I actually try to mix it up. Sometimes I'll just sit and try and think of basic ideas until I start to run dry. Other times I'll sit and finger pick some chords until I get a few that sound good together.

Lately, I'm been coming up with ideas on my commute to and from work so I have to turn the radio off to keep from losing it. When I get home I'll sing what I remember into my tuner to get the basic chords I'm looking for and then I'll try the chords, adjust as needed since chords don't sound exactly the same in your head as they do coming out of a guitar. Then I write the words as best as I remember, usually pretty quick after I get home to keep the idea fresh. I dont have a tuner at work so if I think of a song going to work I'll usually just write down the lyrics in the parking lot at work or just when I sit down to my desk and hope I can remember the music that went with them at the end of the day when I get home

What really gets a good song out of me though is when some sort of event brings on a strong emotional reaction of some sort from me. Love songs, songs about loss, songs about happiness, songs about songs...what ever really brings the deep feelings out of you usually turns out to be a great song.

Thanks Badeye and yeah, this song helped a lot.

James, the other team - lordy, don't get me started on them. 18 panel and 32 panel are the types of balls used in the game. The 18 panel balls are more like volleyballs we use in the US while the 32 panel balls are the ones like the black and white poke-a-dot balls that are what most people, or at least most US people that is, think of as soccer balls.

Old Doll, you have my permission to lay it on him. Just so you know though, start with "Hey Referee" like you're trying to yell it through the back of his head and take out some of his brain matter! At least that's how I shout...err...sing it. 

Rainy Friday is now posted on my Myspace page if you want a listen:

http://www.myspace.com/stilljeffgilpin

Would love to hear what you all think, good bad or otherwise.

Jeff/jets60

Hey Rhiannon, thanks- I think the trick is no to let the clunkers get you down and lord knows I've had my fair share. I think this one's pretty good too though.

You guys rock! Thanks -  I was stumbling along trying to find it and finally gave up because I had to go do some honey dos.

Thanks,

Jeff/jets

Thanks Guys,

That was my intent but I'm still only at about 100 BMP so it's not way too fast although I can see it played faster. Chordie and my Chordie friends was my inspiration for the lyrics as well.  The style is a bit different but I like the way it sounded and the trailing chords came from somewhere I heard them but can't remember where.

That song is just as sweet as it can be and how fitting to someone who has been a great help to me and to all the chodie forum dwellers. Well done Rhiannon!

I'm on it James! Do you know the Indgo Girls' song Pendulum Swinger? I'm looking at doing something like that or a similiar style. Oh yeah, the song from the chorus is called Keep It Real and I posted it earlier today.

Cheers,

Jets

Thanks MG - I'm posting another one is a second.

Hey James - You crack me up. I'm not writing to night but I got some ideas in the cooker I'll share:
I was thinking about how really good songs have the a catchy chorus so I was going to sit down when I have the time and come up with just the music for the chorus and then wrap the rest of the music for the song around it. Then I would write the lyrics which is usually backwords of how I work now.

Another idea was to come up with a harmony verse for Mournful Cry. I got the idea listening to some of the Indigo Girls new work that reminded me of some of the gospel harmony I grew up with (all that was on tv on Sunday morning when I grew up).

My last idea I havent started anything with yet was about a Comeback story song....nothing else with that but who doesn't love a comeback?

Anyway I'm off to bed for the night (up late again).

Hey Saba - Thank you very much - It was kind of fun to write but not so fun waking up this morning

Jeff