by Scott Ashley.
Songwriting is both an art and a craft — it rewards patience, curiosity, and consistent effort. Whether you're just starting out or you've been writing for years, these five practical steps can help you level up your skills and unlock new creative possibilities for you to write songs. Here are some inspiring moments of songwriters in action:
- Learn to listen to different Genres of Songs or Music
The foundation of great songwriting is great listening — but not just passive background listening. Become an active student of music and songwriting. Choose songs from genres you don't usually write in: Hip-Hop, Reggaeton, Jazz, K-pop, Folk ballads, or EDM. Ask yourself:
How are the melodic lines created?
What makes the chorus so catchy? Or how can you make the chorus catchier?
See how lyrics use rhyme, rhythm, and imagery
Why does the arrangement feel fresh? How would you do differently if you were the songwriter?
Would you rewrite this song to make it sound better? Read this related article: 6 Cool Ideas to Help You Write Catchier Songs
This habit of listening to different music or songs expands your music vocabulary and gives you new tools to borrow (and transform) for your own work. Try listening and focusing completely — no distractions. You'll be surprised how much you discover.
- Co-write with other Songwriters change up your Songwriting Process
Writing alone can get you into creative ruts. Collaborating forces you to explain your ideas, compromise, and see songs through someone else's lens — often leading to breakthroughs, and gives you a different perspective. Co-writing also naturally changes your process: maybe you usually start with lyrics, but your partner begins with a chord progression. Or you write the bridge first instead of last. Even if the final song isn't a masterpiece, the experience almost always makes you a more flexible, faster, and bolder writer. You may even bring a chorus or idea to your collaborator (s) and let the creativity flow between you and your collaborator (s).
Months and years down the line you will have realized how much you have grown by collaborating with other songwriters. Read this related article: 5 Steps to Better Co-writing
- Create monthly and annual Songwriting goals
Dreams without deadlines usually stay dreams. Setting specific, achievable goals gives your songwriting direction and momentum. Examples that work well: Write 3 new songs every month
Finish and fully produce 10 songs in a year
Submit 5 songs to opportunities (competitions, pitch to music publishers)
Try out one new chord progression, backing track or writing technique per month
Track your progress in a simple journal or planner. Celebrate the wins — even small ones — because progress beats perfection. Read this related article: 10 Tips for Composing Your Own Music
- Try Rewriting Your Old Songs You’ve Written
Your early songs contain raw potential — but they also probably have clumsy parts. Revisiting them is one of the fastest ways to improve. Take a song from 1–3 years ago and rewrite it: Strengthen weak verses
Sharpen the hook
Update the language to feel more current
Try a different key, tempo, or structure
Many professional songwriters do this regularly — some even turn old songs or demos into hits years later. Plus, you'll be amazed at how much you've grown. Read this related article: 11 Great Tips for Writing Better Lyrics
- Try Experimenting with Different Approaches
What is best way to avoid stagnation? Break your own rules. Try these experiments:
Write a song in 15 minutes (speed forces instinct)
Start with the last line and work backward
Write only using questions as lyrics
Switch instruments (piano → guitar → ukulele → beat pad)
Write a song with no chorus — or no verses
Use a random word generator for the title and build from there
Read this related article: How to Write a Killer Hook
The goal isn't always to create music or song masterpieces — it's to stretch your creative muscles and discover techniques you’d never find playing it safe. So, experiment and grow as a songwriter!
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
