I write poetry and would love to write a song but do not know the rules of how what when, can anyone help?

Answer 1

The general thinking is that you cannot just put music to a poem. So songs... I am a terrible songwriter, and find it one of the hardest things in the world. Bob Dylan said it was the easiest, but thats only for him. There are no rules. Speak from the heart, whether its happy, sad angry or whatever. Try to write with your own slant, dont write cliches, dont use words just cos they rhythm. Dont feel you have to make complete sense (see REM, who are great, incidentally) and use emotive imagery. Be honest, individual, and listen to the greats for inspiration, Nick Drake, Ben Harper, Tom Waits, Billy Holiday, etc etc etc. Good Luck

Answer 2

There are no real rules, if you enjoy it. If you want more technical use music with sequences of 4 bars (a bar has 4 beats in common time - 3 for a waltz timing) as songs generally have number of bars that are multiples of 4 bars

Answer 3

I started out like this too. All you have to do is write something or take something you already have and put it to music. Simple guitar or piano chords work WONDERS with this. And if you're having trouble writing, just write down what you feel- like, your takes on life, war, love, friends, etc.

Hope that helps!

Answer 4

Don't follow the rules, that's the whole point! If your words fit even the most basic of chord sequences then you've already cracked it.

Answer 5

all i can suggest is what a songwriting guitar playing friend of mine tells me she does. when she completes a song, she posts it to herself in order to copyright it or prove her ownership of it.