How to Write a Song

Steps to Write a Song

Creating the fundamentals for your lyric

Selection and Format

Of course, every inspired sound must come with a title so you need to choose one that may define the entire idea behind your music. You can create a phrase of one to six words that sums up the song’s idea or essence. An interesting one that suggests a situation or emotion can work too. Depending on the song’s mood, you can give it an action word or something that directly relates.

You can further create a list of questions that center on what your song’s title means to you. It should have meaning to your listeners as well, so include questions such as; What does the title mean? What is the inspiration behind this title? How do you feel about the title?

The structure of your song is essential for its flow, pace, and energy. It can exist in various forms either starting with a hook (chorus) or verse with other elements like bridge and lift (pre-chorus). It is where you can demonstrate your creative skills even though one of the proven most effective style goes as Verse-Hook-Verse-Hook-Bridge-Hook.

Try to represent your answers in the choruses and verses, using one of each to respond to a question. Using the chorus, for example, pick a short phrase that can express your answer. You may include images and action words to make it livelier. Allow your listeners guess what the singer is saying, thinking, or feeling. How does the singer express his/her emotions – warm or cold?

Modifying the sound quality

Melody and Chords

Determine the melody of your lyric by voicing out one or two short answer phrases like in the chorus. Exaggerate the phrase with emotion in the lines. Try to observe the natural rhythm and melody of your speech. Play with it until you feel the right sound. Consequently, you should add chords to your chorus melody using a simple, repeated chord pattern. Play around with the melody and chords until you find a comfortable balance.

Stage your songs

Development

Attempt applying lyric in your initial verse by focusing on a question you chose earlier. The first line should grab the attention of your listeners while the following lines should add more information that connects the first line. Maintain a pace that can allow your listeners understood what the song talks about or focuses on. The initial verse should agree with the information in the chorus.

Once you’ve established a sync between your first verse and chorus, enhance it with a transition. That is, let the end of the verse and the beginning of the chorus connect through a melodious level (raised or lowered). It is recommendable your chorus melodies have higher note ranges than verses.

Now, you can proceed from here to develop your next verse and bridge. Remember to choose another question to answer and follow a similar procedure used when creating your initial verse. The next chorus should remain melodious like the first then you just end the work with a bridge. A nice bridge usually has a peak emotional moment in your song that makes listeners realize a change of melody. You can use a different chord here or change the phrase lengths or melody’s pace.

Roughly make a recording

Considering an emotional song, a simple combination of your vocals and a piano or guitar can make your song come out sweeter. If your song is the Rock genre, you can try an “unplugged” version. Avoid using lots of strings or drums as it may even cause detraction in sound quality. The less you concentrate on singing or playing, the more focused you become towards the song’s emotion.