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sam:
I would agree...melodies, harmonies, "themes", hooks...
often something unique catches your attention, and you go
from there.
I too get "images" or "scenes" in my mind and write to
those...
For example, my newest tune is "Roller Rink"...
I can see people skating around in a circle and getting all
jazzed when their favorite skate song is played...
I was playing my Wurlitzer Organ...and then I tried out the
melody on the old Surfmaster Guitar...and there you go...
I did use a descending chord sequence with an ascending
bassline...a somewhat "Bach-like" simple figured
bassline...I used the Wurlitzer's "Rock" drum button for
the rhythm...so far the tune has two parts...I think it
will require one more part...and then I can work out the
arrangement a little more precisely...then it's time to
record everything and see if my buddy Frank can get into
it...
there you go..."Roller Rink" dissected.
DP
--- Jerry <> wrote:
> 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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