How To Write A Hook - Songwriting Tips

Summary

In this video, Sam from Song 101 breaks down the art of writing a memorable hook in songwriting. He explains that a hook is a catchy element that draws the listener in, and it’s typically a simple, repetitive melody. Sam offers practical tips, such as keeping melodies short, using repetition, opting for easy-to-sing lyrics or nonsense words, and relying on the pentatonic scale. He provides an example of building a hook from scratch, starting with basic rhythms and gradually adding variations. With these techniques, Sam shows how easy and fun it can be to create hooks that make songs stand out.

Takeaways

• 😀 The hook in songwriting is a catchy part of the song that grabs the listener's attention and invites them into the song's story.
• 😀 A hook is primarily a melody, not a drum part or chord progression. It’s about creating a simple, memorable, and singable melody.
• 😀 To make a melody memorable, keep it short. Shorter melodies are easier for listeners to remember.
• 😀 Repetition is key for making a melody memorable. Repeating the hook gives listeners a chance to remember it but should be done without overdoing it.
• 😀 To make a melody easy to sing, use simple lyrics or even nonsense words like 'yeah' or 'whoa,' which don’t require much cognitive effort.
• 😀 When using lyrics in hooks, use simple, one-syllable words that everyone can latch onto easily.
• 😀 The pentatonic scale is one of the easiest scales to sing because it has fewer notes and wider intervals, making it easier for listeners to recognize and sing along with.
• 😀 Start with a simple rhythm when writing a hook, then gradually add variations to make it more interesting without losing its simplicity.
• 😀 Once the basic rhythm is established, you can alter the pitch and use variations to make the hook more unique while still keeping it easy to remember.
• 😀 The songwriting process for hooks is quick and fun. Even if you don’t get it right the first time, you only lose a few minutes and can try again with different ideas.

Q & A

What is the primary purpose of a hook in songwriting?

A hook in songwriting serves to grab the listener's attention and invite them into the song. It's a memorable part that draws people in to connect with the song's story and characters.

What are the two main qualities a melody needs to have in order to be considered a hook?

The two main qualities are that the melody should be memorable and easy to sing. These qualities help the listener remember the hook and engage with it.

Why is it easier to remember shorter melodies?

Shorter melodies are easier to remember because they are simpler, just like how a shorter number is easier to recall. In contrast, long melodies can overwhelm the listener's memory.

How does repetition help make a hook more memorable?

Repetition gives the listener multiple opportunities to hear and remember the hook. However, it needs to be balanced to avoid overuse, which could make it monotonous.

What role do lyrics play in making a melody easy to sing?

Lyrics, especially complex ones, can make it harder for listeners to sing along. Using simple, short words or nonsense words (like 'yeah' or 'hey') makes it easier for listeners to engage with the melody.

What is the advantage of using the pentatonic scale in a hook?

The pentatonic scale is easier to sing because it contains only five notes that are spaced apart, making it simpler for the average listener to hit the right notes and stay in tune.

Why does Sam recommend the pentatonic scale specifically in this video?

Sam recommends the pentatonic scale because it is one of the easiest scales for non-trained singers to sing, and it helps create simple yet effective hooks that are easy to remember.

What is the best approach to start writing a hook, according to the video?

Start with a very simple rhythm and basic melody, and then gradually vary the pitch and rhythm to make it more interesting. The goal is to start simple and build up to something catchy.

How does Sam build upon a simple melody to make it more interesting?

Sam starts with a basic rhythm and one note, then introduces slight variations in the pitch, experimenting with small changes each time. This makes the melody more engaging while keeping it simple.

What is the key takeaway about writing hooks from the video?

The key takeaway is that writing hooks is about keeping things simple at first—short, repetitive, easy-to-sing melodies—and then making small, interesting changes. It’s a quick, fun process that doesn't need to be overcomplicated.