How to Write a Country Ballad

Country music has captured many hearts for decades. From songs with heavy, danceable rhythms to revenge filled show-stoppers, country music truly has it all. But some of the most timeless and classic country songs are the ones that are soft, sweet, and sentimental. If you want to write a sweeping country ballad of your own, here are some tips to help you out.

Choose your song topic

For a soft country song, the topic should be heartfelt. Love is a common theme but your song doesn't have to be about romantic love. Family, country, religion, and identity are all great choices for a soft song topic. As long as the topic is close to you, it will resonate in your listeners' hearts. 

Start with the song's chorus

The chorus is the best place to show off the emotions you want to convey with your song. You'll repeat your chorus a few times so make your chorus easy to follow. Keep the melody simple and try to write lyrics that rhyme. But don't be afraid to show off either. Your chorus should have at least one high note to give it some drama. Check out "I Hope You Dance" for an example of a great chorus.

Write a few verses

Verses are where listeners hear the story of a song. Usually, there are only two of three verses with choruses in between. But because the verses tell a story, each one will be different. "Tennessee Whiskey" is a good example of a country ballad with awesome verses. Use the verse to explain why the chorus is so emotional. Give the listener the backstory behind the song's feelings. Then write your verse melody so it's close to the natural rhythm of your speech. 

Add some chords

Country songs are known for their simple harmonies and ballads are no different. Many songs use only three or four chords. If you keep your melodies simple, you should only need a handful of chords. Common progressions, like I-vi-IV, are great because they'll be familiar to the listener. Play around at a guitar or on a piano and find what you like and what works for your song. 

Instruments

The instruments used to play country music give these songs much of their heart and soul. The banjo, fiddle, and guitar are all mainstays of country music. Bonus points if you feature a steel guitar! Because these instruments can sustain notes, they'll have more feeling to them. Avoid including a drum kit. Too much percussion will take away from the intimate nature of the song. Most importantly, switch up what the instruments are doing during the verse and chorus. That will add more interest to your music. 

Nothing tugs on heartstrings quite like a soft and easy country ballad. If you want to write your own heartwarming country songs, this guide along with a lot of practice will get you there. Contact country music songwriters to learn more.