How to write your first song ever
Here’s exactly how to start songwriting even if you’ve never, ever written a song before — trust me, there was a time where I had never taken songwriting seriously before, either.
Don’t tell anyone I said this, but f*ck the guitar, f*ck the piano, you do NOT need to know how to play any instruments in order to write your first song. Or any song for that matter.
Let’s start by looking up a track on YouTube. This is exactly how I wrote my very first song. Choose an artist that you admire or want to write similarly to. Search “(artist name) type beat” and you will probably get a good amount of results. Go through, choose one that matches your concept and you’re off to a really great start.
The sections of the song are often labeled as chapters within the actual video, so you’ll know how long the intro is, if there’s a pre-chorus and where the chorus stops and the second verse begins, etc. This was especially helpful for me in the beginning when I couldn’t produce anything and couldn’t always tell where the different parts of a song were just by listening to it.
Once you’ve got a track and a concept, just hum or mumble along until you find a melody you like. You’ll probably naturally sing in the right key if you’re singing along the track. The key of the song and the BPM (beats per minute aka tempo) and usually included in the description or comment section. SOMETIMES you’ll even be lucky and get a chord progression.
Often, these tracks are for purchase or license, but I don’t have money for that. You can download a DAW (digital audio workstation) for freeeee and create your own track by using an instrument already in the DAW. This can be complicated, but it doesn’t have to be. I would love to make a super basic and easy video on how to create your first track in a DAW as a songwriter if that’s something that would be helpful!
Songwriting is an art and doesn’t have to be perfect. You can start any way you want, but this way is pretty accessible and doesn’t seem as daunting. We have a chorus writing template in our bio if you want even more help with lyrics along with our Creatives Club where you get weekly songwriting inspo, tips, and tricks directly to your inbox!
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When I first dreamed of writing a song, I felt overwhelmed. I pictured elaborate studios, expensive instruments, and years of music theory lessons. "Pssst...it's not as hard as you think," is what I wish someone had whispered to me then! My journey into songwriting truly began when I realized how incredibly economical and minimalist it could be, especially for someone like me with absolutely no prior experience. I remember thinking, "How can I write a song when I can't even play a single chord on a guitar?" That's when the magic of YouTube type beats hit me. It was a game-changer! Suddenly, I had a professional-sounding instrumental backing for *free*. I'd spend hours just listening, waiting for a beat that resonated, letting the rhythm inspire a mood or a story. This eliminated the need for any instruments, saving me hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars. My advice for a truly *economical, minimalist songwriting debut*? Start here. Don't worry about buying a fancy microphone or even a DAW right away. Your phone's voice memo app is perfectly fine for capturing those initial hummed melodies and whispered lyrics. The biggest hurdle for me, with *no experience*, was silencing that inner critic. I kept asking myself, "Is this good enough? Do I even know what I'm doing?" The key, I found, was to embrace the beginner's mindset. My first few attempts weren't masterpieces, and that's okay! The goal was simply to *finish a song*. I'd pick a simple concept – maybe a feeling I had that day, or a short story from my past – and just run with it. No need for complex narratives or metaphors. Just honest, raw expression. This minimalist approach helped me focus on the core: melody and message. To truly make it *economical*, consider free Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs) if you want to eventually create your own tracks. There are plenty of free options like GarageBand (for Apple users) or Audacity, which are fantastic for simple recording and editing. You don't need all the bells and whistles of professional software when you're just starting out. The OCR notes about "Wanna know how to make your own track?" really hit home for me because that was my next step after mastering the YouTube beat method. Learning a basic DAW skill can be incredibly empowering without costing a dime. Another tip for the no experience songwriter: don't be afraid to just "Let's Go!" with the humming and mumbling. Seriously, that's how some of my best melodies started. I'd hum along to a beat, find a catchy little phrase, and then slowly build lyrics around it. It felt less like 'writing' and more like 'discovering.' It's about letting go of perfectionism and embracing the creative flow. My personal experience taught me that songwriting isn't about being a virtuoso; it's about telling your story in a unique, musical way. Every songwriter starts somewhere, and often, the most authentic songs come from those raw, unpolished beginnings. Just dive in, experiment, and enjoy the process of bringing your musical ideas to life without any financial or skill-based barriers.
What about copyrighting and stuff… lik how do I ask the owner of the best if I can use it?? Do I have to buy it??