Seven basic composition mistakes

So there are only seven possible mistakes? In my experience as a teacher, all seven

The mistakes listed below represent the most common mistakes made by high school students.

songwriting. Addressing these shortcomings is essential to making your songs

works.

The advice in this article comes from The Essential Secrets of Songwriting, a

popular website and downloadable e-book.

MISTAKE # 1: THE SHAPE OF THE SONG IS CONFUSED.

SOLUTION: Strengthen the shape of your songs by carefully controlling the energy.

Generally, an introduction should have the same or more energy than a verse, not less. TO

the chorus must have more energy than a verse. A bridge should have more energy

Than the chorus that came before This graph shows the overall energy pattern

which works for most songs:

MISTAKE # 2: THE MELODY HAS NO SHAPE.

SOLUTION: In a verse, the range of the melody should generally be higher.

immediately after the midpoint, to help you gain momentum as you prepare for

connect to the chorus. The old standard, “Under the Boardwalk,” by Resnick and

Young is a perfect example.

MISTAKE # 3: CHORDS SEEM TO HAVE FUN WITHOUT A GOAL

SOLUTION: The chord that represents the key the song is in (ie the “tonic” chord)

it should appear more in chorus than verse. (And the actual keynote

it should also be used more in a chorus than in a verse).

MISTAKE # 4: STRONG AND FRAGILE CHORD PROGRESSIONS ARE USED HAPPY.

SOLUTION: Chord progressions featuring chords four notes apart

(i.e. in the key of C major we are talking about G7 to C, C to F, Dm to G, like

examples) form a strong progression and should appear in a chorus. Other

Chord progressions (say Dm to Em, F to Dm, G to Am, for example) form what

they are called “brittle” progressions and can appear more in a verse.

ERROR # 5: THE LYRICS DO NOT SUPPORT THE FORM OF THE SONG.

The typeface

determines the type of chord progression you use. Need for strong and conclusive lyrics

many strong progressions; Introspective lyrics work well with brittle progressions.

And remember, writing good lyrics doesn’t necessarily mean writing good poem.

Rather, it’s better to write a working title for your song and then start brainstorming.

words and short phrases that relate to that title.

For example, if you have entered “All I’ve Wanted” as a working title, you could

make up these words as related text: love, hand in hand, touch, satisfaction,

emotion, my heart, for you, warm … etc. You will find that although many of

these words won’t necessarily make it into your song, they make you think of him

correct address and start formulating a working letter.

MISTAKE # 6: YOU’RE RELYING ON A HOOK TO KEEP A BAD SONG.

Add a hook to a

Bad song gives you a bad song with a hook! Compose a song and then try

Finding a hook that really comes to life is a really difficult thing to do. Try

writing the hook first. Jam with a couple of chords, a few notes, or a beat.

– something short and attractive. Once you have something that really catches

your attention, try using it as an introduction to your song, and something to keep

recurring between verses and choruses. A hook must attract the audience and

make them come back to your song.

MISTAKE # 7: WAITING FOR INSPIRATION.

I can’t say it better than musician / author Ernest Newman: “The great

composer … does not go to work because he is inspired, he is inspired

because it’s working. “Waiting for inspiration is, frankly, a waste of time!

You need to write daily to improve your songs. If something is not

working … don’t throw it away. Just save it and start something new. Keep

everything you try to write in a scrapbook. You’d be surprised what eventually

make your way into a song.

These are just a few examples of the kinds of things that will make your songs work.

best. For more tips, you should visit “The Essential Secrets of

Song composition. And start turning your songs into winners!