How To Write A Song

Learning how to write a song is always a work in progress. But there is a basic way you can learn how to write a song that will get you started until you develop your own methods. When you know how to write a song, you can put all of your ideas into a form that may appeal to a lot of people. You can tell a story, piss someone off or just tell everyone about your stupid neighbor. Learning how to write a song takes practice, and there is no better way to practice than to get started.

To write a song you will need:

• Musical instrument
• Recording device
• Paper
• Pen

1. Have an idea. Learning how to write a song means being able to funnel your inspirations into words and music. Your idea could be anything from telling the world how much you love your significant other, to explaining the process of making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. One of the first lessons in learning how to write a song is to let go and realize that anything you want to write about is a legitimate inspiration. Read some of the lyrics of your favorite songs and you may be surprised when you realize what the song is actually talking about.
2. Choose a title. Now that you have your idea, you need to summarize it in a title. The reason you need a title at this point in learning how to write a song is because the title can be the main lyric to your refrain, or even a main theme throughout the song. Determining a catchy title can help you along in the writing process and help provide its own inspiration.
3. Write the lyrics. Writing lyrics is similar to writing poetry. The difference between lyrics and poetry is that lyrics do not need to have a deep meaning to be interesting. Some of the progressive rock bands such as Genesis or Pink Floyd wrote very elaborate and meaningful lyrics. But band such as Motley Crue wrote very basic lyrics that told a simple story. Lyrics that rhyme are not only easier to remember, they are also simpler to fit into the music you will be writing. Rhyming lyrics create their own tempo that can help inspire the music.
4. Write the music. Some musicians prefer to write lyrics that fit pre-written music, while others like to write music to fit the lyrics. Once your lyrics are written, you will find it easier to write music that fits around your lyrics. Sit down with your instrument of choice and start playing chords while humming a melody line that fits the structure of your lyrics. The lyrics tell the story and that makes them important, but creating interesting and entertaining music to sing those lyrics to will make people want to pay attention to your song.
5. Write, and then rewrite. Some of the best songs are the ones that are bits and pieces brought together into a complete tune. Songwriters will often write the same song several different ways, and then listen for the best parts in each version. Record all of your different variations of the song you are writing, and then listen back to the tapes to find the parts that will make up your final song.