[Mr. Sinkhole]

I think I have the Ringo Starr syndrom when it comes to songwriting. My songs all sound very simaler to other songs, like, I made up this cool little riff, turns out it's only one note off from the riff from "Rich" by Yeah Yeah Yeahs, you know, that kind of stuff.


Tips, anyone? Starting off points, maybe?


Much apprecitated.


Gibb/Sink

[peterm]

If it is just part of a riff it is very easy to think, "Hey that sound's familiar". But don't let it stop you completely. If you listen to the solo from "Sunshine of your love" by Cream, It screams the melody of "Blue Moon". If you remember the Alan Parson's project (Hell, you get points if you remember the 70's here ), he uses quite a few eeerily familiar riffs. And there is the current hype about the Red Hot Chili Peppers latest single sounding like a Tom Petty song (the intro and opening verse are very similar but that is about where it ends). And then there are all the blues bits out there that sound a lot like Robert Johnson riffs, but I have even read folks who dismissed RJ himself as being too derivative of some of his other contemporaries.

Bottom line is I guess, If you come up with something and it sounds good, play it and play it loud If it sounds a little familiar then only worry if you plan on going commercial with it, in which case, call it a tribute and play it loud

Cheers

Peter

[Lcjones]

Peter's got some good points. Just remember all those little riffs you pick up on your guitar journey are leading you to your own style.

Les

[Hilch]

I have a thing very simular where every song I write ends up being sang the same way ..