How to Write a Song

  • Writing a song can be a frustrating process if you're not sure how to go about it. Luckily, there are plenty of methods that can inspire you to compose that next chart-topper. This page will walk you through many of the basics of How to Write a Song and provide you with a few ideas to jump start the creative process.

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  • Introduction

    • No matter what you may have heard, there's no magic formula to writing a song. The process is different for everyone, and there's no right or wrong way to do it. A good song doesn't have to sound a certain way or fit into a certain mold. All it needs to be is honest and from the heart in order to connect with an audience.
    • Sometimes it seems like the music just flows out of you effortlessly. But if you find yourself totally stuck (or you don't even know where to begin when writing a song), this page could help you find the inspiration you've been needing to get out of that rut and onto the charts. Browse the sections below for tips that may help jumpstart your creative process when you've hit the wall.

  • Step 1: Getting Started

    • The process of songwriting does not have to be in any particular order. Some people write lyrics before the music, others compose the music first, and still others write them at the same time.
    • For the purposes of this page, we will talk about writing the music first. While this is the method of choice for many songwriters, you should figure out what process makes the most sense to you. Writing music is a very personal thing, and mixing it up a bit every once in a while can help you combat songwriter's block, too.


    • Two tips before you begin:
    1. When writing a chord progression, it helps to at least know basic chord theory.
      • It will help you understand the functions of various chords in a given key, but when it comes down to it, you don't technically have to know any music theory at all to write a song.
      • While knowing some theory can certainly be a useful tool, this page will show how you can write a song just fine without it.
    2. It absolutely helps to know how to play a chordal instrument such as guitar or [[How To Play Piano For Beginners (And Save $500 In Lessons)|piano]].
      • If you don't, you'll need to find someone who does to help you write the song.
    • There's no single method of composing a chord progression or melody. Try some of these to see what works best for you.
    1. Pick a chord and start playing it. Start singing a melody over top (or play it on the piano if that's what you're using), and see if it naturally leads you to the next chord.
      • If it leads you to a chord you don't like, start over until you find the right one.
      • Once in a while you might even play a chord that sounds different from what you intended and leads your melody in an unexpected direction.
    2. Start experimenting by playing a chord progression, riff, or other harmonic idea by itself, first. When you stumble upon something you like, write a melody that complements it.
    3. Start with a melody that's already in your head. Sing it or transpose it onto your instrument. Then figure out the appropriate chords that would be played along with it.
    4. Think of a song you love. Try coming up with something in a similar style to that song, or try taking that song and coming up with a variation of it. Use the same chords but write a different melody. Switch the chords up a little as you go to start making it sound different. Substitute another chord here and there, or try playing the original progression backwards to see if you come up with a cool new melody.
      • The challenge with this method is to use another song as inspiration without copying it. Once you start playing a familiar song, it can be very difficult to get the original tune out of your head!
      • Be careful when drawing inspiration from another song. Although you only have 12 notes to choose from in Western music, plagiarism is a serious issue. (Keep in mind that you cannot copyright a chord progression, but you can protect a melody.)
    5. If you're not sure how to make the melody sound right, just remember to stick generally to notes that appear in the chord you're singing over or at least notes within the key of the song.
      • Chromatic notes (notes that are not in the key of the song) are best kept in short durations instead of long, sustained notes. This is because they are dissonant and are best used as passing tones.
    • If you find yourself having trouble getting started, try switching up an element of your song.
    1. Harmonic rhythm. This basically refers to how long you play each chord. Try playing some of the chords for half a bar instead of a full bar, or two bars instead of one.
    2. Tempo. Try changing how fast or slow your song is. If you're getting stuck on a slow song, speed it up a bit. If your breakneck pace just isn't working, turn your song into a ballad or mid-tempo piece.
    3. Groove. You may be getting held up by the feel of what you're writing. Try making it sound bouncy like a blues shuffle instead of a straight-ahead rocker. Switch the time signature to 6/8 instead of 4/4.
    4. Words. Sometimes it is hard to write a melody without singing actual words. As you write, sing words or syllables that pop into your head that sound more like lyrics than just humming a tune. Don't worry about what they are now, as you'll be composing the final lyrics later. Paul McCartney originally wrote the lyrics to "Yesterday" as "Scrambled Eggs."

  • Step 2: Song Sections

    • You've probably noticed that many songs you hear on the radio have different sections in them. They usually have a verse, a chorus, and sometimes a bridge. We will talk more specifically about song structure later when we discuss lyrics and arrangement, but as you're writing you should be aware of some of the basic song elements that you'll be working with.

  • Verses

    • The verses are usually the first section you hear in a song (often after an introduction of some sort). They tend to be the real guts of the song content and are often used for lyrical exposition. Dynamically, verses are usually a little quieter than the chorus.

  • Chorus

    • The chorus or refrain is often the signature of a song. It is repeated several times and tends to be high in energy. Usually the goal of a chorus is to be catchy and get stuck in your head. It's also sometimes called the "hook."
    1. Some examples of songs with distinctive choruses include "Like a Rolling Stone" by Bob Dylan and "Champagne Supernova" by Oasis.
    2. The chorus can be as simple as writing a new melody over the same chord progression as the verse, like in "Run-Around" by Blues Traveler.
    3. Many songs don't have a traditional chorus but a simple refrain repeated at the end of each verse. Think of "Every Breath You Take" by The Police. When Sting starts singing "Oh can't you see," it feels like more of a B section than a chorus. The real hook of the song is when he repeats the phrase "I'll be watching you" at the end of each verse, or A section.
    4. Another example of this is "Something" by The Beatles, where the refrain begins when George Harrison sings "I don't wanna leave her now." This style of songwriting is often referred to as "AABA."

  • Bridge

    • The bridge is a transitional phase in most songs. It can be in the form of a transition between the verse and chorus (sometimes referred to as a "pre-chorus"), a new chord progression that breaks up the repetitive verse-chorus-verse structure, a guitar solo, etc.
    • It's important to note that not every song has to have every one of these song elements. You can use as many or as few as you please.

  • Step 3: Lyrical Theme

    • Lyrics often become the identity of a song. You don't have to write lyrics at all—there are plenty of tunes that simply have a melody with no words. However, many people try to identify with lyrics when they listen to a song, so if you're going to have them, you should make sure they're great!
    • The number one, most important thing to remember when writing lyrics is that they should be real; they should come from the heart, and they should sound authentic. People can spot a phony a mile away. If you are genuine when you're writing your lyrics, it will come through in the end.
    • First things first: you'll want some sort of lyrical theme to work with.
    1. Music can be great therapy; write about something that's happening to you in your life. What is frustrating, angering, confusing, or saddening you?
      • Keep a diary and write in it every day, or carry a notebook with you wherever you go. Your daily life can have the biggest influence on your music, and inspiration may strike at any time.
    2. Write about something that's making you happy. What good things do you have in your life? What makes you feel empowered, and what inspires you?
    3. Write about your hopes and dreams. What do you hope to get out of life? What are some of your ambitions and anxieties about the future?
    4. Write about a person. Love songs are the most popular songs there are, because many people find inspiration from being in love, having a crush, unrequited love, wanting to find love, etc.
      • You could also write about a situation that someone you know is in. Try writing from a friend's perspective.
    5. Make up a story. Many fictional stories ring true for audiences and can be just as authentic as nonfiction. Take that idea you had for a short story and turn it into a song.
    6. Choose an issue that's important to you. Whether you're anti-war or pro-life, political issues fire people up and make for great song lyrics.
    7. Write about a movie or TV show you recently watched. Your lyrics could be based on the plight of one of the characters. Imagine you were hired to write a theme song for a particular movie. What would it be about?
    8. Write something funny. You can always go the Weird Al route and compose a humorous parody song.

  • Step 4: Writing the Lyrics

    • OK, so you have your theme, now comes the hard part: writing the lyrics! There's no one way to do this, but here are a few tips.
    1. You already have your melody, now it's time to fit your words into it.
      • Keeping the same number of syllables and phrases in each verse will give your song consistency.
      • Try to avoid accenting words on the wrong syllable or any other sort of awkward sentence structures. This can be a challenge because you're usually limited by the melody you've already written.
      • Use a thesaurus to think of other variations of words you're using. It can help you come up with a word that is more fitting rhythmically that you wouldn't have thought of otherwise.
      • Record the chords of your song being played over and over. Just start singing over them and use trial-and-error to come up with some lyrics.
    2. While writing your lyrics, you may come up with an even better melody that fits the words better than your original idea.
    3. Rhyming is everything. Well, maybe not everything... Some songs don't rhyme at all. But most do. Practice your rhyming skills!
      • It's just like writing a poem. Come up with a rhyme scheme (AABB, ABAB, ABCB, etc.) and keep it consistent throughout the verses and/or choruses.
      • Half-rhymes are OK sometimes, too. For example, rhyming "me" with "need" can sound just fine if it makes sense in the song.
      • Use a rhyming dictionary like RhymeZone.com when you get stuck. Not only can it help you find that rhyme on the tip of your tongue, it might inspire you with some new words just like the thesaurus.
    4. Don't just write like you talk. While a conversational tone in lyrics is fine, you don't want to just sing regular old sentences over music unless you want your listener to fall asleep.
      • Punch it up a bit with colorful words you wouldn't normally use that make it more interesting to listen to.
      • Speak symbolically using metaphors to avoid the same old hackneyed lyrics you've heard a million times on the radio.
      • Sometimes the "texture" of words matters more than the meaning. Some phrases just sound good. Think "I Am The Walrus" or "Paranoid Android."
    5. The chorus should be the most memorable part of the song.
      • Choruses work best when they are easy to sing along with, so using fewer words (especially in comparison to the verses) helps. Think of R.E.M.'s "It's The End of the World As We Know It."
      • Most choruses are the same every time they are repeated with very little variation between them. This way, the listener knows what's coming and starts feeling involved in the song right away.
      • The chorus should sum up the theme of the song as much as possible. In "Layla," Clapton's chorus sums up the theme of the song very well.
    6. Take the listener on a journey.
      • The lyrics in your song can evolve and tell a story of some sort, even if it isn't a "storytelling" song. Try ending it with a revelation; ask questions in the first verse that are answered later in the bridge; illustrate a change in the main character of the tune.
      • Get clever. Irony, plays on words, and any sort of unique twist you can put on the lyrics will make them stand out.
    7. Leave some mystery. It's usually a good idea to leave a little bit to interpretation for the listener. Give them enough to get the gist of what you're talking about, but leaving it a bit open-ended allows the listener to fill in the blanks with their own story, making it even more personal.

  • Step 5: Arrangement

    • With the lyrics and music behind you, it's all about the details of your song from here on out. You've already taken care of the heart and soul, but now it's time to do some fine-tuning to get it sounding perfect.

  • Song Structure

    • This is when the song sections you've already written finally come together. Decide what order they will be in and how many times they will repeat. An example could be:
    • INTRO - VERSE 1 - CHORUS - VERSE 2 - CHORUS - BRIDGE - SOLO - CHORUS - CHORUS
    1. Not only do you decide the order, but you'll need to work out transitions between sections.
      • If the song will be played by a band, will the verse lead into the chorus with a drum fill? Does the band all stop for one beat before playing the bridge?
    2. Adding dynamics can help make the song more interesting to listen to.
      • Maybe the first verse will be just the vocalist and a guitar, or the bridge will be higher energy with the drummer bashing the crash cymbal the whole time.
      • Using dynamics in the arrangement can help create moments of tension and release that keep the listener involved and wondering what will come next.
    3. Try switching up the arrangement if the song just doesn't seem to be "working." Or, you can always go back to the drawing board and rewrite various parts.

  • Instrumentation

    • Typical instrumentation for a pop song can include any combination of the following:
    1. Acoustic guitar
    2. Electric guitar
    3. Electric bass
    4. Acoustic upright bass
    5. Piano/organ/keyboard
    6. Horn section
    7. Drums/auxiliary percussion
    8. Drum loops/other loops and samples
    9. Strings
    • It all comes down to how you want the final product to sound.
    1. Do you want it stripped-down, bare-bones acoustic sounding?
    2. Do you want a more modern, electronic feel?
    3. Would you prefer it sounded like a rootsy bluegrass or country record?
    4. Do you want rock trio sound like Green Day or a more orchestrated sound like ELO?

  • Parts

    • It's not enough to just have music and lyrics; for the song to really come together, you'll need to write some instrumental (and vocal) parts such as:
    1. A cool guitar or bass riff like the one Tom Dumont plays in the verses of "Spiderwebs" or in the beginning of Muse's "Hysteria."
    2. A drum part like the one Dave Grohl plays in "In Bloom."
    3. The piano part that Freddie Mercury plays in "Bohemian Rhapsody."
    4. An intro like the song "Futures" by Jimmy Eat World (also a good example of a repeated rhythmic pattern).
    5. Background vocals, including harmonies and background figures like in The Beatles' "Help."
    • Many times, band members and musicians will come up with their own parts to complement the song they're playing on. But if you would like to flesh it out yourself, you may want to at least come up with some ideas for parts and melodies that may become a signature hook of the song.

  • Conclusion

    • When a song is truly complete, you'll probably have a feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction. Your first song may not end up sounding like a work of genius when it is finished, but there is nothing wrong with that. Writing songs is just like playing an instrument—you get better with practice. You should write at least a little bit every single day. You won't always be inspired, and you won't always come up with a catchy tune. Some days you'll be downright frustrated. But even your favorite songwriters don't write instant classics every day. Everyone has to throw away a pile of mediocre songs before they get to a great one. Keep listening to new music for inspiration, keep writing, and good luck!

  • Related Pages on Mahalo

    How to Write a Love Song for your Girlfriend | Songwriting | How to Copyright Your Music | How to Start a Band | How to Succeed in a Band | How to Play Guitar for Newbies | How to Write a Poem | How to Write a Villanelle Poem | How to Write a Sonnet | How to Write a Love Poem | How to Play Drums Videos | How to Write a Short Story | Download Music | How to Become a Music Producer | How To Play Piano Videos



 


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