SongPad

There are lots of different ways to set about writing a song. If you've not done it before it can be daunting! Some people start with music, others start with lyrics. SongPad can help you with the lyric writing.

If you feel stuck about how to get started, give this a try:

Start a new song in SongPad (don't worry if you don't have a title - just put in anything, you can change it later).

Click on "Guided" near the top of the screen.

Read the questions and start by filling in those boxes. It will help you to work out an outline and idea for your song.

Once you know what you are going to write about head back to the main tab.

Some people find it helpful to start by just writing all the words and phrases they can think of from their outline. For example if you're writing a song about cats you could list "cat, whiskers, fur, meow, scratch, jump, purr, curl, basket..."

Highlight words in your list and use the rhyme tab to find rhymes. Add these to the list. For example: "sat, pat, flat, mat"

Now you have an outline and list of words and phrases that rhyme. Beginning to write some full lyrics will be much easier. Check your outline and list and get started! Often people start with the chorus and work from there. The chorus should "sum up" the main idea of the song. Its often called "the hook" because it should be the most memorable part, the bit people go away singing to themselves after they've heard the song. So pay special attention to the chorus. Get that right and fill in the background with the verses.

1. Start a new song in SongPad (don't worry if you don't have a title - just put in anything, you can change it later).
2. Go to the "Outline" tab on the left
3. Click on "Guided" near the top of the screen.
4. Read the questions and start by filling in those boxes. It will help you to work out an outline and idea for your song.
5. Once you know what you are going to write about head back to the main tab.
6. Some people find it helpful to start by just writing all the words and phrases they can think of from their outline. For example if you're writing a song about cats you could list "cat, whiskers, fur, meow, scratch, jump, purr, curl, basket..."
7. Highlight words in your list and use the rhyme tab to find rhymes. Add these to the list. For example: "sat, pat, flat, mat"
8. Now you have an outline and list of words and phrases that rhyme. Beginning to write some full lyrics will be much easier. Check your outline and list and get started! Often people start with the chorus and work from there. The chorus should "sum up" the main idea of the song. Its often called "the hook" because it should be the most memorable part, the bit people go away singing to themselves after they've heard the song. So pay special attention to the chorus. Get that right and fill in the background with the verses.