Quick songwriting tips that will help you to get to the next level as a songwriter.
1 Start to focus on either melody or lyrics. I personally favour melody first.
2 Three ways you can work with your songwriting:
Using piano or guitar chord progressions as a foundation for building the melody.
Write lyrics for your title and chorus. Take it from there and make a melody to your chorus.
-Using computer recording software to work on ideas, your ideas can then go from ideas to a finished demo within the same program, if you like.
3 If you use chord progressions as a starting point for your song, make shure you write an interesting melody that can survive on it´s own. Not just a melody with the notes from the chords.
4 It sometimes helps to set the instruments aside and focus on the melody alone.
When you then try to figure out chords that´ll fit the melody. You´ll find a more interesting selection of chords.
5 Visualize a theme for your song or write down a “story”, like a script or a rough draft. That way you wont get lost along the way. You know what emotions you´re after concerning both lyrics and melody.
6 Research the genre you´re writing for. Listen to lots of related songs in your genre to make your own songwriting effective.
7 Think about tempo and key signature early. You want to chose a key that´s close to the artist you have in mind for your song. With that said, it´s also important that the key fits the singer that´ll make the demo of the song. The demo are just as important as the songwriting, if you intend to get the song published.
8 You´ll need a good and clear presentation, demo, of your song. Focusing on the lead vocal. You should be able to hear every word crisp and clear.
9 Songwriting resources are just around the corner. You´ll find dictionaries, rhyming lexicons and thesaurus on the internet.
10 Use youtube as a tool for songwriting. Bookmark the songs that get you going, and use them when inspiration is hard to find.
11 Co-write if possible. There´re so many good things happening when you co-write.
Hitsongs of today often involves two, three och four co-writers.
12 Co-write often and you´ll learn a pattern for collaboration.
You´ll soon realize that it´s important to compromise and listen carefully to each others songwriting ideas. A well working songwriting collaboration is very valuable.
13 If you feel that inspiration is long gone, pick a song that you like, analyze the chords and use them. Make a melody of your own.
14 If you try to write lyrics and nothing comes to mind. Take a moment on the web, look at lyrics resources. Read lyrics that others have done. This will give you inspiraton for a theme.
15 Do you have a favorite movie? Or do you want to try a new movie?
For me, movies are great for inspiration. Just be aware that the feeling and the flow dissappear quite rappidly after you have watched the movie, at least for me.
16 If you´re in to computer recording software. It might be good to start with a drumloop. Just make shure you decide upon tempo and key at an early stage.
Also note that the drumloop you chose will color the way you think about the song from start, so pick wisely and by genre.
17 I can recommend something called “Apple Loops”. They´re smal segments of instrumental parts and drumparts that will follow the key and the tempo you set.
I use these loops in “Logic Studio 8”. They are for Macintosh computers only.
18 I love to improvise on the piano. If that´s something for you, it´s very usable for songwriting as well. Pick a key or a scale and just start playing chords and tones in no particular order, maybe you´ll come up with something good, or at least an idea.
19 How do you know, you have come up with something great? This is a very good question and it´s also difficult to answer, here´s a short one for those of you who´re able to make demos or presentations on your own:
Play the song and pretend you´re a jury at a record label or a publisher, listening careful to every detail. How do you feel inside? Do you think they would have liked it?
When you feel proud of what you have done listening to the song like this.
Take it to the next level and play it for several of your musical friends, asking them for their honest opinion. Now be prepared to take constructive critique as something good, that will make you better. Listen to what they have to say, don´t defend yourself.
When your song pass both of the tests above, your own critique and your friends critique you are on your way. You can also start to compare your songs to similar ones in the same genre. Do this often and you´ll start to callibrate your sense for quality.
Despite what I write above, I always have a little voice close to my ear that says:
Hey, the masses don´t always know what´s best.
20 If you want to be unique and alternative, go for it. There´is a big market for alternative music.
21 Do you have a hard time with the publishers? Don´t worry, Internet gives you the opportunity to reach out with your music in a new way. Just make shure it´s quality stuff within your genre and go for it. The world is wide open and ready for you.
22 Invest time and energy playing at least one chord instrument like the piano or the guitar. The better you play your instument, the better and easier your songwriting will be.
23 I personally like to know that I can work for several hours when I make my songs. That way I have time to get into the feeling and might get my flow going. Sometimes flow comes easy sometimes I have to work hard for it.
24 This is similar to tip number 19, but applies to you that don´t know how to make your own demo. You can´t afford someone else to make it for you, but you know how to perform a song well.
How do you know you have made a great song?
Reherse the song well and try to listen to your performance as an “unknown” listener, who never have heard you before, like an invisible person in the room.
What do you think “his” reaction would be? If you think his reaction would be positive or very positive, gather some of your friends and perform the song/songs.
Ask for their honest opinion and listen to what they have to say.
This will callibrate your sense for good songwriting. It will make you a better performer as well.
25 Write as often as you can. You´ll be amazed how much your songwriting skills will improve during a couple of months while doing this.