Richie Gilbert has been passionate about writing songs for many years. He spends too much time in his home recording studio, and is active in pitching his songs to music publishers. To learn more about the craft and business of songwriting, please visit his website at http://www.inspired-songwriting-tips.com
If you want to learn how to write a song, do what all successful songwriters should do: Study songwriting. If you want to learn how to write great songs, study great songs!
If you want to be a master songwriter, learn from the masters.
If you've been writing songs for a while, you most likely are doing something right. When you write regularly you get a feel for it. You develop an instinct for what is catchy, memorable and engaging.
But you can take it further than that.
Think of a craftsman, say, someone who is good with wood. He may have a natural ability to carve or construct things from wood. If he does it all the time he's going to get really good at it.
Now, if that same person studied woodworking as an apprentice, imagine how much faster he will learn his craft. By studying with the masters, he will learn shortcuts and techniques that might take him years longer on his own.
Same with songwriting.
By studying the techniques of hit songwriters, you learn what works and what doesn't. You learn how to write songs. That doesn't mean you have to give up your natural style, or change who you are.
It simply means you learn better ways to present your unique ideas.
By studying song form you can learn to better express those ideas which are unique to you. You learn to build a better vehicle to take your song ideas where you want them to go.
So how do we study hit songs?
Listen to the radio! Listen to the radio with a critical ear. Listen closely and ask yourself a series of questions:
1. Why does this song appeal to me?
2. What is it about the chorus that I find so irresistible?
3. What emotion/s does the melody evoke?
4. Why do the lyrics speak to me?
Keep on asking yourself these questions. Keep digging deeper for more answers. There can be many reasons why a song is so appealing. Find and analyse the reasons why it appeals to you.
And when writing your songs, don't underestimate the importance of rewriting. Never settle for the first draft. You can do better.
That's what all great songwriters have done and continue to do.
Songwriting is an ongoing process. There is always something new to learn. You never stop learning. So please don't ever think you're done!
- Related Videos
- Related Articles
- Ask / Related Q&A
- Song writing tips - How To Write Great Songs Every Time!
- Song writing - Why people need to pitch songs
- Writing and Singing a Back Together Song
- How To Write A Book Without Writing A Book
- Song Writing: Why Is Completing Your Songs Important?
- How to Write Poetry - Publish Poetry
- Are You Struggling To Write Your First Novel? - Tips For The Beginner Novelist
- How To Write Original Songs That People Like




A Review of the Singles off of Lil’ Wayne’s Rebirth
By: Kasan Groupe | 07/12/2009Lil’ Wayne is scheduled to release his long-delayed “rock” album at the end of December. Here is a quick recap of the singles that have been released off this soon to be disastrous album.
Westlife Tickets - Where We Are Tour Tickets
By: Sold Out Ticket Market | 07/12/2009Buy Westlife Tickets and Sell Westlife Tickets on Sold Out Ticket Market. Westlife Tickets on Sale Now for All Venues with 100% Guarantee. SoldOutTicketMarket.com is specialized in buying Westlife Tickets and selling Westlife Tickets. You can buy tickets for Westlife online by our safe and secure system.
The Blossoming of the Nigerian Music Industry
By: Augusta okon | 07/12/2009The likes of Tu Face Idibia, P Square, D’Banj have revolutionized the Nigerian Music industry with their hit songs, videos and numerous awards. Inspired by these great artistes and the attendant fame and fortune, many have flocked into the Industry.
How to record MySpace music
By: Cathy1314 | 07/12/2009Do you want to record Myspace music? Streaming Audio Recorder is a powerful Myspace music recorder help you easily record music from MySpace to PC.
Building An Army Of Fans Every Time You Perform
By: Draven Grey | 07/12/2009Have you ever noticed how some concerts are just that, a “concert,” and some are an all-out PARTY, where you feel you are as much a part as the guys on stage? You may have walked away from some concerts wishing you would have just listened to their CD at home and saved a few bucks. The CD was actually better. So how can you create that amazing concert every time you play, and begin to build an army of followers?
Teach Yourself Guitar
By: Reed Key | 07/12/2009To begin to teach yourself guitar, let us try to review the physical instrument itself. As a student of guitar, albeit self-taught, you wish to realize info and facts such as the names and functions of the guitar components and how all the elements work in concert to create sounds. Spending about 0.5 an hour on learning and understanding the fundamentals of the way to play guitar can be repaid again and again once...
Learn to Teach Yourself Guitar
By: Reed Key | 07/12/2009To begin to teach yourself guitar, let us attempt to review the physical instrument itself. You should 1st learn the guitar elements as well as names and its functions in addition to how they should work together to form tunes and sounds. Spending regarding 0.5 an hour on learning and understanding the basics of how to play guitar can be repaid again and again again through your learning and enjoying time. Lea...
Make Your Own Beats Online on a Low Budget
By: John Paul Jones | 06/12/2009So you want to start making beats online? There are a number of ways to make your own beats, but most are expensive and require a lot of musical experience. There are ways to squeak by on a tight budget however.
Using A Ghost Song To Spark A New Idea
By: Richie Gilbert | 24/06/2009 | MusicDo you need a kick-start to get you going writing a new song? Try using the ghost song method when writing lyrics. Works every time.
Lyric Writing Tips For Natural-Sounding Lyrics
By: Richie Gilbert | 22/06/2009 | MusicIf your lyrics sound like they're trying too hard, these lyric writing tips will help make them more relaxed and natural.
Lyric Ideas Are Everywhere!
By: Richie Gilbert | 03/05/2009 | MusicStuck for lyric ideas? Look at the events of your life, and those around you. Ideas are everywhere!
Write Music That Appeals To Peoples Emotions
By: Richie Gilbert | 21/04/2009 | MusicWhen you write music for your new song, do your best to appeal to people's emotions. The melody may just be the most important element of a song.
Songwriting Techniques To Help You Write A Killer Title
By: Richie Gilbert | 15/04/2009 | MusicThe song title is one of the most important aspects of a song. A clever title entices us to want to actually listen to a song in the first place. Here are some fun and interesting ways to generate that all-important catchy song title.