Whether you’re new to composing or have been writing a while, it is important to ask yourself “why” you are doing it. Are you writing music because you love doing it? Is it for a school assignment? Is it to get paid? I think most of us will agree that loving it and getting paid is the ideal scenario but if you truly love what you’re doing and are doing it for fun, then I think the “task” of doing it is much easier and the results can be very rewarding.

Have you ever stumbled upon an idea and then thought “Did I just write that?!” If you have, then you know just how good that feels. The emotional high is simply exhilarating not to mention inspiring! I believe that when you’re writing because that’s what you love to do, you’ll be more willing to take risks with your music and these moments of “Did I just write that?” will occur more & more frequently therein fueling that desire.

AN EMOTIONAL ENDEAVOR

You have probably heard the expression that music is a “language.” Music is an emotion as well and this, I think, is important to understand when composing. To capture the “feel” and “emotion” of an idea, is important; it will set the tone of the song and is what makes it unique. I’ve heard some say “I know my scales, chords, blah blah, but I can’t write and I have a hard time coming up with ideas.” First of all, if it’s hard and you don’t like doing it… then don’t do it, if you can help it (there are plenty of songwriters out there who would be more than happy to share their music!) But, if that is a passion you have and want to improve upon, then by all means, read on…

TURNING OFF THE LEFT

This is the way I like to write (and keep in mind that not all that is suggested here is “textbook” but I tend to go with whatever works). I’ll start to play my keyboard or guitar and I won’t think at all about what kind of song, melody, etc., I am playing. It’s almost as if I’ve “turned off” my thinking, logical, left side of the brain so my creative, right side can work. The best/easiest way to do this is when you’re alone so you can be “one” with your instrument. When your mind is at ease and relaxed, almost in a sleepy state, is when you’ll find you are most creative.

If, for some reason, I am not feeling creative, I just move on to something else. There are always those “tedious” tasks that need tending to! If I am feeling creative however, I’ll just sit down with my instrument and then let my fingers “wander” until I stumble onto a melody that speaks to me. Sounds corny, I know, but if you like what you’re hearing, make sure to record that idea quickly before the “feel” gets lost. For me, the songs come from the feel, not necessarily the notes themselves. I think this is important to remember especially for those who come from a more academic understanding of music & theory. It is so important to capture the feel, the emotion of the moment, when writing.

“Remember, you are expressing the technique and not doing the technique” - Bruce Lee

CAPTURING THE MOMENT

Some people are very proficient at writing out their music quickly. However, recording the idea right then and there, (even if it means using that old hand-held tape recorder buried in a drawer somewhere), some argue, is the best way to capture the moment. You can always go back and figure out how you did it later.

When recording the idea, play a little “extra” something after recording that part you want to remember. Amazingly, this is often when you come up with the “Did I just write that?” stuff! I think part of the reason is that the mindset is: “ I’ve recorded the part I needed to so now I can just play for fun.” And remember what was said earlier about playing for fun & the results you can get?!

When writing this way, you are taken on a journey and not knowing where you’re going can be exciting, adventurous, and pure enjoyment. No one else needs to hear it if you don’t want them to. You are doing it for yourself. Live for the moment.

JUST SHELVE IT!

Sometimes (okay, a lot of the time) when we’ve got our new idea for our song, we have a hard time coming up with other parts for the song. If you can’t think of any more “stuff” at the moment, that’s okay. Work on something else. File your idea away. You may find that your “idea” will find its place in another song, or not. Either way, don’t be afraid to “shelve” a good idea. If it’s that good, it will find its proper place somewhere else, some other time. And when it does, it’s a great feeling because you have just expressed yourself in an amazing and unique way. You are expressing YOUR voice and your unique style. Your personality that identifies you is coming to the forefront!

So many people have written hundreds, if not thousands of songs. I’ve written literally hundreds but I’ll be the first to admit, most of them aren’t very good. It takes practice and a lot of ideas to be able to discover your own voice and express your personality the way you want to. Let’s not forget, the goal is to write good songs, yes? I try to think in terms of quality, not quantity. So again, don’t be afraid to file an idea away somewhere if you need to.

WHAT’S YOUR NAME AGAIN?

Have you ever forgotten someone’s name and no matter how hard you try, you just can’t remember it? And then later, when you’re not even thinking about it, it comes to you? This happens to me, in the musical sense, all the time. You might find that while fiddling around, one of those ideas will “pop out” at you and even though it may be completely different from what you were just playing, it seems to fit somehow. At the risk of sounding corny again, you can think of it in terms of pairing a wine with food. They’re two totally different things but somehow the two go so well together and you’ve created something magnificent.

PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER

You can probably tell by now that the message I’m trying to send is: avoid forcing parts together in a song unless it feels right. Far too often, I hear a great song with a great hook and then when it comes to the bridge, it falls flat. By falling flat, I mean the idea is recycled over and over or it sounds as if parts that don’t really fit were thrown together. That creates awkwardness and leaves listeners feeling uneasy. Instead of being taken on a joyous ride, they are let down. Whether there’s a blazing guitar solo that gives it that something special or a unique idea that has its sense of belonging, the bridge deserves its own special place in a song. It is like the icing on the cake! I mentioned quality of songs rather than quantity earlier. Well, the same goes for the ideas/parts within a song as well. So, whatever you do, don’t let your “hook” take over the song and sink your boat because the hook, in my opinion is what makes a song great. And a good bridge, well, makes it even that much greater.

How do you know when you have the right part for the bridge? Well, sometimes you just know. Sometimes you don’t. If you don’t, feel free to write a bunch of “bridges” or ideas and come back to it later. Many of the songs I have written are, in the end, a product of so much more — more ideas and many different arrangements. Don’t be afraid to experiment with your ideas and don’t forget to record them. When you do, you’ll be surprised at just how many of your ideas and bits of your personality will pop out at you.

My advice is: don’t substitute because the “real” thing wasn’t there. Give your songs the love and attention they deserve. Writing a song is like writing a story. You’re trying to convey a message, an emotional one.

TIME STANDS STILL…

One final note, your compositions are just that, yours. It’s not the product of your creation that’s always important but also the process of creating. Those magical moments of “Did I just write that?” is when time stands still. For that moment, you are one with your music. Enjoy that time. Enjoy that moment.

Written by Catherine Delgadillo