JacquesDefoe
Joined: Nov 30, 2013
Posts: 4
too far from a beach
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Posted on Jun 08 2015 07:44 AM
Hey all,
In my only earlier post here I confessed to making vocal surf music (yes, I know...) but I determined do write and record an instrumental before heading down to Livorno for the Surfer Joe in a couple of weeks. So here we go
https://soundcloud.com/jacques-defoe/dropping-in
The process set me thinking about how people generally write instrumentals. This song was much more collaboartive than my usual efforts - I can't really play guitar beyond a basic strumming (but I know a man who can!), so song writing tends to focus on chords and lyrics/melody. Be interested to know how others go about it.
Cheers!
— https://soundcloud.com/jacques-defoe
http://www.facebook.com/jacquesdefoe
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Brian
Joined: Feb 25, 2006
Posts: 19337
Des Moines, Iowa, USA
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Posted on Jun 08 2015 08:08 AM
Moving this to the surf musician forum.
— Site dude - S3 Agent #202
Need help with the site? SG101 FAQ - Send me a private message - Email me
"It starts... when it begins" -- Ralf Kilauea
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Syndicateofsurf
Joined: Oct 08, 2014
Posts: 1073
Northern Ohio
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Posted on Jun 08 2015 09:03 AM
- Fool around with instrument.
- Record.
- Repeat as necessary. (also known as the chorus)
— Da Vinci Flinglestein,
The quest for the Tone, the tone of the Quest
The Syndicate of Surf on YouTube
http://www.syndicateofsurf.com/
http://sharawaji.com/
http://surfrockradio.com/
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JakeDobner
Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 12159
Seattle
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Posted on Jun 08 2015 09:36 AM
I will go with both having chords first, or having a melody first. If chords, the melody comes from my head. But I never come up with a lone melody in my head.
And then I need to piece together a chorus and potentially a bridge. Or make what I came up with into a chorus...
I'm a fan of patchwork songwriting.
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CrazyAces
Joined: Jul 31, 2012
Posts: 4053
Nashville, TN.
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Posted on Jun 08 2015 09:50 AM
Most of songwriting is cerebral for me. Ideas usually pop into my head, often fairly complete.
I'll usually grab an instrument if possible at that point and record a really rough demo, just playing into a basic recorder, computer, quicktime, so I can revisit the idea later and finish it.
I prefer to write without an instrument, especially guitar since it's too easy for me to fall into habitual patterns, keys etc.
A lot of Surf/Instro sounds like it was written by someone noodling around on their guitar, which - don't get me wrong, can be cool but I try to challenge myself to think outside the instrument.
Maybe that's why our music doesn't seem to be too popular, LOL.
Cheers,
Jeff
— http://www.facebook.com/CrazyAcesMusic
http://www.youtube.com/user/crazyacesrock
http://www.reverbnation.com/crazyacesmusic
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Syndicateofsurf
Joined: Oct 08, 2014
Posts: 1073
Northern Ohio
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Posted on Jun 08 2015 10:56 AM
Banging around on a less familiar instrument can be helpful. Like Jeff just said, you need to avoid all those familiar patterns. My keyboard training is absolutely zero. A couple weeks ago I was banging around on my piano and found those 2 magic chords that built into a melody and now just needs to be put all together.
The music comes the way it comes. Yes, you need a pump and it needs constant priming. The best stuff for me is the 'found' music- it already exists. It just needs the form given to it so that all are then able to hear it.
— Da Vinci Flinglestein,
The quest for the Tone, the tone of the Quest
The Syndicate of Surf on YouTube
http://www.syndicateofsurf.com/
http://sharawaji.com/
http://surfrockradio.com/
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dp
Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 3546
mojave desert, california
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Posted on Jun 08 2015 01:46 PM
I tend to get some sort of a rhythm first, then a chord sequence/pattern emerges.
Melodies, for me, are nearly always the last part.
Also, as others have said, often playing around on a less familiar instrument (for me synth or piano or something weird like a glockenspiel) can lead to innovation.
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JacquesDefoe
Joined: Nov 30, 2013
Posts: 4
too far from a beach
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Posted on Jun 15 2015 12:29 PM
Some interesting ideas here. I like the idea of trying out on a new instrument - gonna try on a piano.
Any opinions/feedback on our venture into real surf?
— https://soundcloud.com/jacques-defoe
http://www.facebook.com/jacquesdefoe
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Syndicateofsurf
Joined: Oct 08, 2014
Posts: 1073
Northern Ohio
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Posted on Jun 16 2015 07:23 AM
JacquesDefoe wrote:
Some interesting ideas here. I like the idea of trying out on a new instrument - gonna try on a piano.
Any opinions/feedback on our venture into real surf?
Sorry, my computer here won't do Soundcloud a lot of the time. So I did enjoy the silence. But I heard that before.
— Da Vinci Flinglestein,
The quest for the Tone, the tone of the Quest
The Syndicate of Surf on YouTube
http://www.syndicateofsurf.com/
http://sharawaji.com/
http://surfrockradio.com/
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ArtS
Joined: May 09, 2008
Posts: 1399
Isle of Kent, MD
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Posted on Jul 13 2015 08:24 PM
CrazyAces wrote:
A lot of Surf/Instro sounds like it was written by someone noodling around on their guitar, which - don't get me wrong, can be cool but I try to challenge myself to think outside the instrument.
Maybe that's why our music doesn't seem to be too popular, LOL.
Jeff,
For me a lot of new surf seems like a re-hashing of old arrangements and assorted blues/garage jams, so after seeing your comment I had to check out Ace's music. Really enjoyed what I heard on your reverbnation page. I like the arrangements; some nice change of pace and good recordings. Will order CD this month before I head to beach.
My suggestion to songwriters - don't be afraid to write outside the 1-4-5 chord progression (the box) and don't write for approval... (but don't write crap just to be different) 
Best,
Art
— Surf.The most dangerous of genres...
Surfcat
MARCH OF THE DEAD SURFERS! (2024) - Agent Octopus
THE JOURNEY HOME - Free download (2025) - Agent Octopus (Single)
BANDCAMP - Agent Octopus
YOUTUBE - Agent Octopus Surf
BANDCAMP - Reverb Galaxy
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Aaron
Joined: Sep 13, 2011
Posts: 100
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Posted on Dec 22 2015 02:46 AM
Wait, isn't writing an instrumental tune almost the same process as a vocal song, except that you don't have to spend any time on lyrics?
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ElBirkerio
Joined: Dec 17, 2012
Posts: 519
Vienna
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Posted on Dec 22 2015 02:50 AM
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da-ron
Joined: Jan 02, 2009
Posts: 1307
The original Plymouth, UK.
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Posted on Dec 22 2015 05:28 AM
I find bridges the hardest part. Often a lot of songs just shoe horn a random bit of music in there and call it a bridge, but it is something that the should be building up to.
That's the hardest part for me.
— http://thewaterboarders.bandcamp.com/
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Syndicateofsurf
Joined: Oct 08, 2014
Posts: 1073
Northern Ohio
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Posted on Dec 22 2015 06:25 AM
da-ron wrote:
I find bridges the hardest part. Often a lot of songs just shoe horn a random bit of music in there and call it a bridge, but it is something that the should be building up to.
That's the hardest part for me.
Same here. I'll use the shoe horn method and then just play the thing over and over and search for the right series of notes. Just like in writing- be fearless in throwing stuff away.
— Da Vinci Flinglestein,
The quest for the Tone, the tone of the Quest
The Syndicate of Surf on YouTube
http://www.syndicateofsurf.com/
http://sharawaji.com/
http://surfrockradio.com/
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BillAqua
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 1054
Chicago IL.
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Posted on Dec 22 2015 08:12 AM
I haven't written a surf song in about 8 years...
But when I did the ideas would usually start as basic parts of a melody in my head then I'd transfer them to a guitar.
A few of the Aquanauts songs tho are blatent ripoffs off non-surf songs turned into the surf style. No one would be able to tell but me though.
— "as he stepped into the stealthy night air... little did he know the fire escape was not there"
https://www.facebook.com/reluctantaquanauts/
https://www.facebook.com/TheDragstripVipers/
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Aaron
Joined: Sep 13, 2011
Posts: 100
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Posted on Dec 22 2015 02:06 PM
BillAqua wrote:
A few of the Aquanauts songs tho are blatent ripoffs off non-surf songs turned into the surf style. No one would be able to tell but me though.
I always hope that no one can tell, too.
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BillAqua
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 1054
Chicago IL.
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Posted on Dec 22 2015 03:04 PM
Aaron wrote:
BillAqua wrote:
A few of the Aquanauts songs tho are blatent ripoffs off non-surf songs turned into the surf style. No one would be able to tell but me though.
I always hope that no one can tell, too.
I guess to be fair entire songs haven't been used... I'll just borrow something and rework it. But I think that happens a lot... intentionally or unintentionally.
— "as he stepped into the stealthy night air... little did he know the fire escape was not there"
https://www.facebook.com/reluctantaquanauts/
https://www.facebook.com/TheDragstripVipers/
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ArabSpringReverb
Joined: Jul 13, 2012
Posts: 490
San Diego CA
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Posted on Dec 22 2015 05:47 PM
Bill Aqua ; off topic Hey I know your ex bassist Matt B through motorcycles;we're in the same club here on the left coast. Small world
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BillAqua
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 1054
Chicago IL.
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Posted on Dec 22 2015 06:11 PM
ArabSpringReverb wrote:
Bill Aqua ; off topic Hey I know your ex bassist Matt B through motorcycles;we're in the same club here on the left coast. Small world
He was a heck a of a bassist!
— "as he stepped into the stealthy night air... little did he know the fire escape was not there"
https://www.facebook.com/reluctantaquanauts/
https://www.facebook.com/TheDragstripVipers/
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Aaron
Joined: Sep 13, 2011
Posts: 100
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Posted on Dec 23 2015 01:49 AM
BillAqua wrote:
I guess to be fair entire songs haven't been used... I'll just borrow something and rework it. But I think that happens a lot... intentionally or unintentionally.
Ugh, I hate when it happens unintentionally. I think I wrote a killer song, then I realize that I just remembered some other killer song.
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