| How to write a song... There are many people who | | | | melody. And a chorus will use the tonic (key) chord |
| have fragments and ideas for songs, but don't know | | | | more than a verse will. |
| what to do with them. I want to show you the quick | | | | 4. Develop a lyric. For many, those first song ideas |
| and easy steps to creating something that you can call | | | | come with a topic already in mind, but if you don't have |
| your own. Who knows, you may have a songwriter's | | | | a topic, you'll need to choose. You need to write a |
| brain and not even know it! | | | | song that touches the heart of the listener, so songs |
| If you're able to play a few guitar chords, or if you | | | | that connect emotionally will work the best: love, |
| have some basic piano skills, you will be amazed at | | | | friendship, your child... those sorts of things. Remember |
| what you can do. Some of the world's best songs | | | | that however you craft your lyric, the words should |
| were created using three chords. If you've got an | | | | flow naturally. Good lyrics do not have to be good |
| imagination, the sky is the limit! | | | | poetry. Simplicity wins out over complexity every time. |
| So what do you do if you've got a bit of a musical | | | | 5. Develop a form for your song. There are many |
| idea, but don't know how to get those thoughts | | | | possibilities, but one of the most common forms is: |
| assembled into a song? Perhaps you've stumbled | | | | Intro - Verse 1 - Chorus - Verse 2 - Chorus - Bridge |
| upon a chord progression that you like. Here are some | | | | - Final Chorus |
| quick and easy steps to turn that chord progression | | | | 6. A bridge occurs after the second chorus, and is a |
| into a song: | | | | way for the songwriter to intensify the emotion of the |
| 1. Become intimately acquainted with your chord | | | | song. Think of it as a third melody (after the verse and |
| progression. Play it over and over. Try holding the | | | | the chorus). A bridge melody is often pitched even |
| chords for different lengths, and as you work, you'll | | | | higher than the chorus melody, and uses a different |
| notice that melodic ideas will start to materialize in your | | | | chord progression. |
| brain. | | | | At this point, you should see your song really coming |
| 2. Hum the melodic ideas as they occur to you. You'll | | | | together. There is so much more you can be doing, |
| notice that many of the ideas just won't work, but | | | | though, to become the songwriter you've always |
| occasionally one or two will catch your attention. If you | | | | wanted to be. |
| don't write music, sing them over and over to ensure | | | | If you'd like to learn more about songwriting, you're |
| they stay with you, and if possible record them. | | | | ready for Gary Ewer's songwriting e-books. They'll |
| 3. Try to amplify your chord progression and melodic | | | | show you every stage of songwriting, in clear, |
| ideas. You need to give shape to these musical | | | | easy-to-understand language. |
| fragments. Perhaps your song will have a verse and | | | | Click here to see those songwriting e-books, and start |
| chorus. If so, keep this guideline in mind: Generally, a | | | | writing great songs! |
| verse melody is pitched a little lower than a chorus | | | | |