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What's a good Song?

A good song is in the ear of the beholder. People are different, they like different things. Songwriters are different and so are listeners.

To me a song is good if someone gets something good out of it. Especially if that someone is me. Whatever you want from it, songwriting seems best done from the heart and from the soul. Otherwise it doesn't really matter. But that's just my opinion. 

I'll describe to you the way I do it. I have done this as an individual, and part of a group. I like rock, but this method will apply to any kind of music. Try different approaches, different locations, and most of all, different perspectives. One thing I know for sure, there's likely sweet spot out there for you in songwriting if you play enough, focus, explore and enjoy yourself all at the same time.

And like most everything else when you learn more that most about something, what used to look like magic to you, now is second nature. The magic of music is not where you thought it was, but that what you get back from it is purely what you put in to it in energy, effort, time, heart and soul.  

How do you write a song?

There are likely thousands of ways. You can start with lyrics, or music, or maybe even both. You just have to start somewhere and then try to do better as you learn.  

Two chords that sound good together or maybe just a phrase, or a hook. Just start somewhere where you like the sound and can do. Then try to add something else to it until there seems like there is enough and it all sounds good. And keep the parts  you like or what other people like, depending on who you are and what you are trying to do. 

Songs with vocals and music have really three functional parts, lyrics and music and melody. It helps to approach it in pieces, at least at first. Either way, it all comes together if you keep at it, and learn to get out of your own way. 

After Years, this is what I typically do...

I bought a small stereo cassette from radio shack. I also sometimes use my PC to record fragments first and then put them together.

I usually find chords I like first and them just make ooh, aaah, e, and i sounds and try to find what notes in my vocal range match what chord I'm playing on the guitar or bass guitar.. There really aren't that many notes that sound right to a chord and few scales that work, if you know what those are. 

So I find a few chords that sound good and then I try to hack at the vocal part, as most of my stuff has vocals. I start with the notes and vowel sounds and then I just start replacing the vowel phrases with words. Mostly the words fit how the music makes me feel. A soft slow chord progression has a different feel that a fast and heavy one. And the words follow that, most of the time...

One things for sure. In songwriting there are guidelines, but there are no rules. Just keep trying something else, and then something else again. Then run with what works over time.

In songwriting for tempo, my only advice is try it much too fast, fast, slow and really slow and go with what your gut and your ears seem happy with. If you can make a recording, which I strongly recommend so that you remember what you wrote, listen back to it and see if it sounds like it drags or rushes.

Having something to say, and saying it in a way that rings true makes lyrics a powerful thing. A pure blend of pitch and tone seamlessly joined with the spoken lyrical word. 

At its best, music affects mood. It brings memories and/or feelings in people playing it and listening to it. And you don't need lyrics to do that. Music always says something to those listening to it. Whether they "like" it or not. Whether it makes them happy, angry, thoughtful, or whatever, depends on what you are trying to say, and how you are saying it. 

My favorite songs not only have lyrics, they kind of tell a story too. I kind of just kind of start trying different things on the guitar, and then adding a melody, the the words, a line at a time. 

Mostly I like things that I have a strong feeling about, one way or the other. Most of the best songs likely come from the saddest and happiest of days The lyrics I like usually describe things in less less directly, less literally. Sometimes the tone of the words sort of agrees with the tone of the music, sometimes starkly contrasting it. Describing things in uncommon terms that ring true for a reason. Or something that just sounds right for some reason, unknown or not. 

Listen to songs you like and aspire to write and think about what you like about it. The blend of the  instruments and chords, with the melody, voice, lyrics or overall feel and try and do something similar, but different in one aspect or another. It is illegal to copy someone else's work and call it your own, but using a song you like for education,  inspiration, or as  a way to get started and get better is done all the time.

Here is an example of something using much of what is written above...