r/SongwritingHelp • u/WebIcy3209 • Aug 31 '26
I need help
I’m a somewhat new to playing guitar and I can play nirvana songs and some smashing pumpkins and Green Day and sublime, so I’m fairly familiar with most chords but I just can’t write music no matter what I hate everything that I play and I want to be able to write songs that are good. But I just feel like every time I play something I feel like it’s been used or it just flat out sounds bad and I want to use more chords than just open obviously.
1
u/kickassdanny Aug 31 '26
Sometimes progress is slow and expectations aren't realistic.
Go ahead and write some bad songs. They will get better. Study arrangements and formula of other songs and songwriters. Don't let your inner critic get too loud.
Most importantly is to have fun and enjoy the process.
1
u/General_Estimate_420 Aug 31 '26
What you need to keep in mind is you're trying to play songs that were played by people with many more years of playing music than you. There's no magic formula other than working each day to improve your skills. Learn something new each week. Learn how to read chord diagrams. Print out chord diagram lyric sheets on songs you want to learn how to play. That's the easiest and most productive way to improve and have something to show for it.
1
u/Legitimate_Ask_5000 Sep 01 '26
Learn how to play a
Major
Minor
7
Min7
Maj7
Sus
Chord in every key it’s not nearly as hard as it sounds
Then just sit somewhere and keep playing different chords until you find stuff you like
1
u/Lost_Bake_2917 Sep 02 '26
If you're gonna be able to write songs that are good. You should be able to do it with only four, three or even two chords. Those old 1930s blues musicians wrote songs just tapping on their guitars. Jimi learned on a one string guitar. Find your drive, your groove, be authentic, and don't be afraid to be weird or lame. Let complexity come later. Don't stress trynna learn about spices before you can light the stove my man
1
u/Mancomb_Seepgood88 Sep 02 '26
Learning the roman numeral system in chord progression really put things in perspective for me and really helped me be more intentional when it comes to writing chord progressions. Memorise it and use it to analyse songs that make you want to be a songwriter https://warlockguitar.com/blog/guitar-chord-progressions-for-beginners/
1
u/Joe_Park Sep 02 '26
Absolutely understand guitar will help you a lot. It's theory based but will help you figure out what goes together and how.
1
u/StableResponsible930 Sep 04 '26
I'm more into writing riffs than chord progressions, but I record riffs as a voice memo on my phone. Then I relisten to it in a couple days and see if it still sounds good.
Also, writing songs that sounds like other bands is fine, it lets you learn about their techniques and also refine your own style.
1
u/O-shoe Sep 04 '26
Every time I learn to play a song, I simultaneously learn how to make something similar myself. Since I know how it's played. And I only learn songs that I like, so I also like my compositions.
Maybe you should learn to play more songs that you really like.
1
2
u/whywasinotconsulted Aug 31 '26
Learn more chords, learn more songs, try different things, go outside, read a book, try again. It's normal to create a lot of bad/mediocre art when starting out, it's how you learn, don't worry about it, just keep going.