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SurfGuitar101 Forums » Surf Musician »

Permalink How do you write a good surf song?

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DeadRanchHands
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Joined: Apr 15, 2008
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Link Posted on Dec 04 2011 03:09 PM

Lately I've found it helpful to precompose at least parts of songs on guitar pro

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scruzdj
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Joined: Sep 29, 2009
Posts: 43
Santa Cruz, CA
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Link Posted on Nov 03 2017 03:28 PM

DannySnyder wrote:

A few threads on the subject:

http://surfguitar101.com/ygroup/thread/1689/#p1689
http://surfguitar101.com/forums/topic/74/?page=1
http://surfguitar101.com/forums/topic/621/

Read 'em all - fantastic stuff. Thanks! I feel pretty good about some of the stuff I have written but I am definitely looking into expanding my approach in new ways : )

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><)))°> .oO Fascinating Creatures of the Deep Oo. ><)))°>

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TheBeachCruzers
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Joined: Dec 12, 2017
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Link Posted on Dec 14 2017 02:06 PM

IMHO Given the fact that there really is no formula per se, and that sometimes the unique qualities of a song can be what makes it interesting, in general there seems to be general similarities in Surf music.
1. 12 bar blues form (at times adapted or customized)
2. Pentatonic of Blues scales
3. Phrygian/Flamenco influence (lke E major to F major etc.)
4. Palm muting, reverb, tremolo, vibrato bar, playing a theme and then playing it higher in pitch etc.
5. Some songs have a middle eastern quality to them from using like the fifth mode of minor scales like the tonic
6. I also think it helps to think of a surfing, ocean, beach etc. thought in your mind and then try to find a way to express that or interpret that via the music. Like they used reverb etc. to give the music a "wet" sound. I posted a video of "Santa Cruz '65" in the Surf Video Forum which the descending riff was designed to imitate the sounds of the rhythm of crashing waves on the surf. For better or worse, that's how I came up with that riff. I am not an expert, but I hope that helps.

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TheBeachCruzers
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Link Posted on Dec 14 2017 02:12 PM

Noel wrote:

If I ever write a surf album, it will have to be about a day at the beach from dawn to after dark. Lapping waves on an empty beach at dawn, the rising sun, shore birds, laughing people, surfing, beach volleyball, an afternoon rains storm, dancing, more surfing, sunset, a bonfire, lapping waves on the empty beach at night, the new dawn. I can almost hear it in my head but I don't know enough to write it. I'm sure I'll need to collaborate on it.

I agree with this. Its useful to be inspired by something specific about the ocean etc. It kind of gets the creative juices flowing and direction.

Last edited: Dec 14, 2017 14:36:10

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EdRadakovitz
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Joined: Mar 14, 2016
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Link Posted on Dec 14 2017 03:24 PM

First off, great topic! Interesting to hear other opinions and methods.

What I have done as of late to change it up is to have my drummer give me a 2:30 to 3:00 drum track. I tell him be creative and let it flow. The I create on top of that. It gives me boundaries and makes me be creative within the beat and find a flow to meet up with the stops and starts.

Usually I push record and start noodling around with riffs and chord patterns until I find something pleasing to my ear. Then I build on that. Chord patterns and melody lines come next.

Once I feel I'm done with a song, I let it sit for a few days and listen to it a few times and decide if I like it or need to edit something.

What it comes down to is getting out what you're feeling and translating it to sounds and patterns. Don't be too hard on yourself. Make music that you like and makes you happy. What everybody else thinks is irrelevant, unless your livelihood depends on it... then I have nothing. LOL

Ed

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TheBeachCruzers
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Link Posted on Dec 15 2017 01:06 AM

There is actually quite a bit of diversity in surf composition. Right now I am thinking of "Loophole" as a unique composition. So there are definitely songs that break the mold. But there are some recurring patterns to fall back on. For example, you can interpret a lot of surf songs as having an AABA framework. Pipeline imo is an AABA composition where part B is the solo. Penetration is also AABA where B is that part where the chord structure changes. So having that structure in mind can help guide you but it could also be restricting. Maybe study the song structure of songs you like.

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