Songwriting can be a magical experience, a form of expression where stories, emotions, and thoughts meld into harmonies and lyrics. However, getting started can often be the most challenging part.
To help you overcome this creative hurdle, we’ve compiled a list of 20 proven strategies to kickstart your songwriting process. Each technique offers a unique pathway to musical creation – the aim is to find the one that resonates with you.
Understanding the Songwriting Process
Before we dive into the strategies, let’s first understand the songwriting process. A song typically comprises melody, harmony, rhythm, and lyrics.
The melody is the tune you hum, the harmony supports the melody, the rhythm is the beat that drives the music, and the lyrics are the words that tell the story. Above all, creativity and personal expression are at the heart of this process.
The 20 Proven Strategies
Personal Experience: Start by mining your personal experiences for song ideas. Everything that’s happened to you, the emotions you’ve felt, and the people you’ve met are all rich sources of inspiration.
This kind of authenticity can lead to songs that deeply resonate with listeners because of their universal human themes. It also allows you to write with genuine emotion, adding another layer of depth to your music.
Melody First: If melodies often play in your mind, this might be your route into songwriting. Allow your musical imagination to roam free and start by humming or playing melodies on your instrument.
After you’ve come up with a melody that stirs you, build the rest of your song around it. Crafting a strong, memorable melody first can provide a robust backbone for the rest of the song to develop around.
Lyrics First: For those more comfortable with words, you may prefer to start by writing your lyrics. Write freely, letting your thoughts and feelings flow. Don’t worry about rhyming or rhythm at this stage, just focus on getting your ideas down.
Once you’ve got your lyrics, you can then craft a melody that fits the rhythm and mood of your words. This can result in a very cohesive song where the melody and lyrics perfectly complement each other.
Song Title First: Using a title as your starting point provides a clear direction for your song. It can help you maintain a consistent theme, making the writing process smoother.
Consider the emotions, stories, or images that the title evokes in you and use these as jumping-off points for your lyrics and melody. A strong title can also be very marketable, grabbing potential listeners’ attention.
Collaborate: Collaborating with another songwriter can offer new perspectives and push you to write in ways you wouldn’t on your own. Your collaborator may bring different skills or styles to the table, resulting in a richer and more diverse song.
A partner can also offer immediate feedback, helping you refine your ideas on the spot. Collaborating can be a fun, fulfilling, and productive way to write songs.
Improvisation: Don’t underestimate the power of improvisation. Let your fingers wander on your instrument, or hum random melodies, or spout spontaneous lyrics. You might stumble upon something surprisingly good.
Improvisation fosters a free and open creative environment, often leading to unique and innovative musical ideas. It taps into your subconscious, bypassing your internal critic and allowing pure creativity to flow.
Start with a Rhythm/Beat: In many music genres, rhythm is king. Starting with a compelling rhythm or beat can set a strong foundation for your song. Experiment with different drum patterns, percussive sounds, or rhythmic strumming patterns on your guitar.
Once you’ve established a rhythm that you like, you can then build your melody and lyrics on top. This strategy is particularly effective for dance, hip-hop, or any rhythm-driven music genres.
Build a Song Around a Concept/Story: Some of the greatest songs tell compelling stories or explore interesting concepts. If you have an intriguing story to tell or a concept you want to explore, let it guide your songwriting process.
This can provide a clear structure for your song, with each verse telling a part of the story. It can also help ensure that your lyrics stay consistent and coherent throughout the song.
Musical Experimentation: Pushing the boundaries of conventional songwriting can lead to original and memorable songs. Try writing a song with an unusual chord progression, or use an unconventional song structure.
Incorporate unique instruments or sounds, or experiment with various music production techniques if you’re working with a digital audio workstation. This kind of experimentation can set your music apart and help you find your unique sound.
Start with a Chord Progression: Creating a unique and catchy chord progression is a common starting point for many songwriters. The mood and tension created by the chords can spark ideas for your melody and lyrics.
Experiment with different chord combinations until you find one that resonates with you, and let that be the base from which your song grows.
Write From Your Influences: Being influenced by your favorite songs, artists, or genres is a completely natural part of the songwriting process. Studying the work of others can lead to new insights and ideas.
Try figuring out what exactly you love about your favourite songs – is it the melody, the lyrics, the chord progression, or the rhythm? Incorporating these elements into your own work can help guide your songwriting process while also helping you to develop your unique sound.
Write From a Hook: A strong hook can be a very effective centrepiece for a song. This could be a catchy melody, a compelling lyrical idea, or a distinctive rhythmic pattern.
Once you have your hook, build the rest of your song around it, making sure that every element of the song supports and enhances it. A great hook can grab listeners’ attention and make your song memorable.
Write From a Lyric Phrase/Rhyme: A compelling phrase or interesting rhyme can be a great seed for a song. Let it evoke images, stories, or feelings in you, and use those to write your lyrics and melody.
Try to keep the mood and rhythm of the song consistent with the original phrase or rhyme, to create a cohesive and engaging song.
Write to a Specific Music Genre: Writing within a specific genre can provide a clear structure and set of conventions for your songwriting. It can also help you reach a specific target audience who enjoys that genre.
Whether it’s pop, rock, country, hip-hop, or jazz, each genre has its own unique characteristics and tropes that you can draw upon.
Use Nature or Your Surroundings: Your environment can be a rich source of inspiration for your songwriting. The sounds, sights, and feelings of a particular place can provide a unique mood for your song.
Try taking a walk in a park, sitting by a beach, or observing a bustling city street, and let your surroundings seep into your song. This can add a vivid sense of place and atmosphere to your music.
Use Art/Literature as Inspiration: Art, books, movies, and other forms of media can spark a plethora of song ideas. Try writing a song that responds to a theme or character in a book, or captures the mood of a painting.
This strategy can lead to songs that are rich in imagery and emotion, and it also allows you to engage in a dialogue with other art forms.
Use a Musical Motif/Riff: A musical motif – a short, recurring musical idea – can provide a unifying thread for your song. This could be a distinctive melody, rhythm, or chord progression. By developing and varying your motif throughout the song, you can create a sense of cohesion and development.
Set Some Musical Constraints: By setting certain boundaries, such as writing a song using only three chords, you can spur new levels of creativity. Constraints can force you to think outside the box and come up with innovative solutions. Plus, they provide a clear structure to work within, which can make the songwriting process less daunting.
Write to a Brief: If inspiration doesn’t strike, set yourself a brief. This could include the song’s target audience, the subject, the intended emotional response, or specific musical features. A brief provides a clear direction for your songwriting and ensures your song serves a specific purpose.
Try Freewriting: This involves writing non-stop for a set period, ignoring any internal censor. It’s a great way to get past writer’s block and can lead to unexpected and exciting song ideas.
The aim is to let your subconscious take over, allowing you to tap into your deepest thoughts and emotions. Remember, you can always refine your ideas later, so don’t worry about perfection during the freewriting process.
In conclusion, finding your personal pathway into songwriting is a journey of exploration and discovery.
Try these 20 proven strategies to start your song and see which ones resonate with you. With each new song, you’re honing your skills, finding your voice, and sharing a piece of your world.
Remember, every song you write brings something unique and beautiful into existence.
Which of these strategies do you find most effective? Or do you have your own unique way of starting a song?
Share your experiences in the comments below. And if you found this article helpful, why not share it with your fellow songwriting friends?
Let’s all grow together in this musical journey. Happy songwriting!
