5 Simple Steps to Transform Your Songwriting Process

       by Scott Ashley. 

     To transform your songwriting process, focus on writing memorable melodic, rhythmic, and lyrical hooks, utilizing diverse chord structures (major, minor, diminished, augmented, etc), modes (Dorian, Ionian, etc) , and setting a clear, consistent structure. Vary your workflow by switching between melody-first and lyric-first approaches, collaborating with others, and using new instruments to break habits.

Here are 5 key steps to transform your songwriting process:

• • 1. Build a Strong Song Structure and "Hook"
    Structure your songs to be easy to follow, such as Verse-Chorus-Verse-Chorus-Bridge-Chorus. Ensure your chorus has a memorable, catchy melody that stands out from the verses—an "earworm". So, it is important that you learn about normal song structures. Try writing a good hook. So, try finding stronger ideas. I find the best medicine for writer’s block is a week’s listening to new music.

• • 2. Experiment with Chords and Rhythm
    Move beyond familiar, simple chord progressions. Incorporate major, minor, diminished, augmented, sub-dominant chords for a more complex sound or an element of surprise for the listener. Similarly, create a distinct rhythmic motif or syncopated melody to make the song more engaging. Play a few chords on a piano or strum a few chords on your guitar, sing a motif, jot down a line, and do it all again. Also, your may try interpolation (s). I try not be satisfied with your first ideas in coming up with the first few lines in the song I write (or co-write), but push past them knowing that there’s more where they came from. I also re-write a song wrote several times if I feel it needs to be improved.

• • 3. Vary Your Songwriting Routine
    Avoid creative ruts by changing your process: if you usually write lyrics first, start with a melody or chord progression instead. Alternatively, write on an instrument you rarely play (e.g., a guitarist using a piano, or a pianist using a guitar) to avoid muscle memory habits. Also, I’m just staying in the lane of things that I like instead of trying to write the “popular” or “trendy” thing. I know this sounds counterintuitive, but I also try writing in frequent, but short, bursts. This also prevents burnout in songwriting.

• • 4. Use Specific, Sensory Imagery in Lyrics
    Avoid clichés by using concrete sensory details that help the listener feel and see the story, rather than just hearing about it. Treat lyrics like poetry by reading them aloud without music to ensure they are powerful and clear. Try to dedicate five minutes out of every day to write from a keyword using descriptions of taste, touch, sight, sound, smell, and movement.

• 5. Collaborate and Gather Feedback
  Co-writing can instantly improve your songwriting by combining your strengths with someone else's, particularly by working with someone who excels in a different area (e.g., melody vs. lyrics). Recording rough demos and listening back allows you to edit and refine the song from a listener’s perspective. Use a clean work tape or simple demo (not a fully polished production) so listeners focus on the song itself—lyrics, melody, structure, and feel—rather than production choices. It is always good to write with someone who is strong where you are weak. Remember that Elton John’s major hits were co-written with lyricist Bernie Taupin, do not try to do everything yourself.

There’s no such thing as perfection when it comes to writing songs. So try experimenting new ideas of melodic lines, chord progressions, overall song/story idea, lyric ideas, you may write the song that you like!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Scott Ashley is a songwriter and graduate of the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston. He is a voting member of the Recording Academy (National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences). He is currently working as the Artist Relations director with the USA Songwriting Competition and IAMA (International Acoustic Music Awards). He has written 2 books "How to Write Better Songs" (Hit #1 on the Amazon Best Seller Books Charts in 2022) and "The Songwriting Competition Handbook" (Hit #1 on Amazon in 2025). Click here to purchase Scott Ashley's new book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Songwriting-Competition-Handbook-Winning-Songwriters/dp/B0F8C27BSV/

For information on the 31st Annual USA Songwriting Competition, go to: https://www.songwriting.net