You don't have to be a genius to write your own song. Of course, there are some musically talented people who don't need my input on songwriting. However, if you're one of those people who are indeed in love with music and would like to write a song, I'm here to help. Songwriting is actually easy when you get the hang of it. Major inspiration is required to write a great song.

It's easy to write a song but it is indeed difficult to write a great song. You have to have inspiration and a bit of determination. You have to have patience because songs are not instantly produced. You can write a song without instrumental melody, just lyrics and your own tune. But wouldn't it be great if you can play your songs on any instrument you desire?

Therefore, I would love to share my insights on songwriting. Let's call this: Songwriting 101. If you're just learning to play an instrument, I advice you to practice more. Let's admit it, most great songs are written on guitar and piano. Actually for me, guitar is the most popular and the easiest instrument to write a song.

I have been writing songs for two years now and I've written nineteen so far. I'm pretty confident about my songs and my music and I'm actually working hard to get them in the market. You can make a living out of songwriting as only a few can say. So, if music and instrument playing is your passion, it's time to head to the next step. Write your masterpiece.

You can write a song using three chords. Let's say the chords: E, A, and D. That's a good rock or punk rock progression. Depends on how you use the chords. Remember, you don't have to stay on the Major scale path. You can always use minors, diminished, 9th and etc. Should we go to the step-by-step process?

Step 1 - Get some inspiration. Get your guitar and just jam with your mind. Just keep on playing. Strum chords. Strum and keep on strumming. Do a bit of licks and plucking. Hammer-ons and pull offs. I am not a genius on the piano so I'm going to be referring to guitar techniques a lot here. Get that inspiration! Listen to music, listen to the kind of music you listen too. Go on YouTube and just listen to your favorite kind of music.

Step 2 - Keep on playing. Keep on practicing. Eventually you will find yourself stumbling upon a chord progression. You can go with the basics. The chords C, Am, F, and G. I'm already pitching in some ideas here and you can really use it. I advice you to familiarize yourself with your instrument and just keep on playing.

Step 3 - Know your parts. By parts I mean verses, bridges, chorus, refrains, solos. Your chord progression can be a part of the whole intro itself. It could also be the ending. Be optimistic at all times and let your instincts decide. Don't make it all about black and white. Don't go with what is right or wrong. There are no rights and wrongs when it comes to music.

Step 4 - Start on it. When you think of a good chord progression, decide if that is going to be the verse or the chorus. If it's the verse, it's up to you if you want two verses before the chorus or verses before the bridge and then the chorus. I also advice you to have a different chord progression for the Chorus.

Let's take a look at a song shall we?

This is a basic pattern of a beautiful song. If you're a U2 fan, you must know this: With Or Without You. That indeed is a beautiful song. The Chords are actually the bass line. Go with D, A, Bm, and G. The whole song is repetitive chords-wise. However if you take a look at the Chorus, it's very different from the verse.

Another pattern is building up the plot. By that, I mean you should have a basic chord progression for the verse, a rising bridge, and a steady but catchy chorus. A great idea for the bridge is go Minor. If you have a chord progression of G, C, G, C for the verse, well for the bridge, you can go Em - C - D. Repeat it if you want.

Remember when writing a song the music comes first. You can always think of the lyrics later on. Actually, if you've been practicing and if you're really determined to write a song, the lyrics kind of just come while you're thinking about and building the parts of your song. Don't even worry about it.

Step 5 - Finish at least a verse part, a bridge and a chorus. You can stop when you think of a chorus. I don't mean totally stop, but you can always add the same progression for the verse after the chorus and then repeat the chorus again. Just go with your instincts because in songwriting, there is no real formula. There is no formula for rights and wrongs.

Step 6 - Sing your melody. Just sing along, you don't have to have all the words. You can put the words later. But think of a tune. Think of a range. Think of vocals. Think of hums and yelling, and fading and everything. Do a falsetto if you want. Put some made up lyrics. This is just so you get the idea of what your song is coming too. Remember, inspiration.

Step 7 - Lyrics. There you go. Make sure your lyrics compliments the tempo, the beat, the feeling of the song. Just add your lyrics to your soon to be masterpiece.

Step 8 - Try to finish the whole song with lyrics. A song is not produced overnight or in an hour so be patient. Polish your song. Polish up your lyrics if you think you have to. Think of an instrumental solo. Although, you don't really need an instrumental solo but it's always nice. Learn your guitar scales or piano scales to plug in your solos.

Step 9 - Sing it to yourself. Sing your song. Be proud of it. Accept criticisms if you sing it to your peers. They help. The depth of the lyrics doesn't really matter because you're the boss. No one should ever tell you that you're a horrible lyricist. Feelings are feelings and that cannot be judged. Also if you're writing about political issues, social issues and things like that, trust your instincts. Send a message. Don't be afraid.

Step 10 - Record your song if you can. This way, you'd know your mistakes, your glitches and your potentials. You'd take in some ideas subconsciously. You'd think "wow, that part is actually a good part to add in a bridge." Things like that.

Okay, that just some advice here. I'll definitely post some guitar techniques, soloing, lyric writing, and more of that stuff.

Thanks for reading and I hope I've helped you.

Ron Mariano