How to Write a Song: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide
Musical composition is an art that combines creativity and technique. With this guide on how to compose a song, we help you understand the key steps and routines necessary to create a song from scratch. We include a detailed step-by-step for all creation phases so you can find inspiration and learn composition techniques that will take you from the first idea to completing your song.
Whether you are new to songwriting or have some experience composing songs, at GuitarRec – Online Recording Studio, we are confident that the tips and information in this article, compiled and practiced over time, will inspire you and improve your skills in writing melody, harmony, and lyrics for your songs in any modern style like pop, rock, urban, electronic, or derived styles.
In this article on how to compose a song, you will find the following sections:
1. Find Inspiration (the Why)
Undoubtedly, the starting point for composing music is to have something to express: a feeling, an experience, or a state of mind. Finding the why and for what purpose is crucial for everything to flow and make sense. It’s not the same to compose for a pop-punk band, write a song for an audiovisual project, or create a ballad dedicated to your partner.
Inspiration is the first step in the composition process. Listen to music from different styles, read, and observe the world around you: a word or phrase in a conversation can trigger everything else. Inspiration can strike at the most unexpected moments, so it’s helpful to carry a notebook or use your mobile phone to jot down or record ideas and melodies.
Wanting to create something similar to the songs of our favorite band is also a good starting point. Imitation and inspiration from something already done, while trying to bring our style and vision, is very common and natural in any creative endeavor.
Techniques for Finding Inspiration to Compose
- Listen to Different Musical Genres: Expand your musical horizons and expose yourself to various structures and styles that you can incorporate into your songs. Knowing the style you want to compose helps analyze melodies, structures, and lyrics.
- Free Writing Exercises: Spend a few minutes each day writing any thoughts. This technique can unlock new ideas and themes for your songs.
- Find the Right Place to Compose: Observe the world around you and choose a spot where you can focus on the composition process.
- Use a Musical Instrument: While instrumental tracks can be used, playing an instrument like the piano or guitar gives you harmonic and melodic control. Learning a few chords and rhythms takes dedication but is worthwhile.
- Imitate a Recently Heard Song: Wanting to create something similar to a song you like is a great starting point. Use the style of melody, chords, or lyrics, but avoid plagiarism and bring your perspective. The goal is to create YOUR song. 😉
2. Write the Lyrics for Your Song (Ideas)
Here’s where the fun begins: one of the most common debates in songwriting is, lyrics first or music? Melody or chords? There’s no right or wrong way. Even for the same person, the process may vary depending on the song. For now, let’s start with some tips for writing lyrics.
Choose the Theme of Your Song
Choose a central theme for your song. It could be about love, heartbreak, overcoming obstacles, joy, sadness, and more. A clear theme helps maintain coherence in the lyrics and song structure. Reflect on what you want to communicate and how to convey that emotion. Sometimes, all you need is to find that word or phrase that will become your song’s title (easier said than done, right? 🙂).
This word, object, or expression is the starting point or the central theme that will make your message impactful and memorable to listeners. This will always be the primary goal and one of the keys to songwriting: to make it memorable both in terms of message/lyrics and melody.
How to Choose a Song Theme (Tips)
- Personal Relevance: Pick a theme that holds personal significance for you. This not only makes the composition more authentic but also helps you connect better with your audience.
- Universality: While a personal theme is important, it’s also crucial that the audience can relate to it. Strike a balance between the personal and universal. Sometimes, when writing a song, it doesn’t need to be perfectly understood or make literal sense.
- Emotion: Music is a powerful way to express emotions. Make sure the theme you choose carries an emotional weight that translates effectively through your lyrics and melodies.
How to Write Song Lyrics
Once you’ve chosen the theme, it’s time to shape and finish writing the lyrics based on the structure you’ve selected. We’ll cover structure later, but for now, here are some tips for crafting lyrics that will surely be helpful.
The 5W Journalism Technique for Writing
Apply the famous 5 “W” journalism technique: Who? (Who?), What? (What?), When? (When?), Where? (Where?), and Why? (Why?).
- Decide who the protagonists of the story will be. It doesn’t have to be about you.
- Define what events or actions will happen in your song.
- Time travel. When did it all happen?
- Locate it. Where do the events occur? Describe the setting.
- Explain why it happened. What event caused the situation you’re describing?
Experiment with different structures, rhymes, and metaphors.
Originality is key to standing out in songwriting. Avoid clichés and overused formulas by using your unique way of expressing emotions. Personal phrases resonate more with people who might enjoy your songs.
Use of Rhymes
Rhymes can make lyrics more memorable and pleasant to hear. Not every line needs to rhyme, but a good use of rhymes can enhance a song’s musicality. Experiment with different rhyme schemes and play with phonetics to create a natural and appealing flow.
Rhythm and Meter in Lyrics
Rhythm and meter are essential for lyrics to flow well with the music. Experiment with different rhythmic patterns to find the best fit for your melody. Try varying the rhythm and surprising with new combinations as the song progresses. Consider how syllables and accents fall within the rhythm of the music (although it’s okay if a strong syllable doesn’t land perfectly on the beat). Ensure the lyrics are clear when sung.
Some Techniques for Writing Song Lyrics
- Be Concise: Avoid unnecessary words. Each line should contribute something meaningful to the song.
- Avoid Clichés: While some clichés can be effective, try to find unique ways to express common emotions.
- Be Visual: Use imagery and metaphors to paint a picture in the listener’s mind.
- Write Your Way: In both the melodic and harmonic aspects of composition and in writing lyrics, aim to find your unique voice from the beginning. This will set you apart.
If you want to dive deeper into lyric creation, check out our article on how to write song lyrics (the 7 keys).
3. Compose the Melody for Your Song
The melody might be the first thing you compose for your new song, or it might come after writing the lyrics. As mentioned earlier, there’s no set rule! Either way, here are some techniques and tips for composing the vocal melody of your song.
Melodic Structure
The melody should be catchy and easy to remember. Use pleasant intervals and avoid making it overly complex unless you have strong vocal skills. Work on small melodic phrases that can develop and evolve throughout the song. Consider using repetition and variations to maintain interest and clearly define the song’s different sections. We’re getting closer to discussing song sections! 😉
Repetition Techniques
Repeat melodies, chord progressions, or phrases throughout the song. Repetition is one of the most important aspects of music and one of the best songwriting tips. Repeating melodic phrases effectively creates catchy hooks that listeners will remember. Use repetition moderately to avoid monotony, introducing small variations to keep it fresh.
Melody Development
- Short and Long Phrases: Alternate between short and long phrases to maintain interest, for example, varying in different song sections.
- Passing Notes and Anchor Notes: Use passing notes to create movement and anchor notes to establish stability.
- Ornamentation Techniques: Add embellishments like trills, mordents, and grace notes to enrich the melody—but remember, less is more.
- Adapt the Lyrics: If you’ve already written the lyrics, don’t hesitate to adapt them by adding or removing words if it improves the melody and impact of your song.
- Ensure the Vocal Range Fits: If you’ll be singing the song, try it in higher or lower keys to find the perfect range and ensure no part of the song is too high or low. This is crucial before recording on your own or sending the song to an online music producer.
4. Create the Harmonic Base or Chords of the Song
The melody will always be tied to the harmony (or chords) of the song. In our recording studio, we often receive songs for production that were composed without harmony—just lyrics and melody sung a cappella without instrumentation. The chords chosen to accompany that melody will drastically change the song’s style, and they are an essential part of the composition. The same melody can fit perfectly over a minor chord progression, a major one, or endless combinations of chords, each giving the melody a unique “tone” or feel.
The Importance of Harmony in a Song
Without a doubt, harmonic composition is one of the most important aspects to consider when writing a song. Often, when registering a song online and determining authorship percentages, we can use the 33.3% rule: one-third for the lyrics, one-third for the melody, and one-third for the harmony or chords of the song.
To create the harmonic part or chords of a song, you will need a polyphonic instrument (such as a piano or guitar) or a production software on your computer to create the chord sequence.
The Meaning of Degrees in a Key
A bit of music theory to learn how to compose songs (don’t worry, it’s useful!): In musical harmony, degrees refer to the position of each chord within a scale. They are represented with Roman numerals and help understand and build chord progressions. For example, in the C scale:
- I: Tonic (C)
- IV: Subdominant (F)
- V: Dominant (G)
- vi: Submediant (Am) – can also serve as a tonic alongside degree III.
American vs. European Chord Notation
American and European chord notations are two different systems for naming chords in music. In American notation, chords are identified by letters of the alphabet (A, B, C, etc.), where A is A, B is B, C is C, and so on, accompanied by symbols for minor chords (m or -) or sevenths (7).
Basic Chord Progressions
A progression is a sequence of chords. Some common ones include:
- I-IV-V-I: Widely used in pop and rock.
- I-V-vi-IV: Popular in ballads and many pop songs.
Creating Chord Progressions
Experimenting with different chord progressions, such as the classic I-IV-V-I, is essential for developing composition and production skills. Testing various chord progressions and adapting them to the melody (or vice versa) is crucial to bringing your song to life. Using chord degrees to replace them throughout the song will always add a new layer of maturity to your compositions.
Practical Examples and Popular Chord Progressions
Try the progression C – G – Am – F and experiment with variations to see how it changes the feel of your song. Here are some common chord progressions in various genres, using American chord notation. You can also check out a video explaining the European and American equivalents:
- I-IV-V-I (C, F, G, C): Widely used in pop and rock.
- I, V, vi, IV (C, G, Am, F): Popular in pop, folk, and house music.
- I, IV, V (C, F, G): A rock classic.
- I, I, I, I, IV, IV, I, I, V, V, I, I: A classic blues chord progression.
- ii7, V7, Imaj7 (Dm7, G7, Cmaj7): A chord combination commonly used in jazz.
- Imaj7, IVmaj7 (Cmaj7, Fmaj7): Example from Lou Reed’s “Walk on the Wild Side.” Many classics have been written with just two chords!
Practical Tips for Composing Harmony
- Inversions: Play chords with different bass notes to vary the sound.
- Add Tensions: Use seventh or ninth chords for richer harmonies.
- Modulate: Change keys during the song to add interest.
- Transpose: Try playing the song in a different key to explore new melodic and harmonic ideas.
- Change Position: Use a capo on the guitar to play the same chords in different positions.
- Chord Substitution: Replace a chord with another that works well with the melody to avoid repetition.
- Switch Instruments: Play the chords on another instrument, like a piano if you’re a guitarist or vice versa. You’ll likely take new creative paths.
5. Organize the Parts (Structure)
The structure of a song is crucial for coherence and maintaining the listener’s interest. Each part of the song serves a specific purpose, and the way these parts are organized can make your song almost perfect. Here, we’ll explain the main parts and ideas on how to arrange them to create a cohesive and engaging composition.
Verse
The verses develop the story of the song, providing details and context that help listeners connect with the lyrics. They are usually more narrative and less intense than the chorus, allowing the chorus to shine more brightly, which should always be the goal!
Chorus
The chorus is the most memorable part of the song and should encapsulate the main message. It’s the section that repeats and is easiest for listeners to remember. Work on a melody and lyrics that are impactful and easy to sing. The chorus often includes the title of the song.
Bridge
The bridge provides variation and can introduce a new angle or shift in the song’s perspective. It usually appears after the second chorus and adds new information, such as a twist in the story, new chords, a fresh melody, or a different rhythm. It helps maintain listener interest by offering a break from the repetitive chorus. Sting, one of the greatest pop songwriters, has an invaluable take on the bridge in this video:
Other Parts of a Song
In addition to common sections, there are other parts often used, especially in modern styles like electronic music (EDM).
- Intro: The beginning of the song, setting the tone for what’s to come.
- Pre-Chorus: Introduces the chorus and builds tension leading up to it.
- Outro: The final section of the song, which can take various forms, such as a repetition of the intro or a fading chorus.
- Hook: The most memorable and repetitive part of the song, often with strong melodic content. It’s different from the chorus as it’s usually instrumental or features vocalizations like “ohh” or “ahh.”
- Break: A quieter section that prepares the ground for a progressive buildup, common in electronic music.
- Drop: In electronic music, the moment of maximum intensity after a break, when all the instrumentation hits simultaneously.
For more details on these parts, check out our article on song structure. Here we summarize, but we invite you to keep reading this article to learn more.
Example Song Structure
- Verse 1: Introduces the theme and sets the scene.
- Chorus: Delivers the central message of the song.
- Verse 2: Develops the story or theme further.
- Chorus: Repeats the central message.
- Bridge: Introduces a new perspective or emotional shift.
- Chorus: Concludes with the central message, sometimes with a variation for added interest.
Another common structure is:
- Intro – Verse – Chorus – Verse – Chorus – Bridge – Chorus – Chorus – Outro
These structures have proven effective and are widely used in pop and rock music. However, don’t hesitate to experiment and find the structure that best suits your song. The key is to keep the song interesting for the listener and effectively convey your idea. Adjust the structure if the song becomes too repetitive, too long, or too short, always striving for the perfect balance.
And of course, we can’t forget what might be the best technique for composing a song: analyze everything your favorite songwriters do, especially the structures of their songs.
6. Useful Tools for Composing
There are many digital tools that can help you in the composition process. DAWs (Digital Audio Workstations) are essential for modern music production. Programs like Ableton Live, Logic Pro, and FL Studio offer countless features for recording, editing, and producing music on your own, creating a home studio. Additionally, mobile apps like GarageBand allow you to work flexibly from anywhere. You can also use VST plugins (Virtual Studio Technology) to add effects and specific sounds to your projects. Composing music without an instrument using these programs gives you a different perspective compared to the classic guitar/voice or piano/voice approach.
Recommended DAWs for Composing
- Ableton Live: Ideal for electronic music production and live performances. Its intuitive interface and ability to manipulate loops in real time make it a favorite among producers.
- Logic Pro: Excellent for recording and mixing. It offers an extensive library of sounds and advanced tools for music editing and production.
- FL Studio: Known for its ease of use and versatility. It’s a favorite among electronic and hip-hop music producers.
- Pro Tools: The industry standard for professional recording studios worldwide.
Interesting: Check out our article with all the details on the best DAWs.
AI-Assisted Composition Platforms
AI-powered composition platforms are advancing rapidly. These tools can generate melodic ideas, suggest chord progressions, and help overcome creative blocks. However, while artificial intelligence can create lyrics, melodies, and even complete productions, it still cannot (and hopefully never will) replace the emotion and sensitivity of a person behind the song. That said, AI can add a lot of value to the composition process, and it is a tool that has come to enhance creativity. Here are some AI platforms to explore that can help improve your songwriting process:
Examples of AI Composition Platforms
- Suno: Generates melodies, harmonies, and lyrics using AI. It’s suitable for composers of all levels, creating high-quality instrumental tracks with an intuitive interface.
- Amper Music: Creates personalized music by adjusting style, tempo, and other parameters. Perfect for fast production without deep composition knowledge.
- Aiva: Composes music in various genres, helping explore new ideas and approaches. Often used in video game and film soundtracks.
- ChatGPT: Useful for refining lyrics, suggesting topics, and finding rhyming words. Helps generate lyric ideas and find words that fit rhythmically in songs.
Conclusion
Creating a song is a journey full of discoveries and challenges. With patience, you can improve your skills and feel proud of your compositions. Don’t be discouraged by obstacles; keep exploring new ideas and techniques. Constant practice will help you find your unique style and achieve the quality you seek in songwriting.
Good luck and enjoy the process!
