By delaying the root chord in your songs, you can create an immediate sense of tension and endow your progressions with some forward momentum.

By alternating short and long notes, you can keep your songs from meandering.

Every song to ever exist was written using the exact same toolset of of notes that’s available for every songwriter

Use the first line to say something interesting or unexpected, which instantly tells the listener your song is going to be different

Songs start in silence. Every creative act requires a moment of contemplative reflection on the part of the writer.

Identify your center; for some musicians, it might be noisy instead of quiet. Either way, it should be a place to connect with your flow for writing songs.

Today’s Songwriting Tip: Complexity doesn’t automatically translate into a good song. Sometimes less is more.

Just as an exercise, try performing your song as a spoken word piece. By removing melody and chords, you’ll be able to identify the weak places that need work.

Try ‘free association’ when you have a subject for your song about but can’t think how to start the lyrics. Write down every word and feeling that comes into your head about that subject until you find the right direction

Inverted chords can really enhance an otherwise simple chord progression for your songs, but they should be carefully used. There should be a reason for using them.

You don’t necessarily have to use popular song structures, but it’s still helpful to know what they are and how they work when writing your own songs.

Many songsmiths use both major and minor keys in their compositions, possibly using a minor key for the verse & a major key for the chorus, or the other way around.

Today’s Songwriting Tip: Make your song lyrics as visual as possible. Paint a masterpiece with your words.