songwriters
Posted: Sun May 17, 2009 1:47 am
by jiml
The problem with writing music to existing lyrics is that the lyricist MUST be willing to let the lyrics be modified (to a point). Songwriter/musicians know very well how the 2 go hand in hand, one modifying the other and adapting to small changes. Nothing should be written in stone. Music and lyrics are fluid, both being the container and contents at the same time.;>)-Jim