Co-writing songs: How to collaborate on lyrics and chords without friction

Short answer

Successful song co-writing requires setting clear creative guidelines. Agree on the division of songwriting splits in writing, separate brainstorming sessions from critique sessions, and use a dedicated capture app so both writers have real-time access to the same project notes.

Rules for a smooth writing room

• No bad ideas in hour one: collect all chord changes and lyrics without judgment.
• Separate roles if stuck: have one focus on the melody and the other on the lyrics.
• Record the session: keep a voice recorder running so you don't forget spontaneous riffs.

Lyrical sharing with Clavet

Instead of copying blocks into emails, songwriters can use Clavet on iOS to organize co-written song ideas. Clavet is free on iPhone and iPad, allowing you to instantly note chord progressions, structure verses, and access songwriting prompts to spark collaboration.