Can I write songs??

It's never too early to try to write.

One of my earliest memories dates back to when I was maybe 6 years old... I would hear a melody in my head, and want to write it down.  My parents had some books of folk songs and early American tunes and such, and I'd sing them to myself (I could barely read the lyrics) until I found a note that matched what I heard in my head.  Then I'd laboriously copy down the note from the staff above it.

I had no concept of keys, accidentals, whatever... but I was putting down the music I heard.

As far as musical background goes, did you ever watch Jeopardy?  Listen to the theme song?  Merv Griffin wrote that, and he's not exactly Grammy material.  But every time they play it he gets money added to his royalty check.

Sure, the fact that he created the show has a lot to do with that... but the point is, it's not ability or education that makes a tune... it's a songwriter.

If you want to be one, be one!

Tom

Are you able to write songs? Of course you are.

Melodies popping into your head - Good

Playing things that sound cool - Good

Tape recorder? Yes

Record things that sound cool? Yes

Too early? No. Go for it.

Reassured now? Pop over to the Sunday Songwriters page here, and pick yourself a title.

Best,

Alan :-)

I agree with Alan. When I started, I learned to play Suite Madame Blue and Stairway to Heaven. I soon realized that although these are good songs, I don't enjoy playing other people's music: I just can't get into them. And, like you, melodies and lyrics kept popping into my head.

So if you want to write, then write. It may be a bit laborious and even naive at first, but don't worry about it, it will get easier. But a few years from now, if someone wants you to play in their cover band, run away, you'll never be able to get into that... But that's not necessarily a bad thing!

There are a couple of articles around here about it.  Maybe 50 or so by A-J and a couple by me.

Check out "So you want to be a songwriter"

and the two linked at the bottom of this post.

Sunday Songwriter's just started up again, now is a good time to join in.

Thanks everyone!  This is great encouragement.   I think I might go out and buy a micro-tape recorder today.  And hopefully soon, you will see some of my songs posted in sunday song writer's club.  In a way I want to kick myself for just getting on the ball now and not recording or writing down my ideas but with your positive feedback, I am assured that even better ones will come to replace those that I have lost!  I do have some lyrics written down, I am going off right now to find them.

I am definitely going to check out the songwriting articles on this page.   I just found pguitar noise like 2 weeks ago and I think it is really going to help me play and write.  Actually, it has already helped me.

Thanks again!
Purple

Noteboat, my picking is already seeing improvment.  I hadn't completely lost it but it is definitely returning, thanks again for those exercizes.

NO!  You cannot write songs!  There are too many songwriters already!  ;D

Just kidding.  Actually, these forums are the perfect place to start.  Read the articles, get feedback, etc.  I think my songwriting has improved greatly since I started getting honest criticism.  Its not just the feedback on my own songs, but reading the feedback on others' songs helps me organize my thinking so I actually have more to work with up in the old noggin.

I am a big fan of  " (insert topic) For Dummies" books.  I highly recommend Songwriting For Dummies.  

Many of us have our own mp3's posted in various places on the Internet, including http://mp3.moosoft.net Good luck, and hope to be reading and hearing your songs soon!  

I will record my song in my computer thought I don't know much about music theory! the melodies is beautiful,in my opinion,when you learn enuogh to write a song,you may not have the inspiration at present!so if you have some idea,i surgest you record it first,and write it down in the future!!