I learned a lot about songwriting this year. Below is a summary of key tips I’ve learned. Links go back to the original postings on my blog.

I’ve grouped these tips into the following categories

Groove                         Lyrics               Melody

Variety                         Inspiration        Performance

Co-writing                    Vocal               Quotes

Groove

Find your songs pulse. The audience should be able to feel the rhythm of your song. I know when someone is in the groove when my foot starts moving in time.

Practice with a metronome. I hate it, but it’s essential. There will be great rewards when you go into the studio.

Be careful of falling into the same groove on different songs. Don’t just develop one groove, make the groove unique for each song.

Where do you keep the groove when playing? Most people keep the groove by tapping their foot. Some use their whole body. If you’re a guitarist and using your right hand, anytime you do some picking the groove can change.

When playing hard parts or with more intensity, make sure you don’t change the pace. The tendency is to play easy stuff faster than hard stuff and speeding up when you want to play louder.

Lyrics

A good hook is essential if you want your audience to remember your songs. A catchy phrase is worth pages of lyrics.

Lyrical contrast (rhyme, descriptive vs. general, long vs. short phrases) – The meter of your lyrics can help add variety.

Lyrical density – You can have a lot of words per line or only a few. Both work for different type songs.

Lists - Use lists to create funny songs.

Write your lyrics for your audience.

Melody

Melody is different from the chords you play. I had always thought that if I write good chords and lyrics, I have a song. The phrasing (i.e. melody) is just as important.

Complex melody, simple chords/ simple melody, complex chords – Have you ever noticed how many great songs are made the same three or four chords? The melody is what’s unique.  When you go crazy on the chords, a simple melody is all you need.

The pentatonic scale is a good place to start for the melody. Most melodies in western music are based on the pentatonic scale.

Variety

Variety is the spice of life. You should add variety in within a song and within any set you play.

Within a song you can add variety by:

-         Changing the pace or rhythm. This is often done between the chorus and verse. Changing the strumming pattern, leave space, lyrical contrast are effective techniques.

-         Add a bridge. A bridge gives you a chance for a radical departure in chords. It shouldn’t  be too long.

To add variety with a set

-         Change styles or speed between songs. Play a fast song followed by a slow song.

-         Follow a serious song with a funny song.

-         Add a special guest. A different personality adds interest.

-         Use a different instrument. Switching between a 6 and 12 string changes the mood. Have a new accompaniment instrument (lead guitar, violin…)

-         Mix in covers with originals. Covers give the audience a chance to relax by listening to an old friend.

Inspiration

Daily practices

-         Morning pages. Write every morning, either a set amount or for a set amount of time.

-         Quieting the mind (yoga, mediation, walking)

-         Write a song every day. Even if its crap, it gets you into the flow.

-         Learn something new each day. If you don’t learn you stagnate.

Other practices

-         Participate in a songwriting group. Exchanging ideas with other songwriters is very powerful.

-         Take classes. Find opportunities to learn more.

-         Analyze other musician’s songs. Look at what you like and don’t like in other people’s songs. Each song can be a teacher to you.

-         Try a different guitar or instrument. Each instrument has it’s own voice.

-         Life stories. Good songs come from good stories.

Performance

Keep you songs short (3-4 minutes maximum). Most songs are too long!

Add in covers. This lets the crowd relax a little by hearing something familiar. When doing covers make them your own and most importantly nail them.

Keep things simple on stage (do your practicing at home). You are only 60-80% of the musician you are at home. If you’re not perfect at home, you will make mistakes on stage.

Practice your song intros (keep them short). Good introductions add a lot to your songs. Bad ones take away from your songs. Make a point and get to the point.

Co-writing

- Can be challenging and yet the most rewarding.

- Make your co-writing agreement up front. Define your relationship.

- Make a date and set a time for co-writing.

- You both must love each line.

Vocals

- Belting, projecting your voice in front of you. Instead of singing in your chest, bring the sound off the roof of your mouth.

- Vocal density – Less dense/ more air (breathy sounding), more dense less air.

- Pump up the intensity on quiet songs. Continue to sing hard, on quiet songs.

Quotes

-         “Don’t bore us, get to the chorus.”

-         “Write your song for your audience, not for yourself”

-     “Write a song each day, even if it’s crap.”

Check out my songs