Songwriting can be one of the most difficult, yet rewarding parts of the creative world of music. Especially for beginners, knowing where to start and what songwriting processes work best for you can be a huge step in the right direction. Taking your time and figuring out what methods suit you most is a great way to start your artistic journey.
THE INITIAL PROCESS:
One of the most important pieces of advice when it comes to the beginning of the songwriting process is to be inspired. In order to do this, think about the times where your creativity was sparked the most. Were you listening to some of your favorite music? Visiting a special place? Around the people you care about most? These may be some good places to start finding some inspiration. The songwriting process may also be a good way to express how you are feeling through a creative outlet, which in turn could lead you to a variety of more musical ideas.
TIPS FOR WRITING MUSIC AND MELODIES:
When it comes to writing the actual music and melodies of a piece, some may view this as the hardest part of the process. To get around this roadblock, there are a few things you can try. First, try messing around with certain note or chord progressions that fall within a certain key. This can be a great jumping-off point to finding something you really like. Also, knowing what you want the structure of your song to be is incredibly important when starting to put it all together. Lastly, if you are going to be the one singing what you write, make sure the key of the song is compatible with your range and what you are comfortable with singing.
TIPS FOR WRITING LYRICS:
Writing lyrics for your work can also be a difficult phase of songwriting for beginners. When beginning this process, first start by figuring out what exactly you want to say. This can then lead you to a variety of ways in which you can phrase and put together lyrics. In addition, spend some time reading the lyrics of some different artists. Notice how they structure their words and what rhetorical and literary devices they use in their work. At the end of the day, songwriting should be fun and something that you are proud of. So take your time and figure out what works best for you!