HOW TO WRITE A SONG

There are several opinions and suggestions on how to write a song.  You will find classes at many music festivals and even online songwriting groups giving tips and advice on how to write a song.  Songwriting is subjective.  There are hundreds of different genres, from bluegrass and country, pop and rock, jazz and blues and many in between.  The genre you choose will be a big part of the decision you make on how to write a song. 

So, you have made the decision.  You have read everything you can on how to write a song.  You believe you have songs that need to be written deep within you.  Then do it.  It’s that simple.  Do it.  Sit down in a quiet place and allow everything to drift away.  Take a mental vacation for a few minutes.  Don’t allow distractions or sounds to interfere.  Write the first subject that comes to mind.  Maybe it’s not the subject you wanted to write about but, hey, it’s there.  Write it down on your piece of paper.

At  this point I believe musicians have an edge.  Pick up your guitar (or other instrument) play some chords, riffs, whatever you feel like.  Start to think about the song subject you have chosen.  Try to incorporate some of the words that are most relevant.  If you are lucky, the music and words will flow together.  They may be spotty at first as you find your way, but eventually they take shape.

If you don’t play an instrument, listen for cadence in the song.  Be sure it is easy to sing and play.  For instance, a lot of poetry does not lend itself well to music.  Although the poetry flows, there is often no catch phrase – nothing to keep the reader/listener hanging on to your every word.  Try writing your song and give it to a musician friend to write the music.  Collaborations of this sort often work very well.  If you don’t have friends who are musicians, there are companies that write music for songs, so do some checking online to find one.  Check them out first to be sure they are a reputable company.  

It may take a few tries to come up with something you feel really good about.  Don’t worry, before long your friends and people you meet are going to be asking you how to be a songwriter!