Below are the different elements that go into writing songs: form, lyrics, melody and harmony. Just like learning an instrument or creating in a DAW, learning how to feel comfortable writing songs takes practice. Each element has strategies ranging from how to start a song from an idea to working with and harmonizing a melody. Dig into songwriting and start exploring your creativity!

FORM

The form, or overall structure of your song, provides stability for your overall message. Learning about the different type of songs forms and writing with specific forms in mind can help you develop your songwriting craft.

Form Detective
Find different song forms and decide which type you like best.

Common Form Prompts
Use form as a road map for your song. Practicing by writing with specific forms in mind can help you develop your songwriting craft.

LYRICS

Although not all songs have lyrics, when present, lyrics are important because they provide the listener with the story and message of a song. Working with and creating lyrics is fun and can be a very explorative and rewarding experience.

How to Create and Work with a Prompt
Techniques in how to create and work with a prompt - going from idea to lyric.

Setting a Lyric to Music: Prosody
Techniques in how to work with the natural stress and pitch of a lyric to craft a melody.

MELODY

Melodies are often the ‘ear candy’ we remember from songs. When prosodically paired with lyrics, they evoke feelings and responses from the listener. Use these ideas to create compelling melodies that shift when a song section changes.

How to Come Up with Melodies
Three different strategies for creating melodies.

Creating Differentiation Between Song Sections
Working with melody in two different ways to give each song section its own identity.

HARMONY

Writing harmony, or a chord accompaniment, can bring your song to life. Use these prompts to find out how to generate chord ideas and use them to build a great song.

Chord Progression Generation
Generate a new chord progression and learn it on the keyboard.

Songwriting is a craft that involves practice, just like any other aspect of music-making! Developing creative habits is important to all aspiring songwriters. In these videos, we share four tips for developing creative habits.

Have a Scroll Free Day

Develop a Journaling Routine

3 Take creative action

Thank you for being here and engaging your students in the art and craft of songwriting!

All of these prompts can be used as “jumping off points” for creative action or strung together for longer lessons and units. As songwriting educators, we firmly believe in the importance of embracing our creativity as teachers and musicians.

Feel free to check out our site, Songwriting for Music Educators, to access more resources and learn from a community of like-minded, creative educators.