I knew I loved music and that I wanted to create and perform it for as long as I can remember. God also gifted me amazing parents who were deeply involved in creative and musical fields. My mom was a radio host in Chicago throughout my childhood, and my dad has been a musician and singer for a norteño band for almost 50 years. So, communicating through music, and specifically through words, has always captivated me.
Writing has always been my favorite vessel of self-expression. There’s something about language and the way words can be strung together to articulate emotions that everyone experiences, yet in a way that is uniquely yours. That kind of intimate connection, where someone can listen to your lyrics or read your words and deeply resonate with them, is so beautiful.
But even with this deeply human and authentic form of expression, there is still a process behind it. Every songwriter has their own approach, and today, I want to share mine with you. My hope is that it inspires you, gives you new ideas, or simply satisfies your curiosity about how I create my songs.
Inspiration and Idea Generation
Ideas can come from anywhere and at any time. They often arrive unexpectedly, so I always make sure to jot them down. I’d love to be that aesthetic, old-school creative who carries around a pocket notebook, but in reality, my Notes app is my go-to for capturing ideas—especially when they involve words or lyrics. For musical ideas, like melodies, I rely on my voice memo app.
The method of capturing your ideas isn’t as important as being open to receiving them in the first place. Some ways to cultivate a creative mindset include:
- Start your day with a grounding routine. Whether it’s a quiet moment with coffee, journaling, or a short prayer, setting yourself up for peace and joy makes you more receptive to inspiration.
- Take breaks. Even five minutes of fresh air, deep breathing, or scrolling through Pinterest for visual inspiration can clear mental clutter and make space for new ideas.
- Go on creative dates with yourself. This concept from The Artist’s Way suggests visiting a museum, sitting by a lake, or people-watching in the city—anything that fuels inspiration. The key? Go alone, so it’s just you and your creativity.
Brainstorming and Developing a Concept
My Notes app is often filled with bullet points of song concepts or rough descriptions of ideas. So how do I turn them into full songs?
There are two ways I start, and it depends on how I feel or what tools I have at the moment. I don’t overthink it; I just start. Songwriting is an evolving process, and the song will let me know when it’s finished.
My main approach is freewriting. I write whatever comes to mind about the idea, without worrying about making complete sentences or clever phrases. I let it be messy. Once I’ve poured out my thoughts, I either:
- Grab my guitar and find chords that match the song’s mood.
- Bring my lyrics to a studio session with my friend Brenden (shoutout @elchicocubanito), who works his magic with production and chord progressions.
Lyric Writing and Structuring
I see songwriting as solving a puzzle—there’s trial and error involved. Sometimes multiple lyrical phrases could fit in a verse or chorus, but the right one will click like a missing puzzle piece.
I usually start with whatever I wrote first—it often becomes the first verse. Then, I shape the chorus, ensuring it encapsulates the song’s theme. The verses expand on the chorus, adding details and depth. After the first verse and chorus are solid, I let the song sit for a few days before writing additional verses or a bridge. If I include a bridge, it either:
- Reiterates a verse in a fresh way, or
- Introduces a new emotion that validates the song’s message.
A key tip for authentic lyrics: write how you speak. Your natural voice is your most genuine storytelling tool. If you find yourself overthinking or forcing something, step away and reset.
Also, remember that lyrics are just one piece of the puzzle. Simple lyrics can be elevated by a strong melody or unique production. Every song has a balance.
Melody and Harmony Creation
This is one of my favorite parts! Melodies are what people hum along to—they give life to lyrics.
I typically play my chord progression on a loop and experiment with humming different melodies. It sounds rough at first, but through trial and error, I land on something that sticks. Then, I fit the lyrics into the melody, adjusting as needed. Flexibility is key here—sometimes what I originally envisioned isn’t what the song actually needs, and that’s okay.
Music should feel right in your body. Ask yourself:
- Does this melody make me feel something?
- Would I be proud to share this?
- Does this feel like me?
Refining and Editing
I edit as I write, adjusting lyrics and melodies in real time. However, if I get stuck on a section, I move on and revisit it later. Songwriting isn’t linear; it’s about momentum.
Once the song is complete, I take a few days to sit with it, sing it, and tweak anything that doesn’t feel right. I also read the lyrics as a poem to ensure the theme stays consistent.
Collaborating and Receiving Feedback
I used to resist co-writing because I wasn’t confident enough to stand by my ideas or articulate my vision. Imposter syndrome had me in a chokehold.
But working with other musicians changed my perspective. I learned that I had valuable insight to contribute, and collaboration became a beautiful give-and-take process. Over time, I also became more comfortable saying no to suggestions that didn’t align with my vision, while still staying open-minded to trying new things.
A great example is SENTIMIENTOS, a song I co-wrote with my friend Santrio (@itssantrio). He had already produced the music and invited me to write to it. When we reached the bridge, I suggested layering four different melodies at once to create a chaotic, conflicting sound. He was down for the challenge, and the result was a whirlwind of emotions that perfectly captured the song’s tension. If you listen closely, you’ll hear one main melody upfront, with three more subtly weaving in the background.
Final Touches and Recording
Once a song is complete, recording the final vocals is the next step. My preparation is pretty simple—stay hydrated, rest my voice, and get into the right emotional headspace to deliver the performance the song deserves.
A song is finished when adding more feels unnecessary and taking away feels like a loss.
Most importantly, done is better than perfect. You could tweak a song forever, but at some point, you have to trust that it’s ready to be shared.
So if you’re sitting on an unfinished song, take this as your sign to wrap it up and put it into the world. You never know who might need to hear it.
Happy songwriting!
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