Joecool1010
06-14-2008, 06:17 AM
Here's a little method that I use when I'm writing a new song in my band I tend to experiment as much as I can with different beats in the least amount of run throughs as possible. Usually I'll have the guitars play the riff for the verse for a few bars while I experiment with different beats. Same thing goes with the chorus. Now when we do the first run through of the song I'll still be experimenting because I would like to find a beat that not only fits in well with the song but adds a little kick to it. Pretty much on the first run through I don't play the same beat, instead I'll wind up playing like 3 or more different beats and even so I might ask or a second attempt at the new song just so I can squeeze in any further beats that I may have in mind. I also make an attempt to avoid using beats that are pretty straight forward or self explanatory to the song. Usually after band practice I'll still have the song recorded on my mp3 and I'll listen to it and try to find a more suprising beat for it. For example: one of my band's songs is like a pop punk song called Heartsworth. The drums start it of in the beginning and it starts off as more of a techno beat and then once the first hits it goes into a more punkish kind of a beat. Another example is a slow song that we have called Radio. Now it's very slow and acoustic so when you hear it you can automatically assume that the drum beat is going to be pretty straight forward. However I worked on trying to spice this one up and instead I added some syncopation to the song. So for some of you younger drummers that are starting to get into bands you can probably use this as a little tip when writing songs. Also for the pros out there if there is any other advice that you have for me or anything that I should change by all means hit me up! I've only been playing for 5-6 years but I still feel that there's a ton of room for improvement :)
Cheers
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