Songwriting: How to Use Lyric or Songwriting Journal for New Songwriters

Songwriting: How to Use Lyric or Songwriting Journal for  New Songwriters

By Sheryl Collins

Every time we hear our favorite song we think of how talented the artist is? 
Many of us do not know that there more to a song than a great voice, jamming beat, and moving words. Poets known a long time that a song is just a poem. Novelists known a long time that a song is a story told shortly vocally in harmony. Can you journal if you never taken a songwriting course? Can you journal if you play no instrument? Can you write a song if you are not that creative?

I say yes. I have been using my diaries and personal notes in songs since a child. Could it lead to a major hit? I do not know. I do know we usually do not sell or diaries. Our diaries are something private. Some of us just write about everyday life, while some of us focus on a situation. Many people with medical conditions that are mentally are told to journal. Christians has pick this as a way to see their growth in their life with religion. So no one here is from a major record company, a record label, scouting manager in music business. music professor or teacher. You do not have to feel intimidated. If you like to one day put music to your words you can by hiring a company or learning an instrument.

Preparation

1. Find a notebook, loose paper or a word document on your PC. It’s what you feel is comfortable. No one here is going to judge you. If your into taking writing lyrics to another level than check out lyric journals or music journals on sell like at Amazon. They have pretty good selection.
2. A pencil or a pen of your choice if your not on a PC. If you grow into being more of a writer or lyricist you’ll find your PC do not alway have access to go everywhere with you. You get a mini tablet. You can write in any color. It does not matter what brand.
3. A rhyming dictionary is a handy tool if you are going to write in a format or if you're a secret poet inside. Writing in limerick is cool to. Remember this is your journal no one have permission to see it but the eyes you choose.
4. You + Emotions + Situation = Your Song

There is a format for a lyric sheet. There are parts of a song you will have to learn. Guess what I was a young girl looking at album cover reading song lyrics. So your not a professional  and I was not either than and had lesser education in music at the time. So we will use a easy format I taught myself as a child.

Verse + Chorus/Hook + Verse + Repeat Chorus/Hook + Bridge is optional = Song

Basic Lyric Definitions for Idiots

Verse-writing arranged with a metrical rhythm, typically having a rhyme of words

Chorus a part of a song that is repeated after each verse, by more than one singer

The hook is designed to catch people's attention

Bridge connects the verse and chorus at one or more points in the song

Since you now know the what each is let me tell you how I saw it as a child and still today.

A song is about a situation.  

The situation is mainly a  set of circumstances in which you find yourself;  Your affairs

Each verse will tell details about what happened in this situation.
It is like a story how it started to the end.

Chorus/ Hook will tell you in a catchy way what is this situation sum up in a few words.
You might want to say the main idea.

The bridge will tell you a little extra or a driving climax or that burst of emotions that you been wanting to say.

Some of you who understand that Act 1  is going to be our verse one.

Act 2 is going to be our verse two.  Chorus or Hook is the situation as a whole. What is the story about? What is a catchy phrase about this situation you are telling. Optional bridge can be the climax or even sung solution.

Example Written by Sheryl Collins

Situation: Friday Night Party Enjoying with Friends from a Stressful Week

Tonight

Verse:  Life is short so eat dessert first

             I never take that advice

             Tonight I am letting my hair down

              This week left me in a thirst

              I am going to take a slice

             I am going to party to the sound

Chorus/ Hook: TONIGHT

This is like the last of my life

TONIGHT

Is like a few minutes to lose

Now I’m dancing with you

If the world ends     

TONIGHT

I want to be falling with you

Oh.. Oh..Oh.. TONIGHT

Verse:  I love every move on the floor

            I will not forget every touch of your hands

            The music is so surreal

            I never knew once I open the door

            That I would find someone who understands

           Could this be really real?

Chorus/ Hook: TONIGHT  (Repeat Chorus): optional

This is like the last of my life

TONIGHT

Is like a few minutes to lose

Now I’m dancing with you

If the world ends     

TONIGHT

I want to be falling with you

Oh.. Oh..Oh.. TONIGHT

             

                   

Bridge

For the  very first time

I saw forever in someone else’s  eyes

Now I can comprehend what love really is

A freedom to choose, A freedom to lose

A freedom to love, A freedom to live

Chorus/ Hook: TONIGHT

This is like the last of my life

TONIGHT

Is like a few minutes to lose

Now I’m dancing with you

If the world ends     

TONIGHT

I want to be falling with you

Oh.. Oh..Oh.. TONIGHT

© 2018 for SherylCollins free Popcake sheets