I want to try and get a bit more into songwriting I. The send if consistently writing songs. I was thinking about setting a goal for writing 1 song every week. I'm one of those people that can write a song start to finnish in 15 minutes if I feel it but If I don't feel it nothing is gonna come out so I was wondering whether one song every week is a reasonable goal?
Songwriting
- Thread starter idssdi
- Start date
Depends what kind of song. Almost nobody on the planet can write a radio-quality hit once a week or two, even working full time. Something like a one-minute mini song, I bet you could do it with time to spare.
One new song a week is doable, but you need to think of this as a sort of average. That's because there will be many times where you'll have bursts of creativity and you'll be able to write a song a day. And there will be drought times where nothing will stick.
As someone who attempted, without much success, to put out a cover a week on YouTube, these are my 2c on the matter.
As someone who attempted, without much success, to put out a cover a week on YouTube, these are my 2c on the matter.
That...might be doable. But the same thing with regards to bursts is applied here as well. It's not a bad thing that it's like this, it's just something you need to be aware of.
It's probably good to make rough drafts a routine thing, save them and do something else. Go back every now and then with new insight, you might hear new things or want to rearrange stuff. This is kind of what I want to do but I wear myself out allot
One thing I'd practice doing weekly is writing 'hooks' or 'choruses' - I find it really helps me with my songwriting in general, as my ear has developed more in recognizing what a good melody is, and through constantly churning out hooks, I'm always going for a catchier or more memorable melody or rhythm
When I was in Nashville, we would write 2 (or 3) a day. You have writing appointments. A 3 hour session with another writer. 2 or 3 appointments a day. That is an extreme writing situation where you are employed by a publisher to write. It's your job. 5 days a week. Minimum 10 songs per week.
When writing by myself, I'm happy when I can take a little more time and spend 2 or 3 days on one song. Even a week, (especially to tweak lyrics).
The key (at least for me) is NOT waiting for inspiration. For every song I was inspired to write, I have written 50 by just plowing through and doing the work - even when I didn't feel like it. And those ended up being some of my best songs.
"Writer's block", "inspiration" are excuses used by those who don't want to do the work. Just write. Good, bad - it doesn't matter. Just write. If you don't like the result, then re-write and make it better. Unless you're a genius, all your initial ideas will suck. Re-write. Re-write. Re-write. Take a half hour break, then re-write again. When it gives you goosebumps, then you're finished.
When writing by myself, I'm happy when I can take a little more time and spend 2 or 3 days on one song. Even a week, (especially to tweak lyrics).
The key (at least for me) is NOT waiting for inspiration. For every song I was inspired to write, I have written 50 by just plowing through and doing the work - even when I didn't feel like it. And those ended up being some of my best songs.
"Writer's block", "inspiration" are excuses used by those who don't want to do the work. Just write. Good, bad - it doesn't matter. Just write. If you don't like the result, then re-write and make it better. Unless you're a genius, all your initial ideas will suck. Re-write. Re-write. Re-write. Take a half hour break, then re-write again. When it gives you goosebumps, then you're finished.
Last edited:
There's a lot of unvaluabable amount of information, what PG said of Re-Write can do wonders, i do that myself and i improved a song that sounded all the same, (same chords even the same drum pattern for 300 bars god damn it haha) and is really usefull!
wow 300 barsrap is 16 bars, wtf!? lol and 12 bar blues?
He's talking about looping the same pattern over and over for a few hundred bars, and just playing the part over and over to see how it morphs for you. It's a good way to fine-tune a riff, or variations on a riff. I also use something like that to figure out where to go next sometimes - I just keep playing the part I wrote over and over and over again until I feel like doing something different, and then I see where that spark leads.
Can concur. There are moments when songs come out just right but there are also times when the first ideas are like: "I shouldn't be allowed near instruments, like ever again. I think I heard the musical repo-men coming to take my computer, guitars, and piano".
Writer's block might be an excuse, but it's definitely a real thing. You just gotta power through it. You mustn't let it deter you from your goals.
Writer's block is real. I should have said it's MOSTLY used as an excuse - because most people give up when they hit a dead end. There are many ways to get around it. When you come to a dead end on a song - you have a choice. You can dwell on it and get nothing done for days and claim "writer's block" or you can start work on a new song or idea and then come back to it with fresh ears. You can switch instruments. Try writing on bass or piano (even if you don't play well. You can listen to some music to get new ideas. I can't tell you how many writing sessions I've done that started by listening to a song or a few songs - not to steal - just to get a vibe or a rhythm or a cool chord change.
You can put the music aside and just work on lyrics.
There are a ton of tricks to keep you moving forward.
It's all elbow grease.
As I said - the guys that actually make a living as songwriters are working on 99% perspiration and 1% inspiration. They just power through.
My inspiration ALWAYS comes during the writing process. Almost never before. As you write, you get those "ah-ha" moments that inspire you to move in different directions.
And the best advice I ever received (from a very famous songwriter) was simply "Write".
Write. Every day. The rest will take care of itself.
True that. Waiting for inspiration is like waiting for a sign to do something. You need to do it or not, simple as that.
You're echoing my thoughts. Kinda like you've been doing this a lot longer than I have
.
It took me 30 years to learn this stuff. You have a giant head start!!!True that. Waiting for inspiration is like waiting for a sign to do something. You need to do it or not, simple as that.
You're echoing my thoughts. Kinda like you've been doing this a lot longer than I have
Agreed. When lock down started I occupied my self by making sure I wrote one new song or poem a day. That was when we thought it would be 3 weeks
Once it became clear this was going to be going on for a bit longer I extended that idea out all the way up until today and now it’s just part of my daily routine. I’ve also added ocarina into the mix for shits and giggles. Obviously not every day yields winning results but it’s kept me sharp, and it’s kept me creating and experimenting
I've wanted to do this too but haven't done it yet. My problem is more about finishing songs if I ever do write something. I also don't really like being bound to a computer for writing and recording.
Anyway, it's a great way to spark inspiration and motivation. If you're going to do it, good luck and don't forget to share it with us.
Anyway, it's a great way to spark inspiration and motivation. If you're going to do it, good luck and don't forget to share it with us.
Similar threads
