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| This is Part three of my Lyric Writing guide. Here you | | | | # Try to match what you what to say [i.e. your |
| will learn how to accompany words by using samples | | | | lyrics] with the music. For example if you are writing |
| and ghost songs. | | | | a happy, upbeat song, you will need to find music |
| AUTHORS NOTE: I don't personally use this method | | | | that has a faster tempo [speed/beat] than that of a |
| of song writing. I don't write rap music and don't | | | | sad song or a ballad. |
| listen to enough of this form to have a deeper | | | | # You don't need to keep the ghost song exactly as |
| understanding of the writing process. I do, however, | | | | is. If there is a specific part you would like to keep |
| use a slightly different technique that I will try to | | | | over the rest of the song, change an instrument or |
| explain in the Hints and Tips section of this article. | | | | make the melody sound ‘heavier' or |
| What you will find below is my observations of this | | | | ‘softer' – then by all means do it. Play |
| form of writing. If you do find any errors in my | | | | around with the drums and bass, if the ghost song |
| explanation please let me know and I'll edit | | | | ends up becoming a normal sample or disappears |
| accordingly. | | | | completely, that's okay - there is nothing wrong with |
| What is it? | | | | that. All it shows is your greater understanding and |
| Sampling refers to the taking of a portion of an | | | | advancement in song writing. |
| already established track and using it as the | | | | * -- * For example the Guns n' Roses song |
| framework for a new song. This is generally used to | | | | “Sweet Child of Mine” underwent a |
| serve as the foundation for a rap vocal. There are | | | | drastic change when it was covered by Sheryl Crow |
| actually two styles of sampling: | | | | [from rock to acoustic]. This example is not a ghost |
| 1) The most popular form of sampling takes a part | | | | song but a cover. It is, however, an example of how |
| of a track, hence the name ‘sample'. It | | | | you can go about altering a melody. Other examples |
| usually takes a specific beat from a song [most | | | | of this can be found in Part 1 of the series. |
| common samples are taken from drum or bass | | | | # Your sample does not have to come from a well |
| tracks], though you can use a ‘vocal' sample | | | | know or successful track. Any song you feel is right |
| for your “new” song. | | | | to work with is a possibility, whether it comes from |
| * For an example of sampling just listen to any rap, | | | | an obscure b-side track by a relatively unheard of |
| dance or rave song, they all make use of samples. | | | | band or even a sample of one of your own existing |
| * For an example of vocal sampling, take a look at | | | | songs |
| Eminem's song “Stan”. It uses a vocal | | | | # Want to try something different? There are many |
| sample from Dido's song “Thank-you”. | | | | software programs available that are capable of |
| 2) The second kind of sampling is not as commonly | | | | generating melody and rhythm tracks for you. Many |
| used. It generally takes the entire melodic track of a | | | | of these programs are either downloadable from the |
| pre-existing song and creates a completely new lyric | | | | ‘net or have free demos available for you to |
| for the song. This form of sampling is also known as | | | | use. |
| a ghost song/track. This form of song writing should | | | | * -- * Ejay is a program specifically designed for rap, |
| not be mistaken for alternate lyrics, as you need to | | | | dance and rave music, though it can easily be applied |
| totally disregard the lyrical arrangement of the song | | | | to the basics of other musical genres to give you a |
| and focus on the remaining melody. | | | | feel for the melody or beat of a song in order to get |
| * The Puff Daddy song “Come With | | | | the lyrics started. You are also able to download a |
| Me” from the Godzilla soundtrack is a sample, | | | | variety of new samples from the website to expand |
| or ghost song, of Led Zepplin's | | | | on the existing choices [visit to take a look at the |
| “Kashmir”. You will notice that the | | | | program]. This is only one program; there are others |
| lyrical arrangement of the original song has been | | | | out there if you are willing to look for them. |
| completely abandoned in this ‘new' track, | | | | # As I stated at the beginning of this article, I don't |
| which is the main difference between a ghost song | | | | exactly use ghost songs. What I use is a similar |
| and alternate lyrics. | | | | process but it doesn't have an actual track or beat |
| * The Limp Bizkit song “Take A Look | | | | for you to listen and follow. It is a harder technique |
| Around” is a slightly different style of a ghost | | | | and probably shouldn't be attempted unless you have |
| song. It takes its sample from a melodic piece, the | | | | a deeper understanding of how music is put together |
| most well known part of the Mission Impossible | | | | or are able to create a tune in your own head. I'm |
| theme. If I remember correctly they were actually | | | | not entirely sure if I can explain it correctly or |
| commissioned to ‘write' this song. This serves | | | | coherently but I'll try my best [let me know if you |
| as a reminder that any kind of melody can be | | | | don't understand it] |
| adapted to use for a song. | | | | How does it work? Say, for example, I want to |
| Why use ghost songs | | | | write a song in the vein of a Korn song. Instead of |
| We all know that sampling is mainly used in rap, | | | | finding a song by this artist I could use as a ghost |
| dance and techno music. Reasons for this vary, and | | | | track [or even sample their work] I call to mind how |
| I'm not entirely sure as to the exact reasoning for it. | | | | their songs sound while I write the lyrics for my song. |
| I don't generally listen to these styles of music, I | | | | This can really only work properly if you are able to |
| don't write it, so I can't honestly comment on that | | | | create and hold a tune in your head while working |
| aspect of sampling. I can, however, tell you about | | | | and applying it to the draft to your lyric. |
| the use of these techniques. | | | | This form of song writing gives you a little more |
| Many inexperienced songwriters make the mistake of | | | | freedom then samples or ghost tracks when it |
| trying to write lyrics without music. I can't stress | | | | comes time to create/add the instrumental |
| enough how important it is to work with a tune | | | | background to your song. By using this technique you |
| when writing lyrics. If you don't work with a tune, it | | | | allow yourself the freedom to mix different genres |
| will show. The inability to play a musical instrument is | | | | together or change the basic sound of the song with |
| no excuse, that is what ghost songs are for. | | | | minimal effort. Even though I started with the basic |
| Getting Started | | | | sound of a Korn track, I have the freedom to |
| This section will deal solely with ghost songs as I've | | | | expand on the idea. The final result may have more |
| stated before, I don't know enough about this form | | | | of a Linkin Park sound or more of a Marilyn Manson |
| of song writing to comment effectively on it. | | | | sound to it, possibly even a mixed of all these artists. |
| First you will need to find a song, choose one that | | | | This song writing technique allows you to explore and |
| you are comfortable with and preferably one in a | | | | find your own voice. Sometimes the lyric portion of |
| genre you are familiar with. Try to pick a song | | | | the song will need some altering, other times not, it |
| whose lyrics you don't know by heart, it will make it | | | | all really depends on how the music alters from the |
| easier to ignore the lyric arrangement. Play this song | | | | original idea. |
| until you are familiar with the melody and can hum it | | | | * -- * For example, my piece Forsaken [ was written |
| to yourself. | | | | using this technique. Although it started [and has thus |
| Remember: You need to ignore the lyrical portion of | | | | far remained] heavily influenced by Disturbed and |
| this song, if possible get a copy of just the melodic | | | | Korn, there is the possibility that it may change |
| arrangement. If you don't think that you can ignore | | | | slightly from this form. I have been told by some |
| the lyrics make a recording of the music yourself, if | | | | people that they felt it may have been more in the |
| you don't play an instrument see if a friend can do it | | | | vein of Creed or possibly a mixture of the two |
| for you. | | | | styles, which is a drastic change from the original idea |
| What are you going to write about? It is important | | | | style of the song. Personally, I don't see that |
| that you have a clear idea of what you want to say | | | | connection but it shows how genre swapping can |
| in your song. What do you want to say? What | | | | occur. |
| message do you want to leave the listener to leave | | | | * * * * * * * * * * |
| with? Jot down any ideas or thoughts that occur. Try | | | | The inability to play an instrument should not affect |
| using the word association exercises found in Part 1 | | | | you song writing abilities. By using a ghost song or |
| of this series to help extend on your ideas. | | | | sample you are able to create a basic framework for |
| Start to feel the music, add some lyrics to places | | | | your song. This track does not necessarily mean that |
| you feel comfortable doing so. If need be just sing | | | | it is the final draft of your song, it may simply be a |
| “la la la” [or something similar] where | | | | rough draft, or a guide for how the lyric portion |
| you feel lyrics need to go, you can always add the | | | | should sound. The final ‘draft' of the song |
| actual lyrics at a later point in date. What you are | | | | may not occur until much later when you collaborate |
| doing here is starting the lyrical arrangement, play | | | | with your band or another artist who you are |
| around with it see what fits, what doesn't. Don't | | | | working with. As with any sort of writing, re-writes |
| expect it to be perfect the first time, there is | | | | are inevitable. Don't expect your work to be |
| nothing wrong with trial and error. Don't forget to | | | | ‘perfect' first time round. |
| keep the tune in your head or play it often to ensure | | | | As with alternate lyrics, the use of sampling and |
| that your lyrics follow the basic beat of the track. | | | | ghost songs can be an excellent tool for learning the |
| As with I've stated before, I can't give you the | | | | techniques of song writing. By utilizing these two |
| exact formula to writing lyrics. It is a personal thing, | | | | forms of song writing, you should be able to see |
| everyone is different in how they write. Everyone | | | | how to accompany words with music. When you feel |
| has their own unique styles and methods. If you | | | | comfortable enough with these two forms of song |
| have attempted to write alternate lyrics you will have | | | | writing try using my form of a ghost track or even |
| an understanding of how to combine your words | | | | try your hand at writing your own music [or |
| with a melody. You will need to apply this knowledge | | | | collaborate with a friend]. |
| to your ghost song. Read over the Alternate Lyrics | | | | Look out for Part 4 of this series where you will |
| article to refresh your memory and keep some of | | | | learn about hooks and other writing tips for when |
| these pointers in mind. | | | | you start to write. |