Songwriting Practice - Ben Levin

[@schelsullivan]

You are weird. I like you.

[@threenplustwo9105]

-I just- -I just- -I mean- ...

[@papi1050]

schel sullivan 1:02 lol

[@adamjnotthecongressmanschi7026]

This is the best comment I’ve ever seen.

[@insertname8889]

BAAAA DA MAAAADAAA BA DAAAAAH PRRRR

[@mikefearon3577]

This went from shower singing to genius. That chorus melody is beautiful.

[@BenLevin]

Shower singing indeed :) That's one of the best places to sing!

[@arthurverlaine6434]

​@@BenLevin waiting (maybe forever) on a "to rome with love" shower singing production

[@davidstoneback6159]

I love how he writes the most amazing song ever and then shrugs and says, "something like that." Lol OG

[@ExistentialGojora]

David Stoneback - Word.

[@CPickswell]

omg Ben, your improvisation --> final product videos are the most amazing journeys Thank you.

[@BenLevin]

Thank you, I am always having fun when I make them :)

[@1yurisato1]

lyrics: LAMA DAMA VERAHHH VARA RERERE BARA VARA *la* HAHHH PARA BARARA PA RURU PRRR RU PARA VARAHHHH BURU RURU RURU RU RU PARA FARAH FARAH RARA RA RA RARA VARA NANANA FANA FARA FANA DADA BADARA PARABA PAHHHRAHHH LAVA UNBAU LARA KERA FARA VANANA ZEPA SAPA POWER LERANRE UN PAPA AUEEEEEEEEE PAUEEEE UEE WOOO LU LULU LA LALAHULU LU PABA AWEEEE PAWEE WEE UUUU LARU LARU #beautiful #FARAH #POWER

[@janminor1172]

Tons of good band names in there: Lara Kera, Fara Vanana, Zepa Zapa. That or porn star names. You decide...

[@saharsharora3912]

*la*

[@gratefulpipeandcigar3239]

yuri sato yep. Sang the whole thing to maself. LAMA DAMA DING DONG POWER!

[@dougc84]

I'm totally getting an electronica meets Zappa feel to this. LOVE IT.

[@apothecurio]

you mean kzbin.info/www/bejne/oaHVYXxjat1ml9E

[@supermatolaatikko]

The garbage people bit was when i made this association :D

[@zakbarbezat]

the vocals sound so good at the end omg especially the harmonies really cool video

[@pulpogaraje]

I showed my girlfriend Bent Knee, and then this song. And her reaction was "...you're right, he does make weird music." I don't know how to break the news to her, guys...

[@evawilliammusic]

Ben, you never fail to make me smile

[@BenLevin]

A good hearty smile can do a lot of good!

[@evawilliammusic]

Ben Levin 😊

[@vincentsirius3969]

That beginning is just so gorgeous. Few people give little enough fucks

[@cheddaerbizkets6113]

Ben, I just want you know that you not only inspire me, but you make me laugh with your mannerisms. I think you are genuinely such a unique character and it shows in your music. Please never stop.

[@dumpsterDeity]

I'm so glad people like you exist :)

[@uniworkhorse]

Ngl I was a more than skeptical, but that start sketch was an amazing guide!

[@meowmixe]

this youtube osmosis is working great for my learning style. man you and Adam Neely, Rick Beato and Aimee Nolte are just cramming my head with so much good. i learned a ton from this video. thanks for sharing one of your creative song processes.

[@osyfuture2646]

You are on another level. I have seen Your approach and delivery evolve to new heights. Keep killing the youtube. Ground breaking stuff.

[@DanielHorta]

In the beginning of the process, I thought that nothing made sense at all. But in the end, DAMN, very good stuff!!! I think that's the difference between someone that knows what is doing with composition and me.

[@marcmcshane]

on an episode of the podcast Song Exploder, rivers cuomo from weezer describes a similar method of 'scatting' for developing melodies to avoid the trappings of guitar cliches. i'd say it's a rather effective approach.

[@JadeWave]

Such a good episode. Rivers is crazy man

[@markrogers2760]

Thanks Ben. I appreciate your perspective and total openness. Instructive and refreshing.

[@BenLevin]

Thank you Mark!

[@halflearned2190]

I posted a comment yesterday when this video came out, and I'm here again to say I've been singing Ben's melody in my head for the past 36 hours.

[@andrewh25]

The end product turned out awesome. Thanks for the inspiration. I am thankful!!

[@BioVisier]

If only I could be as creative as this dude.

[@micindir4213]

Ben, try using 'regions' for structuring material (shift + R). It will fasten your workflow immensely.

[@SepulvedaBoulevard]

Wow, that's so different from how I work - cool to explore new methods! 😀

[@poiewhfopiewhf]

what do you do?

[@SepulvedaBoulevard]

poiewhfopiewhf chords, melody, lyrics, repeat

[@poiewhfopiewhf]

+Vera Sepulveda ooh me too lol

[@janminor1172]

Vera Sepulveda me: chords, melodies, can’t write lyrics, repeat :) Lyric, chords melody if someone has lyrics for me.

[@user-bv3wf1ur1m]

I hope that you are happy af in your life rn homie. Thank you so much for making these videos! S’kudah wuz here!

[@Not_what_it_used_to_be]

Awesome stuff Ben, as always. Keep it up, lots of us adore everything you do!

[@robertgrahmann3354]

I love the reckless abandon with which you sing

[@arthurmee]

Love it. You are an artist Ben. You restore my faith in humanity.

[@hrlarson]

That was great! Thank you from someone trying to get unstuck from chordchordchord singing.

[@Easymode460]

I tried this process the other day and made something crazy. You are very dope g.

[@DereBear]

Dude you inspire me so much. Creatively I wish I could be more like you

[@iansedano]

I really like this, it comes together so well.

[@inkwellcoma4080]

5:55 I just burst out into laughter xD

[@gratefulpipeandcigar3239]

You are a madman. In reading some of the comments see I’m not the first to say something along this line. Absolutely magnificent, Ben!

[@sambeliveau1042]

that chorus is my new favorite thing

[@lucasvca]

This is fascinating, this really inspires me to write some tunes

[@LambentSonata]

Then do that. :-) I don't personally recommend Reaper, though. For a beginner, instead of a DAW with a piano roll, I'd actually recommend MuseScore. MuseScore allows you to quickly and easily write actual sheet music and get immediately playback. But if you want vocals and/or synths, get FL Studio, it's very powerful. FLS does have a steep learning curve, BUT it also has very detailed and well written "help" which compensates.

[@downhill240]

Very interesting! Thanks for sharing your process with us.

[@音姫soundprincess]

FENOMENAL LYRICS and song too, cool stuff ben, you da man

[@farewellnico7080]

This is the 4th time i came back to this video i a day, that song really grew on me

[@franciscoleitao66]

WHAT AN ABSOLUTE LEGEND

[@Anteaterman23]

Yes! Loving these composing videos, keep it up pls!

[@rafaelborges8976]

This is the kind of people I would like to be friends with.

[@Germs19]

You're not garbage people, Ben. You're beautiful people!

[@haboose2869]

My favorite human is Ben Levin

[@MadayMaday]

That second part sounded like a verse and pre-chorus to me. I really like it.

[@danperalta8952]

This is one of my favourite songs

[@donald-parker]

Proving once again, there are no bad notes. But not necessarily proving there are no bad songs.

[@codymccormick2613]

That was so fuckin beautiful. Ben you are a serious genius

[@BenLevin]

Thank you Cody!

[@drawntothefire]

The final version with vocals reminded me of and made me want to hear the first end credits song in Wall-E.

[@Remnantsofadam]

The thumbnail describes my writing process pretty well. Lol very cool song man! Nice to see how it all comes together!

[@watercolourmark]

Is this why you talk of vocalising notes as you play an instrument, so it helps to lay out a natural vocal track first? I sometimes use a similar method, but I use Melda MAutoPitch on the vocal for correction and then use Ableton 'convert Melody to MIDI' - as I am tone-deaf. This enables me to get what is in my head down and find a mode for that. I may then delete, or work over the vocal and MIDI, but it gives me a fast method of getting things down using the tech to plug the holes in my limited talent. Thanks for being more than I can be, and an inspiration within that.

[@SamdGG]

mark grant instead of giving the "tone deaf" excuse (which I understand) you could try and take extra time to just persevering until it sounds the same, note by note

[@elisabethcrotser4278]

I've recently discovered your channel and it's really cool to see your creative process beginning to end! You seem to also have a lot of fluency in a lot of instruments, including your voice. Do you have any tips on developing your voice so that you can use it as a tool? how long have you been singing and how did you learn? I've always been an instrumentalist and even though I've been singing for 6 years, my progress has been really slow even though I do my best to sing as often as I can. I feel limited because my singing ability isn't able to fully realize the sounds that are in my head. It's really cool for you to use your voice as a tool and I'd love some insight on how you started developing it. Thanks! love your videos :)

[@blacktongue1000]

You should make a video to give tips on how to use your voice more or get comfortable using it. As an instrumentalist I never sing more than my aural skills classes and I wanna get more out of my voice and singing is such an odd thing for me.

[@rokeley94]

Start singing in your day-to-day life! If you can speak, you already have control over your voice. Singing is just a matter of holding a piiiiiiiiiitch! You can do it!

[@devon-crain]

Speaking anecdotally, of course, but it really is just a matter of getting up and making yourself do it. Of course it's awkward and uncomfortable if you don't ever utilise it. I started by building fundamentals, just like I would when learning an instrument; lock in my scales (for voice that would be solfège and pitch accuracy in a given key), lock in various intervals, and work dexterity in them. Then, I start applying it to songwriting and improvising.

[@lunafoxfire]

I used to be in the same boat as you. I'm a pretty quiet person--I don't talk very loudly let alone sing, but I started just making myself do it. One thing I started doing is singing in the car, like, alllll the time. I like to practice singing harmonies with songs I like, or rewriting the melody, and stuff like that. I don't have an amazing voice or anything but I'm definitely starting to get more comfortable with it. So just do it! Especially when no one else is around if you're like me >.>

[@blacktongue1000]

Devon Crain yeah I took 2 years of sight singing classes and ear training classes for my music degree, and I can do pretty basic stuff as far as scales and arpeggios go but I feel weird when I sing like it feels super forced. I wanna get to a point where I'm comfortable with it like when I play my instrument

[@LambentSonata]

Fascinating look into the construction of a song; thanks for sharing. I'd never heard of "Reaper", so I DL'ed an evaluation copy of that. I personally find it nearly impossible to use (took me 3 hours just to figure out how to input a single note; the designers appear to have had mostly samples and loops in-mind and threw-in a deeply-buried piano roll only later as an afterthought). Undoubtedly, part of the problem is that the only DAW I'm familiar with is FL Studio, and Reaper is nothing like FLS. But I'm thinking I probably won't spend $60 on it after eval ends. I like the impromptu jazz song you created here, though; very cool.

[@Danigochi]

Really nice man! It really changes the mood with lyrics

[@MaemiNoYume]

how not to love it?

[@GiovanniBottaMuteWinter]

I love seeing how the sausage is made! What came out of this demo?

[@jessesmac]

Beginning: What the hell is he doing? How does he get anything done? Ending: Teach me your ways, you songwriting god.

[@UndecimeBeatitudo]

This for whatever reason reminded me of Kevin Penkin's ost to Made in Abyss

[@nagend1917]

Hey man, that's a really nice melody & song!

[@diffractedbear4519]

I really enjoyed this video. Thanks, Ben.

[@milksapfarms]

Thanks for this educational peak into a process of inspiration.

[@BionicHorseBeats]

another cool video as usual ben x

[@davidstoneback6159]

I guarantee if you teamed up with a great pop producer you'd be able to put together tons of interesting hits.

[@BenLevin]

That would be a fun thing to do!

[@RobTFilms]

Do more videos like this, especially with songs!

[@PabloDeModeOfficial]

This is beyond great!

[@1roomstudio]

Fearless... I like that 😎🙏✨

[@AveCastGames]

It sounds great, but a bit thin, maybe changing the bass’ sound or something could make it thicker? But I love how the vocals turned out!!

[@brauliodiaz3925]

I imagine your neighbors xD

[@poockoo]

Braulio Diaz are they the garbage people?

[@robpiy91]

... wholeheartedly singing along.

[@loejewis]

Nice pipes tomika

[@marekdziwisz3491]

Neat! Love that ending :D

[@adampotter760]

Bits of this sound like Tune-Yards!

[@gusmatchain7299]

Holy shit! That’s inspiring as hell.

[@linussundstrom1]

Was there any special reason that you sung the melodies an octave higher when improvising in the beginning? Great video as always.

[@averypowell975]

Linus Sundström Im guessing because thats how he heard them in his head. Either because of timbre or otherwise.

[@BenLevin]

I improvise better in my falsetto because I always imagine my voice as a woman's voice first. I just tend to write vocal parts for high range singers instinctively.

[@Butts666]

I often do that too because I actually have more range in falsetto so I'm less restrained by what notes I can/can't reach.

[@epiczeven6378]

hahaha, that was a wild improv. :p! Using your own voice to improvise, is a very powerful tool.

[@GrandNapoleon]

this is gold

[@Ayoutubeaccount3]

I'm not a big fan, but thats cool cos I like yo other stuff and its a nice reminder that when people don't like some of my music its not a big deal!

[@BenLevin]

Good point! It's not about batting 1000, it's about playing the game as much as you can!

[@betalingsringen]

What plugin are you using for the "piano" sound? It sounds awesome. as does the whole thing, btw

[@phant0mdummy]

Have you ever made a list of plugins or samples that you use? Like a best of Ben Levin type thing for Reaper? I recently downloaded Reaper because of you, and it's a pretty nice program. Just looking for some recommendations from the Dr. Would love to hear about some of your favorites. (video pls, wink nod, love you Ben)

[@phant0mdummy]

Ben I've been waiting two years, just give it to me daddy come on. Stop teasing.

[@phant0mdummy]

and waiting longer still.

[@КодіБруно]

Nice video, Ben. You're a cool guy.

[@threenplustwo9105]

I think it would be cool if you stopped the delay right before you say "I like you" at 10:57

[@nutterbutter566]

I love your videos Ben and have learned so much about making music from you, and I've always wanted to sing but dont know how. Have you had singing lessons or anything like that, or are you self taught? And do you have any tips for someone who wants to sing but doesnt know where or how to start?

[@luuj8074]

Brad Nutter Join a choir if you can, I'd recommend learning solfege too. Solfege helps in every aspect in my opinion!

[@EthanRadell]

Learn some solfege (moveable Do) practice with piano

[@BenLevin]

I recommend that you try 3 things: 1. Sing everyday (don't worry about singing well at first, just get used to singing and how you sound. Try vocal warmup playlists from Spotify and KZbin 2. Learn simple songs that you like and try to sing them. 3. Record yourself and listen for ways to improve. Don't get discouraged if everything sounds bad, focus on anything that sounds even remotely good and figure out how to do that more.

[@SuperKashiyuka]

Amazing !

[@bigweld4328]

love the thumbnail

[@l0wbtry]

That turned out pretty nice :D

[@nicholasboatright41]

Wow Ben, garbage people is like my new favorite song!

[@BenLevin]

That's awesome, I didn't think I'd be writing someone's new favorite song when I made this video, but you never know what can happen!

[@lwandileprusent2713]

these are my favorite

[@udbhasmitra6776]

Could you maybe explain why you use this DAW as compared to other (and probably more popular) ones?

[@blake1187]

It's 100% free.

[@DeathMetalOnToast]

I find it really intuitive, it's really customisable, has some great features built in (e.g. spectral editing and the way channel routing works) and if you try it out for a while and feel like buying it the licence for individuals/small businesses is incredibly cheap compared to every other DAW I'm aware of.

[@trumpetsuazo]

'Cause it's free bayBEE

[@BenLevin]

This is a good summary of why. It has a drag and drop kind of quality that I really like too. I feel like most DAWs (except Ableton) are designed with how people work with analog gear and consoles in mind, but Reaper seems to get inspiration from how we interface with a computer.

[@lunafoxfire]

I like reaper because it's super customizable and I find it more intuitive than others. Also doesn't hurt that it's super cheap. Although I used to have a copy of Cubase that I ""obtained through certain methods"" but still ended up going back to Reaper. I think Ableton is the only DAW that I would be tempted to switch to nowadays.

[@halflearned2190]

O_O Whoa. I’m impressed.

[@samflake4466]

The verse reminds me of a TuneYards melody

[@BenBuras]

You fooled me! LOL Well done!

[@MatthewNorsa]

I love you.

[@-l5905]

Love it!

[@Jesse-mh6hv]

You just got a subscriber :) 👍

[@rafetizer]

2 minutes in and you already have a Gorrillaz song in the bag.

[@deepsolar169]

Prog pop... I love it.

[@petersoar2886]

Love it. Helpful stuff. How long did this whole process take you???

[@giorgiooliviero8554]

Awesome!

[@bobdowie659]

This reminds me of Tune-Yards. Was it perhaps inspired?

[@nandakoryaaa]

This is rough diamond.