After recording for a while now, I've seen a few preset ruts that various band members fall into depending on the internal relationships within that band. I'll tell you some of the methods I've seen that have been most effective and I'll talk about methods that have been less effective.

Bandguy A says, ?Hey dude, I don't like that part?. Bandguy B says, ?(fill in the blank).

There are multiple paths you can take in this situation. The first step to choosing the most effective path for your song and your band is to figure out how much you like the part you have just created. You also need to take into account how much you respect Bandguy A as a songwriter. In this case you are Bandguy B. If you totally love the part you just made up on the spot and Bandguy A thinks it's stupid, you have an issue. You need to figure out how much you respect Bandguy A's songwriting abilities.

If you think that Bandguy A is a tremendous musical talent, you should listen to him. He probably hears something that you don't and sees your new part as going off in the wrong direction. Another thing. If you totally respect Bandguy A, do not get offended if he doesn't do a back flip after hearing your part. If you get upset about Bandguy A not liking your part, you are simply being lazy.

How Could A Person Be So Attached To A Riff They Just Wrote?

I've always wondered this. I've seen people come up with a riff or musical part and become enormously attached to it within in seconds. Sure, if you love the part, save it in your brain for a rainy day. However, if the band doesn't like it, (and you trust your band) don't force the issue. You can always use it on a future song at a later time.

Push Yourself Musically To Come Up With New Parts

It's not like it's a tremendously taxing experience to come up with a little part in most cases. If Bandguy A doesn't like what you are doing, do something different. Take it a different direction. In most cases, it will take two minutes for you to come up with a new interesting part. If you have an open mind and trust the ears of your co-writers you will come up with something you both like.

What If You Don't Respect Bandguy A's Songwriting Abilities?

This is an easy one. Don't write the songs with him/her. You don't need him! You can write a song all by yourself without drums and without an instrument at all. A vocal melody in the cell phone trick is one of the best ways to write songs. Of course, I think the vocal is most important 99% of the time.

When Writing Tunes On The Spot Together...Don't Take Criticism Too Personally

When a couple of guys/girls are writing tunes together, I've noticed that people get very very tense and clamp up. It's as if they are not relaxed. They are afraid that Bandmember A won't like what they have come up with even though they are making everything up on the spot. Don't be that way. Remind yourself that you are making this song up on the spot. This means you are both experimenting together and should work and push each other to writer better musical parts

Write Garbage On Purpose

One trick I've used to to intentionally write parts that suck. Do it on purpose. Write the worst music you can together. That way, you know you both have written a song that totally blows. You've gotten that out of the way. You've both experienced what it felt like to write a terrible song and you don't feel bad or afraid of doing it again. In fact, it was probably a lot of fun.

I'm of the opinion that songs are nothing but emotion. Some songs come at certain times when you just need to release whatever it is that you are feeling. These songs are special to you and you should do with them what you please. (Maybe store them some place safe). Song sthat have tremendous meaning for you should be handled with care. You have to remember that just because a song means a lot to you doesn't mean the rest of the band is going to like it or get it.