How can singers use music theory to write their own songs?

3 How to use chords and progressions

Chords are combinations of notes that sound good together, and that support and enhance a melody. Chords are built from scales, by stacking notes at certain intervals. For example, a major chord is made of the first, third, and fifth notes of a major scale. A minor chord is made of the first, flat third, and fifth notes of a major scale. Chords have different functions and qualities, depending on their position in the scale and the mode. For example, the tonic chord is the chord that corresponds to the first note of the scale or mode, and it sounds stable and resolved. The dominant chord is the chord that corresponds to the fifth note of the scale or mode, and it sounds tense and unresolved. A progression is a sequence of chords that creates a musical direction and structure. You can use chords and progressions to harmonize your melody, to create contrast and variety, and to build tension and resolution.

4 How to use rhythm and meter

Rhythm is the pattern of long and short sounds and silences that create movement and groove in music. Meter is the way rhythm is organized into groups of beats, called measures or bars. Meter can be simple or complex, depending on how many beats are in a measure, and how they are subdivided. For example, a 4/4 meter has four beats in a measure, and each beat can be divided into two or four equal parts. A 3/4 meter has three beats in a measure, and each beat can be divided into two or three equal parts. You can use rhythm and meter to create interest and variety in your melody and chords, to match your song's tempo and feel, and to emphasize certain words and phrases.

5 How to use lyrics and rhyme

Lyrics are the words that convey the meaning and message of your song. They can be personal or universal, literal or metaphorical, simple or complex, depending on your song's purpose and audience. Lyrics can also interact with the music, by matching or contrasting the melody, harmony, rhythm, and meter. Rhyme is the repetition of similar sounds at the end of words or lines. Rhyme can help you create catchy and memorable lyrics, by adding structure, flow, and emphasis. You can use different types of rhyme, such as end rhyme, internal rhyme, slant rhyme, or multisyllabic rhyme, to create different effects and moods.

6 How to practice and improve

The best way to learn and improve your music theory skills is to practice and apply them to your songwriting. You can start by analyzing songs that you like or admire, and see how they use scales, modes, chords, progressions, rhythm, meter, lyrics, and rhyme. You can also experiment with different music theory elements, and see how they change the sound and feel of your songs. You can also get feedback from other singers, songwriters, or vocal coaches, and see how they respond to your songs. You can also use online resources, such as websites, apps, or videos, to learn more about music theory concepts and examples.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?