[NoMoreSilence]

Which one do you find easier?
Personally I find it easier to do it myself, since that's what I've always done (well up to this point) and so that's what I'm used to, is writing 3 (well now 2, since our third guitarist dropped) guitar parts, a bass part, drums, lyrics, and fitting the lyrics to the music.
I actually find it more challenging to collaborate, because I'm taking something foreign and trying to put something new on it...

[tmlfan123]

Originally Posted by NoMoreSilence

Which one do you find easier?
Personally I find it easier to do it myself, since that's what I've always done (well up to this point) and so that's what I'm used to, is writing 3 (well now 2, since our third guitarist dropped) guitar parts, a bass part, drums, lyrics, and fitting the lyrics to the music.
I actually find it more challenging to collaborate, because I'm taking something foreign and trying to put something new on it...

Doing it yourself will always be easier, except for extreme cases where band members are together nearly every day.

[Skeeter]

I've never been able to collaborate on songwriting.

[NoMoreSilence]

I agree that doing it yourself is almost always easier... but I also like collaborating, because it adds more varied influence into the songs. For example, our rhythm guitarist will make some cool riff and send it to me via email, and then I'll make something to go over it or go with it. It's really intriguing, when your drummer makes a beat and begs you to put some guitar to it, or when your vocalist writes some lyrics and you gotta write music to it.

[redbaron]

it's way easier to do by yourself, but I have a friend I used to play with a ton, and he'll write out a melody and we'll sit down, jam on it, figure out what the major progression is, start playing with that, and then listen to where the melody takes it lyrically.

Easier to just write from the heart, but I have a hard time getting out of chord progression ruts, and I think it makes some of my stuff boring.

[tmlfan123]

Originally Posted by redbaron

Easier to just write from the heart, but I have a hard time getting out of chord progression ruts, and I think it makes some of my stuff boring.

This +100 for me.

This is where collaboration is helpful. I really can't objectively evaluate my music. I really can't. I have no idea whether it's good or total crap(side pitch for my songs: check 'em out below this thread and let me know what you think...). If you're playing with someone, they can tell you, "Dude, that sounds retarded." And then you can come up with something good instead.

[ibanez_dude]

It depends for me. I like writing alone, but I really have to be in the right mood. I really enjoy writing with someone else, but you have to find the right person. I've been doing some writing recently with a really close friend, and it's been great. We know each really well, and we think similarly, so we find that finishing each others thoughts come naturally. When one of us is stuck on a word or phrase, the other usually can finish the line with exactly what the other person was trying to think of.

[tmlfan123]

Originally Posted by ibanez_dude

It depends for me. I like writing alone, but I really have to be in the right mood. I really enjoy writing with someone else, but you have to find the right person. I've been doing some writing recently with a really close friend, and it's been great. We know each really well, and we think similarly, so we find that finishing each others thoughts come naturally. When one of us is stuck on a word or phrase, the other usually can finish the line with exactly what the other person was trying to think of.

When you know someone that well, it will probably result in better music if you work together. For the rest of us, it's almost not worth it.

[redbaron]

the best song i ever wrote (imo) was during a wicked hangover. so maybe there's an upside to that whole can of worms...

[Role Modlin]

I enjoy doing both. It just depends how the song comes to me. Sometimes I want to finish it alone, sometimes I need someone else to push it.

[tmlfan123]

Originally Posted by redbaron

the best song i ever wrote (imo) was during a wicked hangover. so maybe there's an upside to that whole can of worms...

Well now that I know the secret...