How many times have you done this as a songwriter?
You sit down, with a great idea just bubbling up only to get to the first chorus and feel like you've hit a road block?
Now, some of you out there can knock out a song in what seems like no time at all, and its awesome, and you and everyone around you loves it! Blessings to ya.
Some of you are more like me. You sit and stew and agonize over the "perfect progression" or the "best rhyme scheme" for sometimes months at a time, leaving you feeling creatively drained, frustrated, and self conscious. Am I right?
So here's the thing. There is no right or wrong way to write a song! I mean sure, there are tried and true progressions that you can fall back on when you get stuck, and there all sorts of writing exercises you can do and should do on the daily to keep the ideas flowing. But when it really comes down to it, any great songwriter will tell you to trust your gut, trust your ear, and to write what the song that your inspiration and your heart is leading you to create.
But what is the best way to actually do that? Well, here are the three tips I tell all of my songwriting students and clients.
1. Keep It Simple.
Easier said than done, right? I know, I've been there. You come up with the coolest progression or the most wicked chorus. But then you hit that creative wall again, and the song ends up frustrating you more than you feel its worth because you can't figure out where it goes!
The solution, as hard as it may seem, is sometimes to simplify.
Is there an easier way to do or say what you are trying to do or say? Are there one or two particular riffs, phrases, or signature elements that you can highlight? Often times, if we use too many of these more show-y elements, the song feels cluttered rather than complex and cool. Do yourself a favor and pick only the ones that convey your theme or meaning in the most authentic, beneficial way.
2. Find Time And Ways Every Day To Spark Creativity.
There are a number of writing exercises you can do that increase your brain's flexibility and agility in songwriting. Think back to your days in elementary school, where you brainstormed in word clusters, or found simple rhymes for words. Sometimes just sitting down and writing literally every thought that comes into your head----kind of a stream of consciousness, free form jarble----can produce wonderful, brilliant stuff you can use in your songwriting.
But there is plenty more you can do! Are there other forms of art that you practice? I always tell my students and clients branch out on a regular basis. I personally like to paint and knit. I'm not good at either. But just the act of imagining and creating in other art forms usually sparks a huge surge in my writing productivity. It opens my mind to new avenues of expressing and inspires me to reach beyond my normal creative boundaries, while keeping me from getting stale. Try visiting a museum, take a cooking class, listen to a different culture or style of music, or even start a new novel. You'll be amazed how quickly the ideas flow if you open yourself up more than the confines of your studio time, however extensive. The point is don't be afraid to try something completely new; its exhilarating and very rewarding. Trust me you'll be amazed how it influences you!
And always remember to keep a convenient notebook of some kind and/or a recording device with you, just in case that brilliance hits when you're out there, minding your own business at, say, a nature park or something!
3. Don't Be So Hard On Yourself!
Look. You have a gift. Your creative point of view is singular and valuable. I've honestly, in 16 years of coaching, have never found that not to be true.
So, please, if you incorporate nothing else into your songwriting, incorporate this. Listen to your intuitive, musical, and creative ear, write the song you are meant to write, and be proud that you birthed something brand new and UNIQUELY YOURS into the world.
I'm not saying that every song you write will, after following these tips, amazingly become an instant gem, nor am I saying that a lot of your creative energy isn't going to end up on the cutting room floor. What I am saying is have confidence in yourself and keep writing, and remember that anything worth doing is worth the journey. Keep growing. Keep challenging yourself. Do something creative every day to keep your writing brain fluent. Use these and any other tools you can pick up to enhance your flow, and know that you are creating beautiful little musical gifts that someone (maybe lots of someones) is going to be overjoyed to hear.
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