How To Write More Metal Songs In LESS Time

[@TaylorDanley]

How are you guys writing songs, let me know!

[@dreamseekerguitar_1827]

I have a Very similar style to my writing I do not write all my guitar riffs first though. I do them as I go...probably because I am also a drummer and I don’t want my entire song to be “guitar driven” I find by building the drums along with my guitar riffs I’ll be inspired by a new drum part or fill transitioning into the next part instead of just relying on the guitar to transition into the next part. A lot of my writing is going into my daw, hitting record and playing whatever comes naturally for a while...sometimes that record button is going for a while and that’s okay. It happens until I pick out a riff I like...I then find a BPM I’m comfortable with for that riff I enjoyed and start tracking with that metronome and start building the song from there. As much as this wasn’t really insightful for someone like me that already does a similar style, I’m glad you posted it...reassures me I’m not crazy for doing it this way and hopefully gives others a little more confidence in their own writing. JUST HIT THAT RECORD BUTTON! see what you come up with!! It’s that simple! BUILD THE SONG! You’re not going to starting playing a full 3:30 song all of a sudden. This is the way to do it!

[@apoplexiamusic]

when i only made electronic music, i would start with the drums 90% of the time. but with guitar i start with recording riffs to a click and adding the drums, then the bass

[@KillaFXZ]

Usually if I have an idea, I use my phone recorder first, then I'll put to song if I really like it. Then it grows from there.

[@alexeyruban179]

Bad

[@realcarlspartacus]

I lay drum lines with various beats and jam over it, recording for a period. After, I see what I keep and I elaborate over it in a new daw file.

[@jasonmatthew8650]

I use ez drummer drum grooves for inspiration when writing, also I don’t bother double tracking till my ideas are finalized, cause I will often decide to add some embellishments here and there and then I’ll have to re track anyway. And it’s much easier for me to track when there are some actual drums

[@russianblackmetalist5802]

but how do you later remember what notes to play for the doubletracks of your riffs... just by ear ? I may compose riffs(based on scale and intervals), but few minutes later I don't remember what notes i've decided to used for it while composing ))) Maybe i should use webcam or phone to record fretboard..

[@JasGoodgameJamzYuh]

@@russianblackmetalist5802 torrent guitar pro

[@fleshpitdm]

This is why I'll always have drums ready in the mixer and ready to go through their busses as a template. Lol

[@Nibblerr]

​@@JasGoodgameJamzYuhGP has honestly been the best writing tool for me. It's not only to remember the stuff but I also write stuff I might not be able to play yet and I'm able to hear what it sounds like at 100% tempo. You kinda make your own life harder by writing stuff you can't play but hey at least you're improving :)

[@RichardONeil]

The drum programming was the most interesting part. That's the part that always trips me up. Watching your whole process was fun. Let's do it again! Thanks, man.

[@TaylorDanley]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@riffsnoleads]

I just write it all out in Guitar Pro 5 and email it to the other guys in the band. They will then do the same with any edits or songs of their own. We practice them as much at home as we can and then just meet up and rehearse them the best we can until we get it down. This is not a bad idea for getting things rolling though.

[@TaylorDanley]

Guitar pro is a great tool also!

[@hatecrewsix2]

Yeah it's an excellent gool but i dropped it because is so annoying to put every note. But its good to track the ideas forever.

[@antonkovalenko364]

The music comes naturally for me. It's lyric writing that takes me ages. I would absolutely recommend the orange Guitar Grimoire book to help you with harmonizing notes if you don't have the perfect ear for them. 😉

[@krokmiten]

The way I do it is I lay down a scat vocal track, just growling whatever comes to mind or just sounds but thinking only on the rhythmic aspect of things. Once this is done. I make a syllable count on the scat vocals parts I like. I write that syllable count down. After I look at my lyrics and for each word I write down the syllable count and match them to my scat vocals. For instance Destruction (3), Pussy (2), Go scew yourself (1-2-34) and so on. I'm not sure this is really helpful to you but I've been doing this on all my albums and it works for me.

[@antonkovalenko364]

@@krokmiten Hey, I'm not going to knock anyone's creative process. I appreciate your advice., too. It's definitely worth a look.

[@krokmiten]

@@antonkovalenko364 Well, it's just one of the way one can do it. Actually someone could use different techniques all at once I suppose. That's the cool thing about workflow, it evolves and can be adapted depending of the situation and issue to solve.

[@geniallyrealmajaw378]

​@@krokmiten I also do the same for the vocals... 😅

[@dreamseekerguitar_1827]

I have a Very similar style to my writing I do not write all my guitar riffs first though. I do them as I go...probably because I am also a drummer and I don’t want my entire song to be “guitar driven” I find by building the drums along with my guitar riffs I’ll be inspired by a new drum part or fill transitioning into the next part instead of just relying on the guitar to transition into the next part. A lot of my writing is going into my daw, hitting record and playing whatever comes naturally for a while...sometimes that record button is going for a while and that’s okay. It happens until I pick out a riff I like...I then find a BPM I’m comfortable with for that riff I enjoyed and start tracking with that metronome and start building the song from there. As much as this wasn’t really insightful for someone like me that already does a similar style, I’m glad you posted it...reassures me I’m not crazy for doing it this way and hopefully gives others a little more confidence in their own writing. JUST HIT THAT RECORD BUTTON! see what you come up with!! It’s that simple! BUILD THE SONG! You’re not going to starting playing a full 3:30 song all of a sudden. This is the way to do it!

[@JSNM_]

Not having any filter, not caring about what comes out, warts and all. Then carving it, fine tuning it into something awesome. Great to watch the process in action, knowing I'm not the only one who does this! thanks

[@inthrallmusic]

Love to see the process of others composers! Thanks for doing these. I have a very similar writing process, i don't overthink to much and just play what i feel like playing and from there i layer and go riff by riff until i have something cool. If it turns out boring or just bad by my standards, i just scrap it and try again until i like the results!

[@COMICSCOFFEEMETAL]

I love what you did here. This is definitely similar to the approach I take. Much like when I make comics, I draw quick layouts to get ideas for pacing, feel, and staging, then you refine and refine until you get a more nuanced end result.

[@TaylorDanley]

Yeah, that's true... I didnt really think about it, but now that you mention it... everytime I do a script for a video, I do the same thing

[@jeyrizzy6780]

Appreciate you taking the time to make this video, Taylor 🤘. Everything in it is solid. I'm recently trying to play and attempt to learn reaper and write. Also am a working family man. So you releasing this video, is super valuable to someone like me. Again, much appreciated. 🤘

[@TaylorDanley]

🙌 awesome, that's exactly why I made it! I've been there before... working 50+ hour weeks, trying to spend as much time as you can with the family... doesnt leave much left for your creative outlet... you really need to optimize that time to use it to the fullest! 🙌

[@DeviantGuitars]

Nice work! always cool to check out some else's work flow and writing process.

[@TaylorDanley]

Thanks Royce!

[@DeviantGuitars]

@@TaylorDanley no thank you. As I get back into playing guitar this is incredibly helpful. I used to have a band and another guitar player to help push the writing process. Doing everything solo for now is tough when you’re not used to it. I really like the idea of just recording to a click track or drum samples to establish a base. Then going back and changing/ improving those riffs etc. I did this last night and impressed myself how much easier it was. So again thanks for sharing

[@peeweesermon2231]

I absolutely love these longer form videos!

[@SusNoodle]

The remark that really spoke to me was when you said we try the write the finished product first. Guilty as charged. I end up getting stuck perfecting each riff and some how losing the whole feel along the way. But hey I get dope riffs lol.

[@TaylorDanley]

We all do that! Sometimes it's a matter of focusing on the task at hand, and if you're trying to wrote a song, just remember you can always work put all the details of the riff once you lay the foundation down.

[@krokmiten]

That's pretty much how I write as well. The main exception is that all my "songs" ideas are on the same project, it makes it easier reusing drum parts or stitching parts together, doing that cuts down the time it takes even more. I'm on Pro Tools but I have a trick for you in case you don't know. You can have your MIDI notes right on the track instead of opening a clip to edit them in the piano roll like on Pro Tools. Look this up, you'll be surprised the time you save aligning drum hits to your guitar tracks instead of guesswork.

[@TaylorDanley]

I will definitely look into that!

[@krokmiten]

@@TaylorDanley I made a video just like yours, except I suck at talking in front of the camera so I never published it.

[@barryprosser1370]

Thanks for doing this dude! I feel like this could really help people write more music and thats a great thing. \m/

[@TaylorDanley]

I hope so!! Funny that I released this when Gear Gods is doing a song writing contest, lol

[@sebastianrothe]

awesome thx alot!!!

[@krissmith2396]

I'm going to give props where they are do. one of the most useful videos on the youtubes. although common sense, it was cool to see the virtual tape just going and going why riffing and cut the parts you dont need later. I think some of us focus too much on getting perfect riff in the time needed instead of just going and going then cutting the parts we need.

[@TaylorDanley]

Yeah, I think that's common from what I've seen as well. I feel like when you are in a flow state, getting hung up on the little things can actually stifle your flow!

[@krissmith2396]

@@TaylorDanley yep. This was a great eye opener. Thanks for the awesome video. Cause man I sure get caught up slowing my flow and worrying to much about the little thing. Not no more. Take care

[@audioengineer86]

I have that same problem as you. I tend to rush the beat just a tad

[@KPGuitarStudios]

Man, I really need to apply what you're suggesting. Reaper drum programming even, very cool man! Thanks for sharing this

[@TaylorDanley]

🙌

[@KPGuitarStudios]

@@TaylorDanley A man so full of words 🤣 Looking forward to the hang tonight 🤘 Always a great time

[@poopybutt2215]

Thank you for this, this helped me make songs. :D

[@TaylorDanley]

Excellent! Write more songs!!

[@MusicHyde]

Thank you, very useful and helped me move faster with my project !!

[@TaylorDanley]

Awesome!

[@davidjames7001]

It’s such a good idea to just get whatever down. Going back and refining it is one thing, but to do it so often and be in tune with one’s self that entire song forms of the sounds in your head can be improvised? That’s the money.

[@enricoindegno9994]

Love it. I am really struggling writing songs. This really helps. Thanks 🤘

[@myheart2joy588]

You are the freaking man, dude!

[@TheMathPipe]

Very informative process and great song!

[@parsasadeghian6253]

I don’t suggest anyone to do this, but i literally become a riff machine when I’m baked

[@Kornerstoneband]

You're not alone there lol same here

[@Justwantpeacelove]

Thank you for this bro!

[@woodward_alan]

Do you have a video where you do turn this into a song with vocals? I struggle with taking the sequence of riffs and taking to the next level.

[@TheJustinside]

That was really good. thx man!

[@geniallyrealmajaw378]

Firstly I would record the guitar with a metronome, then as I'm done with the skeleton of the song, I'd program the drums and then I'd re-record the guitars and double track them and then add double tracks to the bass as well

[@SlyHikari03]

I usually use Voice memos and Ez drummer. Mostly Voice memos, I rarely use projects with ez drummer.

[@dylanharkness8029]

Great to see your writing process and is really helpful. Definitely deserves the 0 dislikes!

[@DS-wi3bk]

wowwww greath work, thanks man

[@noelportillo8633]

That riff at 6 minutes in had some serious Bloody Roar II intro vibes

[@J.Mortis]

I do about the same process, but I tend to waste time building a drum part and bass part riff by riff...so, 16 bars in, it'll be a full basic arrangement...but, I tend to get wrapped up in the riff too much and not just letting it rip...lol

[@TaylorDanley]

Yeah, I like to get the general direction of the song done, and I find that helps me refine the riffs later if I know where they are going 🤷‍♂️

[@J.Mortis]

@@TaylorDanley yea, I need to get back to doing it like you are in the vid...also doesn't help that I quad riffs almost every time lol...might cheat with a pair and a doubler lol

[@J.Mortis]

@@TaylorDanley I will add that, if I'm programming drums, I usually drop midi grooves in...since my drummer will likely change what he doesn't like...just a lil quicker, but sometimes writing a easy groove is important for nailing a part on the riffs lol... Catch 22 lol

[@Soulpiercerofficial]

Thank you man great video

[@johnsguitarmusicanddemos]

That’s almost like how I’m doing it. Great video brother!

[@JiTiAr35]

yey, my man is using reaper too.

[@dimitrisxaidemenos4122]

that was awsome..what sound interface are you using?

[@Justwantpeacelove]

I can make a trap beat, hiphop, pop in 1-2 hours, Metal is my main genre & takes me days to write an instrumental, i do program everything as well & im mainly a vocalist but been learning for many years and doing anything i can to level up and bring everything in my mind out better

[@TylerVanum]

How can I send you new click sounds? I absolutely hate the stock Reaper click.

[@TylerVanum]

Singers or anyone that needs to have headphones understands.

[@taLLdavid33]

I like to take two songs I already wrote and try to combine the two ideas together to make a new one.

[@rexduvall7097]

Guess I need to learn how to drum and programming drum patterns.

[@chaoticlighttv6207]

Solid video! If you don't mind my asking, what drum program are you using for this?

[@TaylorDanley]

Thanks! Perfect Drums

[@Ronny1031]

This video is going to get a lot of repeat views until I can get into the rhythm of things. (No pun intended). The way I write songs could be a handicap, as I generally write along to drum patterns. I think if I learn to write and then add drums, I could likely avoid some pitfalls I've been experiencing. Thanks for this video, Taylor!

[@TaylorDanley]

🙌🙌

[@deeforty]

This is pretty much exactly how I'd go about doing it just yours is alot faster and better lol. Your drums sound amazing, what are you using? And have you eq, d them in your template? Really useful video, dropped you a sub and hope to see more like this, thanks alot man.

[@kobrien6657]

As a drummer its amazing and infuriating to watch midi drums😲😤😆, which you do pretty damn well. Useful tips, thank you👍

[@tylert812]

Videos like this are under appreciated. 🤘🏼🤝🤘🏼

[@TaylorDanley]

🤘🤘

[@Rj-jm8vm]

Pretty cool . But it just drives home that I have no idea how to use recording software . All the clicking and moving things splicing things together . How long did it take to get proficient at that ?

[@TaylorDanley]

Good question. I used to make drum beats with no grid or click… just by copy and pasting. I’ve been doing this for a long time, but it’s just one of those things that if you enjoy creating and you just keep doing it, eventually you won’t think about the technical part of it as much and it becomes muscle memory.

[@portuguesebeer5069]

It sounded so shity at first and became so awesome Inc the end! 1. Could you program drums like that on Cubase? 2. Do you program the drums only with the mouse? 3. Do you find that way of programing drums better or easyer than EzDrummer 2? Cheers from Portugal 🍺🤘🇵🇹

[@TaylorDanley]

Thanks for watching! 1. Not sure, but I would bet it's pretty similar. 2. When I'm writing demos, yes I use the mouse. I also have an E kit my drummer plays when we are actually writing drum parts 3. EZ drummer is easier because you can grab grooves and drag them into your project. For me, I find this way easier since I generally know what I want and am pretty fast at it vs. having to listen to grooves and find one that fits, etc.

[@portuguesebeer5069]

@@TaylorDanley Thanks a! lot for your answer, brother! 🍺 Dont forget the Kex 😜

[@dcfromthev]

My biggest hurdles are not being proficient at literally any of my software, and only knowing the basics of each. Guitar Pro, EZ Drummer, Reaper, even my guitar plug in from Neural DSP... I just dont have the free time to sit down and trudge through the learning process. On the rare chance I do have a couple hours, I often lack motivation and feel like I don't know where to begin, and I end up just tinkering around with riffs. Sometimes if I get something I like, I record a video on my phone and save to a special album for music ideas. But that's as far as I get most days. I need to get my shit together, it is just overwhelming and I dont know which softward to focus on so I end up avoiding it altogether : ( fucking ADHD ain't helping me none either heh

[@johnnybalvuena4993]

My issue is when a song is playing fast at 150 bpm and changing it to a slower heavy tempo at like 100 or less bpm. I can’t seem to make the switch on the riffs sound natural

[@richardmitchell2683]

Is that jackson a baritone ?.. and what do you tune in?.. nice tone

[@TaylorDanley]

No, I think its 25.5" . C standard

[@123childcare]

My gtrst n i would free style jam until qe click on something that sounds good. Then record what we did. Usually few days before a jam is turned nto a song

[@WizardOfArc]

Yay REAPER

[@Alex-dr6or]

Thank you so much, this video is very helpful! What reaper theme are you using?

[@TaylorDanley]

I can't remember what it's called, but it's a protools theme.

[@Alex-dr6or]

@@TaylorDanley awesome, thanks man! ☺️

[@SimonMedia666]

Great to see your workflow - really inspiring. I need to start playing with metronome when creating new riffs. However I do not like to noodle through computer - So I would rather split my signal into DI and amp - beacuse the sound of my amp and cabinet is much more inspiring for me. Nevertheless great video :) I have many ideas and riffs that are not finished and maybe with this approach I can make them into actual songs :D

[@TaylorDanley]

Yeah, that's completely understandable. To each their own. If your tube amp is what inspires the riffs, then by all means, use it!

[@WizardOfArc]

For me the issue is the latency when listening as I record

[@simongoback3161]

Can you please review NUX MG 30

[@TaylorDanley]

When they are available in North America, yes.

[@rishiraj1205]

hey taylor, what is the tuning of your guitar?

[@TaylorDanley]

C standard

[@Cakadookie]

He says sloppy but all the attacks are sitting perfectly on the lines >_

[@robloyst4514]

What tuning is this? Also short or long scale?

[@IndyRockStar]

your song is a fresh from the fridge riff salad, but I appreciate you showing us your process.

[@nonames8335]

23:29 yup they doesn't have 4 arm and 3 legs 😂

[@GeminisArising302]

thank you for the upload. Can u please USE the 1/2 whole diminished scale,any key and construct a MESHUGGAH type basic song from scratch...thanx in advance..it would help millions of guys trying to write,think and play like MESHUGGAH

[@chrisgettman]

What drum program?

[@TaylorDanley]

Perfect Drums

[@thedanksavatron7782]

Nissssssssssssssssssce 🥞

[@BT7037.]

What for drum plug do you use

[@TaylorDanley]

Perfect drums

[@npinero1]

Why does the DAW program look like Pro-Tools? I thought you said Reaper!

[@SteveAyanami]

Custom theme.

[@TaylorDanley]

Search "protools" in the reaper themes. Theres a couple I there.

[@robloyst4514]

Dude makes a drum part in like 2 mins lol fml. Hard as heck to know where to place all that stuff. Visually, so many lines etc.

[@danielweir7618]

Does reaper have a GM (drum list) map like cubase does? or would i be stuck having to programme using the piano roll?

[@TaylorDanley]

No idea, I've always just used the piano roll

[@KillaFXZ]

Daf!

[@stump6721]

Man damn!! Great Shit right there!!! I wish I had half the talent of you and could pull something like that out of my ass!! That whole song is something I wish I could write!!! Great Fuckin Job!!!! Love your channel!!!

[@TaylorDanley]

Thanks! 🙌

[@adrianamorphous]

Oh weird I just type in random notes into Guitar Pro and it ends up being a song

[@TaylorDanley]

😂 perfect!

[@sadstatue25]

How to write songs. Start by writing a riff lol

[@musicmore5169]

How about putting an actual song together instead of one for the channel, I think that would help people if not at least me 🙂, later bro, love the content.

[@whoshotya117]

My problem is every riff has to be stank face perfect.

[@donkeypuncher9701]

Dying fetus vibes

[@TaylorDanley]

🤘🤘

[@djandrewification]

Gp5 till I die

[@AmericanLionShow]

riff salad.

[@ArticLight14]

Awful Awful creative and good in a short amount of time.

[@TaylorDanley]

😂🤘

[@bodabeastgaming7849]

yikes..

[@iloveitall]

Perfect example why metal is so boring these days. Instead of inspiration they sell us the art of filling bars. Bzzz ... bzzz ...

[@empyreal8354]

Did you even watch the video? He specifically said this isn't a "proper song" and if it were he'd spend more time on it. Also, he isn't selling shit to you. Sure he's done more to keep metal interesting than you who's posted two covers....

[@iloveitall]

@@empyreal8354 Still say that is a very machanical way to make music and the music is dull. My two clips are 10+ years old. That clearly shows how much attention I pay to this medium. Does the amount of clips someone has published here affect his musical taste in any way or my right of free speech? Is that how you think? That is silly..

[@empyreal8354]

@@iloveitall didn't say that at all chap, but way to try to spin this to something completely different. You simply referenced inspiration, selling and metal being boring. This is an example of how to get ideas down quickly as a DEMO to then be worked on and fleshed, potentially, in a band situation. You're acting like the dude is saying "Yo this is how to record and release an album." Keep going with your strawman BS though

[@TaylorDanley]

I mean, I wouldn't release this as a track. This is more for getting a foundation (I said that like 20 times in the video). But some people would, and probably do, stop here and release it. The point isn't to have a final product, the point is to have a demo and a starting point that can be refined and crafted into a song.