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Songwriting is not an essential part of becoming a Bard
but well recommended for those who enjoy a challenge. Anyone can write
lyrics!
So what do you need to write a song?
Technical Training may not be a necessity but all songwriters who wish to write
seriously should gain as much experience and knowledge as possible.
Supplies:
Pad of Paper for Notes & Writing Lyrics
Music Manuscript Books or Paper
Pencils & Erasers
Cassette or Minidisc Recorder - keep this with you at all times & use it to
hum, sing or play your ideas for later review.
Short Cassettes - for recording individual Completed songs
Long Cassettes - for leaving to run whilst creating
Portable File or Folders to keep work in progress portable
Every songwriter has their own method, some 'hear' parts or
the whole song in their minds, others use a hook or melody line to help
envisage the words and many lyricists collaborate with composers and musicians to produce the finished article. There are no 'set rules' on how you
write songs but there are various tried and trusted methods of producing a
viable song for performance and recording.
Concept: Decide the type, style and a brief outline of what you want the song to say.
Title: Which may or may not be used in the song but should give an indication
of the Theme or Concept
Lyrics/Music: Wether you prefer to start with the lyrics or the music, the
lyrics should provide the listener with a picture of the theme or tale.
Once you have completed the first section repeat using different lyrics
then examine your song to see if it requires a 'Bridge' (This is a section that
differs from the verse). It can be a 'Hook' line, a 'Chorus' or an instrumental
break.
Now you have the basics of a song you need to think about the arrangement that
can be in a variety of formats depending on the type of musical style.
Most songs have a beginning (Intro), middle (Song Verses plus Choruses)
and an ending (Sharp stop, Fade Out).
Popular songs tend to work to a Format i.e., Intro, Verse, Chorus, Verse,
Chorus, Instrumental Break, Verse, Chorus, Chorus, End, but each style of song has its own format and if you are considering writing for a variety of
performers it is worth listening to a wide range of material to get a general
idea of the format before proceeding.
but well recommended for those who enjoy a challenge. Anyone can write
lyrics!
So what do you need to write a song?
Technical Training may not be a necessity but all songwriters who wish to write
seriously should gain as much experience and knowledge as possible.
Supplies:
Pad of Paper for Notes & Writing Lyrics
Music Manuscript Books or Paper
Pencils & Erasers
Cassette or Minidisc Recorder - keep this with you at all times & use it to
hum, sing or play your ideas for later review.
Short Cassettes - for recording individual Completed songs
Long Cassettes - for leaving to run whilst creating
Portable File or Folders to keep work in progress portable
Every songwriter has their own method, some 'hear' parts or
the whole song in their minds, others use a hook or melody line to help
envisage the words and many lyricists collaborate with composers and musicians to produce the finished article. There are no 'set rules' on how you
write songs but there are various tried and trusted methods of producing a
viable song for performance and recording.
Concept: Decide the type, style and a brief outline of what you want the song to say.
Title: Which may or may not be used in the song but should give an indication
of the Theme or Concept
Lyrics/Music: Wether you prefer to start with the lyrics or the music, the
lyrics should provide the listener with a picture of the theme or tale.
Once you have completed the first section repeat using different lyrics
then examine your song to see if it requires a 'Bridge' (This is a section that
differs from the verse). It can be a 'Hook' line, a 'Chorus' or an instrumental
break.
Now you have the basics of a song you need to think about the arrangement that
can be in a variety of formats depending on the type of musical style.
Most songs have a beginning (Intro), middle (Song Verses plus Choruses)
and an ending (Sharp stop, Fade Out).
Popular songs tend to work to a Format i.e., Intro, Verse, Chorus, Verse,
Chorus, Instrumental Break, Verse, Chorus, Chorus, End, but each style of song has its own format and if you are considering writing for a variety of
performers it is worth listening to a wide range of material to get a general
idea of the format before proceeding.