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| Songwriting |
1. The easiest way is to have a track or some music first. Then once that is established, the next step is to work on melodies over the music. This is so that the song sounds more natural when it comes to the rhythm. Some people prefer to write lyrics first, then fit the music around the lyrics, but sometimes it doesn’t sound as smooth.
2. Pick a topic that is familiar to you. If it is a topic that you aren’t to familiar with, its going to be harder to write. The best thing to write about is a situation that you have been through or going through where the emotions are still fresh in your head.
3. Try to have some kind of originality in the title or song content. This will make your song stand out more than others. The title or concept should be a quick summery of the body of the song. If they don’t match, then confusion to the listener will happen.
4. After you established the concept of the song, then you have to follow the direction of the song.
5. The chorus or “hook” should be the first piece worked on after the title. It should go with the melody created from the music. It should include the title. Sometimes, the hook is the title only and sometimes there’s more to it. Usually the hook is either 4 or 8 bars. Anything else is to long. The thing that you must remember in writing the hook is that it will be played a few times throughout the song. This is why you want to make the hook “catchy”. You want the listener the walk away singing it after 1st hearing it. Once the hook is finished, then you move on to the body of the song.
6. Establish whether or not you want a pre-chorus. Most songs have one, but some go from the verse straight to the chorus. The “pre” is a little intro into the chorus. Usually 4 measures, but sometimes only 2. You might find some with 8, but usually it makes the song too long or too wordy. The pre usually told before each time you use the chorus so this will be heard a couple times through out the song. Just make sure that it introduces the concept of the chorus and doesn’t take the steam away from the chorus.
7. DO NOT LOSE DIRECTION OF THE SONG!!!! Remember this when writing the body. The body consists of a story that is based around the concept. Usually you want to get to the background as soon as you can so you can go right into the story. When writing the first verse, basically you want to establish the story and the scenario. This should also go with the melody of the song.
8. When writing the 2nd verse, you want to match the melodies with the 1st first. The 2nd verse should answer the chorus or where the 1st verse left off. Keep focused on the concept and the song should write itself. Conclude the song towards the end, but if you try to establish a lesson learned, it should be in the bridge.
9. The bridge is pretty much a bridge between the concept and the solution. The melody changes from the verse and sometimes the music does also. This is where you learn your lesson or take the song into a different dimension. It’s also a good place to talk about the future. It is almost a 3rd verse, but different due to the melody. It is usually 4 or 8 bars.
10. Once all of this is established, go over the song and make sure that the concept is concrete & doesn’t stray. Make sure the melody and the syllable count is similar. Make sure they rhyme or at least sound like they rhyme. Make sure your not repeating yourself. Make sure it’s not to complex because you want the listeners to understand the story.
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