So there are only seven possible mistakes? In my experience as a teacher, the seven
The errors listed below represent the most common mistakes made by students of
songwriting Addressing these shortcomings is essential to making your songs
work.
The advice in this article comes from The Essential Secrets of Songwriting, a
popular website and downloadable e-book.
MISTAKE #1: THE FORM OF THE SONG IS CONFUSED.
SOLUTION: Strengthen the shape of your songs by carefully controlling the energy.
Generally, an introduction should have the same or more energy than a verse, not less. IN
the chorus should have more energy than a verse. A bridge should have more power.
than the chorus that came before. This graph shows the general pattern of energy
which works for most songs:
MISTAKE #2: THE MELODY LACKS SHAPE.
SOLUTION: In a verse, the range of the melody should generally be higher
immediately after the halfway point, to help you gain momentum as you prepare to
connect with the choir The old standard, “Under the Boardwalk,” by Resnick and
Young is a perfect example.
MISTAKE #3: CHORDS SEEM TO DEVIATE AIMLESSLY
SOLUTION: The chord that represents the key your song is in (i.e. the “tonic” chord)
it should appear more in the chorus than in the verse. (And the actual tonic note
it should also be used more in a refrain than in a verse.)
MISTAKE #4: THE STRONG AND BRITTY CHORD PROGRESSIONS ARE USED AS NORMAL.
SOLUTION: Chord progressions that have chords separated by four notes from each other
(i.e. in the key of C major we are talking about G7 to C, C to F, Dm to G, as
examples) form a strong progression and should appear in a chorus. other
chord progressions (say Dm to Em, F to Dm, G to Am, for example) form what
they are called “breakable” progressions and can appear more in one verse.
MISTAKE #5: THE LYRICS DO NOT SUPPORT THE SHAPE OF THE SONG.
the font
determines the type of chord progression you use. Strong and conclusive lyrics need
many strong progressions; Introspective lyrics work well with brittle progressions.
And remember, writing good lyrics doesn’t necessarily mean writing a good poem.
Rather, it’s better to write a working title for your song and then start brainstorming.
words and short sentences that are related to that title.
For example, if you typed “All I Ever Wanted” as a working title, you might
make up these words as related text: love, hand in hand, touch, satisfaction,
emotion, my heart, for you, warm… etc. You will find that even though many of
these words won’t necessarily make it into your song, they make you think of the
right direction, and begin to formulate a working letter.
MISTAKE #6: YOU’RE RELYING ON A HOOK TO SAVE A BAD SONG.
Add a hook to a
Bad Song gives you a bad song with a hook! compose a song and then try
finding a hook that really makes it come to life is a really hard thing to do. attempt
write the hook first. Improvise on a couple of chords, or some notes, or a rhythm
– something short and attractive. Once you have something that really catches
your attention, try using it as an introduction to your song, and something that keeps
recurring between verses and choruses. A hook needs to attract an audience and
Get them back to your song.
MISTAKE #7: WAITING FOR INSPIRATION.
I can’t say it better than musician/author Ernest Newman: “The great
he composes… he doesn’t get to work because he’s inspired, but he’s inspired
because it’s working.” Waiting for inspiration is, frankly, a waste of time!
You need to write daily to improve your songs. if something is not
working… don’t throw it away. Just save it and start something new. Keep
everything you try to write in a scrapbook. You’d be surprised what eventually
become a song
These are just a few examples of the kind of things that will make your songs work.
better. If you want even more tips, you should visit “The Essential Secrets of
Song composition. And start turning your songs into winners!
