Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Tips On Songwriting

by HY Chong

Depends on individual, there are many different ways that a songwriter may be adopted in writing songs. Now, I would like to share with you some of the common technics that you may consider when you are out of ideas. Enjoy your writing.

It Got To Be Love Song! Why? It has become the entry point for most song writers as everyone experience love. Love can either from family, friends or partner. Love song is all time greatest hits. No point re-inventing the wheel. Let ideas flow out of your heart. You should not be afraid to write lyrics that say what you feel. Love songs work!

Stop Thinking About Money. You should be writing song for passion instead of for making money as your primary focus. If you're doing this just because you thing there is money to be made, when that doesn't come you will become frustrated and give up. Focus on writing good songs and the money will follow.

Listen To Music More Often. Listen to hits. Ask yourself this question. What has made these songs hits? What tricks and techniques has the songwriter used? My friend, why create mediocrity if you can copy genius? Some people tend to think differently.

You Should Be Writing Everyday. Writing more regularly will certainly pay off. Your songwriting skills will surely improve if you should write at least a few lines a day, the more the merrier.

Write Songs About Your Own Experiences. It's much easier to write about what you have experienced than what you've been through. It comes from within. You should however think of your target market of your song.

Fine Tune Your Songs. You should "touch up" and rewrite your song until you feel satisfactory. Even a small glitch may ruin the whole song. So keep refining these lyrics or melodies which you think need enhancing. Make sure that your song is polished to perfection, at least you think it is.

Know Your Target Audience. Once you know them, you will know what is their song appetite and hence write something that they can digest and understand. No point to write a song that they don't understand your message. Write in a language that your audience and target market understands and appreciates. Use simple words in your lyrics.

Read Read Read. Read more on the subject of song writing. Read the good ones. This will help you a lot. There are many good songs writing books out there that will give you all the song writing tips you're searching for. Visiting library is a good idea.

Make Sure You Have A Recording Device Standby All The Time. Keep a recorder device close to you even though you are at your bed. You may suddenly wake up with a brilliant idea which who knows will make you million dollars. I was once recorded my idea by calling my own number when I mobile phone battery was flatten. However, I have also lost some of my precious ideas when I lost my mobile phone, which I used it for recording purpose most of the time. So remember to back up your songs regularly be it complete or incomplete because once you have loose, it may be a permanently lost.

Learn From Others. This guy can't play...!? One mistake many songwriters/musicians make is to criticize each other behind their backs. Instead of focusing on people's weaknesses, you should learn from their strengths. In order words, make their strengths yours. I'm a firm believer that every musician has something to offer, no matter how small.

You Should Carry A Notebook/Writing Pad. Similarly, you should carry a notebook. Jot down these ideas. They come unexpectedly. Some of the greatest hits that were ever written started with one simple, stupid idea. Don't miss out.

The Impressive Beginning Make a good first impression with the first line of your song. Grab your listener's attention immediately. If your first line is below average, it may be difficult to have your audience hear that great lines which you have in subsequent verses. You're your feel like they eager to listen to your full song.

Learn From Different Song Writers. We tend to focus on people's weaknesses and forget about their strengths. We should learn their strengths. I'm believe everybody has something to offer, be it big or small. Do not stick to the same songwriting style for too long. Your audience will feel bore after a while.

Retain Your Audience. Each song will have a part or a verse that grabs the audience attention. This is where your audience get hook. Once they are hooked, they can be sub-consciously singing your song all day long, to the point where ... they just can't get it out of their heads! It is the sweet part of the song that's repeated over and over. Don't waste the listener's time with extra-long verses. Get to the hook.

Make Writing Fun. Writing song should be fun. I feel sad that sometimes musicians and songwriters are pressured to write a song, especially those who are writing for commercial purposes. They don't enjoy what they do. When you first started in song writing? I'm sure you did it for the fun part of it. Only when writing is fun, the creativity flows. Enjoy writing song please!

About the author:
Chong HY is music enthusiastic. He loves composing and wants to share his view and knowledge with other music lovers in the cyber community. Do drop by http://www.newsongstore.com for more info.

Article Source:
Song Writing Tips
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