Video:Songwriting With Nelly Furtado: How to Write a Song

Transcript:Songwriting With Nelly Furtado: How to Write a Song

Songwriting: How to Write a song

"What advice would you give to a beginner songwriter?"

Advice for Beginner Songwriters

I think you have to write every day, I think, especially when you're starting out, you should just write as much as possible. When I started writing songs, I was about twelve, and I would fill binders and notebooks full of song lyrics and melodies and then when I was about seventeen I bought a guitar and I started, kind of, crafting my songs. I think it's also about finding outlets for performance – like performing at your local coffee shop or bookstore, or whatever it is. Finding friends with similar interests, not closing doors, not limiting yourself. You know, hang out with a trumpet player, hang out with a DJ – it's all the same, it's all music. So, don't close doors before they open for you. 

The Importance of Playing an Instrument

I also think playing an instrument is really important. I mean, guitar or piano are the obvious of choices for songwriting, I think – either one of those are really great. But any instrument kind of helps you – I played trombone for ten years and that really even helps me to this day. I mean, I sing in a very rhythmic way and playing, you know, marching band trombone occasionally, you know, does inform my vocal delivery at times. Any bit of musicality helps, if you want to be a musician. You have to love it so much that you can't not do it.

More information on Nelly Furtado and her music:

• About.com: http://top40.about.com/od/artistsdk/p/nellyfurtado.htm

• Nelly Furtado's Official Site: http://www.nellyfurtado.com/

• "Big Hoops" on iTunes:  http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/big-hoops-bigger-better-single/id517307236