Band help plzzzzzzz!!!!!!!!!!!?

Question

Hiya!
I've literally started my own band with my girl mate (backing singer) and my boy mate (the pianist) i am the lead singer. We are going to be doing a cover of Evanescence Lithium. I've said that I don't want to be doing covers all the time, I'd like to compose my own music, and because my and my girl mate are doing GCSE music we should be quite good at it, but we not that good. Does anyone know any good tips that could help me and my band members how to compose and also when we do covers, which songs do you think we should do. Me and my boy mate are into Evanescence, but I am into a lot of older music like Queen, The Beatles, The Police.
Thanks
x*x*x*x*x

My pianist isn't at a high grade. But he is quite good.

Answer 1

Way back in 1925 I used to compose music (LOL, just kidding) . But seriously, a good tactic is know what is on your mind, and write. Whether it be experiences of your own, or of others around you. What makes you mad? What makes you happy? Whatever you are feeling at the moment, WRITE IT DOWN. Then, as you look at your words, you will start feeling the rhythm of the lyrics you've written. By this time, you use this rhythm of the words to compose a tune.

Come up with a tune that is comfortable in your voice range, and then present it to your keyboardist. Sing it to him, and if he is a good pianist, he should be able to accompany your tune with some chords off the top of his head. But again, this depends on how well his skill level goes as far as chord progressions are. I assume they are well, since you are doing covers. It isn't that hard, just get your basis done. Then after this, you can tweek your final musical product. But I wouldn't suggest just going in there with nothing and all three of you brainstorming. That would get too complicated, and you would be too worried about what they may or may not think. You have to have some type of creative energy before getting with your bandmates. If they are composers, maybe they could do the same. OR your pianist can play a tune off the top of his head, and you could put words to it. But get inside your create being first ALONE. Then get with your bandmates.

As far as covers, always sing through the material beforehand. You might like a particular song, but if YOU aren't comfortable with the song, or if it isn't your forte, I would skip it. OR you could make the song your own and play the covers the way YOU'D like. As far a suggestions, we don't know the timbre, range, or quality of your voice over the internet, so you are going to have top be the judge of what fits you. If you are the lead singer, it is going to rest on your shoulders. So as I say to all singers who carry the lead section, put your foot down as to what you will and will not do. Your skill will either make or break the band. So if you don't like a song in your voice and they do, tell them to get over it. I am not saying turn into a diva, but you have to be realistic as to what you can perform the best. All vocalists have their niche and their limits (even the incredible ones). Make sure they know yours. But, it's good to have a mix of the new and the old classics. The crowds may be different with each gig, so prepare for any circumstance. Have a blast!

Answer 2

Stick with writing your own music, believe me you get so much more enjoyment out of people listining to your songs than any1 elses.

When i write songs I usually start with trying to compose a catchy riff or chord sequence on guitar. You'll know if its catchy because it will stick in your head and inspire you. Somedays it happens others it dosent, don't force creativity.

Once I've got the basic chords or riff I'll write a melody over it, so just hum different melodys and choose the best one. The final part of composing a song I write lyrics to my melody, this is the hardest but but I write what I know.

By this I mean whats goin on in my life at that moment (love life/bad time at work/ what happens at weekends). However, I conciously try to write lyrics that are not cliche (ie saying baby I love you etc). Thus you have a song, I mess about the lyrics until I'm happy with them and tinker with the chords as well. This same princable can be applied to writing songs on the piano!
good luck!
:)

Answer 3

To write songs, you need:

1) Original ideas for songs that you really would like to sing about. Don't fake it or it sounds fake no matter what.

2) Original melodies. Even successful bands borrow a lick or two from the past, but it has to sound different from what's already made.

3) Less complicated, practiceable sounds. This is so you can reproduce it in early concert or studio without needing a week's rest between sessions. Start simple and work up.

Answer 4

When writing a song, do the melody first, then the lyrics. It is much easier to write words to a good tune that put music to a poem

Answer 5

HMMM ......TRICKY 1 I SUGGEST YOU SHOULD SEEK HELP FROM A MUSIC TEACHER OR ASK AROUD FROM THE PEOPLE ALSO DOING GCSE FOR IDEAS =]
START BY DOING SIMPLE THINGS LIKE SLIGHTLY ALTERING OTHERS ARTISTS MUSIC!
EXAMIN THERE MUSIC AND THE WAY THEY COMPOSE AND COPY THEM.
I THINK TITANIC WOULD BE A FANTASTIC SONG TO SING
I HOPE MYY ADVICE HAAS BEEN WORTH WHILE AND IS OF USE TO YOU AND YOUR BAND MEMBERS
ALL THE BEST
=]

Answer 6

You really should just focus on writing your own material. If you want to do easy songs, then I would recommend The Police. But cover songs are horrible. You should work on creating your own sound and not try to recreate what someone else did.

Answer 7

I you have a good pianist (which is rare at my age, 14) then do a coldplay cover. Fix you and Clocks are both great songs and sound pretty easy to me!

Answer 8

If your into Evanescence and you've got a pianist , why not do a sort of unplugged "My Immortal" ?????