Musicians, producers, music lovers, aspring or established--ever wanted to know how music is made? We can discuss here! Hop Hop, pop, rock or whatever. Also, stages of the music process; writing, recording, mixing, mastering etc. Cool--peace y'all, let's continue step up the music!

starts w.. a set of lyrics to fit e song?
or a song den lyrics to fit it?
I have this impression since duno when...

In Singapore, there's lotsa schs nowadays
teaching singing, hip pop,
breakin, composing songs etc
Sometimes I wonder.. If composing songs
can be taught? or somehow it is innate in you?

Anyway, I just feel tat it is rather difficult to think of lyrics to
blend in w e song.. the tune... or even rap of a song..
And ppl like you guys can jus flow
e lyrics out easily? Or maybe u ppl went thru a phase
where it is only thru yrs or experience n familiarity
that you can easily do it now?

Claudia

Hi Claudia,

Good questions---i put down some thoughts on lyrics for ya, hope it's helpful

Write lyrics first and make music fit or viceversa? For me, it's music first and write lyrics on top of it. I find that the piece of music gives you a feeling and from that you can write your lyrics.

Some people write lyrics first which is all good but, sometimes the words or flow will not match with the music. However, if you have lyrics already written you can adjust it to fit the music.

Like in most subjects there's 'book smarts' and 'street smarts'. There are disadvantages and advantages of both. Most musicians have an innate talent for it. Being a lyricist I think most people can do it. If you're average you can become good and if you're good you can be great. All comes with practice.

Right from the beginning I chose to make my own music rather than play other people's songs. One of the reasons was because I thought it was easier to create your own music than to play covers. Also, reading and creative writing helps alot.

At the end of the day, lyrics are suppose to make people feel a certain emotion. That comes from understanding yourself and what's in the heart of human nature.

ok... something to really think thru...
I guess, like what u say... music den lyrics mit be better? or rather still up to individual...

If u r a lyricist den.. you be thinking & writing lyrics 1st...
Does it have to have sort of a standard no. of words per
line or each line not more den say 15 words that kinda 'format'?
so that it will sound better? This mit apply to chi/canto kinda songs..
And I know something like... last word of each line
of the song shld rhyme w e last word of the next one...
So... it sounds... nicer n smooth?

Totally agree that it does comes w practise no matter it is innate in
you or learning to write... Together w writing n readin more... And ya...
Lyrics are to make ppl feel a certain emotion... To get a common feel?!

WOW.. so not ez!   Thanx for yr advice!

Next! Recording, Mixing and mastering! not so familiar...
Went 4 recording once or twice only I think.. so long ago!
but it's for Choir songs in e past.. Jus remember singing n repeatin!
Normally.. Takes... about how long to finish a song? half a day? depends on how well one singer perform n is satisfied w e song he sing I guess... Clarity of speech etc...
talkin about recordin... rem. THK..
one can use e computer to alter notes singer cant reach etc..
Not a gd sign?!?!

Claudia

I have soo much to ask, but when it's open for me to ask I can' t think of any!

mMm.. well I've got one but not sure if it's relevant here but here goes.. You know if you're an Indie band/artist, I know it means you're independant, but does this mean you're not with a record company and all the finance and promotion is from yourself?

Hi Y'all, let me first reply to Claudia.

there are no standard words/line etc because at the end of the day, the lyricist will have to write words that fit with the melody (this is if you're talking about pop songs). If the words have a "rhyme scheme" then the song will sound smoother. I guess the formula is to follow the melody and make the words rhyme...
But, still there is no set rule--I think as long as it sounds good and makes sense to the listener.

The "making the song" process is recording, mixing and mastering in that order. Recording songs can be as fast as a few minutes to a couple of days. Depends on the situation between artists, producers, engineers, schedules etc.

When singers get "pitch-y" there's a software plug-in "auto-tune" which just tunes the notes back to key.

Katie_x,

What's up--your question is under "music business"--haha
Good question:

I guess the definition of an indie is: A group/person who's not signed to a major label (Warner, EMI, Sony etc).

So, actually an indie can be with a record company, just not a major one. Indie record labels operate the same way as the majors, just in a smaller scale.

Many of the indie artist in HK DIY. They will produce their own CDs,  promotion and company.

Okay, peace!

Thanks, that was a very clear answer

When I think of my other questions I'll pop back for sure, coz I am so very interested in music-making.

all good Katie! peace

I'm interested in the business side of music. Any tips for that? Thanks!

There are lots of great books on the industry written by top music moguls that give insight into how it is. There was an amazing book I read that talked about the record industry from the 50s to 00. It shows the big picture of why the industry is the way it is now. I'll try and find the title and post up here. BTW--what part of the business you interested in?

Please post the title of the book if you can find it! Thanks! I love reading music business books. I've read a few of them and one of my favorites is All You Need To Know About the Music Business. I've read another one about touring but that one was ok.

Hmm...I'm not sure which part of the business I'm most interested in. I just like to learn the whole process.

I didn't know that, gona be on the look out for them! Aww yeh that would be really nice if you could find it and post it up GS, thanks

Yess.. I've remembered a question!

If you're a composer, it means you generated the music right? And a producer is.. someone who controls the recording? Something along them lines. Or am I totally wrong? =/

waddup y'all--

Music note: Yes, i've got that book too. As you can see, from that book, for most artist a "slave" contract is standard. If you're the label, you're in a much better position. But, maybe end up with bad karma because you've become a slave owner.

Oops sorry, can't find the title of the book yet...anyways, read also, biographies, recording industry history that can help you spot future trends.

Katie X: A composer is the one who writes (composes) the music. A producer is someone who oversees the song/album from start to finish. A producer can also be the composer, musician, arranger, lyricist, engineer sometimes. Nowadays, a producer is many things rolled into one.

Totally agree! Those large record companies are out to get them. That's why artists should do their research so they don't get sucked in.
By the way, how did you get the name Ghost Style?

Ohh interesting.. then I was half right

Just to note: Even though I have such a passion for music, I've never been in a recording studio before, I've never had the chance to play with mixers, I can't play any instrument and I don't know much music jargon -so I'm not even totally sure what mixers are =/    -I think because of my inexperience, I don't know where I should start with my many questions. I would love to make my own music (I would love to know how to play the piano for one) but I ain't gotta clue. I think if I was present in a studio, then I'll be asking ALOT of questions :p  

Yehh and about the "slave" contract. I've always thought that's kinda the main difference between Indie artists and popular artists. While Indie artists are more free to expression, popular artists are kinda told what to do. For example, made to dance if they don't like dancing, or made to have a flawless background and a squeeky clean image.. that sorta thing.  One of the issues "The Heavenly Kings" was portraying through the movie actually

Music Note: yeh, artist have to think carefully about their career. Whether short or long term, whether superstar status or underground etc. I guess you must be yourself and see where the chips fall.

How did I get my name? Well, one version is some of my friends call me "gwei jai"--so that translates to Ghost Boy. So, I took the "Ghost part". The Style comes from being in HK, where trends rule everything. So, put them together "Ghost Style".

Katie X: I think it's good that people learn an instrument. If piano is your thing then, take some lessons. Try it out. It's a steep learning curve because physically you have to practice at it. Or you can work with talented people who can help bring the music out of you. I don't wanna sound nerdy but asking questions, research, experience is the only way you're gonna learn something.

Yeh, "The Heavenly Kings" (cool movie) explains exactly what's the problem with the industry. If you're in the game, alot of it is about image.

oOoo.. haha the origin of "Ghoststyle" is interesting

Yehh definitely, I totally agree with you. I guess I really have to push myself to get out there. Thanks for that

That's cool how you came up with the name Ghost Style plus it sounds freaking cool.
Besides talent, I always think there's luck that plays a part in getting in the business. So is there?

Music Note: thanks ! Sure there's a little luck involved being in the business. However, I think it's more about persistance and consistency that takes you closer to success. The artist Mark Allen has some blog entries about "making it, going for your dream" etc--which gives an interesting POV.

Yeh I think that too sometimes. I remember in Mark Allen's blog about "dreams",  he mentioned that some people may have to accept the fact that they may not be able to make their dream at all. It scares to me think of it like that, but it may just be the stark reality. Anyways.. moving away from my negativeness...

GhostStyle, dunno if you've answered this already, but how long have you been music-making for? Can you play any instruments?