3,726 Reply by Roger Guppy

(6 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Hi PPonU4Me

Welcome to Chordie and the songwriting section. As Jase has pointed out it the only way to do it is to try and keep trying. However you do have a start although if I am honest I think that a verse with just two chords repeated may be a bit repetative but that is a personal opinion and with the right melody it could work.

For the lyrics just write a simple poem, it need not be long to start, you can add to it later. You also need not bother about it rhyming, the metre is more important, and then play your chords to it. With a little luck and a bit of perseverence you will find a melody comes to mind.

You could aways pinch someone else's lyrics to start with but for heaven's sake get their approval BEFORE you post it. You can use any of mine if you wish but don't forget my royalties when you make a fortune with them lol.

I hope that helps.

Good luck,

Roger

Go to forum: Songwriting

3,727 Reply by Roger Guppy

(13 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Hi Lieven,

I have just switched on and seen that  "The Beep Song" has returned so I have played it quickly in case it does a disappearing act again lol and I enjoyed it. I will pay it again later and correct a few errors that I made the first time through. The lyrics are fine and the chord sequence is great and considering that English is your third language it is excellent work.

The only minor critisism I would make is that it would be easier to perform if the lines were shorter (i.e. make each line into two lines) as sometimes the wordwrap causes the  chord to be difficult to read.

Well done,

Roger

Go to forum: Songwriting

3,728 Reply by Roger Guppy

(74 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

Ferreira do Alentejo, Portugal.

Go to forum: Chordie's Chat Corner

3,729 Reply by Roger Guppy

(13 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Well thanks Rebel,

I have now been able to play "Slip Away" right through and it has made my evening. Great song. Thank you,

Roger

Go to forum: Songwriting

3,730 Reply by Roger Guppy

(5 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Thanks Toney,

You are so right and I will keep that one to myself,

Roger

Go to forum: Songwriting

3,731 Reply by Roger Guppy

(5 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Hi John,

Nice song and a good chord progression although my fingers are aching after the C#7 (I cheated and played C# towards the end - sorry). Well done,

Roger

Go to forum: Songwriting

3,732 Reply by Roger Guppy

(13 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Hi Lieven,

James is 100% right. Writing songs is a disipline that needs practice and patience just like learning to play the guitar. All of us write some good stuff, some mediocre ones and some darn awful ones. OK Jeff and James produce a great number of songs but I would like to bet that they both have a lot of unfinished ones and others that they are not happy with. They have been writing for a long time and it is easier for them than it is for most of us but it is NOT a competition, it is supposed to be fun.

Yes it takes time, but so do most things that are worthwhile.
Why do you need to use less difficult chords? If the music calls for an obscure chord then so be it.
None of us are competing and often what one person does gives an idea or inspiration to another.

Maybe what you need to do is to find one that you like and spend time to work on it to get it as good as you can before posting it. Or post it for opinion and then revise it if neccessary. It certainly helps if you can record it so you can listen to it critically and see if it can be improved.

I will let you into a little secret here but don't let anyone else know. Nearly every song that I have put on Chordie I have sent to my two critics first, my ex-wife, Sue and Helena (Old Doll) and I get their opinions before I post it.

Another idea is if it is the lyrics that are a problem and you are happier writing the music why not ask someone to write lyrics for you. I have on a couple of occasions taken someone's poem and put music to it, that can be fun too.

And if I were closer I would be bullying you into using your Boss BR 600 and recording your stuff.

Take care,

Roger

Go to forum: Songwriting

3,733 Reply by Roger Guppy

(23 replies, posted in Acoustic)

Hi Jcellini,

How's this for an idea. Why not open a flickr site or similar and get Chordie members to send you photo's of their guitars and you can then upload them so they are all in one place. For members I run Friends of Chordie, Guitarpix runs a YouTube site for videos you could run one for photo's. Food for thought.

Roger

Go to forum: Acoustic

3,734 Reply by Roger Guppy

(7 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Wowee, that is fantactic, break a leg girl.

Go to forum: Songwriting

3,735 Reply by Roger Guppy

(7 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Hi Rhiannon,

Another super song from you and as James has already said, it would be nice if you could find the time to get around to recording some of your songs. I, for one wold love to hear you.

Roger

Go to forum: Songwriting

3,736 Reply by Roger Guppy

(6 replies, posted in About Chordie)

Hi BoneDaddy,

It is only the [ song] (and I have inserted an extra space) that you have to be very wary of. This is the 'switch on' command for the special formatting, so you can use [/song] the 'switch off' and {soc} without a problem.

Roger

Go to forum: About Chordie

3,737 Reply by Roger Guppy

(7 replies, posted in About Chordie)

Chordie is the brainchild of Per, the 'Mighty Admin', it is he who sorts out the bugs and technical problems. I have to agree it was a brilliant idea, well done Per.

Roger

Go to forum: About Chordie

3,738 Reply by Roger Guppy

(4 replies, posted in Electric)

HI Alex,

Welcome to Chordie I am sure you are going to get plenty of advice here.

Now I may be wrong and I may have misunderstood but from what I read you have been working hard with chords and scales and not having fun. Playing any instrument must fun so I would suggest that you find some song that you know and really like and learn them. You can of course improvise and play a lead solo for a verse if you wnt to stretch yourself further.

Roger

Go to forum: Electric

3,739 Reply by Roger Guppy

(4 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Rhiannon,

So sorry for the delay in commenting on your song. Firstly the chords do not need changing they flow fine and fit in well with the sentiment of your song. As for the lyrics, well the guy is an idiot, fancy not wanting to hold your hand. Mind you that might be a bit unfair, a lot of us chaps are very shy and frightened of rejection and so are reluctant to make the first move. Perhaps you should record it and 'accidently' let him hear it to give him the encouagement he needs. The lyrics are lovely, well done,

Roger

Go to forum: Songwriting

3,740 Reply by Roger Guppy

(19 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Helena,

I am sorry for the delay in replying. A great song and I hope that you have really found some happiness. I like the chord sequence and the lyrics remind us the we should cherish each other and not take for granted. Well done,

Roger

Go to forum: Songwriting

3,741 Reply by Roger Guppy

(9 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Hi Lieven,

Sorry to hear about you broken finger I hope that it soon mends and you can start playing again.

Venice is one of my favourite cities and you song has brough back some wonderful memories. Great lyrics and chord progression. Thank you and well done,

Roger

Go to forum: Songwriting

3,742 Reply by Roger Guppy

(17 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Wonderful song James just wonderful. If more people believed in what you and MLK believe in the world would be a happier place.

Roger

Go to forum: Songwriting

3,743 Reply by Roger Guppy

(21 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Well done BoneDaddy,

About time too. I like your song and am pleased that you have taken the plunge on YouTube. I also gave you 5 stars.

Nice one,

Roger

p.s. everyone please try and remember Ken's promice. I mean a Scotsman offering to buy a present and not only that to also pay for the postage to America!! It must be a first. lol



On writing that I must add in all seriousness that I have spent some time in Scotland and contrary to popular belief the Scots are really very generous and welcoming.

Go to forum: Songwriting

3,744 Reply by Roger Guppy

(7 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Hi Daddycool,

I have many fond memories of Chatsworth House, not only have I visited it on numerous occasions my work also took me to the MOT station within the grounds so I have been at all times of the year. I have often seen the magnificent herds of deer there. Thank you for the song and thank you for the memories.

Roger

Go to forum: Songwriting

3,745 Reply by Roger Guppy

(8 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Hi Jeff,

This will make you laugh when I started playing this I thought the chord sequence sounded more like a discord sequence. That was until I realised I was playing Db and not D# - must be getting past it!! Anyhow once I corrected my error I found it went together very well, like Ken I struggled at first and it took me until verse 3 to get the timing OK. There is absolutely nothing wrong with your creative process, well done.

Roger

Go to forum: Songwriting

3,746 Reply by Roger Guppy

(2 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Hi Jeff,

A reminiscing number you have here which many of us who have been on this planet a year or two will be able to relate to. You write excellent songs and it is difficult to say something that I have not said before so I hope 'well done and thank you' will suffice,


Roger

Go to forum: Songwriting

3,747 Reply by Roger Guppy

(34 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Nice song James,

As expected a slightly different melody to what I came up with when I played it. Well done, you really are becoming an expert recording artist after your initial trepidations.

Roger

Go to forum: Songwriting

3,748 Reply by Roger Guppy

(6 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Thank you Ark, Jeff and James,

My little break and writing this have in fact been great therapy. I said when I came to Portugal that I would not have any pets as they are too much of a responsibility and I too draining on my emotions - famous last words.

Roger

Go to forum: Songwriting

3,749 Reply by Roger Guppy

(13 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Hi Rebel,

Loved your song and was having great fun giving it a thrash but sadly I ran out of chords all too soon. Please, when you write a great song like this, put the chords all the way through so a doddering old fogey like me is able to complete it and enjoy it to the end.

Thank you and well done,

Roger

Go to forum: Songwriting

3,750 Reply by Roger Guppy

(15 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Hi Sean,

I have just given your song a run through and I must say that I preferred it with a D instead of the F#/D but on then reading the posts this is more or less what you intended.

I really liked your song and a great way to introduce yourself to us. Well done and I look forward to seeing, and playing, more songs from you.

Thank you,

Roger

Go to forum: Songwriting