Class 004 w/KYABO: Building a Song: Words, Melody, Emotion & Technique
KYABO IS A MUSICIAN BLENDING R&B WITH POP, CINEMATIC, AND ALTERNATIVE INFLUENCES. THEY RELEASED THEIR DEBUT ALBUM, EGO, IN 2023 AND AN EP IN 2025, AND ARE CURRENTLY WORKING ON THEIR SOPHOMORE PROJECT. FOR THIS WORKSHOP, THEY BRING THE SAME EXPLORATORY APPROACH THAT SHAPES THEIR CREATIVE PROCESS.
This class focuses on all the building blocks to crafting a song, from Starting a song to creating the lyrics and the story to etching the melody and emotion.
1. Starting a song
Catching it
Ideas, start anywhere—journals, voice notes, stray thoughts.
Songs don’t always start with instruments, sometimes it’s a phrase, a feeling or even a sound you overhear. The key is learning to catch ideas before they disappear.
Liner notes 2024 [1]
Liner notes 2024 [2]
Liner notes 2025 [1]
Liner notes 2025 [2]
Growing it
Shape feelings into themes or stories.
Once you’ve got an idea, focus it into a clear theme or story. This makes the writing process more intentional. I’ll walk through examples of how I turned a raw feeling into a narrative
Ten [1]
ten [2]
2. Lyrics and the story
Honesty
Truth makes lyrics powerful.
Some songs begin with a chord progression or beat, others with words or a title.
Painting
Use imagery and metaphor to expand meaning.
Beyond honesty, good lyrics also paint pictures. Using imagery and metaphor makes a song feel bigger than just words. We’ll look at simple techniques for transforming “Let’s always stay in touch” into “Please don’t ever become a stranger who’s laugh I can recognise anywhere”
EDIT EDIT EDIT
Refine drafts—cut filler, sharpen words.
First drafts are messy. Editing is where you decide what’s worth keeping.
BEFORE
My bOy only breaks his favorite toys — Taylor swift [songwriting demo]
AFTER
My bOy only breaks his favorite toys — Taylor swift [final version]
3. Melody & Emotion
Into a Melody
Capture emotion first, polish later.
Melody often comes by humming nonsense over chords or it’s the first thing you hear in your head.
Matching Melody to Lyric
Align phrasing and pitch with feeling.
A sad lyric feels different if sung high and soft versus low and heavy.
Hooks Hooks Hooks
Find the unforgettable centrepiece.
Every song needs a centrepiece, lets discuss how to find that line or melody that people remember after one listen.
4. Finishing & Letting Go
Structure & Arrangement
understand, Use (and break) song form rules.
Verse-chorus-bridge isn’t a rule but a guide.
Collaboration & Feedback
Producers and peers strengthen songs.
Songwriting doesn’t have to be lonely.
Stop Stop Stop
Know when it’s done—perfection isn’t the goal.
Perfectionism kills progress.
