Things You'll Need:
- Pencil
- Eraser
- Paper
- Music(Optional)
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Step 1
Grab your supplies and find a quiet place to work. A song has a chorus and three verses. The first step is to create a "Catchy Chorus". Basically a good chorus is a pleasant sounding couple of sentences that capture a point of view about any universal idea. The best Chorus's are those that root themselves in cliche's...ie: "Big Girls Don't Cry", "Party Like A Rockstar"...etc...
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Step 2
One doesn't NEED music to write to, but it helps. There are many websites where one can purchase pre-made instrumental music, such as www.givemebeats.com. Google instrumental music in the genre of your choice, and the selections are endless. With or without music, the lyrics should come easily and fluidly. The important thing to remember is to be candid and basic about one central idea.
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Step 3
The Chorus is the foundation. You can repeat the same chorus twice, or make the second a variation of the first. To create the verses, you just delve deeper into the idea of the chorus in chronological order. For example the first verse is an introduction to the idea, exploring it, and variations of it. The second verse is the "Body" of the song, just like a letter it is the "meat" of the story. The third verse is a combination of punchline, final points, and sometimes a reflection or reference to ideas in the first verse. This is a basic structure of a song.
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Step 4
If writing without music, you can practice your song to different basic melodies. It is not necessary though. Once the structure is written, you can always find a musical composition that feels right for your story...and then fit it in like a puzzle. Experiment with different tempos and moods, you may discover new, more interesting aspects of your song. Summary: find 3 or 4 sentences that cleverly capture how you feel at any given moment about anything in general or specific...and you have a chorus...then expound on your idea in the form of a verse! Good Luck!
Comments
danaknight said
on 10/29/2009 Great article, I'll have to check out givemebeats.com thanks. 5* and rec.
Dana Knight
please check out my songwriting article, I'm a singer/songwriter.
jadsn said
on 9/14/2008 If you are writing a rap or hip hop song you need a rap or hip hop beat. Find them at www.pickabeat.net