Songwriting Tools

The following songwriting tools are used by most writers. Nobody uses all of them though. But most songwriters use almost all of them at one time or another.

Some of these songwriting tools are not "tools" in a physical sense. However, they are still indispensable in the songwriters' tool-box.

Computer

• What kind of computer do you have?
• Is it a Mac or a PC?
• Is it a desktop computer or a laptop?
• How much memory and space on your hard drive do you have?

These are all important questions for a songwriter. First of all, you have to decide if you prefer Mac or PC. Macintosh computers are usually more expensive but more stable too. I'm a Mac fan but others swear by Windows so it's your call.

To use songwriting software, especially multi track recording software, you'll need a pretty strong computer. You'll find the system requirements for each program on its website but they usually write the minimum there. If they say, for instance, that you'll need at least 2GB RAM, consider getting 4GB. With only 2GB the software will be slow and might crash sometimes. You may even lose your work!

I have a laptop because I like sitting on the couch while I'm working. It's not the healthiest position though. If you know you won't move around much and there's a good place for your desktop computer, you shouldn't buy a laptop. Desktop computers are usually stronger too.

Software

There are so many songwriting software programs out there that it might seem to be a daunting task to decide which one to get.

There is software for recording. Some songwriters like to record as soon as the muse strikes. Others use recording software to make a demo of their songs. Since home recording software comes in all shapes and sizes, you're sure to find one that fits all your needs.

There is also the kind of music writing software which is called a scorewriter. I recommend these if you can read music. For those who don't, it's useful to get familiar with chords at least. They are logical, fast and quite easy to learn.

Some software makes complete background music for your chord progressions. But this music needs a little editing and creativity so that it doesn't sound too predictable.There is also software for lyric writing which makes it easy to come up with rhymes, synonyms, phrases, etc.

Word Processor or Paper

This one is quite obvious. You'll need something to write your lyrics or musical ideas on. If you only write on paper or only in a word processor, try the other one. It might sound simple but sometimes this switch can bring some pretty unexpected things to surface.

MIDI Instrument

A MIDI instrument can be a simple and cheap electronic keyboard. You'll need this if you're not planning to record live instruments only. And if you have a good recording program with several software instruments, you can get REALLY creative with MIDI.

Microphone

I'm not a microphone expert. I know that there are dynamic and condenser microphones. And that for home studios a condenser microphone is better but I forgot why. :) I have a simple but great USB microphone. It's a great songwriting tool, it's great quality for demos, I don't need anything more complex. But you'll need a microphone only in case you record vocals or live instruments.

Headphones

Again, you'll need good headphones only if you record vocals or live instruments. Because while you're recording, you need to hear the singer, yourself or the instrument, obviously.

But even if you don't record live sounds, sometimes it feels better, a little more intimate to listen to your creations through headphones. At least I like it. :)

Templates

When you've written a song or two, you'll notice that there are some things in your songwriting process that are always the same. It is sometimes tedious to write down or prepare all these things again and again. So one of the greatest and most time-saving songwriting tools is a template.I have a template for lyric writing. I have a file in which I write:

• Title
• What is this song about? (I answer the question.)
• Intro
• Verse 1
• Pre-Chorus
• Chorus
• Verse 2
• Pre-Chorus
• Chorus
• Bridge
• Pre-Chorus
• Chorus
• Outro

I don't have to (and I never do) use all of the sections but when I make a sketch of the song, it feels good to be organized. Sometimes not having to think about such small things can be great.

You can also do such a thing with music sections, chords or anything you like.

Dictionary

A good dictionary is an indispensable songwriting tool. But it's probably not enough. You'll also need a rhyming dictionary and a thesaurus.

But dictionaries have disadvantages. They are huge. They are heavy. They take up a lot of space. It's quite slow to look up something in them. Instead of keeping some dictionaries, I like to use a lyric writing program which incorporates all the dictionaries and word/phrase resources I'll ever need for songwriting.

Ideas

Your ideas may not be the most obvious songwriting tools. However, they are the most important ones. And by ideas I don't just mean "inspiration". Inspiration is something that is not worth waiting for. If you start working, it comes soon. By itself.How do you get ideas? If you really can't think of anything, sit down and:

• read a magazine (tabloids are usually the best for this purpose)
• read a book
• read a dictionary (I'm not kidding)
• go through some book titles on the internet or in your home. These titles are usually not copyrighted.
• you can even watch an episode of a series or go and see a film

If you do one of these things, and you're consciously looking for song ideas, I can guarantee you they'll come.

Idea Box

Sometimes inspiration hits when you least expect it. That's when a little notebook, a cellphone or a dictaphone comes handy. If you have a song idea, don't wait even for a minute. It's the best if you keep one of these songwriting tools next to your bed too. Although during the night it might feel like you'll remember an idea next day, most people can never bring it back. That's a possible hit song lost.

At home you should keep your ideas in one place. You can do it in a simple text file or you can get more sophisticated than that. I even have some categories, like "quotes from films".

Database

When you've written 5 or 10 songs, you'll notice that it gets more and more difficult to keep track of them. That's why you'll need some kind of a database or filing system for your songs. In this database you should be able to record several things about your songs:

• title
• if it has been completed or not
• genre
• key
• beats per minute
• loops used
• date of creation
• lyrics
• audio file
• others versions of your song
• chords or sheet music
• what happened or what is happening to the song?
• other notes

If you write down all this data about your songs, it'll be easier to find one if somebody asks for a ballad for example.

Dictaphone

Not everybody uses a dictaphone but it's nonetheless useful. Especially when the idea of a great melody comes to you on the street. But you can also record audio with your cellphone or mp3 player these days. So this songwriting tool is not the most indispensable one.


That was quite a list of songwriting tools! I hope I didn't forget anything. I'll add some more later if I learn something new!

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