I really enjoy songwriting and have written songs since childhood. Of course, my early attempts were very simple, little tunes sometimes sung in the backseat of the car on long trips. But in highschool, and for a short time in college, I studied voice and music theory and began composing pieces with larger musical and metaphorical themes. Since becoming a Bahá'í in 1986, my music has become more meaningful to me, and I'd like to believe that it has become more powerful in its influence on others.
With my limited experience (I have never taken an actual "songwriting" course) I have tried to answer some questions about writing for young children which were asked of me a while back.
If while reading you find that there are other points I am forgetting, or any incorrect information, please let me know as I want this to be as helpful as possible to beginning songwriters.
I try to keep in mind the following points when I am writing for children under 6-years old:
Lighthearted Mood: Use funny words (words that have the "K" sound are always winners, like "pickle" and "crunchy"); add animal and other sound effects; and try using unusual juxtapositions of ideas such as "and I will wear upon my feet shoes made out of fudge." (See lyrics to Confectionary Kingdom)
Simplicity of Sounds: Use recognizable words (appropriate to age group); rhyming and alliterative words (especially within phrases--helps children with memorization); and recognizable objects (such as animals or things seen in everyday life.)
Simplicity of Melody: Make smooth transitions from note to note, try not to jump around unless it's for a specific effect; make the song easy to sing by using basic chord changing patterns (like I-IV-V, C Major, F Major, G major, C Major); and try to make the song easy to remember, it should follow a logical story or progression of ideas.
Repetition: Look at songs like "Old Macdonald" and see how the first line is repeated before each new animal is introduced; repeat an easy to remember chorus after each verse; and try "call and response" style songs where the children must repeat each verse after the singer or sing out a special word at an appropriate time. (see lyrics to Confectionary Kingdom)
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