| A.
Start With A Great Idea So try to start off with an
interesting and unique idea or hook for the song. There will be
times when you write a melody and most of the lyrics before you develop
your hook, but writing a strong idea first will usually result in a
stronger song to pitch. So, what is a great idea. A great initial idea
is stating something that has been said many times before but in a new
and interesting way. It need to sound unique. The same applies to the
melody. You don't want your song sounding like Reba's last hit, you want
to write something new and different from that all together. Don't think
up a melody and a few lines and think they are as strong. You have to
try different version of the words and the melodies. Switch it around
some and see if it sounds better and more unique. You may have hit lines
that you haven't even thought of yet. Also check out this valuable
resource page on
How To Write Songs.
B.
Use The Correct Song
Structure
Lay out a song structure for your song
as soon as you can in the process. Usually a combination of Verses,
Chorus and a Bridge like this:
"Title Of Your Song"
VERSE 1
CHORUS
VERSE 2
CHORUS
BRIDGE
CHORUS
Nothing kills a song quicker than an unorganized song structure. This is
the one part of the writing process where you need to stick to the
rules. There are a few generally accepted song structures that you
should become familiar with, but many modern hit country and pop songs
have used the structure above.
C.
Connect The Lyrics With The Hook
Each
verse and chorus should have four or five lines. The bridge will usually
have an odd number of from three to five lines. These lines need to be
well constructed and should support and add information to the hook or
title of the song. Really it needs to connect to great idea we talked
above. Connect means supporting, explaining and building upon the
information in the great idea or hook of the song. You need to use
proper grammar unless you're doing it for effect like "ridin' the wind".
Make each line of text as clear and focused as possible toward your
great idea. Each line must give the listener more details about the
great idea or hook (or title of the song). Don't repeat
information you've already introduced in the verses. Each verse should
focus on moving the song story forward. The Chorus is the only place you
want to repeat lines over and over to help the listener remember the
punch line or hook (your great initial idea).
Each line of the lyrics should point back to the title or idea of
the song. If a song can make it without a line in the song,
then its to weak. Every line in the song should be necessary
for the development of the song title. The melody and tempo should
also use variety and be interesting. Try to evoke pictures or images
in the song. Show (not tell) something happening that pertains to
your idea. Use more imagery in your writing.
Also, don't make
your lines the same length, etc. Use more variety in the length of
the lines to keep it interesting. Variety is the spice of everything
nice.
and
D.
Write & Re-Write Until
It's Right
When you
are writing your lines use picture evoking words instead of telling
the listener what's happen. Try to evoke an emotion in the listener.
See the example below.
Just an example
of showing instead of telling your listener:
She reached for
the umbrella as we ran for the car
Cos she had spent the afternoon making up her hair
It was our third anniversary and she wanted everything just right
On this very special Saturday night
These lines paint
pictures in your mind and also emotions of rain, humidity, running
makeup, a weekend with your wife. I didn't say all this but I made
you see it in your mind. This is how to write powerful lines in a
song. Remember you only have 20 to 30 lines in a song and many of
these are repeated. So you will only have about 10 to 12 unique
lines in a song. You have to make every line count. If a song will
stand without a line you need to cut that line or write a stronger
line, before you
pitch it self evaluate it.
Song Critiques
Songwriters Rita & Roy John Fuller
Author's Biography
How
To Select A Song Critiques Company
Many companies offer online critiques and
evaluations. The price will vary but make sure you decide on
someone with many years of experience and with a track record. I'm not
sure that many of the critique companies can really help you that much
as they are mostly looking at a profit from working with you. If you
have studies this page and the eBook on How To Write Songs below, you
are well on the way to self evaluating your own songs. Now when you send
your song to a professional in Nashville or an Artist your song will at
least sound professional. I suggest self evaluating your song several
times and re-writing it to make it strong as possible before you pitch
your song. Pitching your song to Song Critique person or company before
pitching to an artist, producer or publisher will give you a better shot
at getting a cut on your song.
How
To Write A Song - If you are
trying to write a hit song this is required reading!
Typical Song Critiques
** Here's a typical song critique
response sent to songwriters after listening to their
songs. Learn a lot about writing songs from this overview of
responses to other songwriters.
"If you are a songwriter and having a problem
getting anyone to listen to your material consider submitting your songs
for a song critique. Get valuable feedback on areas of
you song that need work before you demo and pitch your song. It is a waste of time to spend your money on a
demo until your song is as strong as it can be.
Get a professional to review your songs to see if they stand up in today's competitive
market."
Roy John Fuller a BMI songwriter has had
several Top 10 Billboard Pick Hits
starting with "Angel In Disguise"
(1975 Nashville Columbia Studio B), "Your
Song" (1975 Nashville
Columbia Studio B), "The Image of Me"
(1978 Nashville RCA Studios), "Giving
Up Getting Over You" (1979
Nashville Tandem Studios), "The
First Time" (1981 Nashville
Woodland Studios), "Do It"
(1981 Nashville Woodland Recording Studios), "The
Shoe's On Another's Foot"
(1981 Nashville Woodland Recording Studios). He has Pick Hits and write
up's in Nashville Entertainer, Songwriter Magazine
and other music industry publications.
Roy's
Biography
(c) Copyrighted 2007 by Roy John Fuller
Songwriting Tips
Country Music Songwriters
Nashville Songwriters
Advertising Space
Available Here
Nashville Songwriter Evaluation
Services:
If
you are a serious songwriter and want to craft your skills
in songwriting I suggest
you contact the Jason Blume Organization in Nashville.
They have successful producers, songwriters and other music
business professionals listen and critique your songs. They
charge for this service, but you will get an honest
evaluation of what your song needs to compete in today's
songwriter market.
http://www.royjohnfuller.com/songwriters.htm
|
