So where do you begin when you want to write a song? Do you begin with the words, the music or the instruments? The best thing is to have an idea of what the subject of the song will be. However, there is no one certain way to write a song. It depends on the person and how they prefer to start.
In this article we will discuss how to begin to write a song so you have an idea of where to start the next time your muse kicks in. It does not matter if you play an instrument or not as long as you hear the music in your head, you are off to a good start.
The Basics of the Song
The first step is the basics. Think about the type of music you enjoy listening to. Is it rock, classic, or punk? Every style of music has a certain structure.
The most effect way of learning anything even writing a song is to just do it. It also helps to study how others have written their songs. Therefore, the first step in writing a song is to listen to various styles of music from various artists and bands that you enjoy listening to. It could be KISS, Alice Cooper, Metallica, or Styx it does not matter. All that matters is the songs they sing. Listen to songs that are basic and use a very basic structure.
You will start to notice that most songs regardless of style or music have only a few basic components. Here are a few examples:
The Intro
First Verse
The Chorus
Second Verse
The Chorus again
And the Chorus a third time
This is the complete structure of any song. If can write each part, put them together and make them sound like a whole song then you have just written your first song.
Here is a detailed explanation of each component of a song:
The Intro
Every song starts out with either an instrument, a certain sound effect or just one single voice. Even if you do not play an instrument, you can still create the Intro. If you are just not the creative type then just do not write an Intro for your song. Listen to some of the major hit songs over the past several years and you will notice a lot of them do not have Intros. In most songs, there is a rhythm that is used or a sequence of chords that are the first verse and played a couple of times as the Intro. However if you feel inspired you may be able to create a version of the first verse then use it as the Intro.
The verses or lyrics are what songs are all about. Without verses, the music is incomplete. The listener would not know what the mood of the song is. When you write the verses think about the mood or the feelings you want to convey to your listeners.
Writing Songs
When you start writing a song do not strive for perfection when writing the verses or the music. It is virtually impossible to write the perfect verse or the perfect music that you will be satisfied with. The minute you write it, you will instantly feel that if you write it again it will be better.
When writing songs it is all about ideas and learning. As with anything you learn, it takes practice to become perfect or at least close to it. Learn how to write songs by listening to various artists and bands, do song writing exercises and study the theory behind music. This will help you to grow as a song writer.
The Structure Of Verses
The basic structure of any verse are the four chords and four line structure. Use four chords to the first sentence of the verse. Then use four sentences. Four is the magic number of song writing.
The Music
Keeps it simple when writing the music of your song. Stick to the basics. Play four chords then focus on the lyrics as well as the other parts of the song. Once the song is completed, you can go back and change the chords, notes or rhythm.
Musical composition is not what song writing is about. It is about the structure of the song and the blending of the vocals with the solo instruments and the rhythm instrument. It is easier to focus the whole song instead of playing an instrument as you are writing a song.
It is not essential that you play an instrument. Instead, you can create four notes that will be used as the bass line for the song.
The Lyrics
The lyrics of the first verse in a song are an introduction to the story you are creating with that song. The subject of the song should be in the first two verses. These verses should blend telling a story. If the song is just about a feeling in general then convey that message in the first verse only.
The Melody
Keep the melody simple. Keep the listener’s attention by changing the melody but keeping the lyrics the same.
This is the first verse. The next step is the chorus
The Chorus
What makes a song memorable to listeners? The chorus is what makes most songs memorable. The chorus is usually a word or the arrangement of words that rhyme or sung a particular way. It can be any way you like. Just remember that the chorus has to be basic. Even more basic than the verse itself. Sing the chorus to yourself repeatedly and change anything you feel will make it better and more memorable. The goal here is to create a melody for the chorus with words that are hard to forget. That is what makes songs memorable, it is the chorus people cannot get out of their heads.
Now you are ready to put the song together.
The Second Verse
The second verse is usually the same as the first verse with a few minor changes enough to keep the song interesting. Keep the balance between the first and second verse if possible.
Now it is time to put the whole song together:
Intro
Verse 1
Chorus
Verse 2
Chorus
Chorus (repeat)
The second chorus is followed by a repeat of the chorus. The chorus is the main chorus with a few changes. Some songwriters get extreme at this point and completely change the main chorus.
The Big Picture
There are some songs that are ready when the lyrics are written. Others still need some work at this point. It is all up to the songwriter. Never try to judge when a song is ready. When you present the song to others they may feel the song is perfect as it is and do not want anything changed. If you have doubts whether your song is ready try working on it with other musicians or use your PC to record the song then play it back.
After you listen to the playback of the song or after musicians play the song decide if it is worth keeping or if you should start over.
