SONGWRITING: DEVELOPING YOUR CRAFT
If you've ever listened to a song on the radio and wished that one of those were your own, you're not the only one. Songwriting is a skill that needs to be cultivated and developed over time. But the good news is, it's a skill that any musician can develop with the right focus and effort. Practice makes perfect, but it's important to focus your practice towards the right goals. Here are three of our tips to improve your songwriting craft.
Steer Clear of Digressions
Whether you're working on lyrical masterpieces of melodic riffs, loosing focus of the main idea is a songwriter's greatest worry. When you write, write the kind of song that you would listen to. A song usually resonates better when it has a repeating theme or melody line. It's usually easier to remember when the chorus is simple and general enough to relate to a wider audience. If you hope to write a song fit for the radio, sticking within these lines would be the safest way to go. However, if you would rather take the creative and unique path, don't be afraid to try something new!
Find a Trigger
Everyone has different musical expertise and no one writes a song the same way. If you are primarily a vocalist, chances are that you would rely on vocal melodies to set off the inspiration for your song. However, if you are a stronger instrumentalist, it might be easier to start off with a melodic theme or a set of chords. A musical trigger is the base on which you build your entire song around. Find a trigger that's most comfortable to you and that you know well enough to discover its variations and harmonies. The base is more often than not a reoccurring theme in your song, so make sure that's one that you would like to be heard throughout your composition.
Value Time
Songwriting is truly a craft. And like any art form, perfecting a song takes time and patience. It's rare that the first song you write will be of stellar quality. But almost always, dedicating a good amount of time to a song can make it better by ten-fold. It's important to remain disciplined when you sit down to finish a song; stay concentrated to make sure the art you create is your personal best. Not only do you need a chunk of time to write your song, but you also you to put in the time between writing songs and in preparation to write a song. When you listen to radio-hits or your favorite songs, try to take the time to think about what makes you like them or what makes them popular among a general audience. And when you finally are ready to write your own song, don't be afraid to wait for a moment of inspiration.
By Amrutha Sivakumar
Stamp.fm Team Member
Co-Founder of Stamp Nation