so i have decided to try to write some songs. I play acoustic and like to song along with it. Are there any good websites or tips that you guys can offer for me?
thanks a lot

Transcribe songs by ear, and study why songs you like work they way they do. Study the phrasing, the rythym, why certain notes work better than others, etc.

And write lots of songs! As with everything; the more you do it, the better you get at it.

This post was edited by Pedrots on Oct 8 2012 11:08pm

Good websites offering tips for songwriting? ummm.. Just write songs. Thats the way to learn songwriting.

Pick up a book on songwriting. Yopu can find em at alot of book stores. (Barnes and Noble, Books a Million, Ect.)
I picked up a couple books and they really helped me out.

And yes writing songs will help you get better, but that's a VERY slow way to get better. If you really want to get better you will read about it, study it, and what not.

That's like telling someone the best way to get better at singing is to just sing all the time. When infact that's not true AT ALL. Tons of people sing every day but they will still suck until their dyin' day unless they get into vocal training and voice lessons.


I have some tip for you if you like. I've been writing songs for about 6 years and have been reading and studying song writing as well. PM me if interested.

This post was edited by Rushton on Oct 10 2012 07:49am

first! lower your expectations




j/k :p, gl m8

i'm writing random shit about everyday life now, idk where its leading. it feels more like a poem than anything

I use two words to describe my songs. One word is to describe the music, the other is to describe the lyrical meaning. In my last song the two words I used before I started writing the lyrics were Urgency, the music, searching, the lyrics.

When you do this, the lyrics you write should always have these two words in mind. This way there's always continuity in your message and you don't run aimlessly from one topic to another missing the point. Also because of the vagueness of the two words, it can have several meanings so it still leaves some interpretation for the audience. Searching. Searching for food? Love? Gems in Diablo? You can say what you're looking for but without actually saying it, this way you can relate to larger audiences. Read some Jeremy Enigk.