How to start a song


MusicalRefiki
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MusicalRefiki
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02/03/2020 11:31 pm

I love making songs but I can't think of good versus, does anyone have any tips?


MovieMakers

# 1
Joe105
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Joe105
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02/04/2020 9:31 am

I am no expert but I would suggest you start with a melody or chord prgression.

Then figure out a song title. That tells you what the song is about.

Now write out what you you want to say about the title. It may be a story or a description of feelings and emotions the title triggers. There is no need to make it rhyme.

Now you can begin to tell the story in lines that rhyme.

Writing songs is not easy but I hope that my ideas may help to get you started.

With a bit of luck someone might reply who has better knowledge.

All the best,

Joe.


# 2
ChristopherSchlegel
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ChristopherSchlegel
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02/04/2020 12:28 pm
Originally Posted by: moviemakingsibs

I love making songs but I can't think of good versus, does anyone have any tips?

Gary recently did a channel episode on songwriting.

https://www.guitartricks.com/lesson.php?input=29480

Hope that helps!


Christopher Schlegel
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Christopher Schlegel Lesson Directory
# 3
William MG
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William MG
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02/04/2020 3:57 pm

I knew Christopher would jump in here to help you out. He's the man!


This year the diet is definitely gonna stick!

# 4
JeffS65
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JeffS65
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02/06/2020 8:24 pm
Originally Posted by: moviemakingsibs

I love making songs but I can't think of good versus, does anyone have any tips?

You have to open yourself up to the abstraction of inspiration. Which means that my answer is no answer, in a way.

Forcing creativity is a hard road. However, it is a practice. Mike Myers (Wayne's World) said that it's important just always write things. Even if it's awful. Eventually you'll learn how to get to the good stuff but also realize the much of what originally comes to your head is not 'ready for primetime'.

Still, the radar becomes open for things that sound good or cool.

A couple of examples that I think are kinda cool(ish) below.

My wife made the comment one autumn that she liked how barron trees bacame in fall. So I said, 'there is beauty in desolation..' then I heard that come out of my mouth, thought it sounded cool and this shortly followed:

-There's beauty in desolation

-Comfort in despiration

-It's not enough to lay here and just pray

-Today, you're far, far away

It's not about trees obviously but that little starting line gave me an inspiration. Honestly, the whole thing came right away.

Another was when I was at a Marcus King concert a few weeks back. Someone said 'that (something) hit me like a six pound nail'. I have no idea what that means but it sounded cool. So, I came up with:

-It's a five pound hammer with a six pound nail

-I've got nothing more to fight your betrayal

I mean, it's not going to win me a Grammy but it's ok stuff I suppose. The point is to let things you hear and experience to seep in. If you sit in front of a Word doc hoping good words will just come, it will be a long road.

However, when you hear that 'hey, that would be a cool lyric' stuff, text yourself or write it down. In inspiring a starting point it will do much to get you there.

Lastly, I'd suggest to listen to and deconstruct songs you love. Things like lyric cadence or how literal (or not) the lyrics are, things like that. Don't worry that your lyrics might sound a little fuzzy. The listener should be allowed to interpret what something means to them.


# 5
William MG
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William MG
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02/06/2020 8:33 pm

Well done Jeff!!


This year the diet is definitely gonna stick!

# 6
saramadamusa
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saramadamusa
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12/11/2023 2:29 am

Inspiration is the most important factor in songwriting. You can find inspiration from personal experiences, things you're interested in, or from other songs. slope


# 7

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