Songwriting Tips

[luv2sing]

Hi, What do you think of these songwriting tips?

1. Focus on love.

Some of the greatest hit songs of all time have been love songs. So why re-invent the wheel? Love songs work!


2. Don't focus on how much money the song will make.

Understandably, this business of music is just that: a business, but your primary focus on writing a great song should be how it makes you feel. Once you can capture your own feelings into a song, those feelings will translate into evoking those same common feelings in others. When that common human connection is made, then you have something people will be willing to pay for. In other words focus on writing good songs and the money will follow.

3. Listen and analyze what has already worked.

Have a jam session with your friends. Have everyone bring 10 of what they consider to be the greatest hits of all time. Then discuss the music. What made these songs hits? What tricks and techniques has the songwriter used?


4. Write every day.

Writing every day will pay off. You don't necessarily have to write an entire song each and every day, but a few lines will go a long way. Practice makes perfect. The more time you spend writing songs the better you will become.


5. Write songs about your own life and experiences.

It's probably much easier to write about what you know than what you've never been through. Remember this is about capturing feeling. It has to come from within. You should however think of your market and give your songs a global appeal.


6. Rewrite and Polish your songs.

You should keep rewriting and re-polishing your songs. What sounded brilliant before may not create such a great impact later. So keep refining these lyrics or melodies which you think need enhancing. Make sure that your song is polished to perfection.


7. Keep a recorder close by.

Rumor has it that Prince sleeps with a recorder on his nightstand. So why not emulate one of the greats? Keep a tape recorder or MD close to your bed. Wouldn't it be a shame to dream the next grammy award winning hit, and forget it by morning? Sometimes you may wake up with a brilliant, million dollar idea. You never know. Sing it into your recorder. If you don't, your songwriting idea may be permanently lost.


8. Carry a notebook.

Similarly, you should carry a notebook. Jot down these ideas. They come unexpectedly. Some of the greatest hits that were ever written started with one simple, stupid idea. Don't miss out. In a pinch I've called myself and left a singing voicemail, so I wouldn't forget the idea.


9. Childish creativity.

Before you begin writing a song, you may need to get into a childish frame of mind. It will fuel your creativity. Just ask the psychologists. So my friend, start playing those childish games of ' yester-year'. I have certainly tried this on many occasions. Wanna join me?


10. Read Read Read.

Read books on the subject of songwriting. Read the good ones. This has surely helped me a lot. There are many good Songwriter thinks about ideas for a song. songwriting books out there, that will give you all the songwriting tips you're searching for. You may even want to consider giving the library a visit.



11. Know your audience.

You need to ask yourself this question. Who I'm I writing music for? If your audience doesn't understand what you're saying then there is no point to your music. If a computer genius had to use technical jargon to the average computer owner about troubleshooting a computer, he wouldn't understand. It's the same with songs and songwriting. Write in a language that your audience and target market understands and appreciates. Your lyrics shouldn't be over-complicated.



12. Use catchy phrases.

There are certain phrases which people use everyday. Why not use them in your songs? By using these words in your song, people will be reminded of your song each time they use them. Write your lyrics the way people speak.

#13: Use different formulas.

There is a saying which goes like this: If it works then why fix it. The same is not always true in music. Using the same songwriting formulas over and over, will engender diminishing returns. Your 'winning formula' will suffer from over-kill!


#14: Learn from others.

This guy can't play...!? One mistake many songwriters/musicians make is to criticize each other behind their backs. Instead of focusing on people's weaknesses, you should learn from their strengths. In order words, make their strengths yours. I'm a firm believer that every musician has something to offer, no matter how small.

#15: Have fun.

Too many times, musicians and songwriters work under stress. They don't enjoy what they do. It's sad. Do yourself a favor and enjoy creating music. Remember when you first started in music? I'm sure you did it for the fun of it. Have fun and let those creative juices flow.


#16: Hook your listener.

The focus of your song should revolve around the hook. The hook is the part that grabs the listener and has him/her sub-consciously singing your song all day long, to the point where ... they just can't get it out of their heads! It is the sweet part of the song that's repeated over and over. Don't waste the listener's time with extra-long verses. Get to the hook.

#17: Make a good first impression with first line.

Make a good first impression with the first line of your song. Grab your listener's attention immediately. If you cannot grab the listener in that opening line it may be difficult to have her hear that great line which you have in let's say, your second verse. Prepare your listener to listen to, and to want to listen to the rest of your song.
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Lovely Wendie