Getting started writing music

Whether you're sitting in a basement with your guitar and some manuscript paper or using a MIDI keyboard with a music software program, here are some ideas to help you get started creating music4u! For a more in depth look at melody or harmony writing, click the Free Tips section of LauraWeed.com

1) Create a melody using interesting rhythms and a variety of steps, skips and repeated notes.
2) Add harmony. Repeating chord progressions add unity to your piece, but overusing chord progressions is overkill! For example, playing I - VI - IV - V forty times will drive your listeners crazy (unless you're playing a duet of Heart and Soul!)
3) Test your song in a friendly environment of friends or family before rushing off to a recording studio!
4) Learn as much as you can about songwriting, write lots of songs, listen to lots of songs and have fun creating music4u!