Tips for Writing a Rock Song

These tips are for beginners. If you're already a rock star, musician, or making a living writing music you certainly don't need my advice. (I suggest you stop reading this now and get back to work on your next hit.) If you're new to writing songs, however, the following tips may help you.

Learn to play an instrument. I know some people write lyrics and a melody, then meet with a musician who puts guitar or piano behind that. If this works for you great, but if you're like me that method simply doesn't work. Why? Because I write the music and melody first, and words are the last thing to come to me.

There is no right or wrong way to write a song, so long as it turns out well; but playing an instrument gives the songwriter more options. For one, you don't have to be so dependent on co-songwriters, and if you're in a band it is easier to give the other musicians an idea of what your tune should sound like if you can at least put chords behind the lyrics and melody. If you simply can't get the hang of playing a guitar or keyboard, there are computer programs which allow you to manipulate chord structures. I once wrote several experimental songs with electronic loops on the Acid program. All I did was choose the beat I wanted, and what chords should be played and when. It was fun, but was still no replacement for my guitar.

Listen to a rock song as a songwriter, not just a fan. As music fans we listen to songs for pure enjoyment. If you're in songwriting-mode though, listen to the music with an analytical mind. What makes your favorite song so great? How is it structured? Make note of things that work. Did the song build up a certain way? Did the vocal melody grab you because the singer did this or that?

Use a popular rock song you enjoy as a guide to write your own song (at least to start). No, this does not mean you are to copy someone else's song, nor am I suggesting you stifle your creativity. Your song will be original, because the only thing you will be using is the structure of this popular song.

To compare this to something else. Imagine you are to write a poem using a strict classical form. The rules for writing that poem include adhering to a set number of lines, rhyme in certain places, and syllables which remain fairly constant. We'll say this poem is going to be a sonnet. As you know, thousands of poets have written sonnets. Though those poets adhere to the structure of what constitutes a sonnet, the poems themselves are original.

Now, the rock song. Most radio-friendly rock songs are in a certain form. It is good for you know this if you plan to start writing this kind of music. Sure, there are rock songs that go off into being experimental and progressive. There are also endless jams which throw all the "rules" out the window and generally defy everything we know about music. (That can be some of the best kind of music.) You're certainly free to do that too, and perhaps some of your most innovative material will fall into that category; but for now let's stick to easier tunes to get some practice in. Me? I learned quite a bit from taking a look at the structure of early Beatles pop songs.

Once you've found a song to use as a guide, see if you understand the structure of that song. If you're a huge music fan some parts of songwriting may come naturally to you because of the years you've spent listening to music. You may discover you can write without knowing the term for what you're doing. You do not have to know how to read music to write a rock song, but it is helpful if you can identify what a verse, chorus, and bridge is. Knowing that can give you insight into why some songs work and why others flop. It can also save time with your own songwriting because you can use a format you like as a kind of outline before you begin.

If you want to write a song, don't be like the guy who sings the song that never ends. I know this guy who plays a bit of guitar and writes songs. He's an artsy type who puts his soul into his music. I remain polite when he performs because he's not asking for me to critique his music. And yet, my inward reaction to his songs . . . let's just say my inner child feels like a grouchy Simon Cowell at a bad karaoke bar.

Is this guy a bad singer? No, he has a pleasant singing voice. Is his guitar out of tune? No, the guitar is all tuned up. So why am I inwardly cringing? Because the guy has no concept of how to arrange a song. He sings about his inner turmoil and drones on with rarely a hook, and the chorus (if there is one) blends in with the verses. As for a bridge, I don't think he's ever heard of that. He'd be borderline talented if he changed keys once in a while, but as he is now, the most he'll get is polite applause at the local coffee shop. If you want to pour your heart out, great. Just do us all a favor and think as much about the way your song is arranged as you do about your painful heroin-addiction days and the chick who didn't understand you.

Just because you know how to put a song together doesn't mean everyone will love your song. I have to say that, lest someone think I'm implying that arranging a song is all there is to it. There are thousands of bands writing verse, chorus, verse, bridge, etc. and a great majority of those songs suck. What makes a great song boils down to personal taste, even when you're with people who like the same genres of music. Even fans of the same band will argue over which song is the best from that band. In addition to songwriting, other factors can play a huge part into how a song is received. There is the melody, the mix, the sound of the instruments, the tempo, the vocals. My own band has received both praise and criticism. Some people love us, while others do not.

Just do it. Start writing songs even if they are bad. Remember, there's all kinds of music, and rules are made to be broken. Once you can write a simple pop song (I use the term simple, loosely) experiment. Fuse elements of classical or jazz into your music, write a rock opera, or come up with something entirely original. In general the more you practice, the better you will get.

This list is not exhaustive, but hopefully you can find at least a nugget of something helpful. Best wishes to you on your songwriting!