5 Ways to not COMPLETELY SUCK at SONGWRITING!

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  • čas přidán 29. 06. 2024
  • Sure you're a great guitar player. But your songwriting? YECH!! A dog vomiting on toast has more musicality than the riff-turds you've been crapping out for the last four years. Here's help: spectreacademy.net/courses/co...
    0:00 Your Songwriting SUCKS
    5:31 Riff Salad
    11:30 Grunting
    17:39 Pattern Recognition
    22:09 It's HUGE
    30:15 It's COMPREHENSIVE
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Komentáře • 337

  • @TylerJohnstonGuitar
    @TylerJohnstonGuitar Před rokem +204

    The key to music is making people want to listen to it. Your minor arpeggios might be super technical, but it might not sound as good as 3 chords being played with the right rhythm.

    • @morbidmanmusic
      @morbidmanmusic Před rokem +30

      the key to music is making music YOU want to listen to. Hopefully one would have some taste. Never write for the listener. the listener comes to you.

    • @TylerJohnstonGuitar
      @TylerJohnstonGuitar Před rokem +3

      @@morbidmanmusic Depends what you’re after. KISS made songs for themselves and did okay, then made a “sellout” song and sold a ton more records.

    • @mrcoatsworth429
      @mrcoatsworth429 Před rokem +12

      @@TylerJohnstonGuitar Yeah, no I don't agree with that. Of course, if you want to MAKE MONEY making music, sure. But what always comes up short (especially also in Glenn's videos) is what the artist actually wants to do. For those of us who are over their delusions of grandeur and are content with the fact that they will never, ever make a living off their own music, it's the far better and healthier route to just make the music you wanna make. I'd rather fail to sell music I enjoyed making than fail to sell music I hated making.
      So while you're technically correct, I disagree that the key to music is making people want to listen to it. That's how the spotify top 10 are born. The key to music is enjoying making it.

    • @chaptermasterpedrokantor1623
      @chaptermasterpedrokantor1623 Před rokem +6

      @@TylerJohnstonGuitar Then again you get Radiohead who after their smash success hit with creep decided to never write such a song again and went increasingly more experimental. And found an audience that way. Maybe the golden compromise is to make songs that you still want to listen too and yet you try to write for the listener too? Having a smash hit is awesome, but if it was that one throwaway song you thought was going to be a B-side and which now defines you, that has frustrated many an artist too. Or maybe the lesson is never write and release anything that you can't live with? Either artistic or commercial?

    • @TylerJohnstonGuitar
      @TylerJohnstonGuitar Před rokem +4

      @@mrcoatsworth429 You’re right, I should’ve rephrased. It’s more so the key to selling music. But some people equate sales with success. It’s all about how you see it. Music should be expressive.

  • @rabengottofficial9437
    @rabengottofficial9437 Před rokem +23

    Glenn! I need to thank you so much: With the help of your channel I managed to record a full length album myself, found a label with a good distributor and now our band's music is available at record shops and big box stores here in Germany. We were also featured in the leading two magazines for our target audience with interviews, got good reviews and were played in the radio. The spark that started the fire was your video about mixing and monitors - I couldn´t afford them at the time and was mixing with headphones but never got the results I was longing for when hearing the music loud. After your video I started mixing in my 20 year old Volvo and boy, I was in a different world after that. Again, thank you so much for giving your viewers game-changing and easy accessable advice.

    • @nickrouse8426
      @nickrouse8426 Před 3 měsíci +1

      That's incredible! Good for you all :)

  • @truthtorpedo99
    @truthtorpedo99 Před rokem +26

    The Cranberries are Irish and had heavy accents. I don't think it was a weird phrasing thing, just a regional speech thing. Not everyone has to speak like a BBC news presenter

    • @raykassal7872
      @raykassal7872 Před 3 měsíci

      Take a listen to Rafaels music if you really want the dial-up sounds blaring in your head. I recommend not wasting your time though.

    • @PatrickHall
      @PatrickHall Před 10 dny

      I agree. Accents need to be taken into account.

  • @StateOfMercury
    @StateOfMercury Před rokem +102

    I can't tell you how many bands come through my studio where every member thinks they are the technical master of their band. Everyone needs to be going 100% through the whole song. Most bands fail to recognize that more or less once a vocal is in a song, it's usually the most important part. Complicated riffs and drumming can be cool, but if there is no space for a vocalist, it's just a bunch of people making noise. (there are exceptions to this for sure) but there are so many people out there that equate technical instrumental prowess with good song writing or good composition, when often that is just not the case.

    • @woodywillchange
      @woodywillchange Před rokem +2

      wtf mercury here

    • @Dram1984
      @Dram1984 Před rokem +9

      Vocals are the most important part of a song. In fact if there are no vocals it’s not actually a song (the word song comes from sing).
      Songs are 1000% more popular than instrumental music.
      This causes instrumentalists to seethe and cope endlessly.

    • @travisspaulding2222
      @travisspaulding2222 Před rokem +7

      When my singer has a great lyric or hook, I have no problem just straight up Ramones-ing shit. Just hitting the chord progression while my vocalist operates. Everyone will get their time to shine. It doesn't have to be all at once.

    • @oldfart6938
      @oldfart6938 Před rokem

      Hi mate .. geilo 🫵🏼😎🤘🏽

    • @chaptermasterpedrokantor1623
      @chaptermasterpedrokantor1623 Před rokem +6

      I keep on telling guitarists, including myself, when you are up that stage 99% of the time the audience will be focused on the singer. And the only attention you will get as an instrumentalist is when you play a (short) solo or when you f*** up. Everything else is taken as a given. Your extensive pedal board does not matter, your expensive guitars don't matter, your wall of tube amps or Axe-FX's do not matter, your whole precious tone does not matter. You might as well play into a cheap transistor amp with a Squier guitar into some Behringer pedals, if what you play is decent and serves the vocals well, everything else, your kit, your guitars, your attitude, you only do it for you. Not because it actually serves a purpose.

  • @StephGV2
    @StephGV2 Před rokem +15

    Even when people follow all the rules, writing a good song is a hard. Writing a great *metal* song is a miracle.

    • @Zoltar_V
      @Zoltar_V Před 10 měsíci +8

      If you want to write a good song, you'll have to accept that you'll be writing A LOT of terrible songs before that and that's fine

    • @StephGV2
      @StephGV2 Před 10 měsíci +2

      @@Zoltar_V There's an old saying in the art world: "Every artist has a thousand bad drawings. The sooner you start and the more you draw, the faster you get them out of your system."
      Seems to apply to music and writing as well. Even people who have written a great song, wind up writing a lot of terrible songs afterwards.

  • @killergrooves2438
    @killergrooves2438 Před rokem +13

    One of my favorite bands is Band-Maid. They are very good at writing songs that are incredibly catchy that you want to listen to over and over, but they’re full of riffs and intricate bass lines and killer drum patterns. But it’s arranged in a way that’s stimulating to listen to and makes you go, “Wow, that is cool.” And it sounds deceptively simple, but I’ve picked up little things the 5th time listening to a song that I didn’t notice the first 4 times. That happens a lot with them.

    • @Molotov_Milkshake
      @Molotov_Milkshake Před rokem +2

      They have some great pace and keep their music constantly interesting.

    • @kagenotatsumaki
      @kagenotatsumaki Před 8 měsíci

      Sweet! A Band-Maid comment that I didn't make! XD Always great to see a fellow B-M fan!

  • @vinnyhydeswt
    @vinnyhydeswt Před rokem +9

    Summary, folks: if you want to be technical, do it in moderation. Phrase your songs with the right contexts, melodies and wisely used riffs. These videos have been an eye opener for me with my songwriting.

  • @maxcasey5655
    @maxcasey5655 Před rokem +4

    Thank you thank you thank you for putting this up. I’ve been wanting to hear this sort of stuff for a long time. You’ve earned my respect and trust and I picked up the course and can’t wait to dig in!

  • @WalterEVera-px5ko
    @WalterEVera-px5ko Před rokem +1

    Love the channel and your guests channel. Don't ever stop the honesty. Thank you

  • @JK_35
    @JK_35 Před rokem +34

    a good song will work anyway you play it, acoustic or full out, and will keep people coming back to listen. riffs only keep the guitar players coming back. great video.

    • @orlock20
      @orlock20 Před rokem

      While that is true, that seems to be too much effort for these people. Even the metal bands should be writing acoustic pop songs and then converting them over.

    • @3van1993
      @3van1993 Před 9 měsíci

      Fun fact: Black Metal sounds like Surf Rock when you remove the distortion from the guitars

    • @childrenoftheabzu
      @childrenoftheabzu Před 5 měsíci

      @@3van1993 yeah except for the chord progressions, the melody, the minor keys, the dissonance and overall feel of the music. other than that, yeah, surf rock. lol. Just because they use tremolo picking doesnt make them the same any more than strumming would make 2 genres the same. Bluesgrass and thrash use a lot of the same techniques too but are not the same.

  • @stephenhepburn2220
    @stephenhepburn2220 Před rokem +2

    Love you guys, do this more often ,thanks Glen for sharing !

  • @jackgolden5006
    @jackgolden5006 Před rokem +7

    Thank you! As a singer/topliner/writer I'm so happy that these stuff is finally told. I had so many demos presented to me that were all of this stuff and more. Ever tried to write lyrics or melodies over a song that has no direction, no space or structure. No Structure and no theme/idea of what their song is or what it should represent is a hell to work on. It's not that it''s not possible but too hard to work on all the time.
    Plus Bonustip: Learnig how to be inspired is real. Mornig pages/thought pages are an excellent way to get inspired, as are mind maps....

  • @ladyjulia4038
    @ladyjulia4038 Před rokem +1

    Killer video guys! Thankyou and keep killing it!

  • @JoeStuffzAlt
    @JoeStuffzAlt Před rokem +3

    If you listen to Through the Fire and Flames, the riffing, power chords, and strumming go along to the vocals. The guitar work either boosts the vocalist, or responds to him. In fact, the way they play the guitars actually follows the lyrics.
    "On a cold winter morning"... very light in sound, almost empty. "When the darkness is falling down/sound of evil laughter"... sounds chaotic. "On the Blackest Plains"... more structured and heavy with double bass drum. "We know"... excellent fill. "So now we fly ever free"... simple power chords, played almost in a hopeful way. "Day after the day this misery must go on"... hard
    The guitars are telling their own story, almost like a soundtrack to a narrator.

  • @letstalksong
    @letstalksong Před rokem

    Thanks for the channel link in the description, it was great talking to you!

  • @Frank_Kreepy
    @Frank_Kreepy Před rokem +2

    Excellent content as always 👌
    This subject for me feels like it's pulling me at both ends of the spectrum though because style comes from personal taste and personal preference is not really debatable because that's what molds and shapes the artwork and makes you want to keep doing music.
    I beleive at the end of the day it comes down to mastery of the tools at your disposal and intention.
    There is a HUGE difference between people trying to achieve something and people who can chose to do something "wrong" because they've mastered the concepts and break the rules in a strategic way to create contrast etc...
    I guess what I'm getting at is some people can't plan, they just spew out stuff and hope for the best instead of planning to win.
    This channel has been consistently hitting the nail on the head with how people are thinking when they approach a problem and this drives the point home yet again.
    Good luck with the new course :)

  • @tommydeamon7657
    @tommydeamon7657 Před rokem

    Hats off too you and you're guests you are the bomb Glen thank you

  • @widerangeechoes3997
    @widerangeechoes3997 Před rokem

    You guys are just hilarious😂😂. Enjoyed this one very much. Never saw anyone trigger Glenn this good😅😅
    Most info wasn't very new, but maybe a good slap on the head to take these tips and let them flow into our songs😏😏😏

  • @blindbonesMusic
    @blindbonesMusic Před 10 měsíci +11

    Music producers telling songwriters how they should write their songs is exactly how we ended up in this vicious cycle of never ending pop metal

    • @Arkansya
      @Arkansya Před 8 měsíci +3

      most guitarists are definitely not songwriters

  • @MoreMeRecording
    @MoreMeRecording Před rokem +5

    This sage advise in this video. Really great content! Appreciate you all.
    I'm lucky I have a very good singer / lyricist for the stuff I do. Its a great relationship where often he will ask me for a title to inspire him and off he goes. The last one we did that I just uploaded the other day, I kinda threw a curve ball at him using *Hanlon's Razor* as the title and ended up with a JP influenced song. I'll take it! haha. With that said, I've done Power Pop then even a 60s surf inspired song and he has no problem with them. But *songs*...Riff salad is a great point and a real thing. I'd way rather write a song than something to impress all the lads at the local guitar store.

  • @MoskauProductions
    @MoskauProductions Před rokem +3

    Me as a beginner songwriter, my thing is getting the hook of the song. Try to find a cool, catch riff or a tasty solo that’ll get the listener’s attention. I’ll show my friends and family a few recordings to get a second opinion. So far, they said they want a full song with singing. Of course my singing is kind of dogshit rn so I mainly just write riffs for right now but hey I’m making progress. Thinking about buying a singing course and do Melissa Cross’s scream training since I gravitate toward hard rock and metal. Great advice man! Thank you so much!!

    • @orlock20
      @orlock20 Před rokem

      The only tasty solos that people remember are blues solos and not pentatonic sweeps that metal guitarists just love to think is soloing..

  • @GillRigged
    @GillRigged Před rokem

    This really interests me. Thank. You. Glenn. 🙌

  • @jukesasaurusrex
    @jukesasaurusrex Před rokem +1

    Great lesson thank you

  • @dudarino666
    @dudarino666 Před rokem +2

    I often ""Steal"" structures from songs I really like and work from there. Use chords or riffs of my choosing and just kinda follow when they switch parts and how they switch to them. It often leads me to changing the structure a bit more and creating some of my favorite songs ive written. It teaches you what structures work and what doesnt.
    I also try and make sure I have vocal versions of riffs. I like pauses in the song when they fit. To me its one of those silence speaks louder than words things. Its always a work in progress. Ive always been too nervous to submit my song ideas for review. But our band Tinnitus Attack is slowly releasing new stuff as we finish it.
    Thanks Glenn for helping me keep some egos in check and giving me many things to improve on while I struggle with leading a band, writing music, and learning to record and mix myself.

    • @Molotov_Milkshake
      @Molotov_Milkshake Před rokem

      You should be stealing progressions and keys, not structures.

  • @Ryan_Messenger
    @Ryan_Messenger Před rokem

    This is good stuff. 👍

  • @Metaldad87
    @Metaldad87 Před rokem +3

    This is so true. You can be technical as hell but if you cant write a good song it doesn't matter. Ive been practicing with a band for a one off show and the material is simple to play but it all has groove and doesnt over stay its welcome. Which goes to say just because it's simple to play doesnt mean its bad or boring

  • @dadsweaters1716
    @dadsweaters1716 Před rokem +2

    I'm still blown away my Trick or Treat song made the bangers list 😂🎉😂

  • @barrry9
    @barrry9 Před rokem

    I have to really recommend the course - I'm not even all the way through the 1st part and have already learned quite a lot. Great value for money in my books :)

  • @princessl.d.g.
    @princessl.d.g. Před rokem +2

    I'm not a metalhead, but this is awesome! I believe these tips can apply to other genres too. 😊

  • @travisspaulding2222
    @travisspaulding2222 Před rokem +7

    Even songwriting is more effective than new speakers, lol.

  • @stianchrister
    @stianchrister Před 8 měsíci

    Heavy metal infomercials are so cool. Thanks, Glenn.

  • @bryansmith5018
    @bryansmith5018 Před rokem +4

    Tell henning Pauly that his tip on vocals singing a word weird like the word salad thing ....is stupid ...it's called "Cadence" and alot of times it's necessary and works great !

    • @bryansmith5018
      @bryansmith5018 Před rokem +1

      James hetfield had to refine this and he said it made him a better singer

  • @darzik
    @darzik Před rokem

    You three are the type of people I want to hang out with. My mind of people 😁👍

  • @br00talbr00skeez
    @br00talbr00skeez Před rokem

    Gleeeyeeeeeeyeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeennnnnnnn.
    Love this video. I watch your mix reviews and think the same thing. (sorry guys) not to say I am much better or anything like that
    I am currently attending for audio production and part of getting this degree, requires learning theory and a lot of basic song writing/ commercial intro classes to music concepts. For awhile I used to feel frustrated by this until, I realized a good producer is worth their weight in gold - if they actually understand what makes a “song”. Its key signature, tempos and changes etc. These things are fundamentals to song writing and knowing what your producing is key. Unfortunately they are changing the curriculum now to not require that and it makes me sad honestly. I learned a lot as a producer and a musician (minor in jazz guitar originally self taught metal guy) and I now understand why it was a requirement and why it was helpful as a producer. This content is the hardest truths music producers, and would be composers/musicians will have to face. Technique is not everything if you cannot apply it to create.
    I am pretty close to getting my BA but for anyone thinking of getting an audio production degree, it is about as useful and valuable as an NFT. (Not very) you will get more info and faster from resources that are free to you folks. This industry does not require degrees.
    Case and point- have mixing jobs and I am taking advanced editing in mastering for a BA from a class taught by someone who has no education whatsoever (other than their authentic experience). This is the greatest scam and waste of money over any gear.
    Everyone can take it upon themselves to learn production and how to write music if they try. 🙃🤘🏻🎸

  • @LilLingLing6789
    @LilLingLing6789 Před 2 měsíci +1

    The riff topic... For us who play neo classical instrumental metal can't get away with riffing constantly, we have to tell a story.. Revolution and building tension is one of the many things we have to take into consideration along with things llke modes, key changes, borrowing from other keys, inversions and so much more.. I wonder how many of your listeners know their scale intervals and formulas or even why and how the chords or notes they play work and how they do what they do

  • @clanwaddell5628
    @clanwaddell5628 Před rokem +1

    There really is no one size fits all approach. But with anything you have to work hard, learn and adjust. As a guitar and bass player, I have done that, but as a songwriter, I kind of suck as a singer, but it’s fun. Thanks for the video.

  • @luisnunes3863
    @luisnunes3863 Před rokem +4

    The way I see it, Rhapsody's albums were 6 or 7 fist pumping metal songs, 1 or 2 fun little neobaroque songs and 1 big, epic orchestral extravaganza lasting 20 min. to finish. And anyone that thinks they're more technical than those dudes needs a reality check.
    You have got to earn those epics with stuff people want to sing along to! 🤘🤘
    P.s. Henning: "You can't teach the exception", I have to steal that.
    P.p.s. Russian folklore and metal go real well together, Arkona and GRAI prove it.

  • @PoeticDissentMusic
    @PoeticDissentMusic Před rokem +2

    Unfortunately I'm not a very technical, versatile guitarist during a time of I guess virtuosity. I only have song writing really. I really like the idea of changing the technical aspect for simplicity when it comes to the words because the words ARE the song in my opinion. Regardless if you're a growler or not.

  • @thomasbaldiscola4671
    @thomasbaldiscola4671 Před rokem

    AWESOME VIDEO!! I've been studying the band Korn's approach to song writing. I love how simple and creative their music is, and NOT any solo wankery or riff salad. Although I love a good solo that's done tastefully. Vocal melodies are the most important thing in any genre. So leave room for hooks as you guys mentioned. Anyway GREAT VIDEO!

  • @invujerry
    @invujerry Před rokem +4

    Idk what’s worse, 13 minute djent riffs or black metal tracks with a full minute of trudging through snow and wind noise.

    • @SlyHikari03
      @SlyHikari03 Před rokem

      Reminds me of the first time I heard the black metal band panopticon

    • @invujerry
      @invujerry Před rokem

      @@SlyHikari03 they’re easily my favorite band but sometimes I’m like…. Yes atmosphere let’s get on with it

  • @thesagapov
    @thesagapov Před rokem +8

    I've been listening to more metal recently, I noticed that the focus in modern metal is generally on the quality of the sounds being produced and how cool the breakdowns are as opposed to the listening experience. So, I don't end up listening to most of the songs for more than like 30 seconds.
    Frankly, when I can't understand the vocalist cause they're screaming, and when I can't hear what notes the guitars are playing cause they're so low and being played with so much distortion, and when there's so much dissonance in the guitars that I can't identify what key we're in, then there's nothing for me as a listener to latch onto and I get extremely fucking bored. If no one can follow anything in the song, and the song doesn't feel like it's going anywhere, then pretty much no one is going to want to listen to it.

    • @Dram1984
      @Dram1984 Před rokem +1

      Yeah, metal has fallen hard into the “TikTok” format.

  • @Lewwyriffs
    @Lewwyriffs Před rokem

    Choking for the ELE Update. Much Love Glenn

  • @michaelgallegos8811
    @michaelgallegos8811 Před rokem

    Glenn glad to see you up and going ! Yeah I was writing songs years back writing on paper! but bad things happened and I lost my way on song writing guitar playing is natural for me after almost 50years and I still suck😂😂😂 great episode man 🎸🎛🥁🍺🎶🤘.

  • @Molotov_Milkshake
    @Molotov_Milkshake Před rokem +1

    How I write:
    -Come up with a theme or an idea, which should include a mood and style I am aiming to create.
    -Come up with a good riff.
    -Build progressions based on the key of the riff, so that all the parts of the song fit together correctly. It can be as simple as playing the same chords in a different rhythm or strumming style, but it can be more complex too.
    -Structure the rhythm guitar and beats, add bass and other instruments if I want.
    -Come up with vocal melodies. I just use placeholder lyrics to do this, so I can focus on the melodies rather than lyrics. Lyrics require specific focus.
    -THEN write the lyrics, and start fitting them to your music. Expect to edit your lyrics a lot to 1) make them fit, and 2) make them more interesting and avoiding lame clichés.
    -For lyrics, I write down what I want to say, then think of more interesting, cryptic, surreal or mysterious ways to say the same things. For example, instead of saying "People fighting", I would say something like "warring tribes" or something like that. Make your lyrics a story, and let your audience have some interpretation. Lastly, with lyrics, avoid shitty clichés that will make most people cringe. Don't sing about your ex girlfriend ditching you. Don't sing about "the demons in my head". BE POETIC and INTERESTING. And leave something to the imagination.
    -Lastly for real, with lyrics: don't get hung up on rhyming everything. It's totally unecessary, and it causes limitations in your vocabulary. You can use other techniques to avoid rhyming things, or you can use other timings and similar sounding words.
    -FINALLY I record my vocal tracks and go about creating my mix.
    -Ultimately you have to make your music interesting and engaging. Avoid long songs as people WILL get bored. Leave your listener wanting more. Most tracks I write are no longer than 2:30, but then again I do write fast-paced punk rock and hard rock, so length is down to your style to an extent. Just try not to outstay your welcome. 2-3 verses and 2-3 choruses is the most you need.

  • @CBolt17
    @CBolt17 Před rokem

    The love for crazy print is strong with these 2

  • @Gate11Studio
    @Gate11Studio Před rokem

    A good catchy heavy melody and vocal harmony is what inspires me to keep listening to a track. I believe vocals are the hardest part and will make or break a song but grunts will make me skip to the next track. I'd rather listen to an instumental. Guitar solos are not required. Thanks for the video it was very informative!

  • @emmanuelmayoral9779
    @emmanuelmayoral9779 Před 14 dny

    The “riff sal-AD” rule reminds me of Celtic Frost and their interesting pronunciation of words. Dethroned Emperor comes to mind.

  • @guitar_gnome
    @guitar_gnome Před rokem

    What the fuck. This is awesome. I love these guys. Glen your rant about cutting notes reminds me of the scene in Amadeus when the Emperor tells Mozart... "Too many notes. Just cut a few, and it will be perfect." lol

  • @tommydeamon7657
    @tommydeamon7657 Před rokem

    Thank you my Canadian brother

  • @chrisgentry7242
    @chrisgentry7242 Před 2 měsíci +1

    I'm going to start a power trio named riff salad.

  • @natashanyxx9486
    @natashanyxx9486 Před rokem

    I write all of my lyrics with the rhythm of the enunciation- down to the syllable count - in mind.
    I count the sentences, and there is an expressive structure in place before the lyrics are ever put to music.

  • @CreativeMindsAudio
    @CreativeMindsAudio Před rokem +2

    The reason i will never do that ‘review’ kinda show like your mix review show is because it’s always gonna be awful songs and it’ll annoy me a lot that I’ll probably just piss people off. I gotta have some filter on who can get the spotlight. When i scouted for interviews for my show locally it was like 2/3 were incredible, but this is LA it should be almost all of them 😂. If you are leaning on production techniques or technical talent, you aren’t gonna last. If you can’t play your song stripped down live you likely don’t have a good song.
    Also video editing is on point for this video!

  • @napesdrk1174
    @napesdrk1174 Před rokem

    It's been 3 weeks since the last Monday mixdowns. Mondays are just F k ING Mondays again....thanks Glenn

  • @mitchellmartinez4638
    @mitchellmartinez4638 Před 3 měsíci

    I am interested in the word stressing and the rhythm, but didn't quite understand how it works. can we get a video on how to anylize songs that are doing the work correctly?

  • @BlueArpeggio.PoDoDan
    @BlueArpeggio.PoDoDan Před rokem

    Damn that new intro song blew my head away with that gnarly guitars

  • @bryansmith5018
    @bryansmith5018 Před rokem

    This was a good episode .....it wasn't about boring guitar review talk or guitar talk with Glenn fricker....

  • @markcall1982
    @markcall1982 Před rokem

    another thing I would add to learn song writing is to rewrite a song. and try to make another version. and maybe another key. it helps learn how things progress and how to get different chords and key changes and all that from the riffs.

  • @gh0ul.nin9
    @gh0ul.nin9 Před rokem +1

    I would like to add that making the music that you want to hear, and making sure it’s authentic to you is important as well. Take an emotion, ambience/atmosphere, or a color and use the sounds as your canvas to paint it.
    I don’t know about y’all, but sometimes a song will just pop into the back of my head that sounds dreamy when I’m going through something. Sometimes, I’ll sit in complete silence so I can “hear” it more clearly and sing what’s in my head first, then try to play it on guitar.
    For example, when I wrote my song Don’t Go, I was going through an emotional back and forth of wanting to let go and staying with my now ex. Shortly after we broke up, I just started hearing what is now the first verse of that song in the back of my head. So I started writing lyrics relevant to that emotion starting with “stay, please don’t walk away, come hear what I have to say” which is part of what I heard in my head. I know breakup songs are overdone, but believe me, when you’re going through one you want as many as you can take. And so I basically wrote the song that I wish I could be hearing when going through that.

    • @gh0ul.nin9
      @gh0ul.nin9 Před rokem

      Also, technical ≠ good. I can sweep pick, alternate pick, economy pick, hybrid pick, string skip, play intricate riffs, and all of the above. But you won’t hear me use that in every single one of my songs, because sometimes the song just does not call for it. Don’t force it and don’t be afraid to discard anything that isn’t working. Experiment and don’t place boundaries like “I only play metal, so I can’t put this in a song”. The song will tell you what it needs as you write it, take its hand and allow it to show you.
      Most important than anything: embrace what makes you unique.

    • @Molotov_Milkshake
      @Molotov_Milkshake Před rokem

      This is a great point. It's clear from browsing the shitshow known as 'SLAPS' that many of the 'artists' on there are simply writing something that they wouldn't even listen to themselves.

  • @Bacopa68
    @Bacopa68 Před rokem

    Space for the vocals: "Don't Stop Believin'" has only piano and bass in the first verse. Leaving that space made the song. Also has an unusual structure.

  • @C0nnie
    @C0nnie Před rokem +1

    ive been playing for 15 some odd years and have yet to make 1 thing I am proud of. no riff i've ever 'written' has ever impressed me, and I realized recently I just have myself to blame. I'm hoping to overcome that ''fear'' and just play with some musicians and have fun.

    • @clanwaddell5628
      @clanwaddell5628 Před rokem

      That’s all you need. Try and find a local open mic and just get up and jam.

  • @allendean9807
    @allendean9807 Před rokem +2

    Nobody wants to give their singer more room for their already huge egos, but if they are good- i mean, really good- they are your most valuable commodity…
    … and, Trey Xavier hated the song i sent in to him to review last week.. it broke me.

  • @WIMPY86
    @WIMPY86 Před rokem

    So fucking spot on >:) Killer video

  • @travisspaulding2222
    @travisspaulding2222 Před rokem +3

    The most important thing you can do is serve the song. I know this sounds like blasphemy, but my band's newest song, I shortened my lead because it served the song better. I wasn't thrilled about it, but I think the song is better for it.

  • @OAlem
    @OAlem Před rokem +1

    Tried and true is a good point. Even Radiohead use formulas.

  • @aqmdave
    @aqmdave Před rokem

    How may i submit a song for you to hear? It would be from my old band, but im proud of the work and would love to hear your opinion, Glenn.

  • @despoticmusic
    @despoticmusic Před rokem +1

    I don’t, and never will, write songs. But this was educational and entertaining and for some reason I watched the whole thing 😂

  • @leepshin
    @leepshin Před rokem +1

    Glen is absolutely right when he says music is art not maths. I'm going to start quoting that from now on.

  • @adrianmedeiros8431
    @adrianmedeiros8431 Před 8 měsíci

    Funny enough, I do simplify every riff when time comes for the verse, but I always thought I was being lazy because I'm a single guitar player/singer who doesn't want to get confused playing and singing at the same time. Who knew I was actually doing it right all along!

  • @orderd29
    @orderd29 Před rokem +1

    This is such wonderful advice. I really hope that this gets as wider audience as possible, people need to hear this unfiltered truth.

  • @CyanidePoiso
    @CyanidePoiso Před rokem

    Wow dude i haven't seen your videos in a long time, man you have lost alot of weight, you seem better up the irons\m/

  • @PooNinja
    @PooNinja Před rokem

    Just order it already!

  • @flashinthepan1965
    @flashinthepan1965 Před rokem +5

    I definitely need help 😂

  • @pepe6666
    @pepe6666 Před rokem

    welp holy shit this just may be the most useful smg clip. i might get in on this.

  • @MindsEyeVisualGuitarMethods

    I'm going to have to get this course. The only songwriting I can do now, is singing the lyrics do Cheech & chong's earache my eye, to the spectresoundstudios trailer music.

  • @josephfigueroa3527
    @josephfigueroa3527 Před 9 měsíci

    A beautiful example of a good song that's simple is "I Don't Wanna Be Me" by Type O Negative. 6 chords total, mainly 4, and a badass rhythm to back up badass vocals. Less is more, only exception is if you're adding minor things to give the rhythm some groove and even then keep it simple.

  • @pattol666
    @pattol666 Před rokem

    The day you stop accepting help in life is the day you stop learning hoe to become better in anything you strive to be good at. Humble yourselves gentleman and thank this man for his neverending help in songwriting
    Glen thanks dude. Keep it metal

  • @pellepelle47
    @pellepelle47 Před rokem

    Hello
    I got a line 6 hx stomp, in that i got all that i ever will need, i still got my 100w Marshall jcm 2000 tsl and a few pedals, don't know if im going to sell that rig but i won't gig with it ever again, why make it harder than it needs to be.
    Another question, i bought extinction level event drums from you but how do i make it work from scratch? Im totally new to home recording so it would help if there was a video on how you do it from scratch, i also bought the Reaper daw and i run it on my brand new mac mini m2 16gb 512ssd, im new to mac to but all things i need is installed and working
    Great show and cheers from Sweden

  • @jrrarglblarg9241
    @jrrarglblarg9241 Před rokem

    I did not think I would watch this whole video but I did.
    I did not think I would want this course but I do.
    I guess that makes this a good video, huh?

  • @cowwhisperer8927
    @cowwhisperer8927 Před 8 měsíci

    34:15 Gotta love the directness 😁👍

  • @thosewhowish2b693
    @thosewhowish2b693 Před rokem +6

    I think the most useful advice is to make sure the music comes from your subconscious. Close your eyes, let your mind dream, and try to capture that. Your mind is always brewing a representation of what you experience (ideas, phrases, images, sounds, screams, anything). This is your own, unique point of view and interpretation of things, and capturing that is what makes good art. Strengthening the channel between your subconscious and your music is the most important thing. You can always do "memory dumps" to get the raw information out and then work on formatting it to make it sound good, rhyme, have a more or less defined metric, etc.

  • @bigbo1764
    @bigbo1764 Před rokem +1

    The main issue people have is translating what they are envisioning to the fretboard. Humans naturally understand music through perception of dissonance and harmonious tones/intervals, music theory is there to help you fundamentally understand what music is and how to apply it to instruments. Good phrasing comes as you hone your knowledge.

    • @Molotov_Milkshake
      @Molotov_Milkshake Před rokem

      Exactly right. Theory is the language of music, and without understanding it, a person cannot call themselves a 'musician' really. You only need to understand the easier parts of it, but that counts for everything.

  • @gatecreeper7930
    @gatecreeper7930 Před 9 měsíci

    I start out simple but love anticipation in my tunes. I agree with this vid. My buddies are stuck in the the mindset that if u shred on your instrument that’s the ticket to a great song. 👎 There is a time and place for chaos and craziness, if you know how to write music.

  • @hadleymanmusic
    @hadleymanmusic Před rokem

    I got a notebook i write one liners and short paragraphs. I also use different color ink to reference division amongst each writ.. but a song no

  • @marsmonster3947
    @marsmonster3947 Před dnem

    As a kid in the 90s I thought the cranberries were singing "s0d0my" over and over. It was later in life that I realized they were saying zombie lol. I did not like them enough to buy their album or figure it out earlier though.

  • @theending
    @theending Před rokem +1

    "The Ending is my favorite" Nice to hear you like my music" 😅

  • @FreddyGarza-gn7ze
    @FreddyGarza-gn7ze Před 4 měsíci

    I love those guy’s shirts ❤❤❤

  • @mht525
    @mht525 Před rokem

    Agree #2 I listened to a Ghost song and instead of you, the line was chou definitely salad. ✌️thanks Glenn

  • @zachshipstead5247
    @zachshipstead5247 Před rokem +2

    good songwriting is in the tonewood. prove me wrong.

  • @tgunmusicchannel1973
    @tgunmusicchannel1973 Před rokem

    Remind me again how I submit to your review shows?

  • @DETHMOKIL
    @DETHMOKIL Před 6 měsíci

    hahaha that jump scare to the germans music! like, OH! ok i guess thats what that is

  • @DiggitySchwag
    @DiggitySchwag Před 3 měsíci

    “What’s your last name sir?”
    “Cano. I’m very pleased to be here.”
    “Okay.”
    I have been laughing at that for a minute straight. That reaction is exactly why I’m subscribed to this channel lmao

  • @childrenoftheabzu
    @childrenoftheabzu Před 5 měsíci

    A riff is good when it gets in your head and you can hum it. Sabbath! A good song says something that is universal and timeless. Often it is being vulnerable. A good melody that has as much feeling behind it as the words. It should support the words and have a vibe that amplifies/enhances the feeling/meaning of the song. Metal does that with the brutal distortion and heavy sounds along with the horror lyrics but the problem is they all do it in the same way over and over and over. Songs should be original and creative. I dont know what these guys were talking about, the cranberries were a GREAT band whose songs hit all of those points. They were not a one hit wonder who just disappeared. Still loved to this day. Great song writers and not an exception. Originality is not a bad thing. I began writing music the first day i picked up an instrument. Creativity and originality and having something to say others can relate to is far more important than technical skills. At least they were spot on about not being overly technical. Dont listen to their advice on being formulaic though. Having an original style is VERY important to enable you to stand out. As long as your style isnt whack. Be yourself.

  • @OAlem
    @OAlem Před rokem

    There are no new chords?
    King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard: "Hold my microtonal banana guitar!" Wait, that sounds weird.

  • @levivolaju883
    @levivolaju883 Před rokem +2

    People today especially guitarists are trying to be technically great as their idols but forgetting the most important thing which is songwriting. After achieving a certain level of technicality, they will start to write their own materials which are laughable to listen to.

  • @gentelmanjunkie542
    @gentelmanjunkie542 Před rokem +1

    Nobody knew who the Cranberries were until that song...

  • @CarlosWadeMusic
    @CarlosWadeMusic Před rokem

    Serious question. When it comes to song writing, not just instrumentals but with lyrics and a structure, isn’t it all subjective? If one uses the basic “structure” of a song, how can we say if it’s good or bad? I’m not claiming to be a great or even good songwriter, I’m just trying to gain knowledge here. I’d love to improve my songwriting abilities but what if you don’t like what I have and someone else does? I guess what I’m saying is I don’t know what makes a song good or bad. What I may love you may hate and vise versa.

  • @Audioman45
    @Audioman45 Před rokem

    Just as the guitar's EQ has to leave room for other instruments, the verse riff writing has to leave room for the vocal melodies.

  • @bjeffbuck1369
    @bjeffbuck1369 Před 7 měsíci +2

    If those guys knew how to make the next paranoid riff, they wouldn't be sitting there with the clown shirts. Talking with that accent😅😅😅😅😂

  • @deanblank5344
    @deanblank5344 Před rokem

    Great example of fine song writing . . .
    The Wolf by Trouble

  • @lichkrieg4898
    @lichkrieg4898 Před rokem +1

    Using the pop format works by default.