So, you want to write songs. But writing a song can be an intimidating process. After all, where do you really begin?
Is formal music training a must?
Music training is not a prerequisite for songwriting. However, if you donât at least have some ability on the piano or guitar to help put the ideas from your head into some tangible form, you may be at a disadvantage. (Notice we said âmay.â Funnyman Mel Brooks composed the musical score to his hit Broadway show The Producers by humming the melodies into a tape recorder and having someone translate that into musical notes on a page.) Even if youâre solely a lyricist (the one who puts the words to the music), it may be helpful to you and your collaborator (the person writing the music to go with your words) if you have a working knowledge of a musical instrument. Musical ability could also help you with the rhythm of your words and the structure of your songs. That being said, even though musical expertise is advantageous, it is not required by any means.
Although songwriting is more than just an assembly line of components to be bolted together, it doesnât hurt to know whatâs available in the âparts bin.â A song is made up of chords (a combination of two or more tones sounded together in harmony), a melody (the arrangement of single tones in sequence â the part you sing), a rhythm (the beat or pulse of the song), and words (often called lyrics in the context of a song). Many successful songwriters excel in one area or another. Rare individuals can do it all. Even the ones who are a songwriting one-man band often choose to collaborate with others to come up with that magical song that comes from a blend of styles and personalities. Itâs your task at hand, if you are challenged in a given area, to find writers to complete your vision and contribute the expertise you lack.
Most of what I know about songwriting, I learned by being a fan of music. Truly the best teacher is listening. I emulated the styles of songs that inspired me, and gradually, over the course of many years, integrated these influences into a style of my own. The Beatleâs songwriting, to cite a notable example, was heavily influenced by the American rock ânâ roll of Chuck Berry, Carl Perkins, The Everly Brothers, and Little Richard. The Beatles created songs by absorbing those influences and adding their own unique personalities. The fact that they could barely read music hardly mattered at all. They had ears! â JIM PETERIK, PERFORMER, SONGWRITER, AND MULTI-INSTRUMENTALIST FOR THE BANDS IDES OF MARCH AND SURVIVOR, PLUS WRITER OF HITS FOR .38 SPECIAL, SAMMY HAGAR, AND OTHERS
Studying music theory, history, and arrangement can only enhance your abilities as a writer, but it would be a mistake to infer that formal training is a necessity to write a great song. Music appreciation classes can open your eyes and ears to what you should be listening for in songs, but you really donât need anyone to tell your foot when to start tapping or your lips to break out into a big smile when the chorus hits â thatâs just the power of great music. Start with your love for the songs you hear and then tap into all you have to express in your soul.
If youâre still not convinced that you donât need training, consider the fact that some of the greatest songs ever written were composed by people with virtually no formal music training. Folk music, chants, delta blues, country, and rock ânâ roll all got their start with people who had the raw talent to create songs. On the other hand, many legendary composers have extensive musical training in all forms of music, including classical composition. Itâs all good. Just donât let the so-called ârulesâ hold you back or keep you frozen.
In college, my harmony teacher told me at the end of the semester, âYou know all that stuff I taught you about avoiding parallel fifths? Forget about it! If it sounds good, just do it!â By the way, that was the only formal music training I ever got, other than two years of piano and a few years of saxophone lessons. I earned a C+ in that class. It is my belief that life is the best teacher, and listening to and enjoying a good song are perhaps the best ways to learn to do it yourself. â JIM PETERIK, WRITER OF 18 BILLBOARD TOP 10 HITS INCLUDING THE PERENNIAL FAVORITE âEYE OF THE TIGER: FEATURED IN ROCKY III
Although some songwriters do well with the trial-and-error method, the more you know about music, the better chance you have to write a great song. The more adept you can become at an instrument, the easier it will be to create and demonstrate the ideas in your head. You do not need to enroll in a college course to study music, because there are other ways to get instruction in music theory, composition, instrumental performance, and voice at a per-session rate. Qualified, reasonably priced private teachers can be located through your local music shop or record store or in the back pages of the local âfreebieâ entertainment newspaper and through a simple Internet search. Finding someone who inspires you will make songwriting a lot easier.
