It's up to you to make 2007 a great year for your songwriting
I'm not going to tell you how to set goals or how to keep those new years resolutions that you made for yourself however, I do have some suggestions that could make 2007 your best songwriting year yet.
Even if you implement just one of these suggestions you will be well on your way to writing more songs and generally being more creative with your life.
Anyway, here they are in no particular order of importance:
1. Keep a journalYes I know I have written about this a number of times but I cannot stress the importance of documenting what happens in your life and how you think and feel about it.
2. Make time for you
If I ask a songwriter why they havent written as much as they would like, the reason of not having enough time almost always comes up.
True, to get a song down from mind to paper requires a certain amount of "free" time however, if you make that time every day to write something or play something you are going to feel much better about yourself.
3. Use all of your senses in your writing
We have five senses (see, hear, taste, touch, smell) which we use to experience anything that happens in our lives. Why dont we use them in our writing as well.
Pay close attention to your senses, be mindful of them in your writing.
4. Become perpetually curious with the world
I have written before that songwriting is life. Songwriting is our way of making sense of the world around us. If we become perpetually curious with our world around us we will have more to write about. Some ways in which you can do this:
- Always ask 'why' either out loud or in your own mind
- Go out of your way to experience life to the fullest
- Take some risks
- Do something different every day
- Become open to learn new things
5. Tame your inner voice
Most of the time your inner voice attemts to prevent you from doing what you know you should do as a songwriter. This is your ego talking and even though it has good intentions (to 'protect' you) what it says to you does not further your cause.
Next time you hear your inner voice mumbling inside your head as your about to do something, try to ignore it and do it anyway.
6. Don't be afraid of your own writing
Remember, it's ok to write a 'bad' song (whatever that means) and the more 'bad' songs you write the closer you are to writing a 'good' song. Dont be afraid of the outcome, just immerse yourself into the songwriting process and marvel at whatever come from it.
7. Listen to lots of music and read lots of books
This is another exercise in making time for yourself. Listening to music attunes your mind to different musical structures and melody combinations and reading books exposes your mind to different word phrases and lyrical snippets that you can use in your own songs.
8. Learn other peoples songs
I am not asking you to become a cover musician however if you learn songs that you have a real affinity with you will begin to really understand why you love that song so much and with that knowledge you can then apply that to your own writing.
If you dont play an instrument at least know the lyrics and melody of your favourite songs.
9. Find and know thyself
Make 2007 a year to find out who you really are. When you know this you will be able to write a love song and not have it sound like one big cliche because the lyrics will come from you and not an interpretation of what every other songwriter has said.
10. Don't throw anything away
Whether it be on paper or on your computer, don't throw anything away, dont delete anything from your hard-drive that pertains to your songwriting process. What you may think is rubbish now could be treasure later on. Our moods change day by day and so does our outlook on what we write.
11. Join a songwriting organization
The best way to learn more and to gain confidence in a skill is to experience the input of others. At the very least you will not feel so alone in your songwriting endeavours. Seek out and join one (or more).
12. Find a collaborator
Two heads are better than one at times. A good collaborator makes you write better, will inspire you to come up with more ideas, will allow you to ask questions, bounce ideas and share ideas much more freely.
Every songwriter should have at least one collaborator in their contacts list.
There you go. Twelve suggestions to start your songwriting in 2007 right. If you have any experiences after applying any of these suggestions (positive or negative) let me know, I'd love to hear from you.
In writing down these suggestions I noticed that there were a few that I had neglected in my own songwriting life so for 2007 I have some work to do as well.
Good luck in whatever you do and here's to some great songwriting this year.
Until next time, happy writing,
Corey Stewart
Singer/Songwriter/Musician
www.coreystewartonline
www.orangutangmusic.com
While you're hear you might as well check out my other blogs
The Bizzo - Indie Music Industry Tips
Recording Studio And Live Music Tips
Download my FREE eReport today
11 Ways To Eliminate Writers Block FOREVER!
Keywords: songwriting, singer songwriter, songwriting tip, songwriting idea, songwriting resource, songwriting blog, songwriting help, corey stewart
