How to Write Original Songs - Useful Tips, Progressions & Rhythms

Hello friends,
and welcome to another Weekly Challenge! In today's session we'll follow up on our study of music theory and basic progressions and begin learning the process of writing our own original music! Composition is something that guitarist of all levels can enjoy, and is fantastic way to retain information as you apply the techniques and theory concepts that you have studied. Let's get started!

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[arminfish]

quarantine be turning me into a whole ass musician

[samhenry]

One thing I deeply respect about you, you answer your mail, some don't do !

[PurpleClaw]

The way you say "own" is undoubtedly awesome 😁😁😁

[sujayanarula]

Oh good lord! I happened to go through this video from my playlist today! I was reading my own comments after seeing your video again😄😂 I can't believe I have attempted the most ambitious project without my knowledge, it's taken 3 years. I have to share it with you😊 Thank you 🙏🏽

[jimwilliams]

Great lesson Rob. I've been writing for years, but still, you taught me quite a few things since my playing is all by ear. I've never even had a "pattern" to work off of. Thank you much.

[captainkangaroo]

For me, once I have the lyrics written, the two most important things are; do I want it to have a more melancholy or sad character meaning a minor key sound or a more grand or upbeat sound indicating a major key and, as you said in your fifth tip, how do I want the rhythm to feel, ie. a shuffle, or a waltz time (whether 3/4 or 6/8). I generally have the “feel” in my head well before I try to write a chord progression or think about what scale to pull notes out of for riffs and the like. I am pretty rudimentary but it is an unbelievably fun exercise.

[sujayanarula]

Hi Rob, I did do an impromptu writing yesterday! I am going through this video now to see how I can make it better 😊 or what else can be done with it. Thank you so much for all the amazing videos you put up which comes handy when needed 🙏🏽😊🤩

[MelTuly]

Thank you so much for this . I love writing, not very well, but if I could marry it with some music I’d have so much fun ! Thank you !

[lilah]

This deserves to be seen by the world oh my gosh ! What inspires you to create contrent like this ?

[stevedouglas]

What makes a song memorable?? --- "Easy to remember and hard to forget." --- Rob, I'm glad you're tackling this subject. Great start in this series in showing how to keep things simple when starting out. Actually, a song, at its core should be simple, unless it's some esoteric straight jazz number, which most are not. Rob, I'm sure you'll be talking about, "The hook" in one of your coming lesson and I'm looking forward to that. Thanks Rob!!

[Polar-Eel]

I wish I'd have seen this 5 years ago! Great as always Rob!

[atocox]

Thanks for this start. Calypso Rhythm. Sounds familiar, because I'm Caribbean.

[sujayanarula]

Thanks Rob, appreciate your support and encouragement to a rather ambitious project😉😄

[RavenMadd]

love this player ....trying to find the inspiration again ....great vid brother

[Lalicurly]

Very useful info. Awesome video. Thanks!

[gregsenara]

Thanks for this, you make it more easier to me 👍

[juanpabloporraslara]

What a great teacher You are!! Gracias

[victorsuarez]

Awesome!!! Can't wait for the second part!

[paolovls]

Hey Rob! I learned so much from your videos, in only 3 months of guitar playing, and I keep improving. Thank you :)
Could you do a tutorial of "DON'T LOOK BACK IN ANGER" by the Oasis?

[wesleylowrance]

Your accent has similar features to John Travolta's Baltimore accent from the Hairspray remake a touch of Dr Evil, who is Belgian. It's in your "o" sounds. Whurr you from?