Here’s one quick way to get started from scratch on writing a new song:
Take a song (of someone else’s) you currently enjoy listening to… or even a song that you don’t particularly like but has a section, or even just a moment or two, that jumps out at you… maybe even just because it sounds weird or ‘wrong’ to you; that’s OK… But it caught your ear, you had a reaction – that’s the important thing.
Whatever bit – just a few bars at most – catches your interest, figure out (don’t forget about google if needed) what in that section is catching your ear: the melody… the chord movement… the way the the melody rubs against the chords for that moment… the lyric rhyme scheme… the sounds of the words…
Because there’s almost always a specific technical reason for why you reacted emotionally. Try to define what that is – it may just last for a beat or two.
Then play that cool/weird segment (or play with the lyrics if that’s what grabbed you) over and over again, even if it’s only a few seconds long.
Give it a chance to mutate into something of yours – a chord progression, a melody, a lyric rhythm… It often will, if you mess with it enough.
Let it develop, see what happens… You might end up with a song, or at least an idea for one.
I’ve done this! I took Nelson’s “Just Once More,” and Jack Ingram’s “Goodnight Moon.” I listened to them both and came up with, “One Last Cry.”
I don’t use this method all the time, but I really love both of these songs and wanted to reflect my version or spin on the sentiment of “Goodbye or Loss”. You check out my song at http://www.reverbnation.com/kennethmorgandennison. Check out Nelson’s “Just Once More,” http://youtu.be/YpdUOHFR9Pc. Check out Jack Ingram’s “Goodnight Moon,” http://youtu.be/8HKzwzgRY6o.
Great idea once again Tony!
KMD
That’s great, Ken; thanks! I’ll give them all a listen.
Best wishes,
TC