9 Essential Songwriting Help Tricks for Better Music Production

Songwriting can be a daunting task, yet it’s a crucial skill for any musician. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned songwriter, improving your craft and enhancing your music production can always bring new dynamics to your creations. Here are some tricks that can offer songwriting help to elevate your musical journey.

1. Harness the Power of Emotional Storytelling

One of the most powerful tools in songwriting is the ability to tell a compelling story. Infusing your lyrics with emotion and personal experiences can resonate deeply with listeners, creating a lasting impact. The key is vulnerability; conveying genuine feelings through your lyrics can forge an emotional connection with your audience. Consider reflecting on personal experiences or observing those around you to draw inspiration. This approach helps craft relatable narratives, which can transform a simple song into an emotional journey for your listeners.

An essential aspect of storytelling in music is to be vivid and descriptive, painting pictures in the listener's mind. Great songwriters use imagery and metaphor to create resonance. As you portray emotions, aim for specificity over vagueness, as it allows listeners a clearer picture of your narrative. You might find inspiration in reading novels, poetry, or even watching films that explore deep emotional themes. Incorporating these storytelling elements will add depth to your music and give your audience something memorable to hold onto.

2. Explore Diverse Chord Progressions

Varying your chord progressions can bring fresh energy to your songs. Experiment with different combinations to find new moods and feelings that complement your lyrics and melody. Chord variations can help evoke an array of emotions, from excitement and tension to tranquility and melancholy. An effective way to explore new chord progressions is by playing with 7th chords, which add a sophisticated dimension to standard triads. Also, consider using inversions, which modify the bass notes in your chords, creating smoother transitions between sections.

Don't be afraid to step outside conventional harmonic patterns. Trying out unusual progressions or even borrowing ideas from other genres can lead to captivating results. Wooden instruments or synthesizers might offer distinct musical textures that invite unconventional harmonies. Listen to jazz, gospel, or even electronic music for inspiration as they often employ uncommon chord structures and juxtapose melodies in intriguing ways.

3. Play with Unique Song Structures

Breaking away from traditional verse-chorus formats can lead to interesting and memorable compositions. Introduce bridges, pre-choruses, or instrumental breaks to keep your audience engaged. A pre-chorus can build anticipation for the chorus, subtly shifting the mood and propelling the song forward. Interestingly, an instrumental break offers a moment of reflection or release, giving both musicians and listeners a breather before diving back into the narrative.

Another approach is to utilize contrasting sections, ensuring each part of your song tells its own story and yet forms an integral piece of the overall composition. Explore structures like AABA, or elaborate further with concepts inspired by classical symphonies or film score work. The unexpectedness of these sections can keep listeners on their toes, eager to explore your musical narrative further, thus engaging them more deeply.

4. Incorporate Uncommon Instruments

Adding unusual instruments to your arrangement can give your songs a distinctive edge. Look for instruments that align with the mood of your track to enhance its overall production value. Consider incorporating instruments like the theremin for a haunting texture, or a banjo for earthy warmth. The unexpected sonic palette will capture attention and add uniqueness to your sound. Moreover, exploring different cultural instruments, such as sitars from Indian music or djembe drums from West African traditions, can introduce new sonic dimensions that diversify your musical landscape.

Another way to explore uncommon soundscapes is by using synthesizers and digital plug-ins that emulate rare instruments or create entirely new sounds. Leverage tools available at Mirrorball Studios for additional experimentation. By blending these instruments creatively, you can juxtapose familiar musical elements with unexpected textures, creating a signature sound that uniquely defines your music, leaving listeners enthralled.

5. Refine Your Lyrics with Wordplay

Utilizing metaphors, similes, and puns can elevate the sophistication of your lyrics. Clever wordplay adds layers of meaning and intrigue, capturing your audience’s attention. As a lyricist, try painting vivid pictures with words, use language creatively to evoke emotions or provoke thought. Engage your listeners in the artistry of language by metaphorically comparing disparate ideas to evoke nuanced emotions. Just as a painter chooses specific brushes to create textures, select words carefully for their rhythm, sound, and meaning.

6. Experiment with Vocal Harmonies

Rich vocal harmonies can add depth and warmth to your music. Experimenting with different harmonies can create a fuller, more dynamic sound. When layering vocals, focus on achieving a blend that enhances the lead vocal rather than overpowering it. Try incorporating both tight and spacious harmonies to diversify the texture. For instance, a 3rd or 5th harmony can closely mirror the melody, creating a smooth blend, whereas dissonant harmonies might offer a dramatic tension.

Utilizing harmonies also opens the door to storytelling within the vocal arrangement itself. Each vocal line can have its own unique perspective, akin to characters in a play, bringing the song’s narrative to life. To hone these skills, consider booking time at a state-of-the-art studio to explore and refine your harmonies, which can be invaluable, particularly for intricate a cappella arrangements or complex background vocals, offering clarity and balance.

7. Utilize Technology for Sound Exploration

Modern technology offers numerous tools for sound design and experimentation. Leverage digital audio workstations (DAWs) and virtual instruments to explore innovative soundscapes. Technology allows producers to manipulate sound in virtually limitless ways, from pitch adjustment to time stretching, enabling truly unique musical expressions. Many DAWs provide a comprehensive range of plug-ins and effects that can shape each aspect of the sound, combining traditional instruments with futuristic elements to create rich, immersive sound experiences.

8. Engage with Collaborative Songwriting

Working with other songwriters can spark creative ideas and provide new perspectives. Collaboration often leads to unexpected and exciting outcomes. When you write with others, you benefit from a mixture of influences, techniques, and insights, which can push your creative boundaries. It's about combining strengths and nurturing each other's weaknesses. Many songwriters attest that teamwork brings out the best in their creative output by refining initial ideas and encouraging experimentation. Sharing a session with experienced writers at Mirrorball Studios could be a step towards creating a masterpiece.

9. Stay Inspired by Listening to Different Genres

Drawing from a wide range of musical influences can inspire new directions in your songwriting. Listen to genres outside your comfort zone to discover fresh ideas and styles. Exposure to various musical traditions expands your understanding of rhythm, melody, and harmony. For instance, jazz can teach complex improvisational skills, whereas classical music might offer insights into intricate structures. Engaging with world music exposes unique rhythmic patterns and tonalities, providing a broader palette of musical colors to draw from in your composition.