You Already Have Something to Say
The biggest barrier most aspiring songwriters face isn't talent — it's the belief that they don't have anything worth saying. You do. Your experiences, your observations, your emotions — these are the raw material of every great song.
Start with the Feeling
Before you write a single word or note, identify the feeling you want to convey. Not the story — the feeling. Longing. Joy. Defiance. Grief. The feeling is the compass that guides every decision you make in the song.
Song Structure Basics
Most popular songs follow one of a few basic structures:
- Verse-Chorus-Verse-Chorus-Bridge-Chorus — the most common pop structure
- Verse-Verse-Chorus-Verse-Chorus — common in folk and country
- AAB (12-bar blues) — the foundation of blues songwriting
Melody and Lyrics Together
Many songwriters make the mistake of writing lyrics first and then trying to fit them to a melody. A better approach is to develop melody and lyrics simultaneously — let the natural rhythm of your words suggest the melody, and let the melody suggest new words.
Hooks
A hook is the most memorable part of a song — usually the chorus or the title line. Great hooks are:
- Melodically simple and singable
- Lyrically direct and emotionally resonant
- Rhythmically distinctive
Working with Your Instructor
Our Bellevue vocal instructors can incorporate songwriting into your lessons. Bring in your ideas — even rough, unfinished ones — and we'll help you develop them.