Find the key message
Identify the main creative idea that will drive your song
Problem
Writing and composing a song or instrumental requires us to make many decisions. If you are unclear about the message you are trying to convey it’s easy to get lost.
Method
- If you haven’t already done so, map out the creative territory of your song or composition. You can do this using free writing or another of the find song ideas recipes.
- Try to summarise the main message in less than ten words
- This is not the plot or action of the song
- Main messages are often very simple statements. They are direct and to the point
- Use the examples below to get a feel for what constitutes a key message
Examples
Thinking Out Loud by Ed Sheeran – the main message is “I will love you forever”
Superstition by Stevie Wonder – main message is “Don’t be superstitious”
Why less than ten words
Simple messages are powerful, the ten word limit forces us to be succinct. Ten words is a human cognitive limit. To quickly recall a message of more than ten words we have to summarise.
Now what?
Now you have a ten word statement of you key message you are ready to layout your song or add colour using sensory writing.