What are the steps to writing/composing a song?

Question

Do you start with a bass line or with a lead guitar line? Or do you start with lyrics and try to come up with a melody that fits the lyrics or is it the other way around where you choose lyrics to fit in to the melodic line?

Answer 1

Stravinsky, one of the great composers, once said the easiest way to write was with restriction. If you want to write a song quickly and easily- especially if it's your first one- find 4 different chords on the piano or guitar that you think go together well, just keep playing them over and over, and hum or make up a melody on top of it. Then start writing words to that melody. Make two lines that are your favorite, and turn them into a chorus- even if its the same melody as the verse- just sing them again and again. and there you'll have a song. There are actually tons of popular songs that you probably know already that use the 4 chord style of writing- simple, restrictive, but effective.

Answer 2

Different composers do it in completely different ways. If you think of a great bass line, and feel comfortable starting there, go for it. If you have a great melody, start there, and see where it takes you. There is no such thing as a wrong way and a right way to write a song. Any musician/songwriter who tells you otherwise has probably never spoken to any other successful writers. I went to school for music, and one of my majors was music theory, so we had tons of composition classes. I've worked with great composers, and every single one of them described their writing process as different. Some even start with an image and try to describe that in sound. Good luck, and be creative!

Answer 3

My only advice on songwriting is to write abouit things you know.
There are no rules to writing, but if you are good at melodies then
work from that end. If lyrics are what you do best then start there.
If you are a guitar player and get stuck, try a new key or add a minor chord. Sounds funny but it can oush the tune ina new direction. On lyrics, if you want to write in a certain syle,( I write celtic songs) study, read books, go on line and punch in your
lyric. See what it brings up. When you write songs, if you write enough, you will have good songs, lame songs and sometimes
really terrific songs.

Answer 4

my advice start with lyrics and make music that fits the words and show the meaning of the words. as far as writing the music, follow you gut. do what ever comes first. you can plan to the base line first but if melody comes let it come!

Answer 5

1. Melody
2. Bass Line
3. Chords
4. Percussion part
5. Edit (yourself and at least two other people).
6. Send to publisher

This is how we were taught to write music in college. You can use the lyrics to help create the melody (easier), or you can use the melody to come up with the words.

Answer 6

You can do it any way that you want. However some of the greatest writers start with lyrics like Elton John and Bernie Taupin. If it works as a poem then it will also work as a song.

Answer 7

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