Often singers want to write their own songs, or at least give it a go. But, it isn’t as easy as putting words onto a page or rhyming. Instead, you need to put thoughts, feelings and emotion into your lyrics.
Are you eager to express yourself through music, but not sure where to start with songwriting? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Songwriting is a creative and rewarding process that anyone can learn with the right tips and techniques. However, writing songs isn’t as simple as rhyming multiple words together, if it was, we’d all be doing it.
1. Start with a strong idea
Find inspiration: Look for inspiration in your own experiences, emotions, or the world around you. Keep a journal of ideas, feelings, and observations that you can draw from when writing songs. Knowing exactly how you felt at that moment will boost your lyrics.
Choose a theme: Decide on a central theme or message for your song. Whether it’s love, heartbreak, hope, or social issues. Having a clear theme will give your song direction and cohesion. It will allow you to have a clear focus, without getting distracted.
2. Focus on simple song structures
Verse-chorus-verse: A common song structure for beginners is the verse-chorus-verse format. Start with a catchy chorus (the main part of the song) and build verses around it to tell a story or convey emotions. Knowing the part which will repeat will help you plan the rest.
Keep it simple: Don’t overcomplicate your song structure. Stick to simple chord progressions and melodies that flow naturally and are easy to remember. If you want your audience to be able to sing along, then you need to ensure it’s something that’s memorable.
3. Write meaningful lyrics
Be authentic: Write lyrics that reflect your own thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Authenticity resonates with listeners and makes your songs more relatable. They want to feel like they have similar thoughts and feelings to their favourite artists.
Use imagery and metaphors: Paint vivid pictures with your words by using imagery and metaphors. Show, don’t tell, and let listeners interpret the meaning of your lyrics in their own way. Everyone feels things differently, and that’s the beauty of music.
4. Experiment with melodies and chords
Play around with chords: Experiment with different chord progressions to find the right sound for your song. Don’t be afraid to try out new combinations and variations. If it doesn’t work, that’s fine. You can try something else. But, trying something new could be groundbreaking.
Hum or sing melodies: Let melodies come to you naturally by humming or singing random melodies. Record yourself and listen back to see if anything stands out. There’s no such thing as random rambles. Anything could be something if you give it a go.
5. Embrace the editing process
Revise and refine: Don’t be afraid to revise and refine your songs. Be open to feedback from others and be willing to make changes to improve your songwriting skills. The first draft is never the final piece. There’s often room for improvement.
Cut the clutter: Keep your songs concise and focused by cutting out any unnecessary or repetitive lyrics or sections. Try asking others their opinions. See what they think is just fluff. Sometimes, it’s hard to see your own ramblings.
6. Practice regularly
- Make songwriting a habit: Set aside dedicated time for songwriting regularly, even if it’s just a few minutes a day. The more you practice, the more your skills will improve.
- Don’t get discouraged: Remember that songwriting is a skill that takes time to develop. Don’t get discouraged by setbacks or writer’s block – keep pushing forward.
By following these easy songwriting tips and techniques, you’ll be well on your way to crafting your own meaningful and memorable songs. Remember to have fun, be patient with yourself, and let your creativity flow. It isn’t something that everyone can do without putting some effort in. For many of us, it takes training our brains on new ways of looking at things.
