[When writing vocal harmony parts]

What are your greatest influences? Do you prefer harmony vocals through most of a song or just in certain key parts? How do you come up with a good harmony line, and how do you know where to use it?

[What Instrument do you Record First?]

Usually, at least when making recordings solo, have recorded myself with vocals and acoustic guitar running through the basic song.

[using different mics for vocals]

Try doing this with double tracking vocals.

[What instrument do you use generally when composing?]

For example, do you tend to write songs at the piano or do you prefer to use a guitar, for example? 

[What makes a good collaborator?]

Sometimes a good collaborator is someone who sees eye to eye with you. Sometimes it is someone who is very different, like Lennon and McCartney (also, their collaboration was often more of a competition---many Lennon/McCartney songs were primarily written by one or the other or with only some collaboration in order to finish the song off---but they often were driven to produce better material when one of them came in with a top notch song idea). Sometimes it is when you have a dedicated lyricist and a dedicated music writer, other times it is good when the lines are blurred. I think it comes down to chemistry, patience and talent to collaborate. But many great collaborations had radically different chemistry.

[How do you come up with good lyrics?]

9 hours ago, Just1L said:

You've gotten some good advice already. The only thing I can add is to always remember there are hundreds of ways to say the same thing.

It really was good advice.

[How do you come up with good lyrics?]

12 minutes ago, The S said:

Well, then just write! With that I mean, if you're able to write a few good lines and then get stuck (yes, it happens to all of us), at least you'll know you got it in you to write those few good lines right?!! So, keep at it, don't over think, just write. Make a decision before hand that you're going to write not just 3 verses, but lets say, 20 for your song. When you're done. Then you pick them apart, just grab the really good lines, and build from there. Sometimes a song takes you in a totally different direction then you initially had planned, that's a good thing, just roll with it and see where it leads. 

 

If you don't have all verses, bridge and chorus after that, then write 20 more. I will assure you, since you've got it in you as we already have covered, (), you will get it done.

 

Get to it. 

 

All the best and good luck! 

 

Peter

 Very good advice.

[How do you come up with good lyrics?]

Thank you for your advice. It is the hardest part for me. (Well, that and coming up with a good change for the bridge). Part of my problem is that I often get stuck on subject matter and putting it into song form. Or I come up with a few good lines but can't expand enough.  The weird thing is, that I am a fairly good writer, but not of poetry and lyrics.

[How do you come up with good lyrics?]

One of my biggest problems in writing a song is writing a good set of lyrics.