Country music has been around for a very long time, it's one of the most popular genres in America and is loved by millions of people all over the world. But how do you write a country song? There are many tips and tricks that can help you to come up with an amazing tune, so let's take a look at some of them now!
Tip 1: Come Up with an Idea
A successful songwriter seldom starts with the idea of "I need to sit down and compose a
fantastic tune." Instead, they come up with song concepts whenever they're sitting in their
bathroom, driving about in their car, or otherwise relaxing at home. These ideas are what drive the songwriter to create something genuinely excellent.
So as soon as you have an idea, write it down! Keep this idea handy, and use it to build your song. The act of simply writing it down will also help you remember the idea better and allow you to flesh it out later on.
You could also try keeping a notebook by your bed and writing down the thoughts that wake you in the middle of the night! You never know what they could inspire.
Tip 2: Make Your Lines Rhyme
Country music songs have a very distinct rhyming pattern. Lines usually end with words that are the same or similar in sound, like "home" and "alone".
This is an example of a simple rhyme scheme:
I love being home alone without you around
This is an example of a perfect rhyme scheme:
I know that it might sound cold, but my heart just can't be told.
You'll notice in line two, the last word of each phrase rhymes perfectly. This creates a smooth transition between lines and makes for easier singing on-stage or while performing live.
Another important thing to remember when writing country songs - don't overdo it! Three to four rhymes per song should do the trick... any more than this number will likely annoy your audience instead of delight them!
Tip 3: Structure Your Song
The structure is important because it provides a map for the story being told so listeners can follow along with ease. It also helps them remember what points were made earlier in the song so, they can be brought up again later. A common structure used for country music is VCVCBC (verse, chorus, verse, chorus, bridge/middle eight (if applicable), chorus) which allows lyrics to repeat while adding new content each time it's sung-through.
The best way to do this is by starting with a strong intro that will get the audience's attention and keep them listening throughout the rest of the song. Popular country songs usually have an intro that lasts 7 to 10 seconds. This gives you time to hook your listeners!
Next, make sure each line has something interesting going on within it - whether it's rhyme or wordplay, try not to bore people when they're hearing your lyrics for the first time! If there are any parts where nothing much is happening other than filler words like "and" or "the", consider removing these lines altogether. You should only include the most important lyrics in your song.
Tip 4: Get a Professional Demo
The fourth tip is to get a professional-sounding demo of your song. It's not a good idea to try recording your own songs! If you attempt to get studio musicians and backup singers yourself, you'll end up spending more time, money, and energy, so instead, opt for a music producer that specializes in demos and knows what they're doing from the start. Nashville-based musicians can also help with this since they know how to produce songs that sound similar to the ones you hear on your favorite country radio station. So, make sure you have them in your demo!
Choose at least six instrumentals that all sound distinct yet still complement one another. These components include drums, piano/keyboard (and organ), electric guitar, acoustic guitar(s), and bass guitars, which vary depending on the style. Also, consider adding a fiddle or steel guitar to give it that classic touch!
Tip 5: Keep it Short and Sweet
Country songs are typically shorter than other genres, so you'll need to choose your words carefully. A song that is three and a half minutes in length is ideal for radio and will do a better job keeping your listeners engaged. If your country hit gets played on the radio more times, it also has a higher chance of being recognized by the public... which means greater exposure!
Thank you for taking the time to review our tips on how to write a country hit. We hope you found this blog post helpful and that it has prepared you for the next step: actually, writing your Song!
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GC Music is a respected Nashville Demo Service just outside of Nashville. Let us
complete your song that has been playing in your head hundreds of times with
professional studio musicians and singers.
It’s more than just a demo, it’s a Nashville Sound.
If you have any questions, please give Gary Carter a call.
Email: gcmusic111@gmail.com
Phone: (615) 491-3130