Uploaded December 2017 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago

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Ever wanted to write a jazz song? This tutorial takes you through the songwriting process from getting ideas to coming up with a finished song. It also covers classic jazz AABA structure and questions like how to write melodic lines and lyrics that work well for singers.

**Download score to “Sailing A Starlit Sea” as a PDF**

A4 size: goo.gl/vKmYae
US Letter size: goo.gl/Wvt49f

This tutorial is mainly aimed at songwriters using the piano, but you can use any instrument (or none) and you don’t have to be able to read music. The main thing is to have a good musical sense and some ideas about how to harness your creativity.

**Check out my books**

How To Really Play The Piano: billspianopages.com/how-to-really
An introduction to Cocktail Piano: billspianopages.com/cocktail

**Other Links*

Work out the chords to a song tutorial: youtu.be/ilcfgQ3lZus
Bill’s Facebook: facebook.com/billhiltonpiano
Bill’s Twitter: twitter.com/billhilton
Morgana’s Facebook: facebook.com/morganawjones
Morgana’s Twitter: twitter.com/morganawjones