How to Write a Song on Guitar in 10 Simple Steps

Do you dream of expressing yourself by playing your own, original song on the guitar? The good news is, just about anyone can write a song, and these tips from Jacksonville guitar teacher James W. will have you on the “write” track…

If you have a story to tell, then you have something to say with your songwriting, and guitar is your backup instrument. In other words, use your guitar to support your singing. Write your story down and keep your lyric ideas in a folder or binder just for songs. Save them to a folder on your computer  too.

Alex Alessandro, musical director for Mariah Carey, says of writing songs: “Not an easy thing to do – make it all new yet still somehow familiar.” So how do you do it?

Step 1: Figure out what it is that you like about the songs that you love to sing and listen to every day. Why are they so good? What is the guitar’s role in the song? Is it supporting the piano and vocal? Does your song have a traditional chorus with a big payoff that gives you a lift? Personally I think of the chorus as a nice payday. It’s where you hit your stride and really have a good time.

Step 2: Analyze the chord structures of your favorite songs. Are they verse, verse, chorus, and then bridge, or do they just repeat verses and choruses? Does the guitar make the song really come to life or does it need more? Trust your instinct about the song and let the guitar reveal its secrets as you play the song yourself. Follow your gut feelings and then use a family member or friend as a sounding board. Playing songs you love is a great way to learn how to write a song on guitar yourself.

Step 3: What is it that holds the structure of the song together? Is there an unforgettable hook for the guitar to play? As with many songs it may be a chord progression we all know, but, when you sing the song you make it your own. Does the song have a modulation where it goes up a whole step in key from A major to B major and then back to A major? What do you enjoy about the melody? Remember John Lennon told his son Julian “If you can whistle it as you are walking away, then you know you’ve got something.”

Step 4: Look for the key the song is in if you haven’t already. Search for it on the guitar. This is good ear training. If you see something special is happening make note of it. Would you sing it better if you transposed it to another key? Does it sound better on 12 string guitar or 6 string guitar?

Step 5: Now that you have figured out one of your favorite songs you can most likely write one. Think of a song title – make it a good one. And allow for changes. Interesting titles can make a song stick in your head and the audience will love it. Great guitar playing will also be memorable.

Step 6: It is a given that you have to work at this – sometimes a song takes 10 minutes and other times a song takes 2 years to finish! Allow for that. Just be productive and keep creating and transcribing other people’s songs. As you develop your ear it gets easier to do this. It will open up new areas for creative writing. And always have a guitar with you and your iPhone. You never know when inspiration will strike, and you use the recorder on your iPhone or smartphone to save it.

Step 7: Share your best songs with another writer who is a pal, or with your music teacher. Professional songwriter and guitar player Sheryl Crow formed a Tuesday Night Songwriting Social Club. You can too. I highly recommend this! It’s good to have ideas to bounce off one another. The benefits of having songwriting partners are too many to even list. A partner can make your song better in ways you may never think of in a million years, and if you’re lucky they may even help you write a # 1 hit single.

Step 8: Let the song breathe- allow space so your listener can absorb the sounds and think and feel what you want them to – don’t fill up every last second with notes. Allow a place for the music to come to life. A famous singer-songwriter once said: “The music is really in the silence.” What does this mean? It means the music has a place to live and be structured, yet still breathe life into the melody.