Guide · Songwriting
Songwriting for beginners
To write your first song, pick three chords, loop them, hum a melody, write a few lines about one thing that happened to you, and record it. Keep it short and finish it. You do not need theory or an expensive setup to start.
Updated 20 Oct 2026
1. Pick three chords
G, C and D (or C, F and G) are a good start. Loop them in a steady rhythm. See the 1-4-5 progression.
2. Hum a melody
Play the loop and hum whatever comes. Record it so you do not lose it. See how to write a melody.
3. Write about one thing
Pick one thing that happened to you and write a few plain lines. See how to write lyrics.
4. Use a simple structure
Two verses and a chorus is enough. See song structure.
5. Record it
Your phone is fine. Record the whole song, even badly.
6. Finish it
Finishing a simple song often teaches you more than leaving many unfinished. Call it done and write the next one.
Keep your first songs
Your early recordings are worth keeping. In songdrafts you can bring them into one place, stack every take of a song on one card, and keep the lyrics on the same song. See the songwriting guide for the whole path.
Common questions
Do I need to play an instrument?
No, but a simple instrument helps you hear chords. You can start with a melody and words.
How many chords do I need?
Three is enough to write a song.
How long does it take to write a first song?
It varies a lot. Finishing matters more than speed.
Do I need to know music theory?
No. Theory helps later, but you can start without it.
What equipment do I need?
A phone to record on, and an instrument or your voice.
Want this done for you? songdrafts is a board for your voice memos: every take stacked on one card, songs that move across stages, merging half songs, and one share link with comments pinned to the second. Works offline, and nothing you upload trains AI. What is songdrafts?