If you are not learning as a songwriter, you are dying as one.
To excell in the craft of songwriting you must first embrace the fact that there is always something else to learn about the craft. The more you know the more you need to learn.
Thankfully, there are a number of ways to keep your songwriting brain active. Lets go and explore......
I know some writers that are either bored or restless (or a combination of the two) about their songwriting. They complain that everything that they do is all the same and they feel that they are not expanding and growing as songwriters.
Personally, I think what they are actually saying to me is that they dont really want to leave their comfort zone and would much rather whinge about a situation then do something about it.
I suppose some people in general are "do-ers" and some are "gunners" (I'm gonna do this, I'm gonna do that) however whether you as songwriters fall into one of those categories is not determined by genetics its determined by your attitude. Its determined by you and you alone!!
In my last article "New Years Songwriting resolutions For 2005" I outlined a few of my own resolutions and showed a great article on some ideas to get your own 2005 songwriting resolutions underway. I wanted to share with you another of my resolutions (for people that actually know me personally this may come as a surprise)
The resolution is - Get advanced musical theory and guitar lessons.
I have mentioned this to a number of friends and they all ask 'why?' I reply 'why not!'
I have been playing music and writing songs since I was 12 (I'm 34 on the 7th of January) and besides learning clarinet and studying music theory and composition in high school I have not had any tuition in my life. I am mostly a self taught musician.
It would be arrogant of me to think that I have nothing else to learn so I am going to find out where my learning gaps are and Im then going to fill them in with new knowledge. Doing this can only make me a better songwriter and muso in general.
Seek out books on songwriting, buy them and read them. Take notes and do what is needed to assimilate the new knowledge into your brain.
Go onto the web and sign up to sites like this one, forums, songwriting resources, message boards and ask lots and lots of questions. In your cyber travels you will come across people who you will feel very comfortable with, keep in contact with them. Network and expand your relationships. If you want to contact me and ask questions feel free to do so, just contact me through the channel and I will get back to you.
One of the main reasons why I am doing this songwriting
channel is to tell myself exactly the information that I am imparting
to all of you. We are all learning at the same time
In short, get out of your comfort zone. If you feel you have been spending precious energy complaining and not enough energy doing then stop. Re-evaluate and change your attitude towards your writing. It can be done, I know because I have done this for myself.
Reward yourself (and your songwriting) by embracing new things and you will never look back.
Until next time, happy writing,
Corey Stewart
Singer/Songwriter/Musician
Keywords: song writing, songwriting, songwriter, rss feed, songwriting tip, songwriting help, songwriting technique, songwriting basics, songwriting idea, free songwriting tip, corey stewart
The short answer to your question is one of 'focus' but read the next article and I will go deeper into what you have asked and put forward some more suggestions to tackle it.
Cheers :)