Nine Tips for Writing a Song for Beginners

While songwriting is a difficult endeavor with a few tips and suggestions and with a little effort this article can help you overcome some of the obstacles in creating your first song.

1. Lyrics. It is a good idea to keep a notebook and jot down your ideas for song titles, verses and choruses Inspiration can come from everyday experiences. Try to complete your song lyrics before adding any melodies or chords.

2. Chords. Harmonic ideas can also be worked on by writing your favorite chord progressions down and using them as the basis for song at a later time. Reference a good piano or guitar book on chords if needed.

3. Melodies. Melodies are the most illusive in the process of creating your song. improvising a vocal lead melody over chord progressions at a keyboard or guitar is good way to start the process. Use any lyrics and chords you have written ahead of time can go a long way to ease the process.

4. In traditional songwriting  it is a good idea to avoid repetition of the same notes.  Constant repetition of the same note (there are exceptions such as in rap or hip hop) in most styles of music does tend to lead to boredom. Don't be afraid to add notes from other relative minor or nearby major keys (accidentals) which can help to create better interest in your melody. Also, if possible have a single high point (tone) in your melody.

5. The Hook. The song hook is usually the most memorable part of the song. Save your most inspired melodies and harmonies for this part of the song.

6.  Keep it simple. Focus on creating your song and don't worry about any musical arrangement of  bass, drums  or other  instruments for your song while in the process of writing.  While a good arrangement is essential it can be postponed till after the song is completed.l

7. Experiment with musical form. You don't always have to begin your song with an intro and verse, starting with a chorus at the beginning of song can work just as well. 

8. Collaborate. Not everyone Is great at writing lyrics or writing terrific melodies. If you have someone to collaborate with take advantage of your individual strengths.

9. Looped based music. The approach for creating looped based music such as hip-hop or rap is somewhat different than creating traditional rock or pop songs.  You may find it might be more to your style of writing. Look to investing in DAW computer software to create your tunes.

In conclusion, we have just scratched the surface on just a few of some the main ideas and concepts in getting that first of song of yours written. It is important to focus your song writing efforts on resolving each of the various components of a song -  melody, harmony, lyrics and rhythm and working them out individually will go a long way to making the song writing process easier and a more rewarding experience.