Kawentzmann
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 1062
Berlin, Germany
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Posted on Jun 23 2016 11:42 AM
There are two approaches:
the original original
Mr Moto didn’t draw from any surf instrumentals, because there weren’t any yet. For that result I wouldn’t listen to surf radio at all.
the inspired original
There’s Penetration which is taking Pipeline and changing stuff until it’s an original itself. For that you would choose a proven winner to gut.
Speaking of inspiration, forums like this are often supplying a drawing by numbers canvas, not only gear-wise but also with song top ten lists. This considerably lessens the scope of inspiration. Especially if you aim at that group of hardcore afficionados. But when most original originals were written there weren’t highly specialized playlists yet, only broad, even vague concepts.
— The Exotic Guitar of Kahuna Kawentzmann
You can get the boy out of the Keynes era, but you can’t get the Keynes era out of the boy.
Last edited: Jun 23, 2016 12:00:24
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ErnestHernandez
Joined: Jun 16, 2008
Posts: 592
The Alamo City, TX
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Posted on Jun 23 2016 01:00 PM
I really appreciate the thoughtful answers to this question
I can add that my attempts at songwriting come from a very visual place. When I'm working on a tune, I usually have an image or narrative in mind, and I like to work from a set palette in regards to color (i.e tone and chords) that is inspired by the imagery. The inspiration for the narrative can come from anywhere, anything or anyone, but is usually sparked by some pop culture, political or social aspect of the early 60s, but not always.
The other thing I think is important are the subtleties and nuances in finishing a song (arrangements). I like listening to pop composers of the 60s for ideas on how to move or lift a tune. I've learned a lot about phrasing, key changes and bridges from listening to the above
Finally, I think more in terms of being baseball player when it comes to songwriting; I know I'm gonna strike out more than I get on base, but there is something to be learned each time I am at the plate. So keep swinging for the fences!
— https://kingpelican.bandcamp.com/
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JObeast
Joined: Jul 24, 2012
Posts: 2762
Finknabad, Squinkistan
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Posted on Jun 23 2016 01:43 PM
I concur with K below. Obsession with style kills the openness that us requisite of inspiration. There is nothing wrong with obsession for correctness, but it does not lend itself toward original creation or stretching of knowledge (Cf. me post above). Rather the opposite: research into correct style DEEPENS the apprehension of the extant repertoire, e.g., of surf classics. This deep invest,ent I to nuance can be brought to bear on the details of new creation, to adjust the new music to fit a style, as in the question, "can this tune surf?".
Thinking like the originators of the instro idiom in mid XXc., we should be able to cadge tunes from any idiom and adapt them to our cherished surf guitar treatment. That is somewhere along the spectrum of the creativity process.
Kawentzmann wrote:
There are two approaches:
the original original
Mr Moto didn’t draw from any surf instrumentals, because there weren’t any yet. For that result I wouldn’t listen to surf radio at all.
the inspired original
There’s Penetration which is taking Pipeline and changing stuff until it’s an original itself. For that you would choose a proven winner to gut.
Speaking of inspiration, forums like this are often supplying a drawing by numbers canvas, not only gear-wise but also with song top ten lists. This considerably lessens the scope of inspiration. Especially if you aim at that group of hardcore afficionados. But when most original originals were written there weren’t highly specialized playlists yet, only broad, even vague concepts.
— Squink Out!
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el_camello
Joined: Jul 04, 2010
Posts: 369
Ottawa
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Posted on Jun 30 2016 01:04 PM
ErnestHernandez wrote:
I can add that my attempts at songwriting come from a very visual place. When I'm working on a tune, I usually have an image or narrative in mind, and I like to work from a set palette in regards to color (i.e tone and chords) that is inspired by the imagery. The inspiration for the narrative can come from anywhere, anything or anyone, but is usually sparked by some pop culture, political or social aspect of the early 60s, but not always.
This "narrative" idea I use a lot too! In fact most of my songs start with a title (usually wordplay of debatable wit) which suggests a mood/style/story/visual. From there I usually get a feel for what I want to create.
— -Pierre
The Obsidians! (Ottawa surf)
The Obsidians debut EP
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BC4DdrummerAK
Joined: Oct 07, 2012
Posts: 66
Anchorage, Alaska
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Posted on Jul 21 2016 02:39 PM
I suppose it all depends on your approach to surf music and what you are trying to compose. Like any form of music, your influences will tend to come out when writing a new tune, especially if you're trying to stick with a certain vibe. A lot of new school bands are seemingly more "surf-inspired", rather than classic surf. Arno de Cea & The Clockwork Wizards, Daikaiju, other similar bands almost have moments that seem like metal being played through a classic surf guitar set up. It's recognizable as surf, but they pull from other influences that take the music in some different directions. My band, for instance, we're a mixed bag of musicians that happen to enjoy surf music. I played extreme metal before getting into a surf band (and still do from time to time, along with other different projects), my main guitarist (and band founder)has a background in punk and ska, my other guitarist worships reggae and dub, and my bass player is into electronic music and alt-rock. But we come together and make music people seem to like, and still pull off the classics we do cover. Our original songs kinda run a weird gambit of styles, but all with surf twang. We're definitely a nice contrast to the other, and definitely traditional classic, surf band in town.
Sorry, long rant. I can only speak as a drummer, but I wouldn't bang my head to much on worrying about a riff you write sounding like another riff you've heard. It still is possible to make original arrangements using influence that has come before you.  
— Gear:Kit:Pearl Reference series in Emerald Fade,Pearl rack,Pearl Demon Drive pedals,Tama Iron Cobra hi-hat stand, Sabian & UFiP cymbals.
Last edited: Jul 21, 2016 14:41:48
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BC4DdrummerAK
Joined: Oct 07, 2012
Posts: 66
Anchorage, Alaska
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Posted on Jul 21 2016 02:44 PM
And to clarify, I definitely did mean to imply there are only two surf bands up here where I live, in Anchorage, Alaska. And we're pretty confident we're the only two such bands in the state as a whole.
Anyway, back to the subject at hand.
— Gear:Kit:Pearl Reference series in Emerald Fade,Pearl rack,Pearl Demon Drive pedals,Tama Iron Cobra hi-hat stand, Sabian & UFiP cymbals.
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DonKiyote
Joined: Aug 26, 2014
Posts: 138
Kent
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Posted on Jul 21 2016 03:24 PM
"Immature poets imitate; mature poets steal; bad poets deface what they take, and good poets make it into something better, or at least something different"
— Wherever you go, there you are
http://rogerfowles.co.uk/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKUsTNis44w
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKauwombaC8
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