Songwriting Process
The Power of Routines in Songwriting
If you’ve ever found yourself staring at a blank page, guitar in hand, brain full of static, you’re not alone. I’ve been there more times than I can count, flicking through chord progressions like they’re TV channels, waiting for the muse to show up like it’s fashionably late to the session again. That’s why I […]
Should Songwriters Have Eclectic Taste or a Signature Sound?
Once you’ve made the decision to really listen to music as a songwriter, the next question usually pops up pretty quickly: “What should I be listening to?” Should you go deep into the genre you write in? Or should you open the floodgates and take in everything from Mongolian throat singing to glitchy lo-fi hip […]
How Do We Write More Songs? Write More Songs.
It sounds a bit cheeky, doesn’t it? “How do I write more songs?” Well, the simple answer is to write more songs. But honestly, I think there’s something really powerful in that short, direct response. Way too many songwriters (myself included at times) just over-complicate the process. We wait for the muse to show up, […]
The Songwriting Process As Science and Soul
I recently stumbled across an article over at Speed Songwriting that really struck a chord with me, one that vibrates somewhere between the analytical and the emotional, the structured and the spontaneous. It’s titled “Creative Science: The Songwriting Process”, and it dives into something many of us feel instinctively but don’t always articulate clearly: that […]
Songwriting: How to Start (Even When You Don’t Know Where To Begin)
Let’s face it, starting a song can feel like trying to open a locked door without knowing where the key is, or even what kind of key you need. You sit with your instrument, notebook, or DAW open, hoping that inspiration will show up and say something profound. Sometimes it does. Most times, it doesn’t. […]
Why Your Song Titles Might Need a Rewrite (and How to Fix Them)
There’s something quietly powerful about a good song title. Like a book cover that makes you pause or a movie trailer that gives you the chills, a great title hints at a world waiting to be explored. It doesn’t give the whole story away, it just opens the door. But here’s the thing: Most of […]
12 Activities To Keep The Songwriting Momentum Flowing
As songwriters, we all know inspiration can strike at any moment, but waiting around for it isn’t much of a plan. That’s where a daily songwriting ritual comes in. It’s not about forcing creativity or pumping out perfect songs every day. It’s about showing up, tuning in, and making space for ideas to emerge naturally […]
How Do You Find Your Own Voice as a Songwriter?
If you’ve ever asked yourself, “How do I find my own voice as a songwriter” you’re not alone. It’s one of the most common and important questions in songwriting, and the answer isn’t something you stumble upon overnight. Finding your voice isn’t about waiting for inspiration to strike. It’s about doing the work until something […]
Live First, Write Later: Why the Best Songs Come from a Life Fully Lived
There’s a simple truth that many seasoned songwriters eventually come to understand: The best way to write great songs is to live your life first. Sounds obvious, right? But in a world where we’re often told to hustle, grind, and constantly create, it’s easy to forget that songwriting isn’t just about sitting down with an […]
What Makes the Perfect First Line in a Song?
In songwriting, first impressions matter. A song’s opening line is your handshake, your welcome mat, your spark, and it needs to be strong enough to stop a listener in their tracks, even if they’ve never heard the song before. But what exactly makes a first line perfect? What qualities compel a person to lean in, […]