Songcatching: How To Start Writing a Song

This is a post about the wonderful and magical art of songwriting.

Writing a song is incredibly personal and vulnerable. It can feel like there’s so much you need to know before you even begin writing a song. But it might be easier than you think.

In this post I’ll cover: How to start writing a song (even if you think you can’t); why I think you should start writing songs (yes, you!). What pieces/ skills you need. And what you don’t need.

And also, some of the challenges. I have personal experience of many of these.

I’ve written songs. And I’ve also been stuck, unsure where to begin. So I get it. I know what it feels like.

If you’re at all interested in writing songs, I hope this blog post will give some some inspiration and encouragement to take the first step.

Should you start with a songwriting class?

The other day a coaching client said to me, “I’d like to write songs, but I don’t know where to start. How do I choose a good songwriting course?”

Here’s what I said to her: I really think you should start songwriting now – before you sign up for a class.

You don’t have to be a skilled musician, or know a lot of theory, to write songs. You just need three chords to get started.

Songwriting courses can be hugely helpful—but first, I encourage you to start exploring songwriting on your own. If you show up to a course with some ideas and a little experience, you’ll get much more out of it.

Why write songs?

Songs are a way to express yourself, tell stories, or even get back at an ex. More than that, it feels amazing to have written a song—scary and exhilarating all at once.

Mary Gauthier, who’s a famous songwriter, teacher of songwriting, and author of an inspirational book, Saved By A Song: The Art And Healing Power Of Songwriting, says songwriting isn’t just for professional songwriters.

She says: “It’s available to all people who feel pulled and called to it, and it has something in it that the human spirit really needs. It is mysterious and mystical and it is beyond words and it is a language in and of itself.”

For musicians, a song is intellectual property. You own it. Songwriting can even become a source of income. While there’s a long journey from your first song to professional success, it is possible.

And in most bands, the songwriter earns the lion’s share of the income. (Though some bands do share royalties equally.)

If you’re still reading, chances are you already feel the call to write. So let’s get into it.

Tips for songwriting

Here are my suggestions for how to start writing a song.

Three things you need, to start writing songs

Permission. I’m giving you that right now. Please write songs! Knowing I was invited—expected, even—to write a song made all the difference for me, the first time.
The “how.” The nuts and bolts of songwriting: chords, melody, lyrics.
The “woo.” The mystical part: catching the song when it shows up.

You’ll need to juggle both the “how” and the “woo” at the same time. But don’t get too worried about this. You can do it.

I’m going to cover the practical parts first. I’ll get to the mystery further along.

A song has four basic elements:

Rhythm
Harmony (chords)
Melody (tune)
Lyrics (words)

You can begin with any of these. Every songwriter I know works in their own way.

If you collaborate, you might bring one or two elements and let others contribute the rest. In some songwriting partnerships (but not all!) one writes the lyrics, the other writes the music.

Four tools to help you start writing a song

A harmony instrument. Guitar, ukulele, or piano. It’s much harder to write a song using a melody instrument like violin —I’ve tried!

Ukulele is my personal favourite. It’s simple, portable, and great for songwriting. You can find free beginner ukulele stuff here.

Your voice. You don’t need to be a “great” singer. But you do have to get comfortable hearing your own voice. This was a problem for me – I was terrified at first. Awakening my voice took time, and it’s still evolving. More about how to reconnect with your singing voice here.
A way to record. Use your phone or computer. The voice recording app is okay. It doesn’t have to be good quality sound. Record snippets as they come. Don’t wait until the song is complete.
A notebook. Jot down lyrics, phrases, and ideas. You’ll thank yourself later when a melody appears and you need words to go with it.

How much theory do you need to write songs?

Some understanding of music structure can help, especially if you know the chord patterns and forms of songs you love.

But you don’t have to know how to read music in order to write songs.

Many pop songs use just two sections – a verse and a “middle 8” or bridge. Blues often follows a 12-bar structure. Country and folk songs mostly stick with a few chords and a verse-chorus format.

However, many great songs break the rules.

Don’t overthink it. Learn the rules, but feel free to break them.

The “woo” of songcatching

Songs often come in fragments—like dreams or glimpses of a story. You have to allow time and space for this to happen.

Then you shape and polish the raw material, like a jeweller cutting a precious stone.

Yes, it’s magical. Yes, it’s a little “woo.” But that doesn’t make it any less real.

I can still remember the morning when an almost fully formed new song showed up for me – melody, words and chords. But it doesn’t usually work that way.

Last night, I woke up when my husband Matthew got out of bed. A few minutes later, he came back.

“Couldn’t sleep?” I asked.

“No—I was recording a song,” he said. A melody had popped into his head. He knew it wouldn’t last until morning.

So many potential songs are lost because we don’t catch them when they arrive.

The next step – sharing your songs

Writing a song is a brave act. Sharing it is even braver.

That’s why California-based songwriters Karen Joy Brown and Katie Phillips have started Supernova Support. They offer online Song Salons and in-person “not so open mic” events, for women and non-binary songwriters to show up and share their songs in a welcoming and supportive space.

They have a wonderful podcast, also called Supernova Support. You can find Supernova Support on Substack here.

If you’re already writing songs and want to find support that’s encouraging (rather than discouraging), I highly recommend you check Katie and Karen out.

Songwriting is vulnerable—and worth it

But the more you do it, the easier it becomes.

Once you’ve written one song, you’ll know you can write another. And another.

Each song is a treasure, a small miracle. But it needs someone to bring it into the world.

Could that be you?

Want help getting started?

If you’d like to write songs but aren’t sure where to begin, getting some support can be a great way to find your flow.

I’d love to help. Email me at alice “at” alicebulmer.com and we can book a free, no-obligation 45-minute clarity call.

Here’s how you can stay in touch:

You’ll also receive a free copy of my mini-book: Get the Play Back into Playing – 12 Creativity Hacks for Musicians.

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