Monthly Archives: August 2012

Steps to Songwriting from a Chord Progression

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Many of us are musicians and songwriters…..we are composers and lyricists. Songs are created when lyrics, melody and harmony come together….great songs result when the content of all of those 3 work together to communicate emotions. Songs can be born from any starting point….what comes first….the music or the lyrics? It can be lyrics, melody or harmony that start bringing your song into the world. Today we are starting with chords and chord progressions…..also know as harmony. Give these steps a shot if you need an extra little boost to bring your song to life….

10 Steps to Writing a Song from a Chord Progression:

1. Listen to your chord progression. — record it, play it, feel it

2. What does it make you feel? — write down the emotions you feel. Really describe what it feels like

3. Write down as many situations that you can imagine that would cause the emotion from Step 2. — What could happen that would make you feel that way? Write down anything that comes to mind until you have to try to think of something….then think of 1 more.

4. Choose the most interesting and original idea from Step 3 and free write about what you or the character is feeling about the situation. Do not edit. This is writing down any ideas that flow from your mind. Do this for 5 minutes.

5. Underline, select, write down or circle phrases and words from Step 4 that stand out as great titles lines, or ideas.

6. Use lines from Step 5 to write a chorus. — The Chorus is the emotional center and the Big ‘Why’ of the song.

7. Set the chorus lyrics to the chord progression.

8. Write the first verse using a contrasting rhyme scheme and number of lines to the chorus. — The First Verse should set up, describe and establish the Who, When and Where of your song. Set it to music. The verse melody is usually lower and contrasts to the chorus melody.

9. Write the second verse and set to music — Second Verse can describe how we got to where we are now. The melody here is the same as verse 1.

10. Write a bridge and set to music — your bridge can describe or explain, ‘ where do we go from here? Or How do we get there?’ The bridge is usually higher than the chorus and contrasts with the verse and chorus.

These steps are very simplified, but I hope they inspire you to get writing. Many times all it takes to get unstuck is to simply begin. Starting from a chord progression is a very efficient way to start. Need a chord progression that works? Use one from a hit song. You can’t copyright a chord progression, and millions of hit songs use the same progressions….so start with one that works. Just make sure your melody doesn’t copy other songs.

Chad

How to Write Better Song Lyrics

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Many times people notice melodies and rhythms first, and then the lyric pulls them in and connects with their logic and emotion. Writing great song lyrics takes lots of practice, and there is a definite craft to it. Here are some helpful songwriting posts that can help you write better lyrics:

10 Steps to Songwriting from a Title

Using Facebook to Spark Creativity and Inspire Lyrics

How to Contrast with Rhyme Schemes

Don’t Be Obvious When Writing Lyrics

10 Steps to Songwriting If You Only Have a Chorus

What Job Does Each Section of Your Song Do?

Hope these help!

~ Chad

Twin Cities 3 Part Songwriting Class Starts October 18, 2012!

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For 3 weeks, starting on October 18, 2012, I will be teaching a songwriting class in St Louis Park, MN. If you are a songwriter, this is a great, affordable course that will give you the inside scoop on how you can improve your writing. Here is the course description:

Are you a songwriter? Do you write lyrics? Do you struggle with writer’s block or not knowing what to write about? Want to write better songs? Join us for an in-depth look at what makes hit songs work, and explore topics like object writing, point of view, rhyme scheme, building contrast, and writing from your senses. Songwriting is a mix of craft and art. Many times it starts with inspiration to get a rough draft, but how do you make your song shine? You’ll leave with the tools to start writing better songs that touch people. Instructor Chad Shank is a songwriter and producer with over 15 years experience. His songs have been used on TV shows on MTV, CMT, HBO, Hallmark, WE TV, NBC, Discovery and others. No specific music skills are required. Open to students ages 16 and up. Bring a notebook.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP!

New Song: Adam Carmichael – ‘Heaven Knows’

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A friend of mine that I have written some songs with has released his first debut CD. He also just released a video for his single, “Heaven Knows.”  Adam wrote this song after he and I spent a few hours going over songwriting and tips and tricks. He went home and used some of the things I showed him and came up with this great song. Adam used songwriting craft along with personal feelings and experiences to really write something special.

 

Songwriting and Working Out

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I love songwriting. I really do. Songs are what I am passionate about. I try to make songwriting part of my life with the intent of writing the best songs I can. That is great, but I still find days where I don’t want to write. I mean, I want to write, but I don’t want to write. I know how to, but I’d rather do something else, or do nothing at all. I get like this with working out, too. I want to be fit, I know how to be fit, but sometimes I’d rather sit on my ass and eat a tub of ice cream. Is this bad?

I used to think it was bad to want to do nothing, or chow down on some junk food. But now I think I am ok with it. I am ok with it, if it is the exception, and not the rule. I used to put so much pressure on myself because I was not writing. I thought if I had free time I needed to be writing something or I was failing. But I am not a machine. I am a person. I am not perfect. It takes imperfections to make the perfect times stand out. Just like the weather changes, so does my motivation, inspiration and drive. I think that’s ok, as long as I am doing something that makes me happy, and helps me live life…..like eating a tub of Ben and Jerry’s. How can I capture life in a song, if I don’t live.

So if you are stuck in a rut and don’t feel like writing, that is ok….as long as at some point you get back on that horse and write about the things you have been doing in the mean time. Don’t get down yourself as a songwriter if you don’t feel like writing. Everything has a season. But you should still learn as much as you can about the craft, so when the bug bites you again, you know how to finish your song….and you will find that you know what to do if inspiration doesn’t strike.

Why am I writing this? Well, over the last couple weeks I have not been writing. I feel my gears getting rusty, but I have been busy mixing and mastering a project that I have been recording with a client. Been feeling a bit nervous and stressed that I need to write 5 or 6 songs by Sept 18 when I perform on a regional cable TV show. But you know what….it’s all good. Do you have times like this?

Top 5 Songs This Week: Title Placement and Chorus Rhyme Scheme

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Tonight I thought it would be fun to analyze the top 5 songs on the Billboard Hot 100 chart this week. I wanted to look at their choruses and see where the titles are placed and how the rhyme schemes are set up. I was curious to see if there are any patterns or commonalities.

I did see some patterns in the songs;

1. All of the songs had the title in the first or last line of the chorus. A couple had the title in the middle as well.

2. Most of the choruses were longer than I expected with 6 to 9 lines.

3. The rhyme schemes had lots of couplets and multiple lines that end in the same sounds.

Here are the songs and how I would say the choruses are set up:

1. Call Me Maybe – Carly Rae Jepsen

X
A
X
A – Title Line
X
A
X
A – Title Line

2. Wide Awake – Katie Perry

The title also appears throughout the verses of this song

A
A
A
A
Title Line

3. Payphone – Maroon 5

X – Title Line
A
X
A
B
B
B
B

4. Whistle – Flo Rida

Title Line
A
A
A
Title line
A

5. Lights – Ellie Goulding

A – Title Line
A
B
B
A
A
A
A
A
Title repeated in musical turnaround….

I hope this gives you an idea of how you can look at some choruses of songs you like.
Maybe try experimenting writing songs that copy the structures of the songs listed. Remember the 2 most important lines in any section are the first and last lines….

~ Chad