How do you make your songs sound country?

change your key, bpm, overall style, and be original. the last thing we need is another shania twain or such, be yourself, not a replica of a famous person.

Well since country has changed alot I assume you mean the old traditional sounding country. That’s all in the rythm and strum pattern. Like 3/4 time or 4/4 time for example. When you are writing, alot has to do with your frame of mind at the time and how you want it to sound. I know for me, once I start playing something a certain way, it’s hard to change it and play it different. You might try writing the lyrics and singing and playing as you go so the song is born all at once with the emotions you had at the time. Does this make sense? (It’s how I do it) You can always change lines or words later to suit you, but it works best for me to just start playing and thinking with the pen and paper right there ready and just let it flow with the sound that you want. Keep the creativity going til you have a “rough draft”, then go back later refine it. A good song to me makes a point and tells a story in about 3 minutes. So alot of a good song is what gets thrown away as much as what is kept. I hope this helped. Search for the sound you want as you write is what I’m saying.

add some twang to your voice

As far as instrumentation goes, try light drums, pedal steel guitar, fiddle. Mandolin and banjo can add an interesting sound to the mix. Please don’t try to sound like Shania Twain. I can’t figure out how she sells records. Why not go back to the greats for inspiration? Patsy Cline is the best that ever was. Emmylou Harris has the best voice. Rosanne Cash is good if you want a little more edge.