What's your songwriting process?

[jesusogpaign]

First off, I'm not sure if this belongs in the Music forum or one of the Art Room forums, so sorry if this is in the wrong place.

Anyways, those of you who are musicians, I would like to know your songwriting processes! I don't really have one, and because of this my inspiration and results are sporadic at best. Where do you go to find inspiration? Do you write your music first, or the lyrics/vocals?

For those of you in bands, do you all come together to brainstorm ideas, or do you all come up with ideas individually and bring them together? Do you only write your part (eg. bass, lead, rhythm) or do you collaborate to help write the other parts, even if you're not familiar with them (like drums).

Any other random songwriting advice or habits are welcome as well!

[Miserabilia]

I don't make songs with singing/lyrics...
I don't really literaly "write" songs. I play a bunch of stuff and when an idea comes I just make it happen.
I've played in bands but it's not really my thing. I like creating electronical music.
(http://www.newgrounds.com/audio/listen/556481 mine :) )

[Syvelocin]

Usually, I have the melody already. Then I look for the chord progression I want to use for that melody, then I write the lyrics. Although, some of the lines will come to me during the previous stages. Inspiration, obviously I could name a few musicians, but my songs are either about stretched personal experiences or my stories.

We pretty much do what we're good at. Someone will start with an idea, from the melody to the whole song already written, then we come up with our own stuff but do still lend ideas. Like, I know a little about guitars. Took lessons, can't play, but I play ukulele so I'm not a stranger to strings. I'll get a few ideas for the violin and guitar and they can play with them. I know jack shit about drums though, so I let him do his thing lol. Usually I always end up with lyrics but it depends on how much material the person bringing the idea forth has already.

[Slender Man]

I usually write my lyrics first, start revising, editing and messing around by singing in different tones and pitches. Once I got it down and I like the A cappella I start messing around in my studio(just an electric piano with different snares, claps, 808's, etc..) until I make something that sounds right with what I've written.

[ElijahMouth]

I never really put myself into a 'writing mode' and just focus on that, I pretty much just improvise on the guitar or bass and see what happens. For lyrics, I frequently write poetry and haikus. Most of the time they come from being depressed or things in nature.

[jesusogpaign]

These are all interesting responses! Sounds like you guys all have pretty different processes, if you can really quantify them as strict "processes"

[TheRollingScone]

I mainly compose music without lyrics, and I just let it flow and record what works out, then go back to edit later. If I use lyrics, I'll always write those first and then do my normal composition thing.