A Hint of Music Theory for New Songwriters

February 26th, 2011

Producing a song is an exceptional way of accomplishing catharsis, though the process itself can be just as excruciating as the stress of burden being purged. To take pressure off the task of composing a song, realize at the moment that there are basics and methods in place to get those beliefs on ‘paper.’ I can already hear the arguments at the idea of having to repress creativity by abiding to a construct. Breathe, chill out and realize that these are more so guidelines that can be bent and crushed as required. Over time, you’ll find your creative abilities take hold and all the basics will run on autopilot. As fun as it might be to stumble around in the dark, trying to figure things out on your own, learning will make life a whole lot easier!

Regardless of the fact that you’re artistically gifted, you’re here to improve as a songwriter Ability counts for a lot though passion will help compel you through the ruts and help you hit upon the means to make your insight a certainty. Aside talent and passion, honesty is going to help make your songs truly your own. Without it, you’re just going to come off as one more artsy-hack trying to fake it. It’s this candidness, and eagerness to share all that you are to the world that will help you bond with your listeners. Your audience will feel the passion in your songs if you sing it like you mean it.

Lyricists and poets aren’t always one in the same Most beginners are going off of their teen, high school experiences writing poems for English class, and believe that their simple know-how qualifies them to compose songs. Even though it’s a great way to start, you’ll be absolutely frustrated when you notice that you’ve written an breathtaking line and can’t find anything to rhyme it to, soon after in a verse. Pause for a moment,and realize that not only can a song chock full of rhymes sound amateur and repetitive, it is constraining, and in time, irritating.

Song lyrics, or just the words themselves, can bend and change to accommodate the music that goes along with it. You’ve probably heard two unfeasibly un-rhyme-able words inexplicably strung together in a song or two. This is a consideration for the writer. Also take note, and it’s best to understand this now, that particular lines and words just don’t want to fit with the music, and you’ll find that you’ll spend hours recomposing and rewriting.Your enthusiasm will help you realize your vision and guide you past the ruts along the way.

It should never be hard to find something to write about. Unless you’re a heartless robot,you feel emotion on a day by day basis. If you walk out of the house, surf the internet, turn on the t.V.,read, or god-willing, have an authentic conversation with at least one person in the course of the week, you will have ideas to write. If something inspires you enough that you feel an itch to jot it down, write. Songs are finest when it’s about what you’re really acquainted with, and there’s nothing you will know better than your history and feelings. Your first labors may sound plain and childish at first though this is where your originality will grow from. Your particular approach will develop with time and repetition.

All I’ve mentioned so far has been motivational, nice, and inspiring stuff that can be drawn from inside yourself. Every passion, your talent, history, passion,and simple understanding of writing lyrics will take you far. Now, let’s step it up a little bit.

What makes a song a song is its structure. They are generally made up of an introduction, a verse, a chorus, a different verse, a new chorus, and a coda ( aka: Outro ). You can see it as the configuration of a book or story, though it’s best to do so only for a moment, since not all songs will possess a definite story arc, or not have a story, at all. The song configuration itself, can be modified as you see fit, the it will always follow the melody of the song,which is established at the beginning of the song.

Uh-oh, ‘melody,’ you say, what is that! It’s alright, it’s much easier than you believe it to be!It’s the soul, the very essence of the song. The most memorable part of your favorite song that you can hum,and someone on the street can hear and know, right away;that’s the melody. Establish a rhythm and pattern to form a basic melody, by repeating a line from the verse.This, in enormously simple terms, is going to be your melody. From here on in, you will be forming following lines, verses, and choruses based on this melody, and complimenting it accordingly. It is also at this point that I endorse that yet another, very effective tool to add to your toolbox as a songwriter, is a little music theory. There are definitely hundreds of hit songs produced devoid of a elementary know-howof music but we’re here to make the process easier. You will be able to better understand other musicians by understanding music theory.

As great as it may be to reach into your heart and soul, it’s best to know that unless you’re a talented virtuoso , which is not a requirement, it will take dedication, practice, and time. Express yourself wholeheartedly by believing in your natural talents and sharing yourself wholeheartedly. Snags will come along the way, though your passions will help you push through them,and convey all that you mean to your audience. Each emotion felt, and adventure tackled, is a muse,, worth sharing with the world, and with just a little bit of proper training, and a knowledge of standard musical theory you can improve your skills and be a thriving songwriter.