So you want write a Christian song? Here's how step by step!

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Moose_Almighty

Guest
#1
So you want to write a song for Jesus but you just don't know where to begin? Let me show you the basic steps so that you can create a wonderful Christian song for our lord and savior Jesus Christ.



Step #1:
Structure First! How do you want to tell your story? Do you want to start off with a major explosion of awesomeness, or keep it nice and quiet and meditative. This is where you can have fun with brainstorming your song and where you want to take it. Me personally, I favor the pyramid structure where you start off soft, you gradually build and build until your song hits full climax and then BOOM! start to bring everyone back home with familiar leads, melodies, and lyrics then snug them away to satisfaction. Now to make it easy for you guy's and gal's, i'm going to start you off with this. If you haven't noticed already, at least 95% of Christian songs have this song structure. If you're new to writing songs, when you write your first Christian song base everything on what you see on the structure bellow.

Basic Christian Song Structure:
Intro
Verse 1
Pre Chorus
Chorus
Verse 2
Pre Chorus
Chorus
Bridge
Chorus (vocals only)
Chorus (full band)
Finale


Step #2
Write the lyrics! Whatever is on your mind, whether it's the love flowing through your heart or the torment you want to escape. It can be about nature, bible verses you cherish, it's all up to you! However you want to express yourself through the lord.

For basics, here's an example set of lyrics I wrote just for you guys. Now I also jotted down notes per section to write ideas of what I would do with it. If you have something creative you want to do, be sure to jot it down as soon as it comes to mind before you lose your train of thought on a new idea haha! Also save the main music writing portion for step three, just focus on writing the lyrics for now. Be sure to write from your heart, when you do it will be rewarding once it's finished.



Your Light

Intro (Guitar picked) (Include atmospheric synth)

Verse one (vocals and finger picked only) (include atmospheric synth)
Jesus I love you, I wanted to write this song for you
You saved us with your Grace, oh how your love is true
I’m-making-it-easy so-that-all-of-your-people can understand
That you’re unfailing love, will extinguish all darkness from this land

Pre Chorus (include bass and light cymbal & hi hat hits that flow with the beat of the lyrics)
There’s not a morning I’ve ever known
Where I haven’t called your name
To give you thanks and praise
For bringing a brand new day

Chorus (Full band/standard chorus)((8 note swung drive Guitar Chords (D……..C……..A……..(C....B.. C..)) repeat
Your light, shine your light, please Jesus let it shine…
Your light, shine your light, please Jesus let it shine over me.
Your light, shine your light, please Jesus let it shine…
Your light, shine your light, please Jesus let it shine over me.

Verse 2 (Full band, easy on the volume)
Jesus I love you, I want to walk by your side
On the golden roads of heaven, under the great blue sky’s
I want to tell you how much you truly mean to me
In my life… for you let my soul fly free…

Pre Chorus (Full band build up)
There’s not an evening I’ve ever known
Where I haven’t called your name
To give you thanks and praise my lord
For I thank you in every way

Chorus (Full band/standard chorus)((8 note swung drive Guitar Chords (D……..C……..A……..(C....B.. C..)) repeat
Your light, shine your light, please Jesus let it shine…
Your light, shine your light, please Jesus let it shine over me.
Your light, shine your light, please Jesus let it shine…
Your light, shine your light, please Jesus let it shine over me.

(mini build up instrumental mix)

(pause the main music, include orchestra strings and piano)

Bridge part 1 (sung in dotted triplet), (break the music, and build up gradually)
There’s more to your light than the love that we feel
Your words of your light are the words that will heal
There’s more to your light than the love that we feel
Your words of your light are the words that will heal
Bridge part 2 (sung in dotted triplet) (vocal harmony) (four on the floor bass drum build up)
There’s more to your light than the love that we feel
Your words of your light are the words that will heal
There’s more to your light than the love that we feel
Your words of your light are the words that will heal


Chorus (underlined lyrics vocals only, smash in with full band) (Grand finale throw orchestra and piano in the mix)
Your light, shine your light, please Jesus let it shine…
Your light, shine your light, please Jesus let it shine over me.
Your light, shine your light, please Jesus let it shine…
Your light, shine your light, please Jesus let it shine over me.


Chorus (fugue the bridge vocals in the with the chorus)
Your light, shine your light, please Jesus let it shine…
Your light, shine your light, please Jesus let it shine over me.
Your light, shine your light, please Jesus let it shine…
Your light, shine your light, please Jesus let it shine over me.

Finale (same as the intro) (throw a few whoa’s in the vocals)


Step 3:
Write the music!
It's easier to write the lyrics before you write the music because then you have something to surround you musical ideas with rather than stressing and trying to fit lyrics accordingly into place with something you already musically created. That's just my opinion. ;)

If anyone needs any helps or tips or anything at all, feel free to send me a message, i'm happy to help.

God Bless Everyone!
-Moose_Almighty-
 
Last edited by a moderator:
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sigh33n

Guest
#2
[video=youtube_share;GhYuA0Cz8ls]http://youtu.be/GhYuA0Cz8ls[/video]

Is Moose_Almighty just Blimey_Cow in disguise???!! probably not, but the coincidence is uncanny.
 

G4JC

Senior Member
Feb 9, 2011
668
6
0
#4
Interesting. :) Also wouldn't hurt to check your Contemporary Christian Music Ministry against Steve Camp's 107 thesis. Written in 1997:
Steve Camp's 107 Theses <-- click
 
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Moose_Almighty

Guest
#5
[video=youtube_share;GhYuA0Cz8ls]http://youtu.be/GhYuA0Cz8ls[/video]

Is Moose_Almighty just Blimey_Cow in disguise???!! probably not, but the coincidence is uncanny.

AHHHH hahahahaha too funny! This is the first time i'm seeing this I didn't even know someone made a video like this. Now I feel sick to my stomach trying to be original with my observation as a musician. lol

*Double Face Palms...
 
May 3, 2013
8,719
75
0
#6
You! Each of you are original.

Ideas do not belong to only one person. That´s it!
 
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Moose_Almighty

Guest
#7
You! Each of you are original.

Ideas do not belong to only one person. That´s it!

lol i guess so...

What I posted is nothing compared to what I write, this post was just a basic aid for others to better understand on how writing a praise and worship song works.

As for myself, I personally write Edgy Christian Metal. The Christian lyrics are edgy but the music style is Prog Metal with a heaping scoop of Classic Metal blended all together. I got four albums of songs written and organised through the structure, lyrics, and my ideas. All I need are the right musicians then i'll be hitting the studio.