Getting Started: Writing

After writing for a little while, I have a nice guideline on how to start writing a song. Now, don't get me wrong, you can write your song however you like. I'm not going to judge you harshly for that! But I do like some structure when it comes to things as difficult as this. I'm also assuming you guys know not much music theory, because I barely knew any when starting out to write, too. You should learn some; in my experience, learning some music theory made this journey a lot easier.

First, we need to figure out the feel of the song. It's hard to figure the rest out if you don't. If you don't have a good feel/topic to write about, then how are you going to write?
Will your song have a:
  • happy feeling?
  • angry feeling?
  • sad feeling?
We have to identify these things first before starting to write. Otherwise, we'll get nowhere.

This is a chart of the major scale, and the chords that go along with it.

Image result for chord progression
Once we have the feel established, then we need to go onto chord progressions. Chord progressions are usually the basis for the song. After doing a little bit of research, I figured out there are 7 parts in the major scale, otherwise known as the tones you hear when someone sings "Do-Re-Mi-Fa-So-La-Ti-Do". That makes up the major scale and the majority of our songs. Above are the notes listed in the major scale from left to right. From up to down, we have the key of what list of chords we have, on the far left. We have to pick a key from it, so you can pick any of the notes: A, B, C, D, E, F, or G.
The most popular chord progression by far is the I-vi-IV-V (1-4-6-5) progression. In the key of C (CDEFGAB), this would be C-G-Am-F. Depending on the feeling of your song, you may have to change around the way you use your chords to help give it that 'umph'. And don't be limited to the progression I just gave you!

This will be your song, so you make it how you'd like it to be!

This flowchart helps out with creating chord progressions, but you need to know a little bit of music theory.
Image result for chord progression


Once you have your chord progression(s), you're ready to start writing your lyrics!

Good luck, and have fun friends!

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