Did you always dream of becoming a singer-songwriter? Is this dream been put away in a box somewhere? Using instruments might seem very hard, reading notes and the pressure of following the melody can feel overwhelming. However, it is way easier to write your own song than you may think. I started making my own songs two years ago. I couldn't read notes and I would've never imagined that I would make my own songs on the piano back then. With no more than a piano and a phone I have created multiple songs. I will share some useful tips to become a singer and songwriter!

Theme

First of all, you need a subject you want your song to be about. If you have no inspiration, Pinterest is a good site to gather inspiration from. Here you can find a lot of pictures that might give you ideas! Tip: there are more than enough songs that are about love;), think out of the box and come up with new topics. Think about growing up, maybe an experience you had, traveling, friends. This will make your song unique, try to stand out!

Lyrics

When you chose a theme, the writing can start! Keep in mind, the song can be about literally anything. You can create a story, it can be real, but you can also write about something fictional or made up. Another tip is to let the last word of a sentence rhyme with the next last word of the sentence, this makes sure the song sounds fluently. You can use rhyme sites, such as https://www.rhymezone.com/. This makes it easier to come up with words for the next sentence.

Melody

You have your lyrics, now what? Choose your instrument and make a melody. This sounds quite difficult, but it is easier than you think. First, try to look up chords that sound nice together. As a beginner, you can choose three chords and play this after each other. If you have more experience, challenge yourself by trying out chords and notes that sound good together. Keep in mind: no need to create a masterpiece. As a beginner, just make sure the melody sounds pretty.

Song

Now, you have everything to create a song. Before putting the lyrics into the melody, it is useful to first practice your piece. This way it is easier to put everything together. If you find it hard to come up with a melody, you can always listen to songs that you like. This way you can get inspiration for your own song! You can also ask a friend, what kind of melody he prefers. While playing the melody, try to let the lyrics fit in and hear for yourself what sounds good. Try to sing at different pitches to make sure you choose the pitch you feel most comfortable with. Another tip I can give you is, record your progress. When you feel like something sounds good, immediately record it. I forgot to do this multiple times and couldn't remember what it was that sounded good. If you want to record it, you don’t need fancy microphones. I just use my phone to record!

So, are you ready to become a singer-songwriter? I’m excited to listen to the beautiful songs that you guys come up with using these tips. All I can say is, good luck and break a leg!