How to Write a Song with Guitar (in 4 Simple Steps)

In the process of songwriting, the guitar is undoubtedly a fantastic tool and one of the best allies for any composer. It’s an instrument that is easy to have on hand, simple to learn a few basic chords, and its nature leaves room for our voice, making it easier to sing along. It’s no wonder that, just as we use it to perform our favorite songs, it’s widely used for composing.

To make the most of your guitar, and knowing that there are no rules in creation, at GuitarRec – Online Recording Studio, we propose a guide to write songs with a guitar following 4 simple steps.

When you’ve finished, regardless of the instrument you play, you can complement this information with our step-by-step guide on how to compose a song.

Step 1: Grab your guitar and create a songwriting routine

It sounds obvious, right? It’s not that simple. There’s a preconceived notion of an artist visited by muses, creating something out of nothing in a whirlwind of inspiration. This can happen, of course. But keep in mind that the act of creation is 1% inspiration and 99% hard work, and it’s more likely that inspiration will come to you when you seek it. Therefore, it requires dedication. 

Set a routine, a time (daily, weekly, monthly, a few free days…) dedicated solely to creating. Find the right space and place: a room or corner that inspires you, where you can disconnect from everything, feel comfortable, and focus entirely on your task.

It will be during these moments when the muses will visit you and when it’s most likely that great ideas will arise for writing song lyrics.

Step 2: Look for the winning idea

Once you’ve established your routine, you need to find that idea that will be the seed of your song.

First, take some time to think about what you want to express and what emotion you want to convey. Capture a memory, a feeling, someone you’ve met (remember: there are no rules!). This step will give you clues to later decide the key, rhythm, or type of melody that might fit your idea. It’s a very important point because, for example, using arpeggiated minor chords can suggest sadness or melancholy, while a fast rhythm can evoke joy and optimism.

Now take your guitar and choose a chord progression you like or know; it could be from a song you already play as a starting point or a new combination that seems interesting. Over these chords, sing or hum melodies, rhythmic patterns, phrases, or words (or even syllables). Any resource can work. It’s time to be free and let go. You never know what might emerge!

When you have something you like, record it using your phone’s voice notes, so you don’t forget it.

Step 3: Develop your idea into a full song

You now have something to work with; it’s time to develop it and turn it into a full song.

A song is a story. It has a beginning, a middle, and an end, so you need to decide where you want to take it. The chords you’re using to create might already be guiding you, but this is the phase where your idea has to grow. Add something more to the main motif you already have!

A good goal would be to create a verse that sets the scene for the listener and a chorus that resolves the mystery. With just these two parts, you’ll have the heart of your song.

To help you at this point, we suggest some tricks or tips for writing songs that you can use:

• Sing your idea using the same chord progression but in a different order. See how it changes the direction of your song.
• Change the rhythmic pattern by placing the strong beat in a different spot.
• Analyze songs you know to see how other authors transition from verse to chorus: did they change chords? Did they reinforce by repeating one of them?
• Sing the melody while playing only the strong note of each chord (or tonic). This might lead you to a new strong note (and consequently, a new chord) that transports you to an unexplored part.

Again… Grab your phone and record it!

Step 4: Basic structure of your song with guitar

For your idea to be understood, you must give it a structure. At this point, it’s time to check how the different parts of your composition connect and how they work together using the guitar.

Try repeating two verses; how many do you need to explain what you want to convey? Maybe you want to emphasize the chorus to reinforce a particular idea or emotion and feel it’s necessary to repeat it several times at the end. Or, conversely, perhaps you want to start surprisingly with the chorus, as in Dancing Queen by Abba. You now have some pieces, and it’s time to assemble your own puzzle by providing structure to your song. 

Every song (or story) has a beginning and an end, so this is a good moment to decide how your song will start and end. You could play the main chord progression before the first verse, as in Wonderwall by Oasis (I used this technique for my song Find); or finish it with something classic like repeating the final line of the chorus as a conclusion. There are no rules; you decide! 

Remember something very important that I’ll never tire of repeating: don’t forget to record yourself with your phone. How many great ideas have been lost because they were forgotten!

Bonus tip: Use the guitar capo creatively for composing

The capo isn’t just for changing the key when composing with the guitar; it also allows you to play the same chord progression in different positions. For example, on guitar, you can use the capo to play the same chords in various positions. This will take you down different paths. Here’s a video explaining how to do it.

As a final piece of advice, when your song comes to life and you want to immortalize it, you’ll surely be interested in preparing it properly for recording with an online music producer or on your own in your recording studio. Get to it and let the muses be with you!

Check this out: our complete guide to writing songs. Find it here

Tutorial created by Manel Guerrero (composer and music producer, GuitarRec collaborator). Follow on Instagram.