How to write a song in 6 steps

Photo by Khairil M Bahar

Do you play music?
Have you ever wanted to write your own song?

This is a common question that I get from my students & I've decided to basically share the general process (that I do myself) in order to develop my songwriting skills. In 6 steps, this is how you could do it:

1. Listen to a song you love!

Do you like Ed Sheeran's Perfect?
Are you a fan of Sungha Jung's cover of River Flow in You?

Listen to the song as closely as you can. Focus separately on:
• the melody
• the bassline
• the chords
• the rhythms and the groove
• the arrangement
• the lyrics (if it has lyrics)
• the audio mix
• everything at once

This is to develop higher awareness of what makes the song, that song!

2. Learn to play/sing/perform the song you love

If you want to write something with the same feel, vibe, emotion etc, nothing beats learning the song as best as you can. Will this take time? Maybe.
Is it worth it? Yes.
Will you learn something from this. For sure.

3. Study and break apart elements of the song

This is when you use any theory, harmony, analytical knowledge or intuitive sense that you have to understand the song. This is where the art gets broken into craft. Some people don't like doing this part because they fear that this will break apart the mystery of the music. It does, in some ways but it also opens the door for you to create your own music based on what you learn from the song.

4. Copy the harmonic, compositional, lyrical techniques involved in the song

Use what you've learned! If not, it's just theory. Make short portions or short pieces to experiment. You are now a musical scientist or explorer.

5. Make your own song based on what you've learned

This is the real test. Use what you've learned and make your own song. Whatever happens, make sure you finish the song. It can be a 30 second song or a 7 minute epic piece but complete it and record a version of it.

6. Repeat steps 1 to 5

Once you've done this once, do it again.
And again.
And again.

This is how you learn. Good luck!

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If you're interested to learn more in depth on this topic or level up your guitar playing ,music theory or songwriting or composing skills. get in touch with me for private lessons in Kuala Lumpur or worldwide via Skype/Zoom/Facetime etc.

Contact me here: http://www.azsamad.com/contact

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My new e-book, Jazz Guitar Licks and Etudes is now available:
http://www.azsamad.com/book2

My first e-book, Jazz Improvisation Uncovered is here:
http://www.azsamad.com/book

[Performances]
Zee Avi & Az Samad - Cry Me A River (Jazz/Acoustic Cover)
https://steemit.com/teammalaysia/@azsamad/zee-avi-and-az-samad-cry-me-a-river

[Music Education]
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https://steemit.com/teammalaysia/@azsamad/how-to-spot-a-good-music-teacher

How to learn music
https://steemit.com/music/@azsamad/how-to-learn-music

If we have the Internet, why do people even need guitar lessons?
https://steemit.com/education/@azsamad/if-we-have-the-internet-why-do-people-even-need-guitar-lessons

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I wanna be a full-time musician... should I?
https://steemit.com/teammalaysia/@azsamad/i-wanna-be-a-full-time-musician-should-i

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https://steemit.com/teammalaysia/@azsamad/when-are-you-ready-to-perform-for-that-big-gig