You may learn to write songs that are memorable and affecting by studying the principles of songwriting. Take these suggestions as a springboard for your own musical adventures in songwriting.
Here Are Ten Strategies for Creating Indelible Music
These ten helpful hints are used by great songwriters every day when writing new music and lyrics.
Step 1: Make a memorable tune out of it.
Everybody knows the same three and four chord progressions that are used in millions of songs. How come certain tunes have a way of staying in our heads? Perhaps the tune holds the key.
Writing a catchy melody is the most crucial step if you want to create an unforgettable tune. Most effective melodies progress in whole- or half-step increments, with occasional leaps (increases or decreases of any larger interval).
They also typically feature a focal point, or a prominent note that serves as the melody’s foundation.
Step 2: Play around with different chord progressions.
Your musical possibilities will be constrained if you simply use a small handful of chords. To add depth and variety to your compositions, try using a wide range of chords, including major, minor, dominant, diminished, and augmented.
Step 3: Put together a beat that will stick with your audience
From country classics to hip-hop classics, many of the most memorable songs are anchored by a distinctive rhythmic theme.
Take note of how a funky or syncopated melody or background track might be the most memorable component of a song the next time you listen to your favourite tunes, and use that knowledge to inject originality into the rhythm of your own compositions.
Step 4: Use a riff as the basis for your song.
Riffs are the backbone of a song, and they may be written by anyone, whether they play an instrument or not. Whether it’s Tom Morello’s funk-metal guitar lines on Rage Against the Machine’s “Bombtrack” or the Timbaland-produced synth lick on Jay-Z’s “Dirt Off Your Shoulder,” riffs can be the song’s saving grace. That’s why they’re one of the best instruments for composing songs.
Step 5: A live-playable song must be written.
Modern music production software has made it possible for songwriters to compose and record full digital orchestras in their own homes. While digital audio workstation (DAW) software is a fantastic resource for creating music, you need also plan for live performances.
The executives at record labels want to see how musicians perform in front of live audiences, so make sure your music is equally as captivating in concert as it is on record.
Step 6: Leave the instrument alone and put pen to paper.
It makes sense to sit at a piano or pick up a guitar when composing music. Though effective generally, this strategy runs the risk of having you write songs that rely too heavily on tired cliches.
Put down the instrument, step outside, and try composing some music in your brain. Sing your brilliant ideas into your phone’s voice recorder. Go back to your instrument and practise until you can play them instrumentally.
Step 7: Try something new with the song’s framework.
An introduction, a verse, a pre-chorus, a chorus, a bridge, instrumental solos, and a coda or outro are typical components of a song. Make it a goal to go beyond the standard verse-chorus format in your next song. Try at least following the standard song format of verse / chorus / bridge / chorus. This structure is used by many popular pop songs.
Step 8: Take a structured yet freewheeling approach to writing your lyrics.
Lyric writing is difficult. Create a framework for creating lyrics, but give room for inspiration to strike. Like a poet, you should learn to wait for the lyrics to arrive, even if you have a general notion of what the song will be about or have written a few lines of lyrics. Some lines may captivate you just due to their pleasing consonance or assonance.
Step 9: Try your hand at rhyming.
The use of a consistent rhyme system in songwriting can make the songs memorable and enjoyable. However, rhyming isn’t required of all songs. In cases where rhyming would be ineffective, one should instead focus on conveying the idea.
Step 10: Master the art of overcoming writer’s block
Changing up your routine might be a terrific strategy to break through writer’s block. Do you frequently compose the music before the words? Flip the order and see if it helps. Do you often start by strumming chords and then adding your own improvised melody?
Put down the instrument and try playing a simple tune or riff. Experiment by penning a tune on an unusual instrument or in a style you’re not used to. Leaving your usual routine might be a great way to stimulate your imagination.
