Songwriting is a powerful musical talent. Your career can be transformed by your ability to create and marketable songs. Songwriting can be a great way to rise as a solo musician or band member. However, it is not for everyone.
Many songwriters who are successful claim that they were born to write and can’t stop writing songs. Songwriting is a skill that must be learned and practiced to improve to become a professional and commercial songwriter. Some songwriters start their career young (think Randy Newman), but others develop their passion and become better at their instruments.
These tips will assist novice composers to find, refine, and develop an artistic voice.
1. Keep learning and improving your skills as a musician
You shouldn’t stop learning music or improving your playing skills just because you have started writing music. This can hinder your songwriting potential as melodies or harmonies can become stuck at a level that you have stopped learning and developing as a musician. You might consider looking for music teachers that also teach songwriting and can tailor lessons to your interests. This will result in improved musicianship and songwriting.
Don’t forget to improvise! You may find some of your most memorable melodies and riffs in your improvisational sessions.
2. Begin with a title, and a hook
The title (or hook), is the most important part of the process. It can be difficult to write lyrics later if you work from chords and a part of a melody. Your personal ideas and experiences can provide the insight you need for your music. Start with a title that entices curiosity and evokes emotion.
Take the Blues Traveler song “The Hook”. Although it is not easy to understand the verses, the song was a huge hit in the mid-’90s thanks to the great harmonica and addictive chorus. Start with your idea. It would be best if you chose titles that are engaging and intriguing. They will find the answers they seek in the song.
3. Create your theme
Now it’s time for you to make it more interesting. If you decide to use “Broken-down Shack”, as a title/hook, consider words/phrases that compliment and contrast the idea. Brainstorm on paper. Although not all the phrases and words you create will be used in your song, this step can help flow your creativity.
Words that compliment the title, such as rusty, ramshackle and dilapidated or rickety are examples. You could use contrast phrases like strong against the wind; a fortress of safety; comfortable; clean; or unpolluted. This part is not important. This should be a technique of free association that supports your ideas and feelings regarding the title. Your chorus, verses and bridge will be built on the words and phrases that you create.
4. Ask questions about the title/hook
Next, you will need to write your lyrics. Answering questions about the title can help you do this. These are some ideas for the “Broken-down Shack” imaginary:
- What does the title signify to you?
- Is action taking place?
- What do you think about the action or meaning?
- What was the purpose of the action? Who are the people involved?
- Are there any fears or hopes for the future?
- Are there words that other people can relate to?
The last question may not be as important as the other questions, as artists sometimes write songs that offer a different experience. When answering the questions, make sure to group your phrases into 8-10 words. This will make it easier for you to convert them into lyrics. But don’t worry too much about rhyming. It will all come later.
5. Find your melody, chords and song
It’s not necessary to copy a chord progression. This makes it easy to find the chords that match the melody. If you don’t have a melody in mind, you can speak the phrases out loud to understand the rhythm.
Say to yourself, “How many time do you have to tell me?” and “How much more!” Can you see the difference? You can identify the melodic structure you want to use in your melody and help create the foundation. Begin with the chorus and include your hook/title.
6. Learn the parts of your song
When learning how to write songs, you will need to have a verse, chorus and verse structure. While the melody and chords are the same in verses and chorus, the bridge gives the song an emotional dimension.
Your chorus should contain the most important responses to the questions that you have asked. The theme can be expanded with verses. The bridge is where insight and a turning moment are included.
7. Don’t let technology discourage you.
For budding songwriters, there are many excellent tools. Apple’s Garage Band and Noteflight are both free and easy to use. They can also be used to create original music quickly. Some of the frustration is removed by learning composition using notation software specifically designed for this purpose.
8. You can get lots of feedback from your family, teachers, and peers.
You can take all of it with a grain, but sharing your songs and listening to others can help you grow. It is a skill that can be learned. Knowing when to cut a song and when to keep your guns is one of the most important things in music. These songs are timeless and the most profitable. They fit in with current music trends and push the boundaries of creativity and innovation.
It’s a great way for you to improve your musical skills. Don’t let yourself get discouraged as you learn. Songs evolve before they reach their final form. Be patient with your first attempts. It will pay off if you practice songwriting and are patient.