Songwriting Tips - add yours please

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Lee Gunter on January 4, 2010 at 10:05am

I already knew this when I heard Paul Baloche say it, but I really like the way he said it so I'll say it his way: "Keep your antenna up. Always be looking, listening, sniffing for the inspiration for a new song.

My personal tip for worship songwriting in particular - write the song instrumentally basic. If you need crazy guitar solos or full orchestras to pull it off or for the song to be good, it's not a good worship song. It might a good something else, but not congregational worship. THEN, after you write the basics, you can make it sound better by developing a more complex arrangement of your own song.

Permalink Reply by Esther Mui on January 31, 2010 at 5:17pm

That's a great tip. We need songs that will also work in small groups or in home settings, with just a piano or a guitar, or better still, acapella. When you approach writing a song the way you suggested, it'll most likely work with or without a band. Thx for the tip!

Permalink Reply by Esther Mui on January 31, 2010 at 5:19pm

Try writing in a different key too. You'll be surprised with the chord progressions you come up with when you write in a different key.

Permalink Reply by Mark Snyder on January 27, 2011 at 9:29pm

Write it in your head first, without an instrument, especially if you are a guitarist. Look for what sticks there. Once you have the melody that sticks in your head, then pick up the guitar and add the harmony. You will find your melodies improve with this approach.

Permalink Reply by Daily Faith Music on February 11, 2011 at 2:09am

Form an idea.

Write it as a single phrase.

Build it into a musical hook

Expand it into a full chorus

Write verses that expand on the original idea

Write a bridge that sets a counterpoint to your idea

 

By this time you have full lyrics and most of the melody.

Permalink Reply by Matthew Kelley on March 10, 2011 at 11:37pm

My biggest tip and something God has really been teaching me is just let it flow from intimacy with Him. The song doesnt have to have chorus's or bridges or verses or anything it can just be your heart crying out to the heart of God. I think about worship artists like Jason Upton, Misty Edwards, and so many more that for the most part just sing out to God, and people love it and use it in there services. Also while God can give you a super complicated and intense song, there is nothing wrong with a very simple song, I think of songs like Let it Rain, there is really nothing complicated about this song, its only got a handful of words, and yet it is sang everywhere!

Permalink Reply by Gangai Victor on September 23, 2011 at 7:24am

Try this list of 45 tips for skillful worship songwriting:

http://goo.gl/i5bxh

 

Hope it helps!