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[Question No.3] - Matt Johnson answers...
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CosmicMouse
Jamirotalk mum

Joined: 10 Feb 2002
Posts: 4821
Location: Germany

Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2007 13:19

[Question No.3] - Matt Johnson answers... Hi Matt, can you explain the song-writing process a bit more detailed? How does it work? Which comes first, lyrics or the music? (Question from Deja & Zsoma) _________________ ~ I look up to Heaven, every star I see is mine. I'm walking on air and every cloud is Cloud 9. ~

Matt Johnson
jamiroquai

Joined: 21 May 2002
Posts: 4

Posted: Fri Sep 28, 2007 07:55

This is my experience when I write with Jay Always the music comes first. Usually Jay may hum a bass line or a bit of a melody then I will try to make that into a chord sequence. From there it may be that I find another part to go to, or Jay will sing another chord and we will find the next part. It's a complex, intuitive process and often we will spend hours like this, playing an idea non stop. Waiting for God's whispers! As for the melody and lyrics, that is purely the work of Jay. One of his greatest talents is his ability to phrase melodies in an interesting and unusual way. No one else could do this for him. Sometimes he spends months agonizing over it, sometimes it comes straight away. One of the coolest things I've seen is how he wrote Seven Days, the melody and lyrics on the spot as he was recording it. What you hear on the record was pretty much in the moment of creation. Anyway, I hope that was illuminating. Let's hope there are lots more great ones to come. x

Cosmic Girl

Joined: 15 Sep 2003
Posts: 2157
Location: Zürich, Switzerland

Posted: Fri Sep 28, 2007 08:08

Dear Matt thank you for the explanations. Nice to see you here

Deja

Joined: 05 Jun 2006
Posts: 650
Location: Turin, Italy

Posted: Fri Sep 28, 2007 08:44

How kind, Thanks both Meike and Matt! so from what I've understood he kind of "translate" what cames into Jay's mind! Vere _________________ No man is an Island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the Continent, a part of the main and any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in Mankind.

jamirokaki
Expert

Joined: 29 Jan 2003
Posts: 3472
Location: basque country

Posted: Fri Sep 28, 2007 09:24

very interesting, thank you very much _________________ *STONED AGAIN*

ophone

Joined: 31 May 2005
Posts: 2191
Location: Lëtzebuerg

Posted: Fri Sep 28, 2007 09:37

Yes, interesting. Yesterday I watched a Frank Zappa film, in a scene you could see how FZ wrote his music, just a sheet of paper with music lines and off he went. He wrote music like Mozart or Beethoven, he had everything in his head. It's a pity Jay can't read or write notes, but he has Matt for help. Nontheless he's still a genius! _________________

Deja

Joined: 05 Jun 2006
Posts: 650
Location: Turin, Italy

Posted: Fri Sep 28, 2007 09:46

well to me is a mistery how one that doesnt know to wirte notes can "immagine" music..is really something strange..if you know music, you try, you bring your experience into it but whitout is a real mistery. Vere _________________ No man is an Island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the Continent, a part of the main and any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in Mankind.

jameerica

Joined: 31 Jan 2007
Posts: 744
Location: Walking in the strawberry fields (with devils!)

Posted: Fri Sep 28, 2007 11:17

Why?I got a whole lotta music in my head at any given moment! You can do as Jay does,or get a guitar and start playing what's on your mind! Nice to hear from you,Matt,thank you for "illuminating " us _________________

Deja

Joined: 05 Jun 2006
Posts: 650
Location: Turin, Italy

Posted: Fri Sep 28, 2007 12:39

me? no way..I can think at music that exist but no way to some that doesn't ..is my limit! and a talent in your and Jay's case ( and many other ppl for sure..but not me) Vere _________________ No man is an Island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the Continent, a part of the main and any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in Mankind.

mr.az

Joined: 01 Sep 2005
Posts: 2421
Location: rallying

Posted: Fri Sep 28, 2007 16:34

thanks for the answer matt about write song without even know notes, it's easy because i have always songs on my mind and i know how they sound, and then i found lirycs...except that i dont work with a guitarist and a bassist to help me _________________ Only a fool can walk away from me this time TWM=RDLS AFO=AUTOMATON

Dye
Correspondent & Expert

Joined: 16 Nov 2003
Posts: 5146
Location: Planet Home; Buenos Aires, Argentina

Posted: Fri Sep 28, 2007 16:49

Very interesting answer!! Thanks a million Matt D!

Sandriche
Officer & Jamily Coach

Joined: 07 Oct 2005
Posts: 5564
Location: Austraria

Posted: Fri Sep 28, 2007 16:52

this was so great to read, thanks for describing this situation we fans will never be part of.. i love the final versions but sometimes i would love to hear just the stuff that comes out of the sudden! _________________ "Here it is...there is no way to make it better "

LLCoolJR
Officer & Expert

Joined: 23 Aug 2004
Posts: 1431
Location: The Netherlands

Posted: Fri Sep 28, 2007 19:02

Good question, very good answer. Thanks!

samantha1170
Correspondent

Joined: 01 Jul 2005
Posts: 1145
Location: Melbourne, Australia

Posted: Sat Sep 29, 2007 05:40

Thanks Matt - you're the best!!!!! Always great to hear how the process goes - hope all is well in your family life - take care SAMANTHA _________________

MissyM

Joined: 28 Feb 2007
Posts: 451
Location: Here--> there & everywhere!

Posted: Sun Sep 30, 2007 14:29

Fantastic!... Thanx Matt, really interesting.... Look forward to hearing all the great songs to come.. _________________

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