How to Become a Songwriter (take these 7 steps)
You can write music. And let me say it again — you can learn how to become a songwriter. Anyone can develop the skill of turning ideas into melodies. And you don’t need to be a guru or the next Erykah Badu or Jon Bellion.
With the right intention, mindset and practice, you can turn your passion or interest into something tangible.
And this is my guide. I’ve been writing music for 20+ years and I love sharing my insights.
So let’s freaking do this!
What Is A Songwriter?
A songwriter is anyone who uses some tool to organize sounds together in a meaningful way.
What makes a songwriter is the intentional organization and focused development of the melodies. A songwriter has the intention to create and actually finish the project.
It’s not about the tools you use or even the subjective quality. It’s about your intention and decision to be(come) a songwriter.
Explore more:
➤ Songwriter vs. Producer (defining roles)
How to Become A Songwriter (7 steps)
1. Start Writing Songs
If you want to become a songwriter, you’ll need to learn how to write songs (obviously). So if you haven’t started yet, get on it!
You don’t need fancy instruments or advanced tools either. Modern tech (like AI) and your awesome creativity let you write music with not much more than your voice and a smartphone app like BandLab.
But be careful not to get lazy either — even something seemingly ‘simple’ (like prompting an AI) is trickier than it looks. Eventually, learning how to play an instrument or produce music makes sense (more on this below though).
So here are some quick beginner songwriter tips:
Learn some music theory
Take an online course
Become friends with more songwriters
Have a designated songwriting space
Study other songwriters
Focus on small daily progress, not big leaps
Do songwriting exercises or challenges
Practice daily
Explore more:
➤ How to Write a Song
2. Master an Instrument
“To write songs, you need an instrument — a core songwriting tool. But don’t worry, you don’t need to spend years mastering the piano (unless you want to).”
If you want to become a songwriter, focus helps. So I recommend choosing one principle instrument and mastering it (more or less). You can stack on other instruments later.
For me, I started with guitar, then some piano, then singing, and finally, I learned how to produce music. But mind you, this was over a 20+ years — so stay patient and start with just one.
Here are your main options to choose from as a modern songwriter:
Physical — guitar, piano, violin, harp, etcetera
Digital — sound libraries, DJing, DAW, AI, etcetera
Voice — singing, turning your voice into instruments, etcetera
Other — technically, you don’t even need an instrument
It’s best to choose a songwriting tool based on your musical goals, preferences and existing skills. For example, if you’re tech-savvy (or like digital stuff), then learning music production may make the most sense.
You may also consider getting lessons — this creates accountability and speeds up your progress. I love working with my vocal coach.
Explore more:
➤ What Makes a Good Song?
3. Hone Your Songwriter’s Mindset
As you practice and write more songs, things will become less honeymoon-y. Problems come up, learning gets harder and you’ll need something to push you through.
Doubt sets in and the fun of being a songwriter starts to feel a little less fun (not always, but it can happen).
So that’s where mindset comes in.
For me, everything I do starts (and ends) with this mindset. From my music and my art to my travels and my blog, my mindset is the lens I see and experience the world through.
It keeps me motivated and makes the sting of mistakes feel a little less stingy.
Songwriting starts with your intention and decision to be a songwriter. You don’t need to wait for approval or “results”. Mindset is also the thing that carries you through all the hard parts (when you want to quit or feel like an imposter).
So here are some quick tips for honing your songwriter mindset:
Consistently challenge any limiting beliefs
Adopt a growth mindset with songwriting
Practice healthy songwriting habits
Embody stronger songwriter traits
Who do you look up to musically? What’s their mindset like?
Why is mindset important for songwriting?
Care less
Explore more:
➤ Why Mindset Matters
4. Create a Portfolio of Finished Work
As a songwriter, you’ll eventually have a library of work to share and use. Ultimately, what this portfolio looks like (and how you use it) depends on your musical goals (e.g., getting clients vs. fans or staying totally private).
Whatever your intention is, having a finished body of work improves motivation, brand and authority. It turns a hobby into something more tangible and purpose-driven (not to say that aimless passions are bad, of course).
For example, one of my current projects is to turn my travels into music (capturing noises, making videos, sound clips, etc.).
So, what’s your project?
5. Find Your Sound
“Nobody is you. You can cover a song that’s been done a million times over, and it will, inevitably, sound different. Even if only slightly, your uniqueness is there, in between the notes.”
The more you write, the more you’ll develop your artist sound. It’s inevitable.
Just don’t feel pressured to rush into finding your authenticity and fitting some ideal you have in your head. Especially as a beginner, it’s easy to get swept up by the trends, ‘rules’ and sounds of your idols.
But this step is normal and good .It’s super helpful to actually copy others and learn all the different techniques. Plus, as John Mayer noted in a random interview I watched, failing at trying to be someone else is a fantastic way to discover who you are.
The more songs you write, the more you’ll naturally expand and add your twist. The more you grow through the years, the more you’ll evolve and change your sound. Nothing is static here.
So love the journey and just add some intention for finding your your musical authenticity.
Explore more:
➤ How to Find Your Sound
6. Have Projects
I love spontaneous, willy-nilly songwriting. But having projects keeps me consistent and adds more intention to the whole process. I also like to reframe all of my goals as projects.
Becoming a songwriter means having projects, milestones and intention to what you’re building. Even if it’s just a personal passion project. Make it legit by labeling it as a project.
This helps you finish at least some of those half-baked ideas sitting in your Voice Memos app — just a reality of being a songwriter, no shame!
7. Make Money / Get Fans (optional)
You don’t need to make money or have tons of fans. Becoming a songwriter requires nothing more than deciding to be one and then writing music.
Still, growing a fanbase or monetizing your talents is an exciting thing. So here are some quick tips.
How to make money as a songwriter:
Get an internship for experience
Work under someone who is farther ahead
Try freelancing
Create content to grow your brand and generate leads/clients
Try sync licensing (follow That Pitch)
How to get fans as a songwriter:
Have a social media strategy
Develop your brand and voice
Do collaborations
Do you, but heed the trends too
Later ✌️
Anyone can become a songwriter. It all starts with setting the intention and deciding to be one. From there, it’s all about practice, letting go, finding flow and discovering your unique voice.
To be human is a creative act. To turn your thoughts and experiences and ideas into melodies is an advanced way to express yourself. But it’s epic fun and incredibly rewarding. I’ll never stop and I genuinely — excitedly — welcome you to Club Musician.
Now go make some stuff!
