Good songwriting, like good writing or sculpting, requires a combination of head and heart, knowledge and instinct, art and craft. If you dream of writing songs but don't play a musical instrument, learning one is a great place to start. The piano and guitar are both popular choices, because they allow melodies and harmonies to be played simultaneously. It is possible to write songs without being able to play an instrument--vocalists, for example, sometimes sing melodies into a tape recorder--but the ability to play your music brings it to life and makes it easier to share with others. If you have some knowledge of how to notate melodies and chords, that will benefit you as well. There's nothing worse than having a great idea and not being able to write it down before it's forgotten.
In music, there isn't a set of absolute rules to follow, like in some mathematic or scientific disciplines. But just as novels are expected to be divided into chapters, paragraphs and sentences, songs follow expected patterns of logic and form. Classical forms include sonatas, concertos, rondos and symphonies. You may have heard of the "twelve bar blues," a more contemporary form that is almost ubiquitous in blues music and has made its way into some rock songs as well. Popular music follows forms that include verses, choruses, and bridges. Each verse is sung to one tune, but the words change with each repetition. Choruses repeat the same music and words, and should be the most memorable part of a song. Bridges give listeners a break from repeating patterns and often introduce new themes, chords or keys. At the end of a bridge, when the verse or chorus returns, there should be a feeling of familiarity, as if the song has come back home.
Songs combine melody, rhythm, harmony and lyrics. Melody is the part of a song that sticks in your head. Writing a catchy melody is one of the most difficult aspects of songwriting to codify. But you've been listening to songs all your life and know a good tune when you hear one, so let your ear be your guide. Sometimes a good melody will come to you in a moment of inspiration, but more often melody is a product of craft, along with trial and error. When you think you've created a good melody, share it with others and get their feedback. You don't have to take their advice or criticism (it's your song, after all), but you may gain some useful insights. Occasionally, you may find yourself subconsciously "borrowing" from a song you haven't heard for a while. If you find yourself writing songs that sound very similar to existing music, you may want to take a step back and try a different approach. Unfortunately, there isn't a foolproof way to avoid this, but rest assured there are plenty of great songs out there that haven't been written yet.
Rhythm is the part of a song that you tap your foot or dance to. A "signature" rhythm is often recognizable even in the absence of pitch changes. For example, the fanfare opening of Mendelssohn's "Wedding March" includes a single repeated pitch, but has such a familiar rhythm that it is instantly recognizable. Several styles of music such as reggae, Latin music and ragtime are distinguishable by their rhythms alone. The swing era of the 1930's and 1940's was named after the syncopated rhythm that dominated the music scene at the time, and the familiar "beat/back beat" rhythm of rock and roll has been the driving force behind many popular songs for nearly 50 years. A songwriter needs a through knowledge of common rhythms in the genre of music he or she wants to write. A good rule of thumb is to keep a steady underlying beat but introduce variety and "fills" (embellished rhythms at the end of a musical phrase) throughout a song to make the rhythm more interesting.
If melody is like a scoop of vanilla ice cream, then harmony is the sundae topping that adds color, flavor, texture and variety. A familiar song like "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" can be drastically altered when played with different chords. Typically harmonized with happy-sounding major chords, minor chords make the song sound sad and serious. Major 7th chords give the song a more sophisticated, contemporary feel while dominant 7th or diminished chords make it sound dissonant and unresolved. Harmony is one of the most easily codified aspects of songwriting, and should be studied thoroughly by every aspiring songwriter.
Song lyrics typically rhyme in popular genres and tell a story or convey an emotion (or both). A good lyric might be "It was a hot day in July when she walked by." A better lyric might be, "Standing on the blacktop in the middle of July, I was frozen by the beauty of her face when she walked by." The second line may be a little corny (it's the best I could come up with on short notice), but the point is that a good lyric should paint a picture for the listener. Also, the title of a song should be obvious from its lyrics. In many popular songs, the title is featured at the beginning or end of the chorus and is sometimes repeated for emphasis.
Remember that lyrics aren't the only part of a song that express a message. The music you write says something as well. Music and lyrics should go together like birds of a feather (sorry, still in corny lyric mode). For example, if your song is an upbeat piece about new love, the music should be upbeat too, unless you are trying to convey a sense of irony (e.g., writing words about the apocalypse and setting them to a happy tune). If your song uses the word "high" or "up," the melody should go up too. This is called prosody. Great songs feature lyrics that fit so well with the music you couldn't imagine them being sung to any other tune.
Inspiration for songs can come from a variety of sources. The best songs I've written are based on past personal experiences, generalized so that others can relate to them too. Old photo albums and scrapbooks are a great place to start looking for ideas. Sometimes, I visit places that bring back memories: houses I used to live in, schools I used to go to, the place where I proposed to my wife, etc. Sometimes an idea for a song comes to me in random places, like the grocery store. Or a smell reminds me of grandma's house and inspires me to write a nostalgic tune. Sometimes going to a concert gives me the extra boost of inspiration I need to finish a piece.
There really isn't a right or wrong way to write a song, as long as the desired results are achieved. One songwriting approach is to write the lyrics to a song, including verses, chorus, bridge, etc. and then add music to it. Another approach is to write music first and then add lyrics. Some songwriters prefer to write melodies first and harmonies second, while others start with harmonies. Some songwriters write a chorus and then add verses, while others start with verses. To ensure musical variety, songwriters may experiment with all of the approaches above and even try some of their own invention. Another good way to ensure songwriting variety is to co-write a song with another musician or lyricist.
When I write songs, I often begin by improvising at the piano, experimenting with different melodies, harmonies and rhythms. When I find a theme that seems catchy and memorable, I record it on a midi keyboard and/or write it down on sheet music paper. If I can still remember it the next day without listening to my recording or looking at my sheet music scribblings, I might be on to something. I then take that theme and manipulate it in a variety of ways. Depending on its length, I may extend it or shorten it. I may repeat it, sometimes in a different octave. Then I may vary it--perhaps playing the notes in the theme backward, out of order, with different rhythms, or with added notes. I may play the theme in a minor key instead of a major key, or harmonize it with different chords. I can then add additional--sometimes contrasting--themes and/or write a bridge, add an introduction and conclusion and organize the song into a recognizable form.
It can sometimes be difficult to know when a song is finally "finished." When I am writing a song, I try to convey a particular emotion. I know a song is complete when I feel that emotion while playing or singing it. At this point the song is "done" but still may need revision. Some professional songwriters go through 7 revisions or more before submitting a completed song. This may sound painful, but if a song gets better with each revision then the effort is worthwhile. When I am done with a song, I want to be glad to call it my own and I'd like to be able to say with pride, years from now, that I wrote it.
I wrote my first tunes to share with family and friends, and in the process discovered which styles, instruments and genres I enjoyed. I also found techniques and tools that made the writing process easier for me. While these initial attempts certainly won't become hits, writing them was a valuable learning experience. With each new song, I get a little better and learn a little more. I try to write every day, and am ready to capture new ideas whenever I have them. Some days I sit at the piano for hours struggling to come up with anything at all; other days I only have 5 minutes to write and inspiration hits like a bolt of lightning. The most important thing is to keep trying.
Songwriting can be a challenging and rewarding undertaking. If you have a desire to create music, either as a hobbyist or professional, the best way to learn is to start writing songs today.
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