Share how you want to improve your song
Make a short recorded or written plan listing three changes to improve your song, then try one revision and listen for the difference.
Step-by-step guide to improve your song
How to Create a Song From Scratch | Song Writing Made Easy | Fun Activities For Kids
Step 1
Find a quiet spot where you can hear yourself sing or play.
Step 2
Gather your paper and pencil and sit down to work.
Step 3
Sing or play your original song from start to finish one time.
Step 4
Listen carefully to the whole performance and notice what stands out to you.
Step 5
Write three short ideas on your paper for how the song could be better (one idea per line).
Step 6
Circle the one change you most want to try first.
Step 7
Write one clear sentence that explains exactly how you will change that part.
Step 8
Try the change by singing or playing the song with your chosen revision.
Step 9
Listen to your revised version right after you play it.
Step 10
Write one sentence about what sounds different or improved after the change.
Step 11
Share your finished plan and your revised version on DIY.org.
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!
Help!?
If I don't have paper and pencil, what can I use instead to follow the 'Gather your paper and pencil and sit down to work' step?
If you don't have paper and pencil, use a phone or tablet notes app or a voice memo to record your three ideas and the one-sentence plan instead of writing on paper.
What should I do if I can't hear myself well when I 'Sing or play your original song' and need to 'Listen carefully to the whole performance'?
If you can't hear yourself clearly, record the performance on your phone in a quiet spot and play it back so you can complete step 4 and notice what stands out.
How can I adapt 'Write three short ideas' and 'Circle the one change' for different ages?
For preschoolers, have them draw one picture per idea and let an adult circle the chosen change, while older kids can write three concise notes, use a metronome, and compare multiple takes before circling.
How can I extend or personalize the activity beyond the 'Try the change' and 'Share your finished plan' steps?
To enhance the activity, experiment with adding harmony, changing tempo or instrumentation when you try the change, note the difference in your written sentence, and upload both original and revised clips with a brief caption to DIY.org.
Watch videos on how to improve your song
Music Theory for Kids
4 Videos
Music Theory for Kids
Baby Learning Songs | 15 Minutes of Educational Music for Babies | The Kiboomers
Best Learning Songs Collection | Preschool Prep Company
Discover and Do Learning is Fun Song Compilation | CBeebies House
Facts about songwriting and music revision
✍️ Swapping just one word in a lyric can change the mood or make the rhyme land better.
⏱️ Trying a quick A/B test (original vs revised) makes it easy to hear which version you prefer.
🎧 Listening with headphones can help you hear tiny changes after a revision that speakers might miss.
🎶 Many popular songs are built from a simple 4-chord progression — it's a super-friendly place to start!
🔁 Professional songwriters often rewrite parts dozens of times — practice and revision are normal!
How do I help my child improve a song using a short plan and one revision?
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