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Rock Songwriting Basics Pt. 1 - Getting Started
I know your dream. Maybe you want to be on stage, or play for
friends, or maybe just for yourself. Regardless, you've got
things to say and emotions behind your voice just screaming to
get out. You picked up a guitar because you thought you'd
be able to get all of that into song.
You've learned your chords and scales - but that hasn't
gotten you anywhere. Maybe you've got lyrics but you can't
figure out how to organize them into something that feels right.
If this sounds like you then read this series! This is the first
installment in some mini-lessons related to songwriting - I'm
calling the first one "Getting Started.”
I. Equipment Details
First some of the equipment details. You'll probably need:
A. A notebook or diary to jot down lyrics and ideas and progressions
you are working on. Keep it with you at all times. In this notebook,
forget all that stuff that your grade school teachers taught you
about “staying in the margins” and “writing neatly”. Scribble, draw,
draw arrows, re-write, go backwards and write on old material. Be
messy. This is about creativity. Let go...you can do it.
B. You'll probably need a recording device of some type, computer
or whatever. Even a simple tape $10 recorder will do...that's what
I used before I got my digital recorder. You've got to hear how
you sound. Don't forget to talk to yourself (another thing you are
told not to do!). Tell yourself either on the recording or in your
notebook what scales, chords, or fingerings you are using. You'll
need it if you ever go back and try to remember.
C.Your guitar...though I'm sure you guessed that piece!
II. Getting Started
Once you've got all this together find a nice comfortable place
to relax and think.
The hardest part of song writing is getting started. The best advice
I can give is just to start. Write down all kinds of stuff and don't
be afraid. It may pretty bad at first but pretty quickly you'll
start learning how to dig up the gems. I can assure you, that the
song won't be perfect the first time anyway so just get it down
and then change it, edit it, and shape it..
There are many ways to begin and each one has it's merits. I'm not
going to tell you which one is wrong or the best. They are all good.
You can start by:
1.Writing the lyrics first.
2.Creating riffs and melodies.
3.Setting up a chord progression and song structure.
4.Developing the rhythm and bass lines (if you are into that part
of it).
You may even mix all this up and do a little bit of each until they
all coalesce into something that you like. Your inspiration can
come in many ways. It may not even strike you when are playing the
guitar but maybe afterwards whilst going to sleep or taking a shower.
Whatever your starting point is - get it down and out of your head
so you can develop the other pieces.
Stay tuned for Part II titled “Getting down the Bones.” In this
piece, I'll reveal some tricks for coming up with song structures
and chord progressions.
In the meantime go buy that notebook and try to get a few song
lyrics down on paper. If you think it's a verse (a main part of
the song) or a chorus (a repeated section of the song) scribble
that next to what you've written. We'll use it in the next article.
Need some help? Use these mental triggers to get you started. Complete
the following phrases. If one of these strikes a memory or a feeling
see if you can continue it until you've got a complete thought
or concept.
Song Triggers:
1.My life is _____________________.
2.I have everything I want except _____________________.
3.I want to go where _____________________.
4.The last person I broke up with made me feel ______________________.
5.The person I'm with now makes me feel ______________________.
6.My grandmother/grandfather used to tell me a story about ___________________.
7.I'm am secretly afraid of ________________________.
8.No one knows that I __________________________.
9.I feel great when I _____________________________.
10.________________________ is the most important person in my life.
Written by Daniel Halberg
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