Songwriting for Beginners

INTRO TO SONGWRITING

1. Most hit songs are written by "kitchen-table composers." If you can sing "dough ray mee," you can write a song. If you can't, then you still may be able to write the words to a song. You can write songs entirely in your head without an musical instrument or ever writing them out or recording them.)

2. One theory is that songs are not created―they are discovered. Out of dozens of note combinations generated by the random mind, one or two will be "catchy." This may not be the only way songs are written, but it may be a good way for you to begin.

3. Stage 1. Sing a few random notes right now. Just string some notes together. Do not judge them or be embarrassed about your singing. Do this a dozen times or so. When a note string occurs that you like, memorize it, or sing it into a tape recorder, or write it down using the following number system.

4. The Number System: doh = 1; ray = 2; mee = 3; fah = 4; sol = 5; lah = 6; tee = 7; doh = 8: re = 9: mi =10, fah = 11, etc. Write down your note string using the number system. Practice this until you're good at it.

5. Further practice: Imagine two dice rolling in your head. What numbers come up? Write them down and then convert them to notes, Do this repeatedly until you have a note string. Now sing it a few times. Try a few dozen note strings generated this way. Perhaps one will be catchy. But the point of this exercise is to open the random generator in your mind.

6. Stage 2. Geometry. Generate note strings with a repeating pattern either of rhythm or of the distance between notes. Try alternately reversing patterns.

7. Stage 3. Combine Stage 2 with feelings as you sing. Always sing from your heart. You are now taking part in a much more creative and mysterious process.

8. Lyrics. Songs are poems set to music. Sometimes the poem or melody is completed first, but most times it is an interactive process of writing melody and lyrics. Most hit songs are written by two or more persons, so consider finding a writing partner. Most hit songs are about love. But hundreds are not.

9. Stage 4. Invent a title first, or at least the central idea of the poem expressed in as few words as possible. Now sing the title using one of the note strings. Next, try generating words and melody at the same time. Sing from your heart.

10. Basic Song Structure: a a b a (verse, verse, chorus, verse). Also: chorus, bridge (verse), chorus (= a b a).

11. A catchy chorus is the most important thing. It should express the title or central idea.

        12. Chords: 3 or 4 notes played simultaneously to accompany the melody. They are either "happy" or "sad", (major or minor). You'll need someone who can do this for you once you have completed the melody and the words.

        13. Better yet, buy a small second-hand keyboard and learn how to play chords. But remember: your song can be performed without chords, or it can be sung it with an accompanist.

        Practice song writing! You'll get better at it as you keep at it. And Keep It Simple songwriter.

Dan Mahony, M. Phil.

Other Courses:

Pitch Training

Ear Training / Sight Singing