Songwriting is an accessible art form that anyone can try. All it takes is something to say and a spark of creativity.

If you're looking for inspiration or basic techniques to start writing songs, here’s a guide to help you get going.

Getting Started with Songwriting

The hardest part of learning to write songs is often just beginning. Generating ideas might seem daunting, and it’s easy to feel stuck. Breaking the process into smaller, manageable parts can make starting much more straightforward.

There are no strict rules for writing new songs, but every song needs a central theme. Starting with a clear subject makes the rest of the process much easier. Draw from personal experiences, emotions, or environments to create your theme. Don’t overcomplicate lyrics—simple approaches are often the most effective.

One of the best pieces of advice is to keep writing consistently. You might create ten songs you’re unhappy with before crafting something worth developing into a finished track. Not every song will be a masterpiece, and that’s perfectly fine. Persistence and practice are key.

As singer-songwriter Alicia Keys advises:

“The best way to write songs is to make the process natural and honest. Even if the inspiration comes from someone else’s story, staying true to the essence of the song is the most effective approach.”

Songwriting Tips for Beginners

1. Explore Common Themes: Universal topics like love, personal growth, loss, rebellion, or disillusionment are great starting points. Themes resonate when they tap into shared human experiences.

2. Find Stories Everywhere: Inspiration can come from personal experiences, friends, family, movies, or even media. Keep an open mind and look for stories worth telling.

3. Learn About Rhyming: Experiment with rhyme schemes like AABB or ABAB. Mark end-words and play with different structures to see what works best.

4. Understand Song Structure: Verses typically tell the story and set the scene, while choruses create a memorable refrain. Bridges add variety and transitions, enhancing the song's flow.

5. Use Storytelling Techniques: Instead of directly stating emotions, try creating imagery and scenarios that convey feelings implicitly. Leaving space for interpretation often makes songs more engaging.

Understanding Song Structure

While songs can take any form, following a conventional structure can help create something more polished and appealing for a broad audience. Here are key components of traditional song structure:

- Verse: Verses share the same melody but feature different lyrics. They provide essential details about the setting, mood, or characters in the song.

- Chorus: This part repeats multiple times, often summarizing the song’s essence. The melody and lyrics remain consistent, and the title frequently appears here, sometimes repeated for emphasis.

- Bridge: A bridge introduces a fresh melody, lyrics, and chords, providing a break from the verse and chorus. It often offers new insights or a reflective moment before returning to familiar sections.

Listeners enjoy a balance of repetition and variety, and this structure provides both familiarity and freshness.

Practical Songwriting Techniques

Here are some practical tips shared by Kevin and Hugh, two singer-songwriters who have penned over 50 songs collectively:

Plan and Stay Flexible: Songwriting should be both structured and spontaneous. While planning is helpful, leave room for discovery. Rhyming dictionaries can be a valuable resource, though rhymes are not essential for every song.

Capture Ideas Immediately: Always record ideas as they come. Whether it's lyrics on your phone, a melody in your head, or a chord progression, make sure to jot it down or record it. A dedicated notebook for songwriting can prevent ideas from being lost, unlike scraps of paper or napkins.

Experiment Without Limits: Try beginning with melodies, chords, or lyrics. Repeat different approaches until you discover what works best for you. Experimentation often leads to breakthroughs, and even failed techniques can pave the way for success.

As Hugh Lindsey of Bunderhorse puts it:

“When writing songs, try everything. Start with melodies, chords, or lyrics, and cycle through each approach. You’ll eventually discover what unlocks your creativity.”