Proven And Effective Songwriting Tips To Help You Get Better
Songwriting is an art form that takes time, practice, and perseverance to perfect. There are no shortcuts to songwriting greatness. And no matter how long you've been writing songs, there's always room to improve.
Whether you're just starting out or doing it for years, these two songwriting tips will help you write better songs.
Write About What You Know
The best songs are usually the ones that are personal and relatable. Write about your life experiences, your hopes and dreams, and your fears and doubts. Usually, the song ideas that come to you when you're driving or taking a shower are the ones worth writing about.
You can also try writing from different perspectives. For example, if you're a young songwriter, try writing a song from the perspective of an older person. Use what you know about older people around you to build on a song idea. This can help you write songs that are more relatable to a wider audience, not just the ones in your comfort zone.
You can also write about the things that make you happy or those that make you sad. For example, you can write a song about your first love or your first heartbreak. These songs tend to be more emotional and can be very relatable to other people who have gone through the same experiences. Generally, the more specific and personal you can be, the better.
Of course, you don't always have to write about personal experiences. You can also write about the world around you, current events, or anything else that's on your mind. But if you're struggling to come up with song ideas, start by writing about what you know.
Keep It Simple
Some of the best songs are usually the ones that are simple and to the point. A great song doesn't need fancy words or complicated metaphors. It can be short and sweet or long and winding, but it should always be understandable.
When you're starting out, it's tempting to try to show off your songwriting skills by using big words and complicated concepts. It's easy to get caught up in trying to write flowery or poetic lyrics, which just leads to songs that are confusing and hard to follow.
But sometimes, the best songwriting is just about saying what you mean. Be clear and concise in your songwriting, and don't try to force things that just aren't there. Don't try to force complicated metaphors or imagery that doesn't come naturally. Keep it simple, and let the song idea come to you.
Of course, there's nothing wrong with using metaphors or similes in your songwriting. But make sure that they're adding to the song and not just taking away from it. If possible, try to avoid using cliches, as they can make your songwriting sound trite and unoriginal.
Reach out to local songwriters to get more advice.