How to write a song: 3 Beginning Songwriting Steps

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There are so many songwriters, beginner AND veteran, that have or had no clue where to start writing a song. It can possibly be the reason why you haven’t started writing down one single note or word down on paper. In this article, I will give you 3 steps to begin writing and finishing your very first song.

  1. Your Idea
  2. Take Action
  3. Share & Polish

If this isn’t your first song and you just want to advance your songwriting technique, these steps can give you insight into how your songwriting journey is going. You’ll find new if not similar approaches to your songwriting customs.

Your Idea

You might already have your idea in your head or practiced a bit of it with your guitar, but now it’s time to put it down on paper and/or on a recording device.

If you have no clue what your idea is, this is a perfect spot for you to start with. Your idea will focus on 3 subjects. Topic, Genre, and Structure.

TOPIC

This first subject is important so do not skip this. You need to know what the song is going to be about to prevent you from getting stuck, and for the song to make sense.

Here are a few examples of a song

  • How a girl fell in love with her best friend named Kate.
  • A house party you went to last night where you had beer for the first time
  • Your friend got a new goldfish and now you want a goldfish too
  • You write a song about climate change so people can start taking care of our earth

Whatever the topic, make sure you are passionate about it. Your listeners will know how you truly feel about the subject through your song so if you don’t like tacos write about why you don’t like tacos. I don’t know what traumatic experience made you not like tacos but I will pray for you. Okay! Next up… GENRE!

GENRE

For most, this will probably be the easiest topic to jot down, which is awesome! You know what you want. You know what you need and will be able to finish your song in no time!

But if you are like me, I always have trouble with this. I love all kinds of music. From Film scores to Rap to Cumbias to EDM all the way to Gospel. I don’t know what kind of genre I fall into because of my love of all music and that’s okay.

If you don’t know now, Just Pick Something. This can change later. You set the rules on this and it’s not the end of the world if you start with one genre and end up with another.

STRUCTURE

This last topic will require a bit more time since you need to write down an overview of how your song will look on paper. Since you are the writer you know how the song structure will go. Whether the Chorus starts first or Verse 1 for a more traditional approach.

If you believe this is going to take too much of your time or don’t know where to start, then go and check out your favorite songs or tracks. Print out their lyrics, observe what the artist did, and copy their format. Don’t worry your not copying their work just the way they structured their music.

Here is a template I use all the time when I start a new song. You can also download it here along with other song structures artists use for their music.

  • VERSE 1
  • VERSE 2
  • CHORUS
  • VERSE 3
  • CHORUS
  • BRIDGE
  • CHORUS

Your structure might be shorter or longer adding in a pre-chorus, a tag, and multiple repetitions with the verses. However it goes, follow the song structure that suits you and your song.

For my singer/songwriters out there, make sure you also record or jot down your Chord Progressions, Rhythms, Melodies, etc… on your structure template. Keep them safe where you don’t lose them.

Remember, that you can always change your structure down the line. Creative cuts or add-ons will begin in the Take Action step.

TIP

#1 NEVER ERASE YOUR THOUGHTS or IDEAS! cross out is okay but don’t erase.

If you don’t have a random idea folder or notebook, **start one now! Just because you write down lyrics or have a melody that doesn’t fit your song now, doesn’t mean you can’t use that same idea for another song. Your notebook or folder can be very helpful when you have writer’s block and it can inspire your current project.

#2 Don’t Spend so much time on this step. Remember this is just a plan and plans can change. Your artistic and creative work will let you know what path your music is heading towards.

Take Action

[photo by miroshnichenko]

 

This is where the fun begins! Start writing, improvising and just expressing anything and everything you want in your song.

Let me tell you right now your biggest problem is going to be YOU.

Every time someone wants to write a song they are expecting it to be the BEST SONG EVER! Thus, they begin to compare their lyrics, rhythms, harmonies, tones, etc…, to other tracks and songwriters. This can hurt you during the creative process.

Songwriting should be fun so make it fun and stop comparing yourself to others. Here are some things I keep in mind when I song write.

  • Write every day! Even on the days, you don’t feel like writing, write anyway. That includes music composition if you are also the musician for this project.
  • Build phrases and use synonyms to make it poetically YOU. Use tools like the Thesaurus or a rhyming app to help you with this.
  • Make “dummy” lyrics if you have a rhythm or melody in mind but no “final” lyrics written down. This breaks down the composition and writing process giving you mental space to think about one thing at a time.
  • Read and listen to other artists’ work. This can give you a fresh approach to what you need in your writing and/or composition
  • Don’t overwhelm yourself. Separate the song into sections in however much time you have, Whether that is in hours, days, or even weeks.
  • Consider collaborating with a producer that has access to a studio where you can make use of VSTs, 808s, Synths, and other music production gear that will elevate your song.

Share & Polish

Part of the songwriting process is sharing it with a few people to give you feedback on your work. Just because your music sounds or reads well to you, it might not to your listeners. So having different people critique your work can advance your songwriting skills and push you to become a better songwriter.

But don’t just get anyone. These people should be people you trust and have similar musical tastes and/or have a music education behind them.

Here are 4 people you should go and share this with.

  • Mentor/Music Teacher: They can help distinguish any off rhythms or let you know if your lyrics make sense.
  • Someone who likes the same Genre: If this person enjoys your song then you know that your work is good. If they tell you there are certain areas they like better than others, take note of that, head back to your studio, and brush up on that section.
    • Close Family/Friend member: okay these people will always make you feel better about your music lol you don’t always need someone to tell you they don’t like the song. Positive feedback can give you the desire to continue songwriting.                                                  [photo by danilyuk]
  • Other songwriters or musicians: You can learn so much from these guys. They can help you with a missing piece in your song plus, collaborating with other songwriters and musicians will always benefit your musical talent and skills.

Once you shared your song and received feedback, look over the comments your mentor, friends or family made about your music and see where you agree in changing a few things. Sometimes you don’t need to change anything at all and sometimes you need to change more than 2 things. That’s okay! Just don’t “ Start Over”. Don’t do that, it’ll prevent you from ever finishing your song.

TIP

#1 Don’t be so bitter if someone doesn’t like your song.

You are going to tell me you like every song out there that was ever made… nope.

The pros get critiqued about their music all the time from loyal fans to critics who are paid to critique their music. There is always someone who won’t like your style of writing or how you compose a certain section of your song so this process is a learning experience.

If you don’t like the feedback someone gives you just listen to what they have to say, ask humble questions why and thank them for their time.

CONCLUSION

And there you have it! A finished work of art! The next steps are to record, mix and master your song for release. Consider collaborating with an audio engineer who has access to a music studio to help you record and mix your music. Or you can download my Beginner Studio Mini Guide  and start building your home studio today!

Thanks for reading! If you would like to see more songwriting posts or anything with music production whether it’s gear reviews, or learning on a DAW, comment down below!