How to Write an R&B Song

Co-authored by Sean Campbell

Last Updated: November 4, 2021

If you are interested in R&B, you had come to the right place. R&B is a great style of music and there are a lot of great R&B artists contribute to this style. You can be one of them.

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Do you want a nice club type song, a more pop like melody, or a nice sexy slow jam.
Are you more interested in a club banger, a nice pop type song, maybe a soul or gospel crossover, or some hip-hop influences to it. You can also try crossing country or jazz.

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This usually gets the ball rolling. You can add a little glimpse of the chorus in the intro, especially you are making a pop influenced song. It will be nice if you use a synth pad for the chord progression, unless it is a club hit, then you use a rhythmic synth lead sound. In rhythmic tracks, synth pad could be used in chorus and bridge.
Try to keep the bass and drum with the tempo, mood, and style. You can add more intricate rhythmic and melodic effects later, but don't mess with the bass.
If it is soul influence, try adding some brass and some gospel organ. If it is a more club influence, try having a more bouncy hip-hop effect to it with some more modern drum effects and synth leads. If it is pop influence, try adding some synthetic effect and corporate sounding pop elements and pop song structure.
Try to get something that sums up the idea of the song and think of a melody that sticks in the head.
Try to make the instrumental minimalist and not as intricate as the chorus or bridge, to allow vocal effects. The second verse can add some layers for variation.
A bridge might be a great time to add a rap, take away the drums, or add intricate harmonies and chord progressions.

Become a Song Writer with this Expert Series

Have you ever wanted to write or sing a hit song? It might look like other people are overnight successes, but truthfully they've been working at it for a long time. These expert articles will help you build your skills and become an accomplished song wri

1

Become a Song Writer

2

How to Write Song Lyrics for Beginners

3

Be a Singer Songwriter

4

Write a Pop Song

5

Put a Tune to Song Lyrics

6

Record a Song

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Do I have to write from my heart?

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Not at all! But writing from the heart will make your song deeper and more meaningful. People will be able to connect with your song more. If you just write a song for the sake of it, it may not sound as good as a song written from heart.

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What if it's hard to think of a song?

Jelke de Jong

Community Answer

Just keep trying. Maybe look up some writing prompts if you're stuck with lyrics!

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I want to do very influential writing that may make the listener cry. Any advice?

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Write it from within, it won't affect everyone, but there will be some out there that understand and will cry.

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Tips

As you're writing the song, start composing it or complete the lyrics first and then compose.

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Most R&B songs are usually about love, work issues, the economy, certain drama, break ups, etc. Try to get some real emotions to the lyrics.

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Be yourself. Don't act like a phony. Write from the heart.

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