Songwriting tips 1

oltaymusic
Sep 9, 2022
2 min read

Writing your own songs is a beautiful thing! And doing it in a more effortless way without overthinking it is an incredible feeling. Its also a great way to download what's on your mind or capture a moment - like a diary.

SONGWRITING

Anyone can write a song - anyone. It's very easy - seriously! If you can write a little story you can write a song! I have written 100's of songs over the years, about all sorts of topics, across all sorts of styles. Sure, some are better that other - but who cares - its all part of the process.

Here's a few tips to help refresh or progress your own songwriting.

GET A SONG BOOK

Song Book - record like a diary

Keep writing - try different styles / different themes!!!

Buy a Moleskin book as your songbook to write ideas down.

You can also write notes in to your phone or capture little recording snippets into your phone, but there's something special about handwriting your own song!

DON'T OVERTHINK IT - JUST START

Don't think - just write anything - you can always edit it later!

3 Things your need to get a song out

Words + Style + Chords = a song!

WORDS

Just write the words to tell your story - not too many

Try and let the phrases rhythm a bit

Think like a poem

Typical structure

Verse 1 - set the scene

Verse 2 - the next part of the story

Chorus - the main message

STYLE

Soft/love or sad

Fast/fun inspirational

Funky/upbeat

CHORDS

Just start simple 1-4-5 G C D, Or a deeper song Em A

Borrow a chord progression from your favourite song - remember its the melody and the lyrics that really matter - you can sing a melody over different chord progressions.

Then later you can develop fancy chord riffs

Use a Capo to find a different sounds - a capo high on the fretboard is good for slower

songs

Start on a different chord

Change the shape of the chord - eg. Em open 2 finger slide up from C then D

Strumming - rock straight / muted / volume of strum dynamics verse vs chorus

Just go for it - don't over think it - don't try and write a hit - just write and keep writing!