Write a Great Christian Song

This article shows you how to write Christian lyrics to any tune, no matter what type of music! These step-by-step instructions show you everything you need to write great Christian lyrics. Ready? Let's begin!

Steps

Forming the ideas

  1. Get a general idea of the topic you want to write about. If you have a great idea already, then build off of that. Have an idea before you write the song; it will make it a lot easier!
  2. Visit your Bible. Look up verses that resonate most with you. Can you see ways in which these will form a great basis for a song? By focusing on a Biblical passage or verse, you will improve the Christian content of the song and strengthen its value. This will keep it grounded in truth.
  3. Listen to your preacher. You can listen to the sermon your preacher gives Sundays, and write about the topic he or she put forward. Try putting lines he or she emphasizes as the most important lines in your song. He or she may even be willing to help your song by reading what you've produced and make some suggestions.
  4. Consider whether you'll follow a theme or introduce a message in the song. Will it tell a story? Will it illustrate a journey, or demonstrate a viewpoint?
  5. Think about what you're personally going through right now. This will help you to connect best with the audience, by writing about how you are feeling. If you're sad write a slow, steady song. If you're happy write a more upbeat song. Every good songwriter has a mixture. And the audience will connect with that, relating it back to their own experiences.

Determining the genre

  1. Consider what genre you wish to make the music. It should be something that works for you, that you enjoy listening to and that you want to share with others. Any kind of music can be turned into a Christian song, with imagination and will.
  2. Consider which artists inspire you. They may be Christian-based or secular; it doesn't really matter as you'll be using them for inspiration, not copying exactly.

Writing the song

  1. Have a sequence ready. Having a general order in which to do things can get your brain working.
  2. Use the verses to put the song together. Can you create a bunch of mini-songs which can then be strung together to form the whole content of the song?
  3. Shift things around. If the verses added prevent the song from making good sense, move them around a bit. Shift in new ones and pull other ones out. Go back constantly to your theme or message decided earlier, to make sure the song is fitting well.
  4. Practice the song. Sing it or play it out loud, at its most basic. Is it coming across in the way you want it to? This process can be lengthy, so don't rush it. Give it plenty of time and focus on what you want the audience to understand from your song and its message.
  5. Name your song based on the topic or message you've chosen.

Tips

  • The book of Psalms is perfect for building a song from.
  • Write what you believe, don't hold back.
  • Listen to well-known Christian musicians; they have awesome music which helps sends out the message of God all over the world.
  • Nothing is too weird. Write it for the Lord. Ask God for help.
  • If you can't find an idea, listen to songs you like. Sometimes they can give you ideas, just don't copy the lyrics.
  • Use meaningful and sweet words. Try not to use slang unless it really works for the song.
  • Include scripture. Most Christian songs include some, even if it's worded differently.
  • Be creative! Feel free to change the time signature, key, tonal center, and tempo whenever you think it makes sense in the music. Don't limit yourself: Explore different styles, scales, modes, chords, rhythms, meters and techniques.
  • Keep in mind that most people enjoy simpler music, so if you decide to take the complex route, some people may not enjoy it.
  • Make an enjoyable beat to it this way your listeners are pulled in and want to hear more.
  • Find a quiet place for prayer and meditate on the topic that you are working with.
  • Keep the lyrics real. Even if it takes you a while for you to come up with lyrics, make them all meaningful. Don't feel like you have to rush through the lyrical side if it takes a while, the best songs are the most real.

Warnings

  • Do not plagiarize; it is unethical and if a company decides to sue you, you can be up for large fines. If you think your song sounds like another song, play it for other people and see what they think. You can sing it in the same tone but don't plagiarize.
  • If you want to write good Christian songs, you should be spiritual also because otherwise you're just hypocritical to listeners. And how could you possibly write about something you don't know?

Things You'll Need

  • A general idea
  • Pencil and paper ( or computer )

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