# Songwriting **URL:** https://forum.troygrady.com/c/general-music-discussion/songwriting/39.md [Latest](https://forum.troygrady.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://forum.troygrady.com/categories.md) --- ## [About the Songwriting category](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/about-the-songwriting-category/55383)
**Author:** [@tommo](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/tommo)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [May 20, 2022, 5:43am UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/about-the-songwriting-category/55383 "2022-05-20T05:43:24Z")
Share and get feedback on your song ideas. Provide advice on other people’s songs (suggestions should be constructive and actionable!). Discuss compositional techniques. Analyze great music to find out what makes it work… --- ## [Techniques that sound like something you've never heard before?](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/techniques-that-sound-like-something-youve-never-heard-before/94074)
**Author:** [@Sully75](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/Sully75)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [January 19, 2026, 1:22pm UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/techniques-that-sound-like-something-youve-never-heard-before/94074 "2026-01-19T13:22:51Z")
I’m a jazzer, not a shredder, but I really dig cool techniques on the guitar, specifically things that seem like they’re not possible on the guitar or make a sound that doesn’t really sound guitar like. That Nuno solo o… --- ## [Animal sounds on a violin](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/animal-sounds-on-a-violin/89426)
**Author:** [@kgk](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/kgk)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2025, 4:19am UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/animal-sounds-on-a-violin/89426 "2025-07-21T04:19:12Z")
This guy makes some great sounds, but guitars are good at this, too. --- ## [Song Y v1 - Calvin W](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/song-y-v1-calvin-w/88748)
**Author:** [@CalvinScarified](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/CalvinScarified)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [June 23, 2025, 7:04pm UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/song-y-v1-calvin-w/88748 "2025-06-23T19:04:53Z")
Hello. I had originally named this song “A Walk In the Park”, but it looks like there is already a song on the forum with that name. Anyway, I was curious what people think: The only editing I have done to the tracks … --- ## [Jimi/SRV style ballad unaccompanied intro for a song I'm working on](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/jimi-srv-style-ballad-unaccompanied-intro-for-a-song-im-working-on/87213)
**Author:** [@Drew](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/Drew)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2025, 4:57pm UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/jimi-srv-style-ballad-unaccompanied-intro-for-a-song-im-working-on/87213 "2025-05-12T16:57:56Z")
I’m in the middle of recording an album (all the various rhythm/accompaniment tracks are done, I’m just starting melodies and leads) and have been trying to film bits and pieces of it and kind of blog about the recording… --- ## [Two way pickslanting licks that don't sound like scales](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/two-way-pickslanting-licks-that-dont-sound-like-scales/82062)
**Author:** [@looneytunes](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/looneytunes)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [October 18, 2024, 8:32pm UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/two-way-pickslanting-licks-that-dont-sound-like-scales/82062 "2024-10-18T20:32:23Z")
I noticed most of the two-way pickslanting licks I come across are just people going up and down the scale. I was wondering if anyone here could give me examples where this is not the case. Thanks in advance. --- ## [Does this piece need a topline? (kind of a Black Metal / Prog hybrid?)](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/does-this-piece-need-a-topline-kind-of-a-black-metal-prog-hybrid/72730)
**Author:** [@tommo](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/tommo)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [October 6, 2024, 9:24pm UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/does-this-piece-need-a-topline-kind-of-a-black-metal-prog-hybrid/72730 "2024-10-06T21:24:58Z")
TLDR: Opinions needed! poll Longer version: I started writing this thing with the idea of doing something quick and simple with some free Loudstakk drum loops that a friend suggested (“let’s get it finished and recor… --- ## [Filling gaps with the "Shred Duct Tape" (© Fossegrim) composition technique](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/filling-gaps-with-the-shred-duct-tape-fossegrim-composition-technique/79199)
**Author:** [@tommo](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/tommo)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [June 30, 2024, 4:01pm UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/filling-gaps-with-the-shred-duct-tape-fossegrim-composition-technique/79199 "2024-06-30T16:01:03Z")
Are you ever in the below situation when writing music? (Could be an entire song, a solo with different sections, whatever!). Basically you have an almost finished thing, but there are some short segments where you k… --- ## [Yngwie Malmsteen commercial from the 80's](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/yngwie-malmsteen-commercial-from-the-80s/77359)
**Author:** [@tomsters](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/tomsters)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2024, 3:25am UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/yngwie-malmsteen-commercial-from-the-80s/77359 "2024-05-17T03:25:29Z")
I did a quick search of the forum and I didn’t see this posted before. Sorry if I missed it. I like the beginning in this “Yngwie commercial” where his fingers are moving all over the place (but in a small area) and it … --- ## [Your favorite video game music that were so good you had to learn the melodies and phrases](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/your-favorite-video-game-music-that-were-so-good-you-had-to-learn-the-melodies-and-phrases/70631)
**Author:** [@bradejensen](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/bradejensen)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2024, 6:27am UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/your-favorite-video-game-music-that-were-so-good-you-had-to-learn-the-melodies-and-phrases/70631 "2024-02-02T06:27:12Z")
Cracking the Code Forum Members Favorite Video Game Tracks Ys III: Wanderers from Ys - The Boy Who Had Wings Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II – The Sith Lords - Kreia’s Darkside Ys VIII -Lacrimosa of DANA - T… --- ## [No only do your hands get faster with practice, but your ears do as well](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/no-only-do-your-hands-get-faster-with-practice-but-your-ears-do-as-well/73698)
**Author:** [@SmashingYoungMan](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/SmashingYoungMan)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [January 5, 2024, 4:24am UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/no-only-do-your-hands-get-faster-with-practice-but-your-ears-do-as-well/73698 "2024-01-05T04:24:58Z")
It’s a big thing I’ve noticed over the years as my playing and speed have improved: that what used to sound fast no longer does. I can actually hear the individual notes where before it was just a sonic blur. I’m reminde… --- ## [What's your favorite current film score, and your all time favorite?](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/whats-your-favorite-current-film-score-and-your-all-time-favorite/72820)
**Author:** [@bradejensen](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/bradejensen)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2023, 6:25pm UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/whats-your-favorite-current-film-score-and-your-all-time-favorite/72820 "2023-12-26T18:25:48Z")
This is my all time favorite, it still gives me goosebumps. This is my current favorite. --- ## [New Ihsahn track out today](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/new-ihsahn-track-out-today/72757)
**Author:** [@eric\_divers](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/eric_divers)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [December 7, 2023, 6:42pm UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/new-ihsahn-track-out-today/72757 "2023-12-07T18:42:34Z")
One of my favorite musicians of all time. I even don’t think Das Seelenbrechen was that bad. @tommo as far as black metal goes, you could do worse than listen to Ihsahn. --- ## [Songs where the verse is cooler than the chorus](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/songs-where-the-verse-is-cooler-than-the-chorus/71871)
**Author:** [@tommo](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/tommo)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2023, 4:21am UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/songs-where-the-verse-is-cooler-than-the-chorus/71871 "2023-11-18T04:21:52Z")
These are two pop-rock songs that I love from the 90s. When listening to them again more analytically, I noticed that the verse grabs me way more than the chorus. I think it’s because in both cases the verse has some irr… --- ## [Man listen to this gypsy jazz 3 string arpeggio progression solo phrasing on elena's bossa by gonzalo bergara](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/man-listen-to-this-gypsy-jazz-3-string-arpeggio-progression-solo-phrasing-on-elenas-bossa-by-gonzalo-bergara/71408)
**Author:** [@bradejensen](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/bradejensen)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2023, 12:44am UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/man-listen-to-this-gypsy-jazz-3-string-arpeggio-progression-solo-phrasing-on-elenas-bossa-by-gonzalo-bergara/71408 "2023-10-31T00:44:14Z")
this isn’t really that difficult when i get some more refreshed brain time i will tab this out. ah well i guess the kids didnt love it. :sweat\_smile: https://www.soundslice.com/slices/bZGwc/ man these … --- ## [Greg Howe - Bottom Line \[Audio HQ\]](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/greg-howe-bottom-line-audio-hq/67267)
**Author:** [@Twangsta](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/Twangsta)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [July 5, 2023, 6:31pm UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/greg-howe-bottom-line-audio-hq/67267 "2023-07-05T18:31:13Z")
oldie but but… undeniably epic --- ## [Tritone modulation (like Fm-Bm) in 4-8 bars - what are your favourite chord progressions?](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/tritone-modulation-like-fm-bm-in-4-8-bars-what-are-your-favourite-chord-progressions/60613)
**Author:** [@tommo](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/tommo)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [June 1, 2023, 2:21pm UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/tritone-modulation-like-fm-bm-in-4-8-bars-what-are-your-favourite-chord-progressions/60613 "2023-06-01T14:21:03Z")
Hi All, In one of my 200 unfinished songs I ended up having a section in Fm which I want to connect to another section in Bm. This is essentially a tritone modulation (moving between 2 keys that are maximally apart in t… --- ## [I'd like advice on how to end this instrumental piece](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/id-like-advice-on-how-to-end-this-instrumental-piece/63252)
**Author:** [@tommo](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/tommo)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [April 20, 2023, 12:49pm UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/id-like-advice-on-how-to-end-this-instrumental-piece/63252 "2023-04-20T12:49:29Z")
I have a bad case of writer’s block for the end of this piece \[2:45 onwards\] So, the vibe is a little on the dark side for my standards, and the drums are a placeholder (basically, a more sophisticated metronome for now… --- ## [Song X - instrumental rough recording](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/song-x-instrumental-rough-recording/58419)
**Author:** [@CalvinScarified](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/CalvinScarified)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2023, 6:52pm UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/song-x-instrumental-rough-recording/58419 "2023-04-15T18:52:27Z")
Hi. I wanted to share a song I have been working on. It’s pretty cheesy and a bit repetitive, but I had fun putting everything together. This is not a professionally done recording. It is something I did at home. I recor… --- ## [Demo track for my melodic death metal project](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/demo-track-for-my-melodic-death-metal-project/64108)
**Author:** [@cmcgee11235](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/cmcgee11235)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [April 6, 2023, 3:19pm UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/demo-track-for-my-melodic-death-metal-project/64108 "2023-04-06T15:19:31Z")
I’ve been writing out about 4-5 songs so far for this, working with a drummer buddy, eventually we’ll have genuine recordings of all the parts. We have lyrics planned out, though still somewhat incomplete and folks who w… --- ## [I've been working on a lick in the style of these players: Stochelo Rosenberg, Michael Romeo, Yngwie Malmsteen, and finished it with a phrygian style cadence ending](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/ive-been-working-on-a-lick-in-the-style-of-these-players-stochelo-rosenberg-michael-romeo-yngwie-malmsteen-and-finished-it-with-a-phrygian-style-cadence-ending/61870)
**Author:** [@bradejensen](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/bradejensen)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2023, 10:29am UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/ive-been-working-on-a-lick-in-the-style-of-these-players-stochelo-rosenberg-michael-romeo-yngwie-malmsteen-and-finished-it-with-a-phrygian-style-cadence-ending/61870 "2023-01-18T10:29:04Z")
When I play, I always use a rest stroke after a down stroke, which makes it easier for me to flow specific fragments boxed in red, such as the first beat grouping of measure 1 (as well as the last beat grouping of measur… --- ## [Rhythm Changes, anyone?](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/rhythm-changes-anyone/61407)
**Author:** [@Milkweed](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/Milkweed)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2023, 12:22am UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/rhythm-changes-anyone/61407 "2023-01-12T00:22:53Z")
George Gershwin wrote the music for “I Got Rhythm” in 1930. Since then, the chords to that tune have been known as “rhythm changes” and thousands of new tunes have been written over them. (After blues, the rhythm changes… --- ## [Michael Romeo scale lick lesson offsetting the efficient digit cycle (EDC) across the strings](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/michael-romeo-scale-lick-lesson-offsetting-the-efficient-digit-cycle-edc-across-the-strings/61741)
**Author:** [@bradejensen](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/bradejensen)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2023, 10:17pm UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/michael-romeo-scale-lick-lesson-offsetting-the-efficient-digit-cycle-edc-across-the-strings/61741 "2023-01-11T22:17:59Z")
seems awhile back i had figured out how romeo was playing this one legato lick so fast that always impressed me, and i posted on it under a romeo thread on here. but i thought i would bring it more to light as a way to … --- ## [Jason Becker Blackberry Jams as an arrangement case study](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/jason-becker-blackberry-jams-as-an-arrangement-case-study/61019)
**Author:** [@cmcgee11235](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/cmcgee11235)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2023, 6:21pm UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/jason-becker-blackberry-jams-as-an-arrangement-case-study/61019 "2023-01-11T18:21:53Z")
If you’ve never listened to Blackberry Jams, it’s a great compilation of unfinished versions of mainly his Perpetual Burn material where many of the songs aren’t fully arranged and you can listen through the entire album… --- ## [Songs are getting shorter](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/songs-are-getting-shorter/61109)
**Author:** [@kgk](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/kgk)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2022, 6:44am UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/songs-are-getting-shorter/61109 "2022-12-23T06:44:51Z")
This article explains why songs are getting shorter, and what’s getting cut out. --- ## [Any love for Dan Huff](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/any-love-for-dan-huff/60946)
**Author:** [@Twangsta](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/Twangsta)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2022, 4:00pm UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/any-love-for-dan-huff/60946 "2022-12-22T16:00:41Z")
I was always such a giant fan :wink: But it always surprises me how unknown they still are! --- ## [How do you get started writing a song?](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/how-do-you-get-started-writing-a-song/56090)
**Author:** [@tommo](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/tommo)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2022, 6:45am UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/how-do-you-get-started-writing-a-song/56090 "2022-12-22T06:45:04Z")
Kind of complementary to the other topic I opened today (how to write a song from a short musical idea). In this one, I’d like to hear your strategies for generating that first musical idea. Personally, I think this is… --- ## [Borrowing licks and ideas without stealing](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/borrowing-licks-and-ideas-without-stealing/56244)
**Author:** [@bradejensen](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/bradejensen)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2022, 7:10pm UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/borrowing-licks-and-ideas-without-stealing/56244 "2022-12-11T19:10:58Z")
Here is the problem I am facing right now. I do feel some of these players in a way own certain phrases, however how much of the ownership I do not know. I mean how can someone really own a scale pattern or even a phra… --- ## [Video analyzing the vocal harmonies of Alice in Chains](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/video-analyzing-the-vocal-harmonies-of-alice-in-chains/60770)
**Author:** [@Frylock](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/Frylock)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 9, 2022, 4:45pm UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/video-analyzing-the-vocal-harmonies-of-alice-in-chains/60770 "2022-12-09T16:45:34Z")
This youtuber runs through some classic AIC songs and talks about what’s going on with the vocal harmonies. Some of the analysis connects more broadly to harmonic choices in their songwriting. Plus it’s just kind of cool… --- ## [Generating random songwriting assignments (rudimentary code included)](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/generating-random-songwriting-assignments-rudimentary-code-included/60208)
**Author:** [@tommo](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/tommo)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [December 7, 2022, 1:06pm UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/generating-random-songwriting-assignments-rudimentary-code-included/60208 "2022-12-07T13:06:23Z")
Disclaimer: I am not a good programmer. In fact, I am not a programmer :smiley: I wrote a (very rudimentary!) Phython code to generate random songwriting assignments. It needs python as well as the yaml and numpy packag… [Next page](https://forum.troygrady.com/c/general-music-discussion/songwriting/39.md?page=1)