How to write an indie song for beginners / songwriting advice

Maybe you want to write a song, but not just any song – an indie song. Indie music is full of raw descriptions, relatable content, and often very unique melody and music. If this is what you want to write, you are in the right place. If you have never written a song before, you are still in the right place.

A song is made up of a few different parts: melody, lyrics, and your instrumental backing (although the backing is not mandatory – there are plenty of acapella songs). So, to write a song, you need to create a melody, write some lyrics, and you are done. If you are wanting to have a backing (guitar or piano for instance) this will likely be created at the same time as the melody, or even before. But what is “melody” and “lyrics”?

A quick google search landed me with these definitions. Of “melody”: a sequence of single notes that is musically satisfying; a tune. “Lyrics”: the words of a song. So, now we know what it is we are creating. Let us begin.

One more note. Of course, you are wondering where indie comes into the mix. This isn’t just any old “how to”, this is “how to write an indie song”. The indie elements will come into play when we write the lyrics for our song, and also a bit in the melody and musical backing we create. Of course, the type of indie song you want to create is unique up to you. This post is simply here to give you the tools you need to achieve your songwriting dreams!

The following steps do not have to be followed in a particular order. All writers and musicians work in slightly different ways. If it works better for you to write the lyrics first, and then move onto melody and your backing, do that. There aren’t any rules, just an outline to give you an idea of what’s involved.

The melody

Writing the melody of your song could be the first thing, or the last. For me, I tend to begin with my instrument and work from there. After finding a chord progression (a sequence of chords played in a specific order to create a musical effect) on either guitar or piano, I begin to play around with different melodies that work with the chords I’ve chosen. There are so many different notes that can be sung with the G chord, and it’s up to each individual to decide what notes they want to choose.

If you want your melody and chord progression to have an indie feel to it, look up the chords to your favourite indie songs and get used to playing them in different variations. Another way to find an indie sound could be simply listening to some songs on Spotify, or elsewhere, and then creating something similar to start with.

I did a quick google search and found this short description of one possible option for what chords sound “indie”. It starts with the major I (C), moving to major V (G), followed by the minor vi (Am), minor iii (Em), and back to the major IV (F). This creates a mix of uplifting and contemplative vibes (which is, as we spoke about, what indie chord progressions are all about).

Perhaps this just sounds like copying and plagiarizing someone else’s music. Although you may not always want to gain complete inspiration from other artists, when beginning, it is great to have somewhere to go from. By writing some songs similar to songs you already like, you’ll learn the chords, rhythm, and lyrics that you like. Then, once you are more confident in how writing a song works, you can start to create more and more original pieces.

Remember that the best songs don’t have to have a zillion chords that are hard to play. Keeping it simple can be a great place to create from. Some of my songs only have two chords in them. I am always happily surprised by how many different notes you can sing over just two chords. It almost makes me create something more interesting at times, because my melody tends to get more creative, than if I have five chords and just follow those notes the entire time.

So, not we have a chord progression, and the start of a melody, let’s get into lyrics.

The lyrics

I love love love lyrics. They are a medium that lets me express myself in so many different ways. No matter what I’m feeling or doing, lyrics and song always offer a way to show people what it is I’m going through. But we aren’t talking about just any old lyrics today, we are talking about indie lyrics.

Indie lyrics have a special place in my heart. They feel real and raw to me, specifying the details, such as “muddy footprints”, or “pine trees by the porch”, or “driving through the night so I can smile at you in the morning”. There are so many relatable and tangible lyrics in indie music, and today you get to craft your very own.

Your lyrics are your playground. Don’t get too caught up in what needs to rhyme or how it is fitting your message. Just have fun, and as you grow as an artist, your lyrics will get more defined and smooth. But that’s just the thing, as an indie artist, you don’t want your music to be too defined or smooth. You want it to be raw and real.

Here are some examples of my own lyrics to inspire you to create your own. Keep in mind that my lyrics are likely to be more folk at times, as I’m likely more a folk than indie artist. But I like to try involve both genres in my music.

“Sitting on the west side of the river, my toes are cold, but it’s sort of poetical.”

“I know I’m truly sad, when I wake up sad. No it’s not bad, it’s simply hurting.”

“It always feels like summertime, they planted corn down by that corner in the valley.”

Now for some lyric inspiration from some full on indie artists.

“All the glory when he took our place But he took my shoulders and he shook my face And he takes and he takes and he takes.” -Sufjan Stevens

“Build me up from bones/Wrap me up in skin/Hold me close enough to breathe me in” -Sarah Jarosz

“I count my time in dog years, swimming in sevens, slow dancing in seconds.” – Maggie Rogers

Now it’s your turn. Now it’s time to get out your guitar, or piano – or just your voice. It’s time to write your indie song. Remember that writing songs doesn’t have to be complicated, it can be simple and easy and joyous.