How to write a song to play on acoustic guitar?
GirlFayce. asked:
I wanna write a song to play on guitar and was wondering where i should start, i can play guitar already (electro acoustic) but im not amazing at it. I was just wondering what should i come up with first, the lyrics, or the tune, or the chords? And any tips on how i should go about writing a song?
I wanna write a song to play on guitar and was wondering where i should start, i can play guitar already (electro acoustic) but im not amazing at it. I was just wondering what should i come up with first, the lyrics, or the tune, or the chords? And any tips on how i should go about writing a song?
thats called a “workflow”
“how to write a song on acoustic”=”workflow”
everyartist has a different workflow. you just have to expeiriment to see what you like.
there is no standard the real problem is hate
I usuall start in lyrics, and then the chords. last thing is the tune cause that’s where the music became artistic and beautiful. So in short, for me the tune is the most important part. goodluck. just keep it plain and simple.
MichaelCowabunga
Everyone has their own way of writing a song, however I wouldn’t mind giving you some things to work with.
First you’ll need to know what kind of song you want to write. For example if it’s a sad song or happy song, etc. Once you know the message you want to get across, play around with chords for the right sound you’re looking for. If you’ve never written a song before, just find like three chords (know the names of the chords you use so you know the key) you can use for it that sound good. Next, write some lyrics and find the scale of the chords you used so you can improvise over those chords to make a melody. Have an intro (could be same as chorus), pre-chorus, chorus, bridge, chorus again, and maybe an outro (ending) if you like.
Most great songs are never complicated. Good luck and have fun!
Here are two beautiful examples. If you listen closely, the left guitar player is playing simple chords over and over in each part. The right guitar player is improvising with/over the left player. With the lyrics, you can see how they structure the song. pertinential
Any one of those elements can spark a song. For example, you may come up with a lyric that gives you an idea for a melody, then the melody can lead you while you come up with chords. Or maybe you come up with a chord progression or accompaniment part that gives you an idea for some lyrical subject matter.
Basically, it can go any way. Any element of a song can be the spark that gets everything rolling. I often struggle for a long while with a piece of music that I’m trying to write, then one little thing happens and everything starts flowing.
Just keep experimenting until something strikes you. LucasMan
get your lyrics written down, then work your way around them. Once you have a chorus and a verse come up with music to fit. You may have to tweek the lyrics to fit. Get yourself a bridge and a couple more verses and you have your song. The music is very important. The intro and outro of the chorus and bridge should stand out and “hook” the listener so they wanna hear more. So I would definetly start with the lyrics and then the music. John
To me, the tune and the chords usually come first….lyrics last, unless, I hear or read something clever that strikes me as a good basis for a song lyric.
There’s no set formula for song writing. One very famous song writer was once asked how he gets his ideas. He said “I steal.” There’s more truth to this than you realize.
Like a particular song? Try slowing it down, or speeding it up, or playing the chords backwards… you’ll be amazed at what you can come up with…happens all the time.
Lately, I’ve been writing away from the guitar….try making up melodies in your head, and then transfering what you hear in your head to guitar chords.
Or just noodle around on the guitar and see what happens.
Also, and this is difficult to do… try to set aside a particular time everyday with the sole purpose of song writing…. even if it’s just 15 minutes… you’ll be surprised what you come up with. Do not wait for inspiration to hit.
If you’re really stuck… it helps to get away from the guitar..experiment on different instruments, or read a good rock biography, go to a museum, or see a movie..inspiration can come from anywhere. Broken hearts always help with song writing, so have an affair..LOL (J/K)
Finally…it will be a great help if you have some way, anyway, of recording your ideas. Then listen to it in a week, and ideas will jump right out at you.
Oops..one last thing…write about something you know…places, people in your area, or try to write as though you’re a different character…these things can often help, and
…Don’t forget humor…always a big selling point with original songs.
Best of luck. Stan