Organization is one of the main keys to a successful and productive songwriting process.

It's no good having a system that successfully pulls songwriting ideas from the creative ether and onto paper without the ability to store the completed creations in a way that makes them easily accessable to you.

If you are looking for a better way to organize your finished songs here are some suggestions for you.

This has happened to me a few times in my songwriting life. Has it happened to you?

I am looking for that song that I wrote a few days ago so I can practise it for an upcoming gig but I can't find it anywhere. Can you relate to that? If so, you are not alone.

I realized early on that the songwriting process starts with the formulation of a songwriting idea and finishes with the storage of the completed song, not the completion of the first or second draft.

From time to time I go to an open mic or a song showcasing workshop and I am amazed how some songwriters organize their completed masterpieces.

I constantly see frustrated songwriters burrowing through loosely kept folders or bags trying to somehow find their recently completed song that they want to showcase to their peers.

When they do find the song it's hurridly scrawled on paper that is crumpled and dogeared (with perhaps a few stains to go with it). When I see this I wonder in my own mind "how much pride does this songwriter have for his/her songs?" The answer in these cases unfortunately seems to be "none"

I hear songwriters constantly refer to their songs as their children. Well, if I treated my children the same way that some songwriters treated their finished creations they would be in foster care by now.

Sounds a bit harsh? Well, perhaps but if you are going to present your songs to the world you need to put your best foot forward. If you want your songwriting process to work for you at its optimum you need to get organized.

So how do we do that?

Okay, there are three ways that I can think of to do this and really they are all variations of the same theme. I'm talking about your good old fashioned filing system.

1. Notebook Method - This involves having two A4 notebooks. The first one deals with songwriting ideas and rough drafts. All of your brainstorming and creative play happens in this notebook. The second one is where you neatly handwrite the final draft of the completed song in it.

When I was using this system I would always have a little ritual attached to the writing of the final draft. I would use this as a celebration. Handwriting the final draft was my way of saying to myself that I was happy with the song as it is right now.

It would be this songwriting notebook that I would use at the songwriting workshops.

2. Ring Folder Method - This works on a similar principle to the notebook method but you are using a ring binder folder instead. In the folder you would have two subfolders. One being 'songwriting ideas' and the other being 'final drafts'.

You can chop and change from one system to another. For example if you are a performing singer/songwriter you might want to keep all of your songwriting ideas in the notebook but use a ring folder to keep the final drafts so they are loose just incase you want to use it at a gig.

I would also suggest that you use plastic sleeves to protect your songs.

3. Computer File Method - I personally use this method these days as a way to keep my final drafts in order. I also have developed a uniform way in which my final drafts are presented. I do this because I like to see things nice and neat but also if anyone else wanted to play my songs I can print off the song with lyrics and chords included.

An example of a final draft can be seen here.

There is no reason why you couldn't put your songwriting ideas on computer as well. Especially if you use a audio recording program like Audacity or something of that nature to get down your flashes of inspiration.

4. Specialized Songwriting Software - There are songwriting software that are specially designed to keep the songwriting idea creation and final draft organization "in house" on your hard-drive.

The two that come to mind are MasterWriter and Lyricist.

I have personally tried MasterWriter and found it a wonderful songwriting tool. I have a good friend that has Lyricist and raves about it. Both of these programs require an investment of time and money to get them working for you.

If you are prepared to put the time and money into it then one of these products would be for you.

At the end of the day it really doesn't matter how you protect and/or organize your songwriting ideas and final drafts as long as you do it. Having an organized songwriting process means that anything that you do can be accessed in the shortest space of time.

When it comes to showcasing your songs you will give the impression that you are a songwriter that a) knows what he or she is doing and b) takes enormous pride in their craft.

How organized are you?

Until next time, happy songwriting,

Corey Stewart
Singer/Songwriter/Musician
www.coreystewartonline.com
www.soultradermusic.com

While you're here, check out my other blogs
The Bizzo - Indie Music Industry Tips
Recording Studio And Live Music Tips

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