Songwriting - #1 Mistake Beginner Songwriters Make

[@Song101uk]

►► Never get stuck writing again. Download my FREE Guide to Beating Writer's Block → song101.uk

[@jimharris6389]

Awesome. Why do you only have 208 subs? This is gold.

[@Song101uk]

Thanks Jim! Growing slowly but surely. More vids coming soon.

[@freddy-yf9dn]

you have no idea how much this helps. great channel!

[@Song101uk]

Hey Freddy, thanks for your support! Hit that subscribe button if you haven't already 🤘

[@billwarner213]

GREAT info and perspective - thanks!

[@djba]

This is especially good advice for me. I’m 72, planning to take a try at writing a song, and, guess what, I had planned to start with the chord progression.

[@TadMars]

Awesome. I’m gonna try this. Normally I’m jamming and like this sounds cool then put words to it and you’re right I have to limit the words and work them in around the chords/melody. Gonna set the guitar down and write first for a change. Awesome channel!

[@Song101uk]

Thanks for watching bud! Hope it helps 👍

[@myoozikman]

Great tips! These are awesome ideas for taking your songwriting to the next level. I can always tell the novice songwriter by their melody line exactly following the chord progression. I never heard anyone else spell that out before.

[@Song101uk]

Yep. Not a bad starting point for writing, but it doesn't make for compelling melodies unfortunately. Thanks for the support Anthony👍

[@chrisb4857]

Thanks man

[@rammys]

2:57 Thank you for this Sam. I hope you can make new videos soon.

[@Song101uk]

Hey Ramm, hoping to be back with new content soon. Keep your eyes peeled! 👀

[@loquendoscar]

i didn't understand shit but somehow i understood it all, thankssss

[@anthonye3198]

In your opinion why is it different Top-lining over a pre-made beat with chords and progressions already baked in than it is to write over a pre-defined chord progression on an instrument during a session? I get why you say it's not good to start from chords but when you're top-lining you are essentially writing to chords also. Is it because there's more than just chords in the track? A rhythm? An arrangement already fleshed out which inspires lyrics and melody different to writing over boring guitar chords?. Just curious.

[@Song101uk]

Good question. I don't particularly think it's better to write to a pre made beat than it is to start with chords. In fact I'd say if anything, it's better to start from chords than to topline a premade beat. At least that way you are able to change the chords during the writing process if you wish. However, like it or not, toplining is a big part of the industry, and as a songwriter it's necessary to be able to do it effectively. The drawback for me with toplining is that your lyrical and melodic options are somewhat limited by the backing track. Personally, I think the most important parts of a song are the melody and lyrics, and they should be given free rein to go wherever they need to go, instead of being restricted by the Pre-defined harmony. Hope that clears things up! 👍

[@anthonye3198]

@@Song101uk it does clear things up. You’re right. I guess that’s why it’s called ‘top-lining’ and not ‘songwriting’. You may have shed light on how they are truly different. One of them is working with your hands tied and the other isn’t. 👌🏻👍🏼

[@Song101uk]

Yes exactly. Well put!

[@johnnymoondog]

What about the meter of the lyrics ?

[@Monomukundu]

Great material. But whats your opinion on some songwriters who starts with melodies as you are suggesting,but end up with all songs with the same chord progression. Usually songwriters who can't play an instrument makes that mistake

[@Klipsat]

what i do if i have a hook idea for trap song how i start ?

[@Song101uk]

Depends on your skill set. If you play an instrument / can produce music, then start trying to flesh out the idea with rhythmic and harmonic ideas. If not, either try working with a producer, or find beats online that you can 'topline' (write the melody and lyrics for).

[@Klipsat]

@@Song101uk thanks , yeah i'm a producer i'll try the topline thing i never do it