In today's lesson, we will master the art of songwriting to improve your guitar playing. Writing a song on the guitar can be a fun, fulfilling, and creative process. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced musician, crafting your own song allows you to express your emotions through rhythm, melody, and lyrics. This is the fun part of writing songs. You get to do it however you choose.
Below is a simple step-by-step guide to help you master the art of songwriting. This will allow you to develop your own sound, style, and creative footprint. Then you can easily share it with the world in this digital format that we now live in. A huge benefit to the new digital world. Something you could not have done before the wonderful world of the internet.
Step 1: Choose A Theme or Concept
Before you start creating your masterpiece, take a few minutes and think about what you want to convey. What kind of emotions do you want to express? This could be a particular story or message. Having a clear theme or concept will guide your creativity and songwriting process. This will help you to create a solid, coherent blueprint for you to build upon.
Step 2: Think About The Song Structure
What are the pieces of the song? What is the structure of the song? How will it open? How will it flow? How will it end? What elements are needed to capture the listener? Do you want to create a groove that makes them dance? Or do you want to take the listener on a musical journey? Answers to questions like these will help develop your composition blueprint.
- Intro: This is how the song will open and grab the listener. This can be achieved with a catchy guitar riff, as seen in many Led Zeppelin songs, or a simple chord progression, as in AC/DC and Black Sabbath.
- Verse: This is where the vocals come in. Where you tell your story or present your message, these are usually played four or eight times.
- Pre-chorus: This is the part that leads you into the chorus. Kind of like a mini bridge between the verse and chorus parts of the song. It lets the listener know, something important is coming up, so listen closely.
- Chorus: This is usually the "hook" of the song. The part that sticks in the head of the listener. You Shook Me All Night Long, or Bang Your Head, or Hard Days Night. All these songs have a part that sticks in your head. Usually repeated several times.
- Bridge: The part of the song that takes you away from the main part. Usually, the verse and chorus. It allows you to present the listener with a little bit of a break before you present the solo.
- Breakdown: A part of the song that either goes from light to heavy or vice versa. Or a part in the song where you change the tone of the song. This allows you to provide a different type of emotion.
- Outro: This is the conclusion to the message or the story. This can be done with a repeated chord progression, or it can be done with an outro solo, or a repeated melody line.
Make sure that your song has some of these elements in it. Think of these like ingredients. Like a cook who's creating a meal with certain ingredients. Mix and match for a variety of options. Or like a novelist who writes a book. A song can be a mini book. Make sure it has a beginning, middle, and an end. Just like a good book or movie.
Step 3: Write The Story With Words
Now, not everyone is good at writing lyrics. But if you can write lyrics, or even ideas in word form, beyond the music, this will enhance your musicianship and skills of collaboration. Start drafting lyrics that align with your chosen theme or concept. If it is a happy story, what words will convey that? If it's a love song, or mystery, or a darker theme, think of what words will express this.
- Words that rhyme: Most songs have a rhything effect, so think of this as you write your lyrics. Think of words that rhyme and fit with the concept of your song.
- Words that flow: As you tell your story, you want your words to flow like a river. This will help the song to develop over time.
- Words that convey simplicity: Keep the words simple and easy to understand. Keep them simple to recite. This way, people can sing along to your tune and get the full picture.
Remember, you are using vivid language to create imagery. Just like a painter uses color to create an image, you, as a writer, are doing the same with your words. Painting a clear picture for your listeners to see with their ears. As KISS said: "Keep It Simple."
Step 4: Create A Chord progression
Create a chord progression in a key that supports the mood of your lyrics. If the mood is uplifting and happy, you might want to choose a chord progression in a major key. If it is dark and mysterious, you might decide to choose a chord progression in a minor key. The more you work with these concepts of major and minor keys, you will know what fits the theme of the song you are writing. Here are a few to look into.
- C- G- Am- F: Often used in pop music. This can have a very happy, uplifting tone quality to it.
- G- D- Em- C: This progression has been used in many, many songs, and is a great choice to look into. Remember, if it works for them, why not you?
- D- A- BM- G: This type of progression can create a more soulful type of vibe. If your theme has this emotion to it, this would be a good choice.
These are just simple ideas to get you started. The best way to get good at chord progressions is to study chord theory. This will tell you what chords are in each key, which keys are most popular to write in, and give you insight into how to use them for your compositions. Experiment with different progressions to find what resonates with your theme.
If you'd like to know more about chord theory, I recommend you check out the book I authored on the subject. Learn Guitar Chord Theory.
A comprehensive course on enjoying the fun of constructing guitar chords. It will lead you on a path to guitar chord mastery. It will teach you how to build and fully understand guitar chords in a simple step-by-step method. Starting with the triad (three-note chord) and building up and out from there.
Learn the foundation of the guitar chord, how to properly form it, what notes are needed for each key, and what's necessary to create music with them. In both paperback and digital formats for your convenience. Available on Amazon, and where all books are sold around the world.
Step 5: Develop A Melody
Playing through your chord progression, hum a melody that fits with it. Look at the lyrics you wrote and see if they fit with the progression you've chosen. See if you can complement the emotional tone of your lyrics and create something cohesive. Something that might be memorable. This is where the creative juices start flowing. You are now putting ingredients together and beginning to develop something that sounds pleasant to the listener.
The words should draw a clear picture, and the music should complement the message with both rhythm and melody. The lyrics should enhance the theme or concept that you had in step 1. Make sure to always keep this step front of your thinking as it sets the foundation for all that is to follow.
Step 6: Add Dynamics And Rhythm
Here is where you will consider how you will play the progression that you came up with earlier. The tempo and cadence of the chord progression. Some chords might be held longer or shorter than others. It is all up to you. This is where you get to have fun and be creative. Just make sure you don't stray from the theme and concept.
- Strumming & arpeggiating patterns: These are where you will strum the chords or pick the strings of the chords individually. These both capture the ear differently. See if one or both fit best with the theme.
- Song tempo: The speed at which you play the chords can make a huge difference in the emotions that are conveyed, along with the energy. Make sure to experiment with the different types of tempos to see which one will work best.
- Song dynamics: This is the loudness and softness in the music. Maybe the song starts soft and slow and eventually gets going to a roaring boil. Or, maybe you hit them over the head right from the get-go. Or, you start heavy, and get quiet in the middle, and finish off heavy again. Mix and match ideas to get the best out of your elements.
All these elements mentioned above can create the ultimate emotions for your theme and concept. But don't overthink it, though, just have fun with it. Before you know it, you'll "get in the zone", as they call it, and be coming up with more ideas than you know what to do with.
Step 7: Edit & Refine Your Approach
Writing a song can be like an artist painting a picture, or an author writing a novel. You design a basic outline and then edit and refine it. Fine-tune the lyrics, enhance the melody, or change the cadence and tempo if needed. Play through it several times to ensure everything flows smoothly and creates a cohesive musical landscape.
Step 8: Practice & Perform
Once you are satisfied with the song structure, practice it until you feel comfortable playing it. To boost confidence, perform it in front of friends and family. See what kind of feedback and reaction you get. If it's positive, go out and perform in front of people you don't know and see what they think. If it is all positive, you might have a winner.
Tips For Inspiration
Here are a few more tips to help you get inspired and compose great songs.
- Listen to a variety of music: Different genres will inspire you to create a variety of emotions and colored landscapes.
- Keep a notebook handy: This will allow you to jot down ideas when they come to you. You never know when genius will strike, and a good place to capture it will help.
- Collaborate with other musicians: By doing so, you will gain a fresh perspective and generate ideas you never thought of.
By following these ideas and working with them daily, you will be on your way to composing great songs on the guitar. Remember, when it comes to anything on the guitar, it takes practice, practice, practice! The more you develop patience, persistence, and discipline, you will become a great guitar-playing songwriter. If any help is needed in any of these areas, feel free to reach out, and I will be happy to help.
Thanks for your time today.
Good luck and keep practicing.
Sincerely, Dwayne Jenkins.
