Is using rhymes dictionary cheating?

[MarkSmith]

Originally Posted by tstrahle

I've used Rhymezone a bunch. Is there a website that will list soft rhymes too out there?

PerfectRhyme is the absolute best online rhyming dictionary I've come across. Near rhymes galore.

[ObiK]

I personally like RhymeZone a lot, I even bought the app for it on the go sinc eI do most of my writing on my phone anyways.

[tstrahle]

Originally Posted by MarkSmith

PerfectRhyme is the absolute best online rhyming dictionary I've come across. Near rhymes galore.

Thanks bunches Mark will check it out and bookmark.

[Roisky]

Originally Posted by MarkSmith

PerfectRhyme is the absolute best online rhyming dictionary I've come across. Near rhymes galore.

Loving this. Thanks.

After you use the rhymes and dictionaries enough, they will become a part of your potential diction and vocabulary. So at that point, you won't need the dictionaries (software nor bound paper) any longer. And at that point, either you won't be worried about it any longer and/or you'll be worrying about some other musical songwriting issue. (I'm speculating, of course, not criticizing). So, essentially, I say, don't feel bad about it. You are learning various skills and techniques and building a repertoire.

[Renoized]

I get away with not having to rhyme as much, with aggressive music it isn't as important, but I certainly steer away from rhyming dictionaries as when I use them my songs change from "Amazing lyrics" to "Here are some words that rhyme".

[ron longmire]

Yes this is cheating.


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[Dpro]

Originally Posted by ron longmire

Yes this is cheating.


_________________________

Really... really, says the guy who is selling beats. I could say using pre made beats is cheating.

Though a rhyming dictionary is a tool that has been around since before you were born. Funny its an accepted thing and not considered cheating. It actually could be considered a tool that can lead to better vocabulary.

[JLiRD808]

Thanks for posting those links to BETTER rhyming dictionaries/APPS. I bought one off amazon a few years ago that I feel is limited, but nvr researched better ones lol.

Funny story, my friend basically composed his own ENTIRE rhyming dictionary in a steno notebook. It was awesome...but when he saw that u could just buy them he went ****!!....LOL. Hopefully he incorporates both his and other works into his stuff...I dont work with him anymore.

[Subversounds]

Originally Posted by tonemaker

After you use the rhymes and dictionaries enough, they will become a part of your potential diction and vocabulary. So at that point, you won't need the dictionaries (software nor bound paper) any longer. And at that point, either you won't be worried about it any longer and/or you'll be worrying about some other musical songwriting issue. (I'm speculating, of course, not criticizing). So, essentially, I say, don't feel bad about it. You are learning various skills and techniques and building a repertoire.

Actually the lyrics are the last part i think when come to music. I usually build the entire arrangement, melodies, drum lines and so, even mix, before finishing the lyrics and then recording the vocals and backings.

there is some truth in that saying about the studio owner album that never comes out...

[deft_bonz]

I don't think so. The dictionary just helps you to find a rhyme. The meaning and the poetry will still need to come from you.

I also use a rhyme dictionary book.

You may also use the Keshanator
The Keshanator


PS: Masterwriter seems to be a very sophisticated software

[tstrahle]

Originally Posted by JLiRD808

Thanks for posting those links to BETTER rhyming dictionaries/APPS. I bought one off amazon a few years ago that I feel is limited, but nvr researched better ones lol.

Funny story, my friend basically composed his own ENTIRE rhyming dictionary in a steno notebook. It was awesome...but when he saw that u could just buy them he went ****!!....LOL. Hopefully he incorporates both his and other works into his stuff...I dont work with him anymore.

When I was in high school I transcribed dozens of Charlie Parker tunes with great effort (lifting the needle out of the groove and back in again) then I saw the Parker Omnibook at the store and was like... WHAT!?!?! But I learned so much from transcribing that I never would've gotten from the book. Creating a rhyming dictionary would be very educational.

[suzzymackenzie]

You know you say you got stuck
Cos you're looking for a rhyme
And you think you're outta luck
Cos it happens like all the time

Well I got news for you
Ain't no reason to boo-hoo
It's like all you gotta do
Is get a certain book or two

Yeah get a dictionary
Get a pair of dictionaries
Go get three dictionaries
... that's what they for
... they get you unstuck
... don't need no more
... so your lyrics don't suck

[KenHR]

Jimmy Webb's book Tunesmith has a fairly long section devoted to choosing and using a good rhyming dictionary, including capsule reviews of some of the more popular ones (the book was written just as the Internet was taking off, so no reviews of online resources or software, unfortunately, but I honestly prefer books...faster for me).

I figure if it's not cheating for Jimmy Webb, it's not cheating for me.

[tstrahle]

Originally Posted by KenHR

I figure if it's not cheating for Jimmy Webb, it's not cheating for me.

That.

[LimpyLoo]

As long as it doesn't sound like you used a rhyming dictionary, then who cares.

[Lord Lav]

It's kind of like asking, 'Is it cheating to use a tin opener to open a tin?' You could use a rock to crack it open, which gets the job done but it takes longer and slows you're progress. At the end of the day it is a tool to increase your creativity and make your work load more efficient.

[deft_bonz]

The more often you use the dictionary you'll learn more and more. One day you'll probably won't need it any longer... It's just a tool. Or like presets. You start with using them and meanwhile you'll learn to understand the plugin better.

[Heyclown]

I have been using Masterwriter for years, and no - I don´t consider it cheating. It´s very helpful.

[lovenara]

If you think this is cheat ,just read How to Write Songs. Songwriting Method with Tips, Ideas and Inspiration.
He used other people's lyric and rearrange them into a new song!

[Quasar]

Yes it's cheating
and you deserve a beating!
Gettin' rhymes from a book
like some two-bit crook,
hustlin' rhymes
like they was nickles and dimes.
You ought to be ashamed
and defamed
not acclaimed
'cause it ain't very merry
when it's from a dictionary
and we know your exclamation
is just a dictionation...

Of course it's not cheating. Someone once said about Dylan Thomas's poetry that anyone can rhyme "womb" with "tomb". What makes it magic is the ability to somehow rhyme "womb" and "tomb" in a way that is meaningful.

[Heyclown]

Originally Posted by Quasar

Yes it's cheating
and you deserve a beating!....

Brilliant lol. Had a good laugh of that one 8D

[Honeyshape]

Her womb, a tomb, no chance to bloom.

[creegstor]

Depends on who's using it and how.

[JohnnyCanvas]

I used to use Rhyme dictionaries, thesauruses, and the like a decent amount when I was younger. I don't really think there should be a problem with it, especially if you're in a slump or having a bit of a block.

Nowadays I find myself using Stumbleupon over thesaurus websites and whatnot haha. "Research" when in writing blocks.

In all reality, if you're finding yourself searching websites like that to find a rhyme, it likely doesn't need to rhyme anyhow. I'd say just let it flow to you..

[hlemke]

It's not cheating. Art derives its value from the artist and not from the tools he or she is using. Consequently, i think it only makes sense to be pretty laissez-faire about tool usage. If you've got nothing to say, no rhyming dictionary will help you.

[chrisgresh]

Rhyme dictionaries are ABSOLUTELY cheating, and that is exactly why you should use them without hesitation

[deft_bonz]

From Wikipedia

Cheating - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Cheating refers to an immoral way of achieving a goal. It is generally used for the breaking of rules to gain advantage in a competitive situation. The rules infringed may be explicit, or they may be from an unwritten code of conduct based on morality, ethics or custom, making the identification of cheating a subjective process.

So the question would be, is using a rhyme dictionary immoral? Do you break any rules by using dictionaries? I'd say no, because no one gets harmed by using it. If it makes you better than other writers, you're just better in using the right tools to get the better result And there is no rule (or law) that forbids to use tools for music production

[wakestyle]

NO. Everybody body has the same 12 notes on every instrument, there is no secret 'notes'. It's what you do with them that defines creativity and defines good taste (or not).

[Bob Ross]

Originally Posted by KenHR

I figure if it's not cheating for Jimmy Webb, it's not cheating for me.

Jimmy Webb? Hell, Stephen Freakin' Sondheim relies on a 1936 edition of the Clement Wood rhyming dictionary (as well as a 1946 edition of Roget's Thesaurus).

Use whatever works.

Cheat if it works.