I have been asked many times by various students different versions of the same question: “How do I even start writing music?” This question is difficult to answer and varies for everyone, but I would like to talk to you about how I personally write music! This isn’t intended to be a theory breakdown about how to put different harmonies together or song forms but rather as a way to expand on your own ideas.
Finding your “Nugget”
Let’s say you’re sitting down to write a song and you have no idea what you want to start with. We need to find an idea, that I like to refer to as a “nugget.” We are on a treasure hunt of sorts for something that we can build from. The best way to start this search is to just mess around until you have a little idea that you really like. It can be a rhythm, it can be a small melody, it can be some cool harmonies, anything that you can find that you really like the sound of. When you find that little nugget of songwriting gold, that’s when you can REALLY go to work.
So you’ve sufficiently messed around and found something that you like. This is going to serve as our foundation for the tune, which means repetition. Take that idea, repeat it a few times, and see if you have something you enjoy. Maybe it’s too boring? Try changing the notes just a little bit on one of the repeated sections to give it some variety. What is important is that the song has a main idea, something that ties your different ideas together. This holds true whether your writing solo pieces, the next great pop song, or a full-fledged symphony. The audience needs something that they can hold onto to make sense of all your BRILLIANCE.
Developing your “Nugget”
So now you’ve got an extended little section that you like, now we need to consider development. Just like any good story, we need to give the audience a firm setting but the action needs to kick in to keep interest. Try messing with your dynamics, adding layers, or maybe consider a key change to increase dramatic effect! Once you have your audience’s attention you have to keep it! The audience needs to be moved from the beginning to the end without getting bored, so considering how the song develops is ESSENTIAL.
The most important things you can do when you write are to trust your instincts and have FUN. Experiment! Don’t be afraid to try something you have never done before. Don’t be afraid to try something that you’ve heard before that you enjoy. We are all just a combination of our influences, use them! And never give up the search for your next NUGGET.
Start experimenting with songwriting today under the guidance of one of our amazing instructors!
- Andy Greenwell, Music Instructor at Vibe Music Academy.
