Songwriting Process
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, […]
Does Taking Longer to Write a Song Make It Better?
There’s a long-standing belief in the creative world that great art takes great time. The idea that the longer we labour over a song, the more valuable or meaningful it becomes. But as any songwriter who’s been at it long enough knows, the relationship between time spent and song quality is far from straightforward. So, […]
When to Listen to Your Inner Critic: Why the Best Time Is During Rewriting, Not Writing
In the songwriting process, there are two voices that accompany us at every step, the Creator and the Critic. The Creator is the dreamer, the explorer, the playful child who dives headfirst into the unknown, following instinct, emotion, and inspiration wherever they may lead. The Critic, on the other hand, is the observer, the analyst, […]
The Art of Addition and Subtraction: Which Songwriting Approach Works Best?
When it comes to writing songs, one of the biggest creative questions we face is this: Should I throw in every idea I can think of and trim the fat later?Or should I start with the bare bones and carefully build from there? It’s a battle between addition and subtraction — between creative overflow and […]