Here are some steps that will help you learn songwriting and get you started on your songwriting journey…

While many artists bounce back and forth between styles and certainly use a lot of different tools, it’s important to choose your main instrument.

Piano and guitar are the two most common instruments songwriters play because they are two of the most versatile and easy to learn.

Genre isn’t as important these days as it used to be, but it’s a good idea to study other tracks that fit under the style you’d like to make.

To help find your sound, you can rewrite someone else’s song, according to songwriter Ben Johnson (Charlie Puth, Meek Mill, Justin Timberlake).

“A great way to start is to try to write a song that sounds like one of your favorite songs,” he said. “Then think about what you want to say, or what emotion you want to convey, and then just start singing.”

When you’re just beginning your career as a songwriter, you may want to start with something familiar and simple and work your way from there.

Most songs have verses, choruses, and bridges placed strategically, and most of the biggest hits follow similar song structures.

Get to know structures, what purpose each piece of the song serves, and how you can make each one as interesting and catchy as possible.

A melody is the sequence of notes played or sung within a piece of music. And it’s the most important part of a song.

A simple melody may consist of just a handful of short notes and nothing else, but it can be incredibly effective at capturing the listener’s attention and staying with them long after the song is over.

When breaking down a melody, there are two primary components to consider: pitch and duration.

Pitch

In music theory, every note in a piece of music has its own frequency that it moves — or vibrates — on, which determines its pitch.

This is what gives each note its unique sound and allows us to differentiate between different notes in a melody.

Pitch can be thought of as how “high” or “low” a note sounds, in basic terminology. A melody can move up and down in pitch, creating a sense of movement and progression throughout a tune.

That is usually what makes a melody so memorable—the way the notes move in relation to one another, as it can create a sense of tension and release.

Duration

Duration refers to the length of time a note must be held, as well as the length of the break in between notes.

For example, a quarter note is one that lasts for one-quarter the amount of time of a measure that has been written in 4/4 time.

Duration plays an important role in shaping the overall feel of a melody.

For example, a sustained note can create a sense of tension or anticipation, while a series of shorter notes can create a more staccato, rhythmic feel.

A chord is a group of musical notes played together within a given time frame.

Chords are an essential element in songs. They form the spine that other pieces hold onto.

This unique combination of notes doesn’t necessarily have to be played all at once, nor do they have to be played by the same instrument.

For example, a guitarist could strum the six strings of a guitar to play a chord, and on the other end of the spectrum, the people that make up an orchestra could play a single note each to form a chord.

The two primary chords are the major triad and the minor triad.

These chords consist of three notes, each developed and created on certain degrees of either a major scale or a minor scale. What separates a major chord from a minor one is the third note, which is very special.

A major chord has a “natural third,” or the third degree of the chord’s respective major scale.

On the other hand, a minor chord has either a “minor third” or a “flat third,” which is the third degree of the chord’s respective minor scale.

Writing authentically can mean a lot of different things to a lot of different people, but all you need to focus on is that you have to be yourself.

Stick to your writing style, how you like to sing, and to what you want to say. Don’t try to copy others or pretend you’re someone you’re not.

People can almost always smell inauthenticity from a mile away.

Songwriting isn’t limited to penning hits for pop stars. Opportunities abound in various sectors such as film, television, advertising, and video games. Composing for these mediums requires adaptability and an understanding of different storytelling techniques. 

Engaging in diverse projects can not only provide additional income streams but also broaden your creative horizons. Institutions like Berklee College of Music offer programs that delve into these areas, preparing songwriters for multifaceted careers. 

Songwriting is a lifelong pursuit. If you want to get better, it may take years.

Songwriter Peter Zizzo (Vanessa Carlton, Avril Lavigne, Jason Mraz) said it could take a while for you to write a good song, and then even longer for that song to catch on with people.

“You never know when something might happen,” he said. “Could be decades down the road.”

Songwriter Cliff Goldmacher (Ke$ha, Keb’ Mo’, Mickey Hart) said you need to be “both macro-patient and micro-impatient,” meaning you have to patiently work at songwriting every day but also stay consistent over the years.

At some point in your journey as a songwriter, something is going to happen to you, and there is no way to get around it.

You’re going to get stuck. It’s called “writer’s block.”

So here are just a handful songwriting techniques on how to overcome writer’s block and get unstuck…

Put down the paper and your audio recorder and do something else.

Stepping away from your song helps you return to it later with fresh ears. Sometimes you’ll want to back away for a day, sometimes a week or more.

You need time for your brain to settle and remove itself from the grueling songwriting process in order to read it and hear it differently.

When most songwriters are just starting out, penning lyrics and creating melodies is a lonely, solitary practice.

Some artists choose to work that way for their entire careers, but most musicians find collaborators who add their two cents and bring the tracks to a new level with their own songwriting tips.

If you’re just beginning your songwriting adventure, you may need to do some work to find people who want to write with you.

There are plenty of online forums and websites where you can do this, or you may want to stick closer to home and ask a friend, family member, classmate, or someone in a local band to join you.

Writing with others is a good way to flex a new muscle, learn from your collaborator, and experience how many of the biggest hits in the industry are crafted. Very, very few big tunes are composed entirely by one person.

There is no rule that says you have to continue writing one song until it’s completely finished, no matter what.

In fact, that’s not how most tracks are created, so don’t feel bad if you get stuck.

When that does happen, walk away and immediately begin writing something else.

Maybe a chorus for another track, or even an email, an article, or a poem. Sometimes when you’re not thinking about the one cut, the solution can come to you.

If you’ve been writing a song from one perspective, why not try another?

If it’s about a boy pining for a girl, why not flip it around and do the opposite? Perhaps there’s another angle or side to the story that should be investigated? Or, if it’s sad, make the tune do a 180 and try penning it as happy.

You never know what will come out of this exercise until you’ve done it.

Reading gets your mind off of your song and can give you new ides.

If you’ve been spending a lot of time thinking about words and what sounds most interesting and how they fit together and you’ve gotten yourself stuck, try filling your head with sentences and paragraphs and rhymes from other places.

As a musician, you’re already doing a lot of this, but if you’re stuck writing a new piece of music, you may want to stop listening to it over and over and over and press play on something else.

Listen to the words, the melodies, the harmonies, and how it all works together. The best artists borrow from others.

Set yourself a time limit to finish the song you’re stuck on.

Maybe an hour, maybe three, maybe one day.

If you know there’s a stopping point, your brain may finally cease introducing new ideas and alternate options. Sometimes too much freedom is a bad thing and parameters can be helpful.

As someone who wants to become a working songwriter, you need to learn how to craft melodies people won’t forget.

If you want some help in that department, here are some tips that can help you along the way…

One effective way to start the process of writing a song melody is to make things up on the spot. Improvise!

But try doing so by using only a specific set of chord changes. Let your fingers find the notes within those chords, and allow a new melody to emerge.

Major and minor scales are the building blocks of most pop melodies, but don’t be afraid to explore beyond just those.

Try experimenting with dominant scales, altered scales, or modes to create unique and interesting melodies.

Of course, you’ll have to learn a bit about all of that first. Combining notes from different scales can bring you some pretty unexpected results.

Try to approach melody writing in a more structured way than you might normally be accustomed to.

Write the chorus melody first, and then work backward to put together catchy and meaningful verses and pre-choruses that work well with the chorus.

Here are some tips on how to write a catchy chorus:

• Keep it simple and memorable with short, repetitive phrases
• Focus on a strong hook (lyrically and melodically) and central theme that stands out
• Create contrast with the verse by changing melody, rhythm, or pitch in the chorus
• Use emotive yet universal lyrics
• Build energy and dynamics in the chorus with instrumentation, vocal delivery, and/or harmonies
• Make the chorus feel like a payoff or an emotional high point
• Test for singability, earworm potential, and experiment with different structures

Most successful vocal melodies rely on motion, meaning that each note is only a half or whole step away from the previous one.

But, as with anything in art, the norms and rules can be broken. Try including a major jump — at least two steps. That mixes things up and intrigues the listener.

Repetition can be a powerful tool in songwriting — but sometimes it can feel a bit tired.

As you repeat phrases of musical moments, make some slight variations to the notes or rhythm each time it’s written.

This can add interest and complexity to the melody, and can help create a sense of development and evolution within the song

Beyond technical proficiency, the emotional resonance of a song often determines its impact. As Kim Gordon recalls advice from Neil Young: “It doesn’t matter how good your vocal range is, but rather how authentic it sounds.” Authenticity in your lyrics and performance can forge a deeper connection with listeners.  

To tap into this, draw from personal experiences and emotions when writing. Songs that convey genuine feelings often resonate more profoundly, creating lasting impressions on your audience.

Some of these tips may not work for everyone, but you’ll never know until you try them and figure out what’s best for you and your creative process.

If you think of anything clever, funny, something that rhymes, or a particularly interesting way to convey a feeling or emotion — anything that may one day be of use to you in a song — write it down!

You may believe it’s the best thing you’ve ever come up with and you’re sure to remember it, but you won’t. We have all played that game before and lost.

So, you’ve come up with excellent rhymes, honed in on your melodies, and even recorded a demo of your song. That means you’re done, right? Not exactly.

Whenever anyone is writing something for public consumption, a big part of the process is rewriting.

Look at what you have and think of new ways to say what is already in front of you in black and white.

Are there other perspectives? Different adjectives or verbs that might spice things up? Perhaps a different rhyme scheme, or melody?

Maybe the composition is a bit too full and you need to space everything out a little, allowing the lyrics and the music to breathe.

Sound like a lot of work? Well, if you really want to write songs, rewriting them until they’re done is part of the process.

Goldmacher said you have to do songwriting because you feel you must.

“I think more often than not, you’re doing this because you can’t help it,” he said. “Maybe you’ve been writing poems or you’ve been playing music for a while, then all of a sudden you just sort of turn a corner and you want to put something new into the world.”

In today’s fast-paced world, it can be challenging to break free from the constant distractions surrounding us. Our busy schedules and electronic devices can take a toll on our mental state and change the way our brain functions.

Silence can do wonders for your mind. It’s essential to disconnect and ensure that nothing pulls you away, whether it’s music, your phone, or a computer.

Don’t worry about being productive during this time. Allow yourself to disconnect and embrace the peace and quiet.

Simplicity is a valuable skill for any songwriter. By cutting out unnecessary words, you can get straight to the point and convey exactly what you want to say.

From there, you can always add in more ornate language or stylistic touches to enhance the piece.

Modern music production has made it incredibly easy to create music using computers. These tools are fantastic, but sometimes having too many options can be overwhelming.

Try to start with a strict list of what you’re going to use. It might sound counterintuitive, but working within constraints can actually boost your creativity.

When you have to work with what you’ve got and push it to its limits, you gain a deeper understanding of the tools you’re using.

If you’re looking for a way to boost your focus and creativity while writing music, try listening to Mozart.

While it may sound cliché, studies have shown that listening to Mozart — or any classical music, for that matter — can have a positive effect on your concentration and spatial-temporal reasoning.

Using a rhyming dictionary can be an incredibly useful tool for any songwriter, and there’s no shame in utilizing it.

Even some of the most successful songwriters in the industry continue to use a rhyming dictionary to this day.

If you’re struggling to find the perfect word to fit into your rhyme scheme, check out RhymeZone or ask ChatGPT for some options.

Start writing without editing or even thinking.

Don’t judge anything that comes out — just let it flow.

After a while, you may notice certain patterns or chords that catch your ear.

The goal is to explore and experiment, so don’t be afraid of what happens, but do take note of things you like and try building off of whatever sparks your interest.

The Pomodoro Technique has become increasingly popular among individuals looking to increase their productivity and efficiency, and it’s very helpful for those often distracted by lengthy tasks.

The Pomodoro Technique works by breaking down work into 25-minute intervals, followed by a five-minute break. This strict schedule encourages individuals to stay focused during the designated work time, knowing that a break is coming up soon.

Some people write songs that are like diary entries. Others write lyrics that are veiled behind poetry. But both approaches can be honest, and an honest song will resonate with people.

FINNEAS has penned some of the biggest hits in modern music with his sister Billie Eilish. And he says he’s most proud of his most honest songs.

“I think the songs that I’m the most proud of were the songs that were very nerve-wracking to put out and to share with people,” he said. “And not necessarily the songs that make me look the best.”

Paul Simon also says he has to believe what he’s writing, or else it’s not a song worth his time.

“The only thought that I give to it is: ‘Is that something that I really believe?’” he told American Songwriter. “It doesn’t have to be insightful or anything. It just has to be not a lie. I can’t say, ‘I’m setting out to write a really deep, philosophical song.’ I would never say that. I have no idea.”

While honing your songwriting skills is essential, understanding how to build a sustainable career is equally important. Networking plays a crucial role; collaborating with other songwriters, producers, and artists can open doors to new opportunities. Platforms like SongTown offer monthly online writer meetings run by top industry publishers, providing a space to submit songs and receive feedback in a real-world context. 

Additionally, consider the business side of songwriting. Learning about music publishing, royalty collection, and licensing can help you monetize your work effectively. Organizations like ASCAP and BMI offer resources and workshops to educate songwriters on these topics.

Modern technology offers a plethora of tools to enhance your songwriting process. Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs) like Logic Pro, Ableton Live, and FL Studio allow you to compose, arrange, and produce music from your home studio. For lyric writing, apps like MasterWriter and Lyric Notepad can help organize your thoughts and find rhymes.

Moreover, online platforms such as SoundCloud and Bandcamp enable you to share your music with a global audience, receive feedback, and build a fanbase. Utilizing these tools can streamline your workflow and expand your reach as a songwriter.

Artificial intelligence has developed to the point where it can create a complete song.

You can ask ChatGPT for lyrics, then input those lyrics to a website like Suno, and it will spit out a song with your lyrics in any genre you want.

Granted, the end result is generic and is sometimes obviously created by AI.

But what does this mean for songwriters?

Espe told us he doesn’t think it’s as good at getting to the heart of emotions as a human is (yet).

“…The best analogy I’ve heard is to treat it like a dumb intern,” he said. “I imagine it being a person in the room and I ask a question and they give me an answer, but I have to triple-check it.”