As a long-time serious songwriter, there are some tools that I can't live without. In this list, I will share my favorite songwriting tools and resources.
Voice Memo - This iPhone app has saved me many times because I seem to do my best writing when I'm behind the wheel of a car or taking a shower. When you have a good idea for lyrics or melody or a cool beat that you were drumming with your thumbs on the steering wheel, capture it in your Voice Memo App! Never lose an idea again!
Notes - I like to use the Notes app in my phone for quick ideas, concepts, song titles, or lyrics. If you prefer to put pen to paper, keep a physical notebook with you at all times.
Disco - I wrote a lot of songs before I took myself seriously. Once I realized I had a passion worth pursuing, I needed a way to organize my catalogue. Disco is an affordable cloud-based tool for organizing your song catalogue. Each song folder has a place for lyrics, recordings, rights information, and more! It makes it easy to share song files privately for pitching as well. This resource is a no-brainer.
Session Studio - Anytime I have a co-writer who is willing to use this app, I am excited. This app is wonderful for working on a song with other people whether you are in the same room or miles away.
Demo - I tried this one recently and was pleasantly surprised by how user-friendly it is. A lot of songwriters write with their instrument in hand but for those who's only instrument is voice, Demo can really come in handy! This app can help even the most inexperienced musicians create a decent song demo for their lyric/melody combination.
Thesaurus - Sometimes I just can't find the right word... in those moments, the thesaurus comes to my rescue! I have a paperback thesaurus from my early days but now I find it most convenient to use an app. I like OneLook Thesaurus and PowerThesaurus.
Rhyme Dictionary - The thesaurus apps mentioned above can help with rhymes as well but there's one resource that is the cream of the crop. Download RhymeZone. You won't be sorry.
TapTempo is a great little app that can help you make an educated guess as to the perfect tempo for your song.
Metronome - get a physical metronome and/or download a metronome app for making sure the timing of your song works. It's so disappointing to find that your chorus can't be sung in the same tempo as your verse when you open your DAW to record that demo.
DAW - Using a digital audio workstation (DAW) is a must for recording a worthwhile demo. There are expansive free options but my favorites are GarageBand (for Mac users) or BandLab. Both are free and user-friendly. I especially find GarageBand for iOS perfect for beginners. This isn't about becoming an incredible producer. It's just about making that demo so you can create your next hit song.