How To Write A Song
Humans have been interested in the creation of music since the beginning of our existence. However, music doesn’t just come from nowhere. A creative process is involved in bringing a song from thought to enjoyment. The development of the song has many stages. The theme of the song is its subject and also determines the use of either minor or major chords. Chord progression is the framework of the song. The melody of a song is its tune, and the lyrics follow the melody. The chorus is the section of the lyrics which tie the song together. The final element of a song is the bridge which relieves the use of the chorus. By combining all of these stages, a song is revealed.
Before one gets anywhere near a pen and piece of paper one needs to find out what the theme of the song will be. If a subject is picked out beforehand it is easier to stay on topic while writing the rest of the song. Picking a subject that one can personally relate to can sometimes make it easier. One is able to put more emotion into the song and therefore usually produce a product of better quality. Picking the theme of one’s song first may also help with later steps in the process.
Once you know the theme of your song, you can now start deciding which chords you will use. If your song is about a depressing subject you would most likely use minor chords. This is because these type of cords sound melancholy. If the song has a happy subject you will most likely use major chords. These cords sound more upbeat.
After the chords are decided, choosing the chord progression is the next step on the list. There are different ways to set up the chord progressions in songs. Some artists are simplistic with their progressions, using the same ones throughout the whole song. This can be useful if one wants the song to focus mainly on the lyrics. For example, Radiohead’s hit single “creep” , uses the same chord progressions throughout most of the song. Nirvana’s “heart shaped box” is another solid example of this.
If you value the creation of the musical composition, over the creation of lyrics, using different chord progressions may be more desirable. Most commonly when this technique is used the difference is seen in the chorus, verse and bridge of the song. After developing the chord progression, one can begin working on the melody.
Creating a melody which combines well with the lyrics is important to the song. Both of these elements need to be balanced and sound well together. The melody usually does not need to be set in stone at this point. When lyrics are added the melody acts as a guideline for how the words should be set up. At this point, you have put together your chord progressions and it is helpful to play the cords and hum different melodies with them until you find the one that works. By being flexible with the melody, the lyrics can be woven into the fabric of the song.
When writing the lyrics it is best to begin with the chorus of the song. The chorus expresses the main idea of the song allowing the rest of the lyrics to develop around it. The chorus of a song is usually the most memorable part. The lyrics of most songs rhyme in some way. Sometimes two lines in progression, and other times it it every other line forming the rhyme. The chorus is the song’s emotional highpoint. The title of the song is often found in the chorus.
The verses are the short poetic segments of a song which surround each playing of the chorus. Most songs contain around three verses. They usually have the same rhythm but different lyrics. Verses help to build up to the point expressed in the chorus. They also provide information about what’s going on in the song. To connect the verse and the chorus, a bridge is often used.
Bridges connects two parts of a song together. They sometimes are found towards the end of songs when the chorus is repeated. In this case, the bridge acts as a buffer to break the repetitious use of the chorus. Bridges usually have a different melody or chord progression when used in this way. A bridge may not always contain lyrics, but could be a guitar riff or a different chord progression. The bridge is usually is played after the verse.
The development of the song has many stages. The theme of the song is its subject. The theme is the deciding factor in choosing either minor or major chords. Chord progression is the framework of the song. The melody is the tune, and the lyrics follow the flow of the melody. The chorus is the section of the lyrics which anchor the song together. Finally, a bridge can be used to relieve the repetition of multiple usages of the chorus. By combining all of these elements, a song is born.