Well, I for one dont say that Im a pro because we dont have a major record label backing our band like Warner Bros or Sony, just some shitty indie, but here is the way my band writes:

1. Write a catchy melody. I usually write and play it on the piano first before even thinking about synths, guitars and drums. I then also write an additional melody that will later become a "vocal melody" along with the first progression.

2. Find out which one of your catchy melodies progresses from verse to chorus. Usually a verse is between 8-16 measures and same for chorus. Sometimes I also create a prechorus.

3. Next I test what tempo(or bpm) is best for the song. How does the melody flow? Does it work well with a simple rhythm or a complex one? Create the rhythm. Dont make it constant throughout the song. Change it up alittle to accent certain parts that you want to stand out.

4. Finding which programs to use is just as important as the melody itself. After all of this is done, then comes the fun shit like real time knob turning and LFO triggers and all that other nice stuff.

5. The lyrics come last. Lose yourself in the song and see what mood it takes you.Hope this helped. But remember, what works for one person might work differently for another.


[This message has been edited by Chris Attison (edited 02-27-2002).]