Question:
Ok, here's my situation. Every single time I write a song I'm way to critical of it. I can hardly ever write something that I call great. I'm either say things like "Oh man, this sounds just like everything out there.", "Dang, no one will like this, it's too weird.". And just about everything in between. Sometimes I'll hear a song by a band I love and I'll think "I'll never be able to write something like that" Maybe I'm mentally expecting to much out of my 15 year old mind?
-Kenny
*edit* The weird thing is that people will tell me they like the songs, but I'm just never satisfied with them. Another thing is that I can write good hooks but I'll usually dismiss them as "poppy" and go off trying to write something horribly complex.
Answer:
Don't be afraid of simplicity. You are only 15: you can't expect brilliance. The best songwriters have gone through a lot more life than you have. And don't worry about being critical of your own songs; that is a very common affliction for songwriters. You're in good company. But listen to your friends: they can often tell a good song from a bad one better than you can.
Keep posting in this forum! Post your songs for critique and critique others' songs. It's amazing how much you can learn from analyzing songs that other people have written and constructive criticism on your own work is always helpful.
Answer:
Ah, thanks man. That really helps. I think I expect brilliance because of my personality. It sounds pompous, but I expect myself to be one of the best at whatever I do and sometimes that puts alot of stress on me. I think I just need to relax.
One more thing. For some reason, I love listening to a song with a good hook but when my songs come out like that I don't like it. Weird.
-Kenny
*edit again* I think that another reason for me not wanting to write something simple is that I want to include the full extent of my "chops" in my songs. It's crazy, I say this with Weezer being one of my favorite bands and if there is a songwriter/guitarist that holds back the guitar skills he has and writes for the song it's Rivers Cuomo.
Answer:
Hey there!
I'm about your age (I'm Sixteen). And I've been, and still am going through most of the things you describe.
My advice to you is to write, write and write without stopping. Write about everything. Practice makes perfect.
When you make a tune that you like, but feel that it is too simple, try coloring it with interesting chords, or maybe alternative melodies. Work on tunes 'til you think you did all you can with this particular song, then ask a friend to comment it. Leave it alone for a couple of days. Then take it again, and try to change/add when you're with a clear mind again.
The more you do this, the more flow you'll get with this stuff.
Sometimes, a melody will strike you when you're messing with a guitar, sometimes a catchy phrase will come to you when you're doing a 4 mile run(These things happened to me lots of times), so just be ready to utilize and remember every little thing.
And always remember that the harshest critic to yourself is you. Sometimes people will be just plainly amazed with things you'll write or sing, and you'll feel that it is not good enough.
Answer:
Thanks for all the advice, guys . I'm going to try to put all of these things to use.
Another thing, when I'm actually trying to write something catchy I put pressure on myself to write the perfect pop song. I need to stop pressuring myself. I do this in baseball and school too. It's annoying.
-Kenny
Answer:
One thing that will help you is to stop trying to please everyone....1. you're not going to be able to please *everyone* 2. There is no one on this universe that you should feel the need to please other than Jesus so why try?
Answer:
From what you're saying, it seems like you're a perfectionist. That will be nothing but a stumblingblock to you when it comes to writing songs. I've met bands that never went anywhere because they were continually re-writing the same five songs so they could get them "perfect." Perfection is not something to strive for in music, because you'll never get there. It doesn't even exist. I don't believe in perfection in art. You should always be thinking of how to get better in the future; but at the same time, you should fully realize what you're trying to accomplish artistically in the present and leave it at that. Inevitably, in a few years, you'll be picking apart stuff that you thought was the best thing ever.
Also, if you can never believe in what you write, no one else ever will. I have the exact opposite problem, actually; I can tend to believe in myself too much. That attitude helps when you're young though, because it helps you keep going if people try to put you down. If you ever decide to pursue music seriously, you'll find the same people pointing out all the problems you have who were telling you how great you were when it was just a hobby. You've just got to believe in what you're doing, but keep realistic about what you need to work on.
Answer:
Something that I do whenever I'm discouraged in my songwriting is listen to Cheeses of Nazareth by Five Iron Frenzy, specifically the live version of "Fistful of Sand". Reese Roper is one of the finest songwriters of the last decade. Listen to him try to ad lib lyrics to "Fistful of Sand" and take heart. You don't have to be a perfectionist. Don't be afraid to fail.
Answer:
Go read my Lyrics...they area short and simple...more of a poem then a song, but still is a song. Don't write a song for the sake of writing, write when something is pressing on your heart. This has always worked for me. and it continues to work for me. Do not be dismayed things will work out...
i was once your age and i wrote the worst lyrics ever...but at the time they meant something to me...but i was young and they where my frist songs ever soooo, i guess time and age will have play in it aswell...well for me anyway it did.
Jared
Answer:
I know how you feel. Except I'm 13. I can write something I like on guitar, it's just the lyrics that I have trouble with.