5 Essential Songwriting Tips I Wish I Knew as a Beginner

When you first start songwriting, it’s easy to get caught up in self-doubt, unrealistic expectations, and the pressure to write something amazing every time. But the truth is, songwriting is a journey—one filled with trial and error, creative breakthroughs, and plenty of learning along the way.

If I could go back and give my beginner songwriter self some advice, here’s what I’d say…

1. Not All Your Songs Will Make It—And That’s OK

Early on, I thought every song I wrote needed to be the one—a fully polished, ready-to-record masterpiece. But in reality, most songwriters only keep a fraction of the songs they write. And that’s a good thing!

Every song serves a purpose, even if it never sees the light of day. Some are stepping stones to better ideas. Others help you practice a new technique. Some exist just to clear out the clutter so the great ideas can break through.

The key? Keep writing. The more you create, the more you refine your craft—and the more likely you are to stumble upon something truly great.

2. It’s OK to Write a Bad Song—In Fact, I Encourage It

Perfectionism is a songwriter’s worst enemy. If you wait for the “perfect” idea before you start writing, you might never write at all.

Give yourself permission to write bad songs. Be messy. Write something ridiculous, overly dramatic, or completely nonsensical. The point is to get words and melodies flowing. You might be surprised—sometimes, a line from a bad song sparks something brilliant in the next one.

Think of songwriting like a muscle—the more you exercise it, the stronger it gets. And just like any workout, some days will be tougher than others. That’s normal. Keep going.

3. You Don’t Need to Play an Instrument—But It Helps

Can you write great songs without playing an instrument? Absolutely. Many lyricists and top-liners work without ever picking up a guitar or sitting at a piano.

But learning even a few basic chords can open up a world of possibilities. Strumming a simple progression or playing a basic melody can help you explore different song structures, experiment with rhythm, and develop your ear for harmony.

If learning an instrument feels overwhelming, start small. Try:

🎸 A few open chords on guitar

🎵 Simple ukulele strumming

💻 Experimenting with loops in a digital audio workstation (DAW)

Even a little musical knowledge can go a long way.

4. Quick Songwriting Exercises Are Just As Valuable As Writing Full Songs

You don’t need hours of free time to improve as a songwriter. Even a 10-minute creative exercise can make a big impact.

Try these quick exercises:

✍️ Lyric warm-ups – Write a verse about whatever’s in front of you right now using sensory language.

🎶 Melody challenges – Hum a random melody over a looped chord progression.

🔄 Word swaps – Rewrite the lyrics of a song you love with a completely different theme.

📜 Title brainstorming – Write down 10 potential song titles in five minutes—no overthinking.

You can fit these into everyday moments—waiting rooms, commute time, even halftime at your kid’s football game.

5. The More You Write, The Easier It Gets

Songwriting might feel difficult at first, but like any creative skill, it gets easier with practice.

The more songs you write, the more natural the process becomes. You start recognising what works, developing your own voice, and feeling more confident in your ideas.

And the best part? There’s no limit to how much you can grow. Every song teaches you something new. So keep experimenting, keep learning, and most importantly—keep writing.

What Songwriting Tips Do You Wish You Knew When You Started?

These songwriting tips have helped me grow as a songwriter, and I hope they help you too! If you could give your beginner songwriter self one piece of advice, what would it be? Share your thoughts in the comments—we’d love to hear them!