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Hi Sam,
I assume you are talking about the writing of instro songs?
Well I try do explain how I "write" my compositions (If they can be
called that)
I try to find an interesting theme and try to match chords on it (not
always easy, but knowing a few scales helps)
Sometimes the "theme" is just an idea of 3 or 4 notes on which I try to
add more notes. Sometimes I try to make something that sounds like "mid
eastern" or "Spannish" Or I simply start from a scale.
It's not an easy process and it takes time. I find the most hard part
not to repeat yourself or copy existing (Surf)music.
So I try to listen to a lot of non surf music, where I sometimes find
ideas. I also found "ethnical" music very intersting, like "Gipsy"
music, Klezmer music and even Jazz to be very intersting.
Sometimes it helps to take an existing tune and try to play it at a
different speed, in a different key or in a different mood (sometimes
adding reverb to a well know tune sheds a different light on it)
I usually try to play lead in a surf band, but I recently joined another
surf band where I play rythem guitar (and to justify my Jazzmaster and
'64 Tremolux with DIY cabinet).
This band is a "more" advanced band, but it's very intersting to have to
play at the top of your toes (to keep on track with those guys)
It kind of pulls you out of your own inspiration and confronts you with
better musicians (which is a real treat and improves your playing)
I'm still an amateur and always will be, but that doesn't bother me. I
will probably never come up with a tune like "Surf Party", "Miserilou"
or "Green room"(to name a few) but I enjoy what I'm doing. And in the
end that's what makes it fun to do (and ofcourse justifies the G.A.S.
and A.A.S.)
Hope this helps a bit,
-Jerry S.
-----Original Message-----
From: San Barry [mailto:]
Sent: maandag 2 augustus 2004 18:28
To:
Subject: [SurfGuitar101] song writing process
I was wondering if everyone in the group could explain their song
writing process?
.
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