Whether you are a professional songwriter or a social media artist, you must be aware of how difficult it can be to write new songs. Most artists are “one-hit wonders,” meaning that they create a popular song that resonates worldwide but cannot do the same with their next songs.
At the same time, you have artists like Bob Dylan, Paul McCartney, Paul Simon, and others who have created hundreds of beautiful songs throughout their years.
Even in today’s time, you can find brilliant songwriters like Ed Sheeran, Adele, Bruno Mars, and John Legend. They were once writing their first-ever song, and today, they sell millions of records worldwide. Let’s look at some tips you can follow to improve your songwriting skills.
1. Write Every Idea and Thought
As a songwriter, you never know when inspiration might strike, and you might get a winning idea. Therefore, it is important for you to note down every idea that comes into your mind as soon as you receive it. You can keep a notebook or diary with you at all times, or you can use your smartphone to record or write down your ideas.
Songwriters usually get an idea from what they observe around them – it can be from a book they read, a phrase said to them by a friend, a conversation they overhear, a billboard they see, etc. If the idea resonates within their mind, it is highly likely to resonate with others as well. Therefore, you should keep a notebook and use it to write every thought you get, no matter how irrelevant or ridiculous it may seem.
2. Listen and Play Songs You Love
One of the best ways to improve your songwriting skills is to play the music that moves you, and it might require you to learn to play an instrument. Generally, learning the piano or guitar is the best way to play your favorite songs, and it would motivate you to compose new music, adding lyrics and other musical elements to them.
Although every great songwriter doesn’t have to be an accomplished instrumentalist or singer, it helps to know how to play at least one instrument. Not only does it help you create great music, but it also helps you try out and refine the melodies that you compose in your head.
You can also learn about the songwriting process of your favorite artists. All you need to do is read on Sound Songwriting about different artists and how they make their best songs.
3. Improvise on Great Songs
If you follow step number 2, you can take it a step further by improvising on the songs that you play. You can improvise with regard to the rhythm, scale, chord progressions, tempo, and even the lyrics. If you think you can write good lyrics or an additional verse for an already great song, how difficult would it be for you to write a great song from scratch?
One benefit of this exercise is that it helps you try out new things while maintaining a sound and feel that listeners are already familiar with. If you come up with something entirely new, it might take a few tries and a lot of time because you can penetrate their playlists.
4. Continue the Learning Process
The best thing about great songwriters is that they never stop learning. Even if they have songwriting and musical skills as God’s gift, they keep listening to new music and trying out new concepts and variations in their songs. If you aspire to become a successful and popular songwriter one day, you will need to do the same.
You can learn music theory and understand the different musical components, including notes, scales, chord progressions, rhythm, intervals, tempo, time signatures, and much more. You can also practice playing your instrument, giving time to it every day to perfect the craft.
Additionally, you can follow artists on social media, watch their interviews and workshops, and read their biographies. You can also refer to Soundsongwriting.com and read about techniques and tips for songwriters and songwriting methods from different artists, i.e., Ed Sheeran’s songwriting process. Doing this would help you shape yourself into the mold of a seasoned songwriter.
5. Find a Trusted Mentor
If you are serious about getting your songs out in front of the world, you should find a trusted mentor to critique and provide feedback regarding your songs. This mentor can be an artist, a music producer, an experienced publisher, a studio employee, etc. This doesn’t mean that you take their feedback and advice to heart. If you think you have created a masterpiece, don’t be afraid to stand behind it.
People who work within the music industry and have tasted success can better guide you about the ins and outs of songwriting, and they will be completely honest with you. Through this exercise, you will be able to optimize your songwriting and turn your mediocre work into professional tracks.
To Summarize
This concludes our guide on how to improve your songwriting skills. If you plan on pursuing a career in songwriting, you have to look the part and be serious about it. Picking up your instrument now and then or writing when you have free time isn’t enough. If you stay committed, you can become a good songwriter with time.
