How to Start Writing a Song For beginners: 7 Starting Methods Explored.
How you begin writing your song is a very individual enterprise which will very much depend on your own strengths and weaknesses. A drummer might start with rhythm, a singer with some words or a poem. A guitarist might start with a hooky guitar riff. But there are hidden depths to songwriting which underpin everything, and luckily, they're accessible to non musicians. I'm talking about your attitude and emotions.
Here's the full list of songwriting approaches discussed in this article.
- 1. Attitude
- 2. Emotion
- 3. Words
- 4. Rhythm
- 5. Melody
- 6. Hooks
- 7. Chords
1. Why Start Songwriting With Attitude ?
Because of all the ingredients we put into our songs, attitude is the number one most significant killer ingredient which you absolutely must have. You can't write a song if you don't have attitude, if you don't care, if you don't mind or if you're not bothered. It's simply impossible.
But caring about something, being invested and having strong opinions about it means we have something to say. Duh !
Attitude not only motivates us, it also dictates what sort of song we write. If we're angry we might produce a rap or a rock song, if we wanna dance we go into a dance genre, if we're sad we'd write a heartbreak song.
Songs start and end with attitude, understand this, and songs write themselves. Simply write the word which describes your attitude in the center of a piece of paper, then ask yourself how you got to this point. This is one of the most rewarding and productive ways to start writing a song.
2. Should I Start Writing a Song With the Emotions ?
Yes, absolutely. Attitude and emotions go hand in hand in song. Songs are always about emotions and are often referred to as the 'sound of emotion.'
Get your emotion nailed with words which describe how you feel, and just as it is with having an identifiable 'attitude,' the song will just appear out of no-where.
For example, Simply writing the word 'heartbroken' in the center of a piece of paper is enough to prompt other questions and other ways to describe heartbreak. And be specific.
When did it happen ? What was the weather like ? Who is responsible ? What will you do next ? What will you never do again ?
Then ask specific questions about what you have lost ? A best friend maybe but you can go deeper, the nights out ? In front the TV with a film ? Long walks ? Long looks ? Protection ? How do you feel about loss - what's your attitude ? ( There are several stages to recovering from loss ).
Along with attitude, emotion dictates how a song will develop, these two ingredients are the most important things to get your head around.
3 Can I Start Writing a Song with Just Prose or Text or a Phrase.
Yes, prose is an excellent way to begin writing a song and how many beginners start to form hooky phrases. Simply writing out the story of what has happened as a plain old fashioned news story is a great way to explore your creativity.
You should describe the facts, the places the people etc. But also pay strong attention to emotions and attitudes. After all, that's what song is, so you need to get used to looking for these too.
If they don't become immediately clear, then don't worry, just stick with the facts and you may very well be surprised when the attitudes and emotions emerge in the music which you use to accompany your tale.
An obvious difference between prose and song is the emphasis on rhythm. While spoken words have their own rhythm, song goes over the top to emphasise rhythm. The result being you need far fewer words for a song so you'll need to get chopping.
The half way point between prose and song is clearly poetry. Either route is a great way to get a song started.
4. Why Start Writing a Song With Just a Rhythm ?
Don't be shy about this one, rhythm is also fundamental to what a song is. It dictates to the audience mood, attitude, emotion and genre. Very often a rhythm will do more to convey a message than clever words and music ever can.
Think how dance music makes our bodies react. Think how the the speed or gravity of one drum can say something which is otherwise 'unsayable.'
Just as rhythm conveys the unsayable to an audience : it also conveys it to the writer. So a rhythm can often be a writer's 'last chance dance' to understanding and getting to grips with what they want to convey. This because writers are human beings who react in the exact same way as listeners.
And a rhythm is super accessible to all comers. You only need to hit something to make a rhythm, anyone can do it and that's why it's a great way to start a song.
5 Is a Melody a Good Way to Start Writing a song ?
Starting a song with a melodic idea is similar to having a good hook. It's great if you have one but then your often face with problem of finding the right words to fit the melody. And to be honest, that's the wrong way round, like having the cart before the horse.
The melody should be dictated by the words, and those words be dictated by attitude and emotion. Pinning your hopes finding words to a good melody is fraught with difficulties for two other reasons.
A strong melody will always feel like it's overpowering any words you try to plug into it. Also, words have their own natural melody which will cause a bit of uncertainty in the listener's mind.
However, sometimes, especially if you are using short, unconnected phrases, observations, or stream of consciousness; a melody can be used as an anchor or glue to hold everything together. This can be very effective - especially if you want to find that uncertainty.
You may create some very unique and individual songs writing in this way. If that's something you want to explore, then start with the melody. If melody is your strong point, then start with the melody.
6 Is a Hook a Good Way to Start Writing a Song ?
A hook is a brilliant way to start writing a song, if you have one. If you don't, then any one of the other methods in this article is far quicker, more reliable, easier to develop and makes a better song.
Just so we're clear, hooks are what stick in our minds and can be words, phrases, melody, rhythm or even an unusual sonic texture like you get from synthesizer.
The problem with trying to start a song with a hook is that hooks have limited gravity and attention holding properties. Unless it's a kicking guitar or synth riff, you're unlikely to be able to use it for the whole song and even if you do, it very quickly loses it's stickiness because you've overused it. Or worse. It dominates the whole song and makes it too sweet or too bland or shallow.
So yes, use the hook if you have one, and by all means try to stick the odd hook in your songs. They are great song enhancers and are invaluable for making an impact. But understand their value ; they are not the song. The song is in the attitude, the emotions and the message, the hook might help deliver those.
So yes, a hook is a brilliant way to start a song, but only if you have one. And remember, you will need 'a song' to go with your hook.
7. Should I Start Writing a Song With the Chords First.
If chords are what you have or chord progressions are what you like exploring, then go for it.
There are several issues you'll most likely encounter starting your song with chord progressions.
1. They are not unique. Sooner or later you'll realise there are a finite number of combinations and will soon start repeating or re-discovering something you've already discovered.
2. Chord progressions are only the harmonic part of the song. They need to be there and they need to function, but they are not the song.
3. Chords and harmonies are way down the list of communicating tools in the songwriter's box of tricks. Unless you are writing for choir - there are at least 6 more interesting concepts to wrap a song around.
4. They're not accessible, chords are a musician 'thang.' Not only that, but harmonic form and structure are seriously complicated and it takes a lot of effort to really understand harmony.
As a beginner songwriter, you will almost certainly write your first songs, semi fixated on how the chords progress. This is perfectly normal so carry on and absolutely, definitely finish your songs.
But keep in mind that there are far more rewarding elements in song to explore. They are listed above in this article and your songwriting will improve greatly when you move on from beginning a song with chord progressions.
Conclusion.
When you first begin songwriting you should just start with what you have. ( Unless it's a flute, obviously ). I've listed these in this order because it represents the depth, gravitas and integrity you'll be able to convey to your listener with each approach. In reality, you'll end up using all 7 methods, juggling all 7 pros, cons and methods.
And you'll eventually use different approaches to achieve different outcomes. That's how you become a better songwriter. Good Luck.
