The Songwriting Tip I Wish I Learned Sooner 

lousy songs?

@@alexc9278 try to write good songs but don't feel bad if they're lousy and don't stop writing.

@@tomcripps7229 can I try to write lousy songs and not feel bad if they're good ... Cos im killin it at the thing you recommended already :'-D

What’s the next step?

@@babiesmilk2771 record it.

Wow

That is some mystical, true words from Michael, the best of songs appear like that I am certain

he touched kids

Ollie Robertson sexually

I want to like this but something in me tells me that it’s an absolute load of hogwash!!!!

Yess this this this. The Beatles had a lot of opportunity to get really good as well, hours and hours of practice and performing.

A bit like learning to driving a car , how many times do you go for those drives before you got it all figured out. And even Then you still learn some things through experience even when you think you got it figured out. 👍

wow thank you for your wise wordss

Dope

Yeah but just be careful of not coming into the of coming up with something new everyday. It is a good thing to start like that, but then you should move into finishing song and go through the whole process of making complete lyrics recorded and totally let go and get into the habit of finishing songs. Alot of people keep on writing something new everyday and get really good at coming up with new ideas but then they suck at making a complete work, arrangement etc because they haven't practiced that. But won't realise that until they attempt to go into the full recording process. I myself realised that along the way, after making so many demo's, but never really fully finished anything. Then I was forced to learn it in the recording process, in results, I needed many attempts until I was satisfied with that particular track. Realising I could have saved so much time, if I had already finished couple of mediocre songs before going into the "big one" Most of creative work is trial and error. Like that quote says 'Fail fast, fail often, fail forward'

I wouldn't say everyday but once every month

I've been writing songs almost every day..

My problem is writer's block and cant think of anything to write.

Aj this is a major problem I think everybody faces (I know I do lol). My advice is to build a habit of sitting down to write at a specific time every day. Start small and keep taking baby steps. Also, learn to be cool with the fact that you gotta write some shitty songs if you ever wanna write some good songs. Writing shitty songs gets you a lot further than writing no songs. When you sit down for a writing session, write whatever is on your mind, maybe start by writing about having writer’s block. Best of luck 🤘

Use what you have and feels comfortable. I write my songs with good ol' pen and paper.

and that’s okay ✨

That’s how most successful writers once started ✨(need to remind myself of this often)

Big facts lmao

I literally just use my keyboard, put notes together that I like and then try and figure out lyrics which is the hardest part for me

That is definitely completely untrue.

Exactly👌

What are u fucking insane?

What I meant by that is simply you don't always have to do verse chorus verse bridge chorus fade. When you are starting out in songwriting all the "experts" tell you to do this because they assume you don't know anything. But there have been many many hits over the years that do not follow this formula. Once you break the mold and are successful then people start following you. There are leaders and there are followers. Follow your gut, your instincts. Years ago I wrote a song Eagles style for a songwriting contest. Celebrities were critiquing and judging the entries. Mine was thrown out in the first round. The judge said it was very catchy and pleasant to listen to, toe tapping and so on, but I needed to expand out of the traditional songwriting formula if I wanted to establish myself in the music business. Prove that I could do something unique and different. Well, the next year I wrote a song that changed keys 3 times, used 16 chords, built to a crescendo but without following verse....chorus...etc. The judge told me the song was excellent, very unique, had great promise, but to win a songwriting competition like that I had to prove I had educated myself on the fundamentals of basic songwriting. He suggested I write something with no more than 3 or 4 chords and stick to verse - chorus and throw in a bridge somewhere.

I agree. "Everybody" tries to tell you how to write a great song and all these formulas to use. I never pay attention to the "50 best chord progressions every songwriter should know" lists. Imagine from your head, play from your heart, and learn just enough theory to allow you to get ideas out of your head and onto your instrument. Squeeze wrote "Up The Junction" and it was the first time I'd ever heard a song with just verses. It blew my mind!😅 Just do "you" and don't listen to the "experts".. because the very thing you come up with could become the next big thing.. but you won't know that if you listen to everybody else.

@@sace4700 you just need a chorus tbh, the rest can be whatever

I too wish to audibly hallucinate. (This is a joke please dont take it seriously)

@@piratehalfdroid7370 Never mind. I"m Brazilian. I don't understand some jokes. :) :)

I wanna live the life In a face that makes me dance I wanna feel whats right No drugs in a trance The weak one I fight I wanna live my life Not think about what might I wanna live like a love song In them words where I belong Let me live my hole life long Let me live my love song I cant live to long Faces make me cry I only wonder whats wrong I think about this life How long..Im the weak one I wanna live my hole life Forget what might Not tonight God listen to love..Listen to my song Listen to the love song I wanna live in this love song I wanna live my hole life long In them words I belong Ima live my hole life long Ima live my love song This is our love song By: AARON GUARRASI

I've had 2 of those

This just helped me so much right now, I got songs in my notes app and sometimes I get stuck because I can’t find a word that can rhyme to the last word. Thx!

@@ashleyt.4322 sometimes i have that problem too !

@@ashleyt.4322let the music flow

I'm curious, after you've put time, effort, and money into your songs, is it that it no longer serves the original purpose? Have you ever thought about repurposing the song?

I've written 2 verses to a song & left it as i couldnt get back into that headspace to finish it. A few years later i wrote 2 verses & a chorus to a song & as i was going back thru my songbooks whilst putting music to these verses i found that song i hadn't finished, it had a similar vibe to the new song so i was able to meld the 2 different sets of lyrics into 1 song & it works really well. The song's called Little Secrets. So i know what you mean when you say its best not to delete ideas 🙂

Seems legit

Or if you do that you can switch the lyrics around to different songs and actually try and make a couple good ones :D

13 shit songs and a hit**

that's still more impressive than having no shit at all so, I'll remember this quote for the rest of my life mate lol

It’s called a first album... And later it’s your best work.🤣

you are the one i always sees in mrballen comment

@@neraisan6097 Yep, I love that channel, big fan of the dark and mysterious told in story format, but my channel is music education so you will see me in places like this, too. Are you a songwriter?

@@TenThumbsProductions well i’m trying to be...

O yeah! He sure did! This is an awesome talk.

I once wrote three verses in 8 years. It's aways been the top pick of all the songs I've written.

@@elizabethharalson7903 a very personal and deep connection to that song 👍

I have one song that was 30 years in the making

Love that! Thank you for sharing that with us!

Yeah it's a little bit too loud for me

Agreed. Too much.

So much true

Thanks for sharing this with the community man. So many times I've found myself in the exact spot you're in. Keep creating and keep finding joy and satisfaction in the thing you create. Stick with your craft and keep learning/exploring new things.

Eric Lewandowski do it!!! Do it!! 🤘🏽💕

There is no such thing as "writer's block". It is an overused cliche' that needs to go the way of the do do bird. You can write something. Anything. Write something shitty. At least its something. It will get you working, either way, and the more you work, the closer you are to making a hit. An idea, a line. Many hit songs came from one small idea that started with a lousy writing day. Work, man, and stop telling yourself you have "writer's block".

Shut it down jimmy

Hayden Hovis always keep going bro. Inspiration is fleeting but you’ll find it again. Just gotta change your process. I think both negative and positive events in life can make good music it’s all about tweaking your process or your style. Just try new things! Best of luck

Write a song about what you just said

Anything can be a muse. Sometimes my weird friends will say hilarious things to me, that I later right into songs. One friend blurted out this gem: "I know I may be ugly But at least I've got no money." I was like....wtf, that's ridiculous. But, it made for a great chorus in a song about an unkillable asshole that sleeps with all the ladies and every guy hates. Lol If you wanna hear it, it's recorded. Anything can be a muse.

So ur telling me I have to lose someone to make a good song?!??!?

@@carryon4123 it's not on Spotify. But I'd send it yer way if you tell me where to send it. :) I don't mind sharing

Definitely! Really trying to tighten my melodies and music theory so stuff like this is much appreciated!

JOSHUA glad to hear it! 🙏🏻

This video helped me in so many ways. I’ve been struggling with my writing process for a while so thank you.

Question I listen to Kendrick Lamar and he writes lyrics how can I be better at writing before I hit his level

Yes please! Any advice on songwriting. Especially if you have any advice for folks who would like to write for others!

Same boat

You can try to improvise the vocal melody first and write lyrics to fit them. Or you can use your pre-existing lyrics, count the syllables as if they were rhythm and play that rhythm to the major scale on your piano.

It's easier to come up with a vocal melody first and then writing some lyrics over that. Most pro writers go that way.

@@CagedGod music should always be first

Taking some singing lessons improve where you are weak

Stephanie Matos awesome! Glad to hear it 😁🙏🏻

Legit advice. Ive definitely done all of the above, and i have a hard time working on songs after i put out some version of them out there

I think dropping behind the scenes stuff in the build up of a release campaign works really well. It's amazing how much the 'story' part of branding really connects an artist to their fans :)

Totally right! Whenever i tell ppl im gonna write a song i either get stuck halfway, hate it or not even write one....

Thanks for this comment! Needed to hear this too!

Damn that hit my soul

Two really great tips, thanks Mr. Tom. Really appreciate the kind words too, means a lot! Thanks for your comment, my friend 🙌

@@PatrickBreenMusic You are Welcome Patrick.. I'm glad you are doing well.. again I'm happy to see some actual "solid" content on RU-vid that you have on your channel here.. awesome. A lot people never heard of me, even though I have a few NDA's with co-writing songs in the past with some very notable people... Currently, other than a few sponsorships/endorsements with music instrument companies, I mainly write commercially licensed music.. instrumental tracks for music libraries mainly, various media... sometimes small albums (EPs) for retail sales and streaming mechanical royalties.... I'm writing probably my last full album next year (I'm an 'old early 1980's guy) ... "maybe" playing some small venues that I lined up.. depending on the virus situation. Have a great weekend friend, be safe out there.

Great tips! Thinking outside the box here. Nice.

Helpfull thanks sir

Hello

You got this. You’re gonna be something great

Glad to hear it, my friend.

Same here😭

My tip is to write with a friend I had the same problem for years. I had never even written a song with my best friend even though we both write songs We wrote a song together and it was the first song I ever finished. We only know how to write. We have no recording equipment or anything. Our music teacher heard our song and loved it. I could finally finished songs after that. Basically, write a few songs with your friends. Then start practicing by yourself.

Hey not every song needs to follow the typical //verse-prechorus-chorus//-bridge-chorus structure! I have a song that is just two verses, a vocalization section, and two more verses. Experiment with structuring your songs and see what comes out as well :)

I came here because I can’t finish a song and got the advice that I’m not gonna finish all my songs 😂😭 I was like “yes I get that but like can I please have ONE?? ONE song? Just SOMETHING getting done??” Lollll it’s a process 😅

@@sophiaredwood5825 you are scared to finish because you think the first verses are perfect. Remember the song is coming from you

Thanks for the feedback, my friend. Glad you’re enjoying the videos 🙏🏻🙌🏻

Jared Humphers really good stuff in here, Jared. That’s something I didn’t think to mention, but it’s so true - sometimes the song idea doesn’t translate because YOU aren’t developed enough to get your idea down. Definitely has happened plenty of times to me. It’s so funny how, with a little time and development, those old ideas can become new. Writing really is like trying to catch lightning in a bottle!

Likewise!!

You're very welcome. Glad the video was helpful!

You're so welcome!

My pleasure! Thanks for the kind words!

woah to many ! u can write about anything u want like breakups,loss,happiness,rain,lockdown anything !!!!

for the lyrics question, i think it really just depends on the artist’s value and choice. some people choose to go direct with their lyrics bc their strength is in something else (vocal performance/concept/melody), while others don’t. people write a song based on their knowledge in music, knowing your way around basic chord progressions and what sounds good together, is actually enough to start making one. good luck!

I like to think of it as a jigsaw puzzle. The song is already there. There’s no first piece u have to start with. What u do is draw out the song from wherever it comes from but u decide which first piece to start with. Pick a first line about whatever u want and then let the next line present itself after u decide what the first line will be. Then continue to build from the previous lines. As u keep going you’ll learn to change the pattern in your words after a few bars or for the chorus.

From my experiences I pull a lot of stuff. From my personal study and neuro diversity due to the BiPolar and the Asperger's, its becomes fairly easy to translate those things that most folk have trouble expressing, or even better who are trying to learn from other peoples lessons. Because of these experiences, my biological makeup, and an autodidactic nature, I find I am never short on material. The biggest trick I have learnt is to listen to your inner dialog, that third voice that speaks to you -- that's your higher consciousness speaking so you better listen. And when you hear a paradigm shift, pay attention enough to to the feels so you can translate it later. In order to do this, it takes honed observation skills. Almost out of body experiences when you watch yourself go thru a very traumatic or joyful situation. Of course, with this, you lose out on a lot of in the mix with other people type in the moment living. Its a trade, IMO.

omg sameeee