Practical Songwriting Advice from a 30+ Year, Award-Winning Songwriter
Welcome to the Songwriting Tips & Resources section of my site—a growing library built from over three decades of real songwriting experience.
I’ve been writing songs for more than 30 years, performing, recording, co-writing, and studying the craft from the inside out. Along the way, my work has earned industry recognition and awards, but more importantly, it has given me a deep understanding of what actually works when it comes to writing songs that connect.
This resource hub exists to share practical, experience-based songwriting tips—not theory pulled from textbooks, and not recycled advice written by people who don’t write songs themselves.
If you’re looking for clear guidance on how to write better songs, overcome writer’s block, and develop a songwriting process that fits your life, you’re in the right place.
Built on Real Songwriting Experience
Everything you’ll find in this section comes from real songs, real sessions, and real creative struggles.
Over the past 30+ years, I’ve:
- Written hundreds of songs across multiple styles
- Performed live as a songwriter and acoustic artist
- Co-written with other songwriters and musicians
- Studied song structure, lyric craft, and melody in practice—not theory
- Released original music and albums
- Earned recognition and awards for songwriting
The tips shared here are based on what I’ve learned by actually doing the work, not just talking about it.
What This Songwriting Tips Section Covers
This section of the site is designed as a central songwriting resource—a place you can return to whenever you’re stuck, inspired, or looking to improve your craft.
You’ll find guidance on:
- How to write a song from scratch
- Songwriting tips for beginners and experienced writers
- Lyric writing tips that help tell honest, compelling stories
- Song structure guides (verse, chorus, bridge, hook)
- Songwriting exercises to beat writer’s block
- Melody and chord progression ideas
- Co-writing tips and collaboration strategies
- Turning everyday moments into song ideas
- Writing authentic lyrics that connect emotionally
- Songwriting inspiration drawn from real life
- Best Songwriter Tools & Apps
Each article is written with clarity, intention, and real-world examples. If you are more advanced, visit our Pro Songwriters Tips & Resources section
Solo Acoustic Musicians
I published the comprehensive guide “Solo Acoustic Mastery: A Guide for Solo Acoustic Musicians” – It is a comprehensive and insightful book tailored for solo acoustic musicians seeking to enhance their skills, expand their repertoire, and navigate the music industry with confidence (Includes three full set lists with popular songs).
Solo Acoustic Mastery: A Comprehensive Guide for Solo Musicians
“Solo Acoustic Mastery: A Guide for Solo Acoustic Musicians” is a comprehensive and insightful book tailored for solo acoustic musicians seeking to enhance their skills, expand their repertoire, and navigate the music industry with confidence. Written by seasoned troubadour Todd Bailey, this book delves into essential topics such as practicing techniques, gigging strategies, songwriting insights, and effective self-promotion.
Pages: 55
Table of Contents
- Chapter 1: The Art of Practice
- Chapter 2: The Gigging Journey
- Chapter 3: Navigating the Gig Scene
- Chapter 4: The Art of Busking
- Chapter 5: Crafting Your Sound: The Songwriting Process
- Chapter 6: Building Your Brand
- Chapter 7: Navigating the Digital Landscape
- Chapter 8: The Business Side of Music
- Chapter 9: Overcoming Challenges
- Chapter 10: The Journey Continues
Core Songwriting Principles
Across this resource section, you’ll see these foundational songwriting principles come up again and again:
- Start with a strong idea, title, or emotional truth
- Write from lived experience, not clichés
- Focus on clarity before cleverness in lyrics
- Build every song around a clear chorus message
- Use simple, conversational language
- Show emotion through imagery and detail
- Finish songs before judging them
- Use songwriting exercises to stay creatively active
- Break habits that lead to repetitive writing
- Write consistently, even when inspiration is low
These aren’t trends—they’re timeless songwriting principles that have held up over decades of writing.
Songwriting Videos: Real Songs, Real Breakdowns
In addition to written resources, this section includes songwriting videos where I break down ideas in real time.
These videos are built from my own songwriting process and cover:
- Songwriting tips explained clearly and quickly
- Behind-the-song stories and lyric decisions
- How ordinary moments turn into songs
- Real examples of overcoming writer’s block
- Acoustic songwriting and stripped-down performances
- Common songwriting mistakes—and how to fix them
These aren’t polished masterclasses—they’re honest looks at how songs actually get written.
Trusted Advice for Songwriters at Every Stage
This resource section is written for:
- New songwriters learning how songs are built
- Experienced writers looking to refine their craft
- Songwriters feeling stuck or burned out
- Acoustic and folk-leaning writers
- Writers who want to create meaningful, lasting songs
While the content is search-friendly, it’s created for songwriters first, with accuracy, transparency, and real experience at the core.
A Growing Songwriting Resource Library
This Songwriting Tips hub will continue to grow with:
- In-depth blog posts
- New songwriting videos
- Practical exercises and prompts
- Local songwriting resources and community spotlights
- Lessons pulled from decades of writing and performing
Bookmark this page and come back often—new resources are added regularly.
After 30+ years of songwriting, one truth remains the same:
The best way to get better at songwriting is to keep writing.
Frequently Asked Songwriting Questions
The easiest way to start writing a song is to begin with one small idea—a line of lyric, a simple melody, or an emotion you’re feeling. Don’t worry about structure or perfection at first. Capture the idea quickly, then build around it. Many strong songs start with a single honest thought or moment.
Songwriting often feels stuck because of overthinking, self-criticism, or unrealistic expectations. When you try to write something “great” instead of something honest, creativity can freeze. Switching approaches—writing badly on purpose, changing instruments, or using prompts—often helps break the block.
Some common rhyme schemes used in songwriting include:
- AABB – Simple and direct
- ABAB – Balanced and conversational
- AAAA – Strong and repetitive, often used in choruses
- ABCB – Popular in folk and storytelling songs
There’s no rule—choose a rhyme scheme that supports the emotion and flow of your song.
Yes. Many successful songwriters write music without formal music theory training. You can write songs by learning basic chords, trusting your ear, and experimenting. Music theory can be helpful, but it’s not required to write meaningful or emotionally powerful songs.
A productive songwriting session usually has three simple parts:
- Warm-up – Free write lyrics or play chords without pressure
- Creation – Focus on one section (verse, chorus, or melody)
- Review – Step back, listen, and make light edits
Keeping sessions short and focused helps prevent burnout and keeps creativity flowing.
