REAL TALK WITH DANIELLE - 5 Tips to Write a Song If You Don’t Play An Instrument

As a singer-songwriter, I meet so many people who have always wanted to write a song, but never felt able to do it. It is one of the most freeing things to sit down at a piano or guitar and write a song... but that’s not how I started! I used to just sit down and sing my little heart out until the words or the music felt right. Most times, that is what I still do! I’ve been writing songs for over 15 years, and here are my answers to common questions about how to write a song without an instrument.

1.     What Should I Write About? Everyone hears the cliché “write about what you know” but that can be a little unclear for beginners. When you’re picking a subject, write about what’s going on in your life or what matters to you. Even if it’s as silly as what you ate for breakfast. “Peaches” by The Presidents of the United States of America is one of my favorite songs, and the only memorable lyric is “move into the country, gonna eat a lot of peaches.” Seriously! Don’t judge yourself. You can write about anything you want!

2.     Should I Write Alone or with Friends? There are pros and cons to both.

     Pros of Writing Alone: Writing is an emotionally liberating experience. You may want to write about things that aren’t ready to be heard by others. If this is you, then consider getting some candles, soft lighting, or comforting items to make your place of writing a sanctuary, and get comfortable with those deep, personal thoughts and feelings! You’ll feel a real catharsis once it’s on paper.

    Pros of Writing with Friends: Some people do much better when they can communicate their thoughts out loud and another person is writing it all down. Having your unique train of thought written out on a page by someone else can be the thing that helps you hear your inner voice. Order a pizza and invite a friend or two over to play scribe for the evening.

     Cons of Writing Alone: Them waters are murky! If you’re swimming the depths of that emotional turmoil alone, you might get in touch with those pesky feelings we humans have to tolerate. All songwriters started by getting stuck in those murky waters, and it’s a nerve-wracking, but essential part of the journey towards writing songs that mean something to you.

     Cons of Writing with Friends: If you aren’t experienced in writing songs it can be helpful to have a songwriter guide, but one of the difficult things about writing with other people is when your musical “tendencies” aren’t in sync. For example, I feel strongest with lyrics and melody, so it is really hard for me to write with people who prioritize chords. It might also feel scary to swim in the emotions pool in front of other people for the first time through music.

3.     Music or Lyrics first? My first inclination is usually to write lyrics and melody (the part that I sing) together, but every songwriter is different. If you’re someone who feels rhythm really strongly, start tapping it out and use that as a springboard. Alternatively, if you’re really drawn to words, start by writing your song as a poem, and come back to the music later on. If you hear a melody in your head, record it into your iPhone and listen back while you are trying to find words.

4.     Is there any kind of structure? Yes. There is a basic structure to modern pop songs that I highly recommend for any beginning songwriter. There are definitely exceptions, but it’s helpful to learn the rules before you break them. Examples of songs that use the basic structure are: “Daughters” by John Mayer and “Oops I Did It Again” by Britney Spears. Here is the basic song structure:

     Verse 1: This is the “A” section. It’s the start to your song!

     Chorus 1: This is the “B” section. It’s often called the “hook” because it’s the part that is most memorable.

     Verse 2: This is the “A” section again. It has the same melody, but new words!

     Chorus 2: This is the “B” section again. Usually, it’s exactly the same as Chorus 1. You can change the words, though, if you’re feeling adventurous!

     Bridge: This is the “C” section. It usually sounds the most different from the rest of the song. You can usually pick it out in songs where the singer starts singing higher, lower, or in a different rhythm. Likewise, you can change the writing in those ways in this section.

      Chorus 3: Repeat the “B” section one more time. Again, it’s usually the exact same words, but you’re allowed to change them!

5.     What if I get stuck? Do you mean what if you sit down and start to write a song and you don’t finish it and/or write the next big hit? Have no fear, friends! The fact that you’ve put effort towards writing a song means that you’re doing really well. And if you want to know a secret... even the pros get stuck after writing down a few lines. I have hundreds of half-written songs in my files that will probably never see the light of day, but I wholeheartedly believe my fully written songs would not be here without all those difficult writing days I went through. Even if you only write for 5 minutes every Tuesday night, you are still practicing writing, and you will see progress over time!

Got more questions about the songwriting process? Post it in the comments below or send me an email!

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