Article: The majority of country songs are written in the most common major keys (G, A, C, D, E, and F) and use straightforward rhythms. Start off by trying to write the song in a common key and a 4/4 time signature (the beat lasts about 1 second long and there are 4 beats per measure).  Most songs usually transition from one chord to the next after 1-2 measures, or 4-8 beats (strums). Country songs also usually follow the same chord progression: the first chord in the key’s scale to the fourth to the fifth and back to the first.  If “My Heart Left with You” is in the key of G, the chord progression would be G major to C major to D major and back to G major. The guitar (acoustic or electric) is the backbone of any good country song. When you’re writing your song, use a guitar as the accompaniment. Start off with a simple up and down strum pattern along with the beat, and as you sing you can test out more complicated strum patterns that might go with the melody. For “My Heart Left with You,” try an acoustic guitar with some blues strings for a more mournful sound. After you’ve written the song with your guitar, you can start to add in other instruments, like the fiddle, banjo, harmonica, and pedal steel guitar. Together, these instruments will give your song that classic country feel.  If you want a really classic country feel, you can also add in instruments like the washboard, mandolin, autoharp, and accordion.  Your other instruments should be played in the same key and time signature as your guitar, but the rhythms and melodies can be different, however. Play around with your original melody and some scales to see if you find something new that you like. For “My Heart Left with You,” you could try adding in a harmonica and a fiddle to accent your mournful tone.

What is a summary?
Stick to simple keys and rhythms. Build your music around a guitar. Add in other classic country instruments.