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Featured Songwriting Tip
Songwriting - The Art of Writing
a Good Song
By Kathy
Unruh
Did you know that good songwriting is
often the key to establishing a successful music career?
But more than that, it can be fun! When you write a song
you are able to express yourself in new and creative ways.
Whether you're sad, happy, angry, or in love... with words,
you can fly!
Freedom of expression is one of the greatest
priviledges we have, but with it comes some responsibility.
Words are very powerful and have been used successfully
by many for better, or worse. When writing a song, consider
how your words are going to impact your listener. Do you
wish to alienate them, or draw them into your perspective
on things?
A good song will create an emotional reaction
in people, and that's exactly what you're trying to achieve!
You want to get your listener to feel with you. You want
to move them emotionally. You want them to like your song
and be willing to listen to it again and again. If you can
get your audience to identify with you on some level, you
will be on the road to creating a good song.
As you are stirring up your creative juices
you may discover that finding just the RIGHT word is sometimes
a bit frustrating. But with the RIGHT songwriting tips and
resources it becomes a lot easier! Here are three of the
most important songwriting tools you should have:
1. DICTIONARY - A dictionary is
essential when writing. Besides giving you the correct meaning
of a word, it will also help you to express yourself more
clearly. You will discover new words while expanding your
vocabulary too!
2. THESAURUS - A thesaurus is another
important tool to help with creating your songwriting material.
You can use a thesaurus to find different words that have
similiar meaning.
3. RHYMING DICTIONARY - As the
name implies, a rhyming dictionary organizes words that
rhyme in alphabetical order using the vowel sounds A E I
O U. For example, if you were looking for a word that rhymes
with Abel you would look under A sounds. Words rhyming with
Abel would be listed in alphabetical order.
There isn't really a secret formula for
writing a good song because determining what is "good" is
subjective and a matter of personal opinion (some great
songs have broken all the so called "rules"). However, many
successful songwriters have used the following format to
write a "Hit" song:
INTRO: Approximately 4-8 measures
of instrumental music that contains part or all of "the
hook" (a part of the melody that is easy to remember).
VERSE: Each verse should be written
in such a way as to "set up" the chorus. Try to keep the
meter of your song even by matching the syllables of your
words. Be consistent with the sentences that rhyme. Verses
should create an anticipation of fulfillfment.
CHORUS: This is where you make
your statement. Stress the most important part of your song
and make it tasty. Think of your chorus or "hook" as being
like the icing on a cake. You want your words to be worth
remembering.
VERSE: Continue to follow the idea
of your song all the way through, don't get side-tracked!
CHORUS: This is where you have
the opportunity to repeat your "hook" which should continue
to emphasize your songs main theme.
BRIDGE: This is where you can create
some interest and tension by changing your melody line,
modulating to a different key, or adding an instrumental
guitar part, etc. Don't make it too long, approximately
8 measures or so. It should build or crescendo to the final
chorus.
FADE CHORUS: This is generally
the same as your first chorus, but you will end by repeating
it over and over, then gradually fade out to end your song.
Use your "hook" generously, but don't over-kill!
Be flexible and use your imagination!
Don't just copy or mimic what is currently popular. Remember
that some of the biggest names in the music business made
it to the top because they were not afraid to be ORIGINAL
or have a different sound. So, experiment, be yourself,
and most of all- have fun!
FREE Reprint Rights - You may publish
this article in your e-zine or on your web site as long
as you include the following information:
Kathy Unruh is a singer/songwriter and
webmaster of ABC Learn Guitar. She has been writing
songs and providing guitar lessons to students of all ages
for over 20 years. For free guitar lessons, plus tips and
resources on songwriting, recording and creating a music
career, please visit: http://www.abclearnguitar.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/
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