By: Camila Silvestre
Beginnings are hard. The start of a new job, location, or friendship (to name a few) can bring great stress. I should know. I even struggled to come up with how to start this post! Let me let you in on a little secret though: they don’t have to be so complicated. Take a song for example. In regards to music, that one starting line can really hook the listener in and keep them engaged. How do you get started with that great line though? Read on for a few tips on how to make the beginnings of your songs the best they can be!
- Don’t Give Too Much Away
That’s what your chorus is for. A great opening line should set the scene, but not give so much away that your listener already gets the theme . What is the theme at hand? For example, let’s say it’s a negative change in a friendship. You’ve been wronged by someone, and you want to write a song to cope. An opening line could be: “You, an expert in keeping lies.” This draws the listener in. What sort of lies? What do you mean expert? Then, the chorus could expand on why this person is such a bad friend.
- Don’t Overcomplicate It
Writing a song, whether for the first time or as a seasoned professional, can be daunting. What can be said that hasn’t already been said? Will my song resonate with somebody? It’s important to keep the thought process simple: you don’t have to reinvent the wheel. Writing a song should, from my experience, be fun and freeing. Don’t be afraid to mess up- if writing for the very first time! A great rough draft is better than no draft at all.
- Learn from Others, but Don’t Remain Frozen
What better way to learn how to begin a song than to draw inspiration from others? Doing a bit of research into your favorite songs and how they start can be motivating. However, too often, it can be easy to feel insecure. How did they get there? Will I be able to write a song as good as theirs? To put it simply: comparison is the thief of joy. Observing can only get you so far. Getting your hands dirty (metaphorically- don’t go around playing in mud) and starting the song as best as you know how to is the best way to write a song.