{"id":98,"date":"2018-07-20T08:30:00","date_gmt":"2018-07-20T15:30:00","guid":{"rendered":""},"modified":"2024-04-19T16:30:27","modified_gmt":"2024-04-19T23:30:27","slug":"how-to-write-a-song-on-the-piano","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/how-to-write-a-song-on-the-piano\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Write a Song On Piano in 6 Easy Steps"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Songwriting isn\u2019t reserved for the Mozarts and John Lennons of the world. Anyone can learn how to write a song on piano! In this lesson, we\u2019ll teach you how to write a song on piano in six easy steps. We&#8217;ll also give you tips on embellishing your song, recording it (so you don&#8217;t forget it!), and song structures to inspire you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rank-math-toc-block\" id=\"rank-math-toc\"><p><strong>How to Write a Song on Piano:<\/strong><\/p><nav><ol><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#howto-step-1686773119117\">Step 1: Choose a key<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#howto-step-1686774134650\">Step 2: Find a chord progression<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#howto-step-1686775275645\">Step 3: Come up with a melody<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#howto-step-1686778342264\">Step 4: Think of some lyrics<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#howto-step-1686778844579\">Step 5: Variations and embellishments<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#howto-step-1686778907413\">Step 6: Resolve your song<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#how-to-write-a-song-on-piano-song-structures-you-can-try\">BONUS: Song Structures<\/a><\/li><\/ol><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<span class=\"blue-text-block\"><center><h2 style=\"font-size:22px\"><b>\ud83c\udfb9 Your Go-To Place for All Things Piano<\/b><\/h2><p>Subscribe to <i>The Note<\/i> for exclusive interviews, fascinating articles, and inspiring lessons delivered straight to your inbox. Unsubscribe at any time.<\/p><iframe class=\"email-form-include\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/weeklyemail\" frameborder=\"none\"><\/iframe><\/center><\/span>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rank-math-howto-block\"><div class=\"rank-math-howto-step\"><h2 class=\"rank-math-howto-title\"><strong>Step 1: Choose a key<\/strong><\/h2><div class=\"rank-math-howto-content\">First, let\u2019s establish the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/piano-scales\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">scale<\/a> we\u2019ll base our song in. You can think of a scale as a \u201cbank\u201d of notes you can pull from to create melodies and harmonies. Sticking to this set of notes is pretty safe, so as long as you stay here, there shouldn&#8217;t be any clashing notes.<br><br>A great key for beginners to start with is C major because it has no sharps or flats. But we encourage you try other keys! Better yet, find <em>your <\/em>key \u2014 a key that matches your vocal range (if you\u2019re singing) and\/or the mood you want to convey<\/div><\/div><div class=\"rank-math-howto-step\"><h2 class=\"rank-math-howto-title\"><strong>Step 2: Find a chord progression<\/strong><\/h2><div class=\"rank-math-howto-content\">Some songwriters go into composition with a melody first, but if you\u2019re just starting out, it can be easier to establish your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/piano-chord-progressions\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">chord progression<\/a> before your melody. It\u2019s generally easier to find a melody that matches a given progression than it is to find a progression that matches an established melody. But everyone is different, so if you\u2019re a melody-first type, feel free to check out step 3.<br><br>Otherwise, you can think of chord progressions as \u201csong scaffolding.\u201d Some popular tried-and-true chord progressions you can use include the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/pop-piano-chord-progressions\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">I-V-vi-IV pop progression<\/a>, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/251-chord-progression\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">ii<sup>7<\/sup>-V<sup>7<\/sup>-I<sup>7<\/sup> jazz progression<\/a>, and the I-IV-V rock progression.<br><br>Or, if you want an extra challenge, you can write down a bunch of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/diatonic-chords\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">diatonic chords<\/a>, put them in a hat, and pick chords at random!<\/div><\/div><div class=\"rank-math-howto-step\"><h2 class=\"rank-math-howto-title\"><strong>Step 3: Come up with a melody<\/strong><\/h2><div class=\"rank-math-howto-content\">Play your chord progression in a loop with your left hand. Then, on your right hand, experiment with different combinations of notes from the scale you\u2019ve chosen.<br><br>In Western music, we tend to think symmetrically. So, you may have an easier time coming up with a melody if your song structure is 8 or 12 measures.<br><br>Be creative. There\u2019s no right or wrong answer. If something doesn\u2019t sound right, tweak it a little.<br><br>And don\u2019t feel pressured to fill up all the space. Songs don\u2019t need to be busy! In fact, it was Mozart who said, \u201cThe music is not in the notes, but in the silence between.\u201d<\/div><\/div><div class=\"rank-math-howto-step\"><h2 class=\"rank-math-howto-title\"><strong>Step 4: Think of some lyrics<\/strong><\/h2><div class=\"rank-math-howto-content\">If you\u2019re a singer-songwriter, now is the time to think of some lyrics to go with your music! If you\u2019re stuck, you can again try the hat method: write a bunch of random ideas on pieces of paper, toss them into a hat, and draw out phrases at random. The mood of your melody and chord progression can also be an inspiration.<\/div><\/div><div class=\"rank-math-howto-step\"><h2 class=\"rank-math-howto-title\"><strong>Step 5: Variations and embellishments<\/strong><\/h2><div class=\"rank-math-howto-content\">Now that you\u2019ve got your basic ideas down, it\u2019s time to make things interesting. Some stuff to try:<br><br>&#8211; Play the melody backwards<br>&#8211; Change up the rhythm of the melody by exploring different note values<br>&#8211; Improvise new passages between different statements of the melody<br>&#8211; \u201cDecorate\u201d your melody with passing notes and trills<br>&#8211; Harmonize melody notes by playing thirds, or use octaves to bring out more \u201coomph\u201d<\/div><\/div><div class=\"rank-math-howto-step\"><h2 class=\"rank-math-howto-title\"><strong>Step 6: Resolve your song<\/strong><\/h2><div class=\"rank-math-howto-content\">Finally, we can end the song by landing back on the I chord. That\u2019s your C major triad if you\u2019re in C major.<br><br>These steps aren\u2019t hard-and-fast rules; they\u2019re just suggestions to get you started! Remember: there\u2019s no right or wrong in songwriting. In fact, don\u2019t be afraid to sound \u201cbad.\u201d Sounding \u201cbad\u201d means you\u2019re breaking out of your comfort zone!<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"box-snippet\">\n<div class=\"shadow\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div><i class=\"fas icon fa-piano\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><\/div>\n<div class=\"text-container\">\n<b>Writing Down the Music<\/b>\n<p>Ready to write down what you composed? You have a few options:\n<ol><li><b>Standard Notation:<\/b> Writing for the grand staff has a learning curve, but modern software like Musescore (which is free!) can help make the process easier. You can also jot down your ideas in free time and approximate rhythms first, then worry about precise note values and measures later.<\/li><li><b>Chord charts and lyrics:<\/b> This is probably the most intuitive and logical method for singer-songwriters. Write down your lyrics, then write chord symbols above the lyrics where the chords change.<\/li><li><b>Digital audio workstations (DAWs):<\/b> Music production is easier than ever thanks to digital audio workstations (DAWs). These are intuitive to use, especially if you have MIDI keyboard and are tech-savvy. There are <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.landr.com\/best-free-daw\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">free DAWs<\/a> available too.<\/ol><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"how-to-write-a-song-on-piano-song-structures-you-can-try\" style=\"font-size:32px\"><strong>How to Write a Song on Piano: Song Structures You Can Try<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Need more inspiration? Here are some popular song structures artists have used for generations that you can make your own:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"verse-chorus-bridge\" style=\"font-size:24px\">Verse-Chorus-Bridge<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This is the form you\u2019re most likely to hear on the radio. It\u2019s catchy, familiar, and reliable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Verse: <\/strong>verses tend to have different lyrics with each iteration<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Chorus:<\/strong> the \u201chook\u201d part of the song that repeats (usually with the same lyrics) throughout the song<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Bridge: <\/strong>the emotional high point of the song \u2014 usually the climax before we go to the final chorus<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"12-bar-blues\" style=\"font-size:24px\">12 Bar Blues<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Popular in blues, jazz, and rock, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/how-to-play-blues-piano\/#12-bar-blues-structure\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">12 bar blues<\/a> is a simple form that\u2019s great for jamming along with because it\u2019s so consistent and balanced in its symmetry. Here\u2019s the standard chord progression in a 12 bar blues:<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/04145930\/blues-progression.png\" alt=\"I I I I \nIV IV I I\nV IV I I or V\" class=\"wp-image-12988\" style=\"width:474px;height:338px\" width=\"474\" height=\"338\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/04145930\/blues-progression.png 948w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/04145930\/blues-progression-300x214.png 300w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/04145930\/blues-progression-768x547.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 474px) 100vw, 474px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Songwriters can then alter the progression to their preference. Famous 12 bar blues songs include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>\u201cTutti Frutti\u201d &#8211; Little Richard<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u201cCan\u2019t Buy Me Love\u201d &#8211; The Beatles<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u201cBlack Magic Woman\u201d &#8211; Fleetwood Mac\/Santana<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"a-a-b-a\" style=\"font-size:24px\">A-A-B-A<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jazz.org\/blog\/playlist-aaba-form\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">A-A-B-A form<\/a> is a fundamental jazz form that consists of two verses, a refrain, and another verse. While it\u2019s simple, this basic form allows jazz musicians to improvise freely within a guiding structure. Jazz standards in A-A-B-A form include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>\u201cTake the A Train\u201d &#8211; Billy Strayhorn<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u201cMy Funny Valentine\u201d &#8211; Richard Rodgers<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u201cBody and Soul\u201d &#8211; Johnny Green<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"through-composed\" style=\"font-size:24px\">Through-Composed<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Through-composed just means written from beginning to end with no repetitions. Basically, a <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Through-composed_music#In_popular_music\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">through-composed song<\/a> has no structure and is written stream-of-conscious style. This form is rarer but can be found among progressive artists and some Classical composers like Schubert, and it\u2019s an excellent creative challenge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Through-composed songs include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>\u201cYou Enjoy Myself\u201d &#8211; Phish<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u201cThe Musical Box\u201d &#8211; Genesis<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>&#8220;Erlk\u00f6nig&#8221; (Op. 1, D 328) &#8211; Franz Schubert<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/14153720\/lisa-coach-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"How to write a song on piano. Woman with short platinum hair playing grand piano and singing into mic in a dark bluish studio.\" class=\"wp-image-14221\" style=\"width:840px;height:560px\" width=\"840\" height=\"560\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/14153720\/lisa-coach-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/14153720\/lisa-coach-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/14153720\/lisa-coach-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/14153720\/lisa-coach.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 840px) 100vw, 840px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Get insight into Lisa&#8217;s songwriting process in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/four-walls\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">this interview<\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>We hope this lesson inspires you to write songs! If you want a step-by-step method to learn piano, designed with the modern beginner in mind, try Pianote for 7 days:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<span class=\"blue-text-block\"><center><h2 style=\"font-size:22px\"><b>\ud83c\udfb9 Learn Piano With Real Teachers<\/b><\/h2><p>The best way to learn piano is with real teachers, but not everyone has the time and money for a private instructor. At Pianote, you can get real feedback from real experts\u2026all from the comfort of your own home. Explore our Method and community yourself with a free 7-day trial.<\/p><p><\/p><a class=\"join\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/trial\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">TRY PIANOTE FOR 7 DAYS<\/a><\/center><p><\/p><\/span>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Learn how to write a song on piano in six easy steps. We&#8217;ll also give you tips on how to record what you create and discuss song structure.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":57,"featured_media":14213,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1108,1109],"tags":[1086],"class_list":["post-98","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-musicianship","category-songwriting-musicianship","tag-l3s"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/98","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/57"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=98"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/98\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":17067,"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/98\/revisions\/17067"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/14213"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=98"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=98"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=98"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}