Over the past few years, a beautiful wave of songwriting has swept through my students. Some have stepped boldly into the studio, recording full albums that capture their hearts. Others have lit up big stages with their performances, while many have shared intimate, soul-stirring moments at Melbourne’s vibrant acoustic nights.
There is no single “right” way to write a song — and that is the magic. Every writer discovers their own rhythm, their own unfolding process. There is no timeline, no deadline for inspiration. Your song will arrive exactly when it’s ready.
Different Doorways into Songwriting
Songs can begin anywhere. Here are just a few paths that many creators walk:
Lyrics first — then melody, rhythm, and chords
Chords first — then melody, rhythm, and lyrics
Melody first — then rhythm, chords, and lyrics
Rhythm first — then melody, lyrics, and chords
These are only starting points. Trust whatever calls to you in the moment.
One Approach I Love to Teach - Stream of Consciousness Writing
Set a timer for 10–15 minutes.
Pick up your pen (or open a blank page) and write without stopping, without judging, without filtering. Let everything pour out — raw, messy, wild, tender. Don’t edit. Don’t criticise. Just keep the river flowing.
When the timer ends, step back and read what you’ve written. On a fresh page, note any themes, images, or emotions that rise to the surface.
Circle sentences or paragraphs that move you. You may begin to see a story or feeling taking shape.
If a strong theme has emerged, set the timer again — this time for 5 minutes — and write freely and deeply about that theme.
Now read it all again. Begin to refine, shape, and weave. Blend in the lines you loved from the first stream. Let the song start to breathe.
When you feel ready, sit with your instrument. Play chords that feel like the emotion on the page. Or simply start singing the words over the piano, letting your voice wander where it wants. Stay loose. Stay curious.
Trust the unconscious creative process. Some of the most powerful moments happen when you get out of your own way.
A Guiding Metaphor
I like to think of songwriting as distilling a fragrance.
You don’t need to pour every beautiful scent you own into one bottle. A great song captures one pure essence — one feeling, one story, one moment in time. The rest can become new songs, new fragrances, new worlds.
This mindset frees you. It turns songwriting into a lifelong conversation with your creativity rather than a pressure to say everything at once.
So begin. Write freely. Trust what arises.
Your next song is already waiting inside you — ready to be discovered, note by note, word by word, heartbeat by heartbeat.
Now go make something beautiful.
Open Mic Nights around Melbourne
Below are a few acoustic nights that students frequent if you’re keen to go and perform what you have been learning or any songs you have created!
Enjoy the dreaming,
The Sound Weaver