10 Musical Songwriting Hacks
How to Write Even Better Songs
As songwriters, the creative process can sometimes be a bit unpredictable. You might have days when the words and music just flow and other days when it feels like you're pulling teeth.
Fortunately, there are some things you can do to make the writing process a little easier with the music – and to help ensure that the songs you write are the best they can be.
Here are ten songwriting music hacks that will help you write even better songs.
10 Hacks
HACK #1: PROSODY – MUSIC TO WORDS
One of the most important aspects of writing a great song is ensuring that the music and words work together. Prosody is the study of the melodies and rhythms of speech, and it's something that all great songwriters understand.
When working on a new song, you might want to pay attention to how the words sound when you sing them. If they don't flow well with the melody, try changing the melody or the words until they fit together better.
HACK #2: THE RIGHT CHORDS
Chords can also help. Chords are what give it its emotional quality. If you can find a way to change the chords in a song, you can change the way it makes you feel. For example, adding a minor chord to a major progression can create a more melancholy sound. Or, by using seventh chords, you can add a bit of jazz flavor to your tunes.
HACK #3: A NEW PROGRESSION
Listening to pop music, you know that the right chord progression can make all the difference in a song. A progression is simply a series of chords played in a particular order. If you can find a progression that you like, try playing it with different chords to see what else you can come up with.
HACK #4: A DIFFERENT TEMPO
The right tempo can make a big difference in how a song sounds. If you want to make a song sound more exciting, you can speed up the tempo. But if you're looking for a more relaxing version of a song, you can slow the tempo down. Try experimenting with different tempos to see what sounds best to your lyric.
HACK #5: ARRANGEMENT AND INSTRUMENTATION
One way to make your song more interesting is to create a new progression in the arrangement. This means that each section of the song (verse, chorus, bridge, etc.) gets progressively louder, quieter, or even faster or slower. This can be a very effective way to keep the listener engaged throughout the song.
You can also change the instrumentation of a song to give it a different flavor. For example, if you're crafting a song for country music, try adding some banjo or steel guitar. Or, if writing EDM, try writing with a cool synthesizer loop or drum machine tracks.
HACK #6: TRY MY FAVORITE KEY – F#
One small change can make a big difference in your song's sound. If you want to make your song sound more unique, try changing the key. For example, if you're normally writing in the key of D, try switching to my favorite key: F# (F-sharp). This will give your song a darker, more mysterious sound. It’s more difficult to play on your keyboard, but it’s a beautiful key!
You can also change the key of a song to make it sound better. If a song is too highly-pitched, you can try lowering the key to making it sound fuller. And if a song is too low-pitched, you can try raising the key to make it sound brighter.
HACK #7: TRY A DIFFERENT MELODY OR HOOK IT
If you're having trouble coming up with a melody, try this hack: Pick a favorite song and write a new melody to the existing chords. This will help you get out of your normal writing rut and give you some ideas for melodies.
The melody is arguably the most essential part of a song. If you can find a way to make the melody more catchy or more commercial, it can make the whole tune sound better.
Another way to make a melody more catchy is to add a hook. A hook is a short phrase that is repeated throughout the song. It can be anything from a word or phrase to a sound effect. Hooks are what make songs memorable, and they can make even the simplest melody sound better.
HACK #8: MAKE THE CHORUS CATCHY
The chorus is the part of the song that is repeated after each verse. It usually contains the main melody of the song, and it's the part that people remember the most. Choruses are usually catchy and easy to sing along to. If you want your song to be more memorable, make sure your chorus is catchy and easy to sing along to.
Sometimes adding a little more space in the chorus is helpful, or adding longer notes, or even one syllable sung over a number of notes – a rising melody or a falling melody – otherwise known as melisma. This is a lovely trick.
HACK #9: VOCAL EFFECTS
While you're at the demo stage, vocal effects are a great way to make your song more interesting and unique. There are a variety of vocal effects that you can use, from echo to reverb to pitch shifters. Adding reverb or delay can give your favorite singer's voice a whole new dimension. So go ahead and experiment with different effects to see what sounds best.
HACK #10: MOTIFS
A motif is a melodic, harmonic, or rhythmic idea that recurs throughout a song. Listening for motifs can help you better appreciate the overall structure of a piece, and can also make complex works more digestible. Try listening for motifs next time you're stuck on a particularly dense listen; it might just help you unlock the music's hidden treasures.
So there you have it, ten ways to make your favorite tunes sound even better. Give them a try and see how they work for you.
Questions
Here are a few questions:
Do you have any favorite music hacks? Let us know in the comments below!
When you've written part of the lyric, what music could best combine to enhance the song?
What chords, progressions, motifs, or hooks shine the lyric best?
What can somehow make the chorus work best?
Hope this helps!
Simon