Yard Games Blog

The thought of writing a great song may seem like an impossible task, but it really isn’t. Sure, some musicians out there constantly leave us speechless, but it’s all a matter of hard word and trial and error. But to get you started, there a few things to remember when constructing your first song.

First things first, there is no wrong way to come up with a song. Whether you have a poem you want to put to music or you have a catchy melody stuck in your head, go with it. A lot people enjoy coming up with a great beat first. Whatever you choose, remember to consider each aspect carefully.

A lot of songwriters enjoy picking up their dreadnought acoustic guitar and starting off with a simple chord progression. From there they’ll hum a catchy vocal melody and not before long, a chorus is born. Many songwriters will tell you that the chorus makes or breaks the song, so it’s good to come up with it before anything else. Then you get the hard work out of the way.

Lyrics are a different beast. While catchy melodies are for the most part universal, lyrics are very subjective. Some are dark and scary others are bright and cute. If you need help deciding your style, just take a pen and some scrapbooking papers and write whatever comes into your head until you like something. Then try sticking that line into a song. It will be a great feeling if it works.

With the immense popularity of hip hop and R&B, the beat has become an important factor to consider when songwriting. However, even if you prefer folk music on your Takamine acoustic guitar, deciding rhythm be very important. It can be slow, fast, groovy or staccato. Choose what fits best.

The best tip you can remember in songwriting is to never underestimate your audience. People take music very seriously. If they feel that your song is just more of the same, they’re likely to tune it out. Try new things. Surprise people. Sometimes it may work, sometimes it may not. But you will certainly captures people’s attention.

So, as daunting as it may seem, great songwriting is attainable for those who put forth the effort. When first starting out, try to consider aspects like lyrics, melody, rhythm and originality. The more you try, the more you’ll realize what works for you and you’ll be well on your way to being a real songwriter.