How to Start Songwriting: A Getting-Going Guide for Total Beginners
So, you want to write a song.
Maybe you’ve had lyrics swirling around in your head for weeks. Maybe a melody came to you in the shower, and you haven’t been able to shake it. Maybe you’ve just always felt like there’s a songwriter inside you—but you don’t know how to start.
First of all, let me say: I’m so glad you’re here.
Songwriting is one of the most vulnerable, healing, magical things you can do with your time.
It’s also a skill, which means it can be learned.
You do not have to be a musical genius or a poetic prodigy to write something meaningful and beautiful.
You just have to be brave enough to begin.
And I’m here to help you do that.
Whether you’ve never written a single song or you’ve dabbled a little and want to feel more confident, this is your gentle, practical guide for how to start songwriting from scratch.
First: Know That It Doesn’t Have to Be “Good” to Be Worthwhile
If you remember one thing from this post, let it be this:
Your first songs don’t have to be great. They just have to be yours.
We live in a world that’s quick to measure and judge creative work. But when you’re just starting out, your only job is to experiment. Be curious. Let it be weird, let it be messy, let it be yours.
Every songwriter you love once sat exactly where you’re sitting. They wrote bad songs. They wrote cliché songs. They wrote clunky, awkward verses. And then they kept going.
You don’t get to skip the beginner phase—but that’s what makes the journey so beautiful.
Step 1: Capture the Spark
Great songs often begin with a spark—a phrase, a feeling, a memory, a line, a melody.
When that spark hits, write it down. Don’t worry if it’s incomplete or imperfect. Collect it anyway. I love to use a journal to gather little fragments that might become songs later—but in a pinch, I’ve also been known to use the Notes and Voice Memos apps right on my phone.
Need help getting the inspiration flowing? Here are some prompts to get you going:
What’s something you wish you could say to someone?
What’s a memory that’s so strong you can literally smell it?
What’s one question your brain has been obsessing over lately?
What is breaking your heart open right now?
When was the last time you felt totally and completely ALIVE?
Step 2: Pick a Starting Point — Lyrics, Melody, or Chords
There’s no “right” way to start a song. Some people begin with lyrics. Others start with a chord progression or a melody. I often begin with a phrase that feels emotionally charged or a specific detail from a story that I can’t let go of, and I build from there.
Let’s break down the most common starting points:
➤ Lyrics First
Write like a poet. You don’t need to know any music theory to start this way—just begin by freewriting.
Think in sensory details. Tap into emotion. See what lines naturally form rhythm or rhyme.
Prompt: Try writing a 4-line verse that describes a moment in time using all five senses.
➤ Chords or Melody First
If you play an instrument (guitar, piano, ukulele), experiment with a few chords. You can literally Google “easy chord progressions for beginners” to get started.
A super common one:
G – C – D – Em (used in thousands of songs!)
Strum and hum nonsense syllables over the chords until something clicks. Let your instincts guide the melody.
Step 3: Structure Your Song
A typical, radio-friendly song structure often looks like this:
Verse → Chorus → Verse → Chorus → Bridge → Chorus (or Outro)
Verse = the story or setup
Chorus = the emotional heart, often repeated
Bridge = a twist, change in perspective, or deeper reflection
But there’s no specific right or wrong way to structure your song. You can have a song with all verses and no chorus. Your chorus can be a clever one line. You can forego a bridge entirely. You can include a pre-chorus. The rules are made up, so do what you feel.
Don’t overthink it—structure is just there to help the listener follow you.
Step 4: Edit Gently (and Later)
When you’re first starting, try not to edit too early. Write a rough draft of your song before you start tweaking every word.
Once it’s written, then you can go back and refine the phrasing, swap out a cliché for something more vivid, or make the melody stronger.
Editing is part of songwriting—but not all of it. Make sure you give yourself permission to play first.
Step 5: Share it With Someone (Optional, But Encouraged)
The first time you share a song can feel scary—but it can also be deeply affirming. I’ll never forget the first time I shared a song I wrote with my middle school band class. Thankfully, they were kind, encouraging, and cemented my love of performing right then and there.
But you don’t have to share your song with an entire room full of middle schoolers. You don’t have to post your song online (in fact, I’d highly recommend that you don’t just yet).
Just play it for a trusted friend, another songwriter, or even your dog.
It can be tempting to be couch your song in a joke or to talk yourself down, for fear of rejection. Don’t do this. Honor where you are in your artistic process. You might say something like:
“This is something I’m working on—it’s rough, but I’d love for you to hear it.”
You’ll be surprised how often your vulnerability inspires someone else.
A Few Extra Tips for Beginning Songwriters:
Don’t wait for inspiration. Set aside a regular time to write, even if it’s just 10 minutes. Doing this will help to keep your creative juices flowing from day to day, so getting started doesn’t feel quite so difficult.
Listen to songs you love. Notice how they’re built, what images they use, what structure they follow. Write songs inspired by your favorite songs. Rewrite songs from different perspectives. Use the art you love as a jumping off point.
Keep a running lyric log. You’ll be amazed what builds up over time, and what you circle back to months or even years later.
Join a writing group or take a songwriting workshop. I host retreats and workshops for artists like you. Click here to learn more about my signature event, The Wildly Creative Retreat.
Final Thoughts: You Can Do This
If you’re wondering how to start songwriting, you already have what it takes: a desire to create something honest and meaningful. That’s all you need.
Start where you are, use what you have, and trust that your voice—just as it is—is enough.
You don’t have to write the best song in the world.
You just have to write your first one.
And then… write the next.
I’m cheering you on.
All my love,
Cassidy
✨ Want more creative encouragement?
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