Often when I talk about the music I've written, people tell me that they wish they could do something like that, but they don't have the talent for songwriting.

However, I try to explain to them that talent isn't important. Inspiration in your music is far more important than using fancy words or a catchy tune. Recognition shouldn't be your drive in writing, and you definitely won't get it if you don't write from the heart.

When I write, I try to keep thought completely out of the process. So often I try to come up with something clever, but I never can. I'm just not clever. My songs are driven by faith and emotion. My mind can't come up with anything without a little boost from my heart and my God.

I'm not sure there is a talent for songwriting, but there is a definite way to go about it. Take a look at these tips, and find out how to get started in songwriting.

Emotion at the Core

At the core of every great song, you'll find strong emotions that the writer simply expressed through music. The greatest songs sometimes have the simplest lyrics, and it's not because the writer is incompetent, it's that they're being real. Being real with yourself and your listeners is important. If you can't be open with them, you can't get your message across. Often artists butcher a great message with pointless words.

When you're writing, you need to let emotion take over. You can't be worried about whether or not you're being clever or using fancy words. Emotion should be your drive. If you're writing about tuna fish, you'd better have some strong emotions about tuna fish! If you're writing about feeling God, you had better really be feeling God when you write it, or it'll be weak.

Getting Started

When writing a song, there's really no set order you have to go in. Each writer has their own system to writing a song. Some will start with the title, while others will start with a chorus or a verse. Personally, I prefer to start with the verses, so I'll start with that in the article. You'll want to experiment with different methods when you write, though.

Verses


The verses can sometimes be the most difficult part of the song. You want each of them to have a similar flow. Here are a few tips on keeping the song flowing:

The corresponding lines of each verse should have the same number of syllables. For example, the first line of each verse should have the same number, and the second line of each verse should have the same number (but not necessarily the same number as the first line).

Each verse should follow the same rhyme scheme if it rhymes. If the first and third lines of the verse rhyme, then the first and third lines of all verses should rhyme. The scheme doesn't necessarily have to be exactly the same throughout, but it's important to keep a similar structure in the rhyme scheme.

If you follow these simple rules, your verses should be fine. Once you finish, you'll keep tweaking it for a while, so don't get bent out of shape if it's not perfect the first time--nobody's songs are, not even experienced writers. Now, let's hit the chorus

Chorus

The chorus is the most vital part of the song. It's heard more than anything else, and the title usually comes from it, so you need to make sure it's solid.

It's important to first make sure that the chorus differs from the rest of the song in length and pace. That way, it can be easily distinguished from the rest. Keep a definite rhyme scheme in the chorus different from the rest of the song, as well. That way, it won't feel like you're doing the same thing over and over.

The Title

The title is vitally important to the success of a song. The title is what a song is most often identified by, so make sure the title is something that stands out in the song. Normally, it will come from the chorus, but occasionally it will come from a verse, if the statement made in the verse is more profound than the chorus. Try to make the title something catchy and easy to remember from a better part of the song. This way, the title is easier to remember if someone is looking for it.

Give it a shot

Take a look over this article again, then sit down with pen and paper and start jotting things down. You may want to start with ideas or just start writing a song. My best music comes without planning, so don't be stressed if you can't think of anything. Here are some good subjects to get started on:

• Family
  
• Work
  
• God's love and grace

>>Ben