Songwriting tip - Work with what already works for you...

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Songwriting tip - Work with what already works for you...

by Joe F.
(London)

I find its actually easier (Than strating from scratch) to rewrite the lyrics to one of your favourite songs, so that the tune is the same but the words are different. Once you are happy with the words, mess about with the tune. Sing the words your have writen, to a completely different tune. If it doesn't work at first, pick a different tune etc. I was amazed at what i managed to come up with.

Regards - Joe (Music Dep, Dynamic industries)

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Songwriting tip - Work with what already works for you...

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May 04, 2008
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I Need To Try that
by: Anonymous

I've heard about that but never tried it, maybe it's time to try.

Jannie
janniefunster.com

May 05, 2008
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I don't agree..
by: Jethro

Because making other's tune as your starting(base) tune will not make you to improve. Yeah by doing this will make your lyrics to have a tune/melody but in the end people will know that your created one is the same as that song. You also said that after following that technique that we will slightly change the tune. It's very hard especially when you are going to put chords in it. Do you get what I mean? But thanks for your tips. ^^ Keep on writing other and useful tips.

May 07, 2008
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Did I hear sue?
by: Anonymous

I find its actually easier (Than strating from scratch) to rewrite the lyrics to one of your favourite songs, so that the tune is the same but the words are different. Once you are happy with the words, mess about with the tune. Sing the words your have writen, to a completely different tune. If it doesn't work at first, pick a different tune etc. I was amazed at what i managed to come up with.

Regards - Joe (Music Dep, Dynamic industries)

Thanks for the tip, but I don't feel like getting sued by the person who wrote the song. I'll stick to bulding my song from the ground up.
Whatever floats your boat.

Sep 29, 2010
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Listen to hit songs
by: Farina

Joe F. is right on target. Hit melodies inspire hit songs. There are only a handful of chord progressions. Take a chord progression from a hit song and write your own lyrics. The melody will change as you begin to write. Popular progressions change about every 5 to 10 years.

Go get yourself a "wheel of chords" to help understand what chords sound best together. It's a songwriter's best friend. They have for guitar and piano. Great songwriters always borrow from what is happening today in regards to chord progressions and melodies.

All songs share a basic foundation. Google "money chords" and see how many "hit" songs share the same chord progressions. Hit songs should sound fresh but familiar. Of course this only applies if you intend to write "commercial" hit music.

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