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Songwriting on guitar doesn’t have to follow a strict formula, or be bound by convention. You should feel free to experiment with different chord combinations, styles and movements. If you’re hitting brick walls with your songwriting, then consider the tips below.

1) The more chords you know, the more creative options you have

Many guitarists feel satisfied with learning the 5 major open position chords down at the first few frets. Indeed, epic songs have been written using just 3 or 4 of these chords. However, you’ll want to at least have the option to expand out of those familiar chord patterns to free up your creativity. Try experimenting with floating chord shapes up the fretboard and mixing fretted strings with open strings in your chords. Try adding and removing fingers/strings/notes to and from existing chord shapes you know to see if you can make the chords more interesting or give them more depth.

2) Write down or record your ideas immediately!

Often, you’ll just be casually noodling around and a good chord sequence will just flow out of you. In the past, I have become so caught up in the moment that I’ll just keep playing and eventually move away from the original sequence I improvised. I then, to my frustration, forget the original sequence!

Keep a notebook and pen close to you when playing as you want to capture inspiration in its raw form when it surfaces. If you’re not sure of the chord you played, write out a tab or simple wire diagram. Remember, it’s not just about chord changes, but more complex phrases within chords (e.g. hammer-on/pull-off sequences), which you’ll easily forget if you don’t write them down.

You can always expand on it later.

3) Picking vs strumming

See how different your songs sound when you pick the chords rather than strum them. Both offer different moods and one could compliment your music more effectively than the other.

4) Experiment with different rhythms and tempos

Rhythm, whether strumming or picking, is the driving energy behind your song. There’s lots to think about and experiment with when it comes to rhythm – fast/slow, aggressive/relaxed, funky/smooth, complex/simple – it all makes a difference, no matter what chords you’re playing.

5) Mix up your song structure

The traditional western pop formula of verse – bridge – chorus can get a bit… tiresome after a while, so why not try mixing it around. Try unexpected interludes and unpredictable dynamics. There are no rules in reality, just a voluntary conformity based on what we’re accustomed to hearing.

Some songs start with the chorus, others have a completely separate intro. Some songs link the verse and chorus with a bridge, others just have a bunch of progressive sequences with no definable verse or chorus. Experiment!

6) Punctuate and phrase your chords

Rather than just strumming or picking stationary chords, try using hammer-ons and pull-offs to phrase your chords more intricately. Chords are just a bunch of notes taken from a scale, so learning how chords are built from scales really helps you see which phrases you can add around your chord, and still be safely within the scale.

It’s kind of like a mixture between rhythm and lead guitar – the two can be mixed, allowing you to make your chord playing more alive and kinetic. Start with the basic chord sequence and then add layers on top.

7) Try fitting your lyrics around your song

It’s different for everyone, but I find it much more logical to dress my chord melodies with my lyrics, as opposed to vice-versa. If you write your lyrics first, it’s essentially a poem, and it is tempting to try and keep the spoken-word structure.

However, with singing, you have the opportunity to lengthen or sharpen the phonetics of your words far more flexibly, so with a little experimentation, you can keep your lyrics intact whilst making sure they compliment your chord melody.

Experiment with alternate tunings

Did you know there are many different tunings for the guitar? The most common alternate tunings are, from lowest to highest strings: DADGAD (or EADGAD) and open tunings (where the guitar is tuned open as a major chord). Even the standard drop D tuning (where you only tune the low E down to a D) provides you with a different bass note that can change how those usual chord shapes sound.

Also, tuning all 6 strings down a half or full step will give you an overall deeper tone, yet still allowing you to use those familiar chord shapes (barre and open).

9) Use a capo

Capos are those bars you see strapped/clamped around a guitar’s fretboard. It basically acts as a higher positioned nut and allows you to play in a higher register. It’s especially good for open position chords as with a capo you can have the convenient fingering of open chords but in a higher key. Very useful if you need to shift the pitch of your music to within a more a comfortable vocal range.

10) Pick up the guitar during your most emotional moments

I’m aware that, in the darkest of moments, the guitar might be the last thing on your mind… or it might be the first. I can only say how effective it has been for me, but writing songs when I’m at my lowest and highest is an amazing experience.

In my opinion, music is about capturing those raw emotions. Now, I’m not suggesting you sit there waiting for something terrible to happen in your life before you can feel like you have an accomplished song, but take the opportunity. Besides, it can be quite therapeutic, as you’re unleashing those pent up feelings from within you.

I could have had an eleventh point here advocating the use of psychedelic drugs to enhance your songwriting. I won’t say it doesn’t work (listen to Pink Floyd and hundreds of other very famous bands for proof of that!), but I have to be responsible here.

So, remember kids, JUST SAY MAYBE!

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