Many songwriters seek distinction in their profession to carve their names among some record-breaking rhymesters. But creating chart-busting tunes with powerful lyrics and unforgettable melodies can be a challenging task.
However, you don’t need a sudden burst of artistic intelligence or an abrupt inspiration to produce superb songs. Nobody becomes an excellent songwriter without practicing constantly. From Freddie Mercury to Eminem and from Anjaan to PSY, there are different approaches to great songwriting.
If you’re unsure about how to shake the cobwebs off your lyricist capabilities, it’s time to experiment with a fresh approach. Some suggestions are as follows:
Try writing freestyle
This strategy enables you to discover fresh ideas and new patterns for songwriting you’ve never imagined before. Record yourself while spittin’ decent rhymes, and then listen to your voice and examine what improvements the lyrics require.
Freestyle songwriting gives you nonstop inspiration and helps you locate novel possibilities. Also, make “covers” of trendy jingles sung by different vocalists.
Learn to play famous musicians’ songs and immerse yourself in your favorite melodies.
Write something daily
In the words of Johnny Cash, you gotta build on failure to become an excellent songwriter. Writing lyrics every day contributes to your self-education. It would be best if you compelled yourself to become productive by scribbling at least one verse.
This practice will eventually enable you to write proficiently and end up producing something unique. Some versifiers experiment with the Nick Cave process. This Aussie composer committed himself to write eight hours daily to improve his work as a musician.
Practice extensively
They say practice makes a man/woman perfect. This proverb stands accurate for songwriters as well, especially if they’re beginners in this discipline. So, some lyrical newbies try joining a community music school to polish their poetic abilities. You find a nurturing environment in these institutes where you learn from musical veterans and even participate in ensembles. Practice requires good company where your colleagues inspire you and help you achieve lyrical nirvana.
Stop overthinking
Don’t forget that the perfect song doesn’t exist! Every piece has admirers and critics. Any song that connects with your audience is a great melody. It all depends on what sort of music your niche wants to hear.
So, don’t get obsessed with the process of songwriting since it may affect your career negatively. People who are obsessed with creating “the best song ever” seldom feel satisfied with the outcome. Just look at how Sia wrote Diamonds for Rihanna in under fifteen brief minutes.
Take frequent breaks
Songwriting involves creativity which, in turn, demands mental alertness. The process of composing chart-busting songs may exhaust your brainpower. Since spending hours pursuing a specific project drains your mind and compels you to take frequent breaks.
Try resting for 10 minutes after an hour of melodic endeavors. Your mind needs distractions to refurbish its capabilities and get prepared for the next brainstorming session. Try to avoid constant diligence.
Collaborate with others
Many popular tracks have multiple creators since collaboration brings melodious minds together who mingle and bounce ideas off each other to produce something marvelous. Songwriters such as Beck and Kweli enjoy partnerships as they get a chance to obtain a fresh perspective on their lyrics.
Nowadays, it isn’t hard to contact and approach fellow musicians and pooling resources with them. You don’t even require physical proximity; a single Skype call enables you to discuss the next hit.
Write about yourself
Musicians often discuss the experiences they’ve gone through in their lyrics. This practice helps fans connect with their favorite artists. The songwriter also gets unique and exciting content with which to furnish her/his melodies. History’s most fantastic productions – such as Bohemian Rhapsody – reflect the artist’s real-life experiences. Similarly, Taylor Swift has explained how she composes her songs by obtaining stuff from her “own life” and “own stories” to animate her songwriting skills.
Try the Mozart Effect
Listening to what other songwriters have written influences your lyrical expertise by enhancing the beauty of your melodies. We’re not talking about playing a famous track in the background. Listen to popular songs attentively. Find chord progressions and poetic techniques you can imitate. Some experts believe that listening to your favorite tunes makes you more productive. Coined in the ‘90s, the term Mozart Effect explains how engaging in a favorite activity awakens your hidden potential.
Use online tools
Music originated from poetry, and poetry involves rhyming. That’s why some songwriters utilize online rhyming dictionaries that make it easier to find homophones digitally. There’s no need for you to turn into a language nerd.
Since these dictionaries will discover words for you in real-time, you can focus on using a thesaurus to bring more literary stamina into your well-crafted verses. Also, Google has made finding synonyms convenient for a modern-day lyricist.
Learn new chords
Working with the same chords can make songwriting dull for you. That’s why you should experiment with some new chords for your next project. This practice gets your creative juices flowing as your inner lyricist awakens from a deep slumber.
The same chords cease to be inspirational after a while. In order to keep things fresh, it’s imperative to play with novel tunes. You can also challenge yourself as a musician and compel your innovative soul to surpass its former avatar.
Get expert feedback
It isn’t easy to examine the quality of your songwriting skills without seeking external consultation. So, singers often present their lyrical compositions before colleagues for their expert analyses. It’s essential to find someone you trust and whose opinion matters to you. That person can explain the flaws in your work and possible improvements to consider. Getting positive feedback helps you create a fantastic melody. That’s why a good songwriter is always prepared to accept constructive criticism.
Start keeping a journal
In the end, if you’re unable to find inspiration, try recording your thoughts for future reference. You can bring a small notebook to write about your new ideas, fresh lyrics, and possible improvements to the songs. Experts recommend journaling for beginners in songwriting since it forces their inner lyricist to come out. The trick is to write down your thoughts every day – even if a few pages – as it’ll provoke you to be more creative. Then you can revisit your great ideas anytime you wish.
Conclusion
There’s a brilliant songwriter behind every successful musical production. In western countries, we’ve had brilliant composers such as MJ, Bowie, and Freddie. Brave Brothers receives the credit for writing songs that made Korean groups such as AOA and Sistar famous. It’s every beginner’s dream to produce a chart-busting melody, but only a handful of songwriters fulfill their dreams. What are the ingredients of a hit song? The main ingredient involves constant practicing since even god-gifted lyricists lose their momentum if they stop coaching their poetic genius. Also, you should collaborate with colleagues in the field and ask experts for their feedback. These techniques help you create the melody of a lifetime!
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