Sunday, February 22, 2009

Tips to Write a Song

By L. Simms

As a new songwriter, you can discover some quick methods and ideas that you can use to enhance your ability as a songwriter. You can write many types of songs, and if you want to direct your emotions and feelings through your music this can happen. Songwriters compose because they have a special melody and the words that need to be expressed.

Many songwriters use their life experiences to vent their feelings and thoughts. It's a great way to get inspired without working at it because inspiration is so natural and real. But it's true that many songwriters think of what people would like to hear so they can have a popular hit song instead.

Songs that are written with popular music in mind must meet certain criteria in order to be considered. Even though songs written for commercial success must follow stricter criteria than those written only for personal fulfillment, there is much leeway given the wide variety of voices, genres, and styles in popular music. Perhaps you have unique singing voice that is suited to a particular style of music.

You may want to take the initiative in creating unique music that works for your tastes and abilities. You may not want to rely on cookie-cutter songs, or wait for the right piece to be composed. Be creative or get inspired if you can, do not force yourself to write a group of meaningless notes when you compose.

First of all, write for your target audience. Whether you have a target audience of one, or a wider target audience, use what you know to write music that appeals to your target listeners. It means you should find your niche and write about things you know as you will make a better connection with a target audience that shares things in common with you.

The most poignant music is written from the heart of the songwriter because if you write music about things that you do not care much about, chances are you wont be able to conjure up enough feeling to really connect with your intended audience. If mushy love songs are not your thing, try writing about angst or write about your worries and fears. Or write about your past loves and hurts if that moves you.

Inspiration can come from a variety of unexpected sources. The best way to be prepared when your song muse emerges is to carry with you a notepad to jot down ideas and inspirations as they come to you in everyday life. Songwriting inspiration may come from an unusual sound or rhythm you hear, from things you observe in nature, or from something as simple as a coffee shop conversation.

Get a good singer you respect and like to perform your song to give you an idea what it should really sound like. You can get an idea how a singer understands your song and if that's the way you want it to sound. When a good singer sings your piece, you can find out if you need to alter the melody or harmony to communicate your musical ideas.

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