One of the things that has kept me sane throughout the last 3 months of the studio build has been my participation in this years 50/90 Songwriting Challenge.
For those of you that don’t know… The 50/90 Songwriting Challenge runs from July 4th until October 1st and the goal is to write “50 songs in 90 days.”
This year I wrote (and collaborated on) 59 songs.
Now, some of these songs that came from the challenge are crackers, some of them are okay and some of them are just shit but that’s the whole point of 50/90, it’s an opportunity to give the inner critic a holiday and just embrace the sheer fun of creation.
No matter how it turns out in the end.
It’s a great opportunity to tune into a bunch of songwriters, lyricists and producers all around the world who are all of like mind and who are all up for networking and collaboration.
Some of the participants have turned into really good friends.
Out of all the songs that have come out of the challenge, the one that really resonates with me is a piece called “Maybe It’s Time” a song about the fact that maybe it’s time for me to let go and move on.
In my most recent health update I had mentioned me hitting rock bottom and subsequently needing the help of antidepressants to lift me out of the hole I found myself in.
Once I got out of the hole I instinctively stopped taking the antidepressants and from that moment on I have been getting better and better and just writing a song like “Maybe It’s Time” is proof to me that I am now back on the path whilst making the grief that I have been experiencing for the last 3 years or so my friend rather than my enemy.
Anyways, without the 50/90 Songwriting Challenge a song like this would not have been written. Here’s the demo of the song for you all to check out.
Maybe it’s time to finally let go Of a past that’s kept me cowering in the dark Maybe it’s time to let the light back in Coz all it takes to start a fire is a spark
Maybe it’s time for me to say goodbye To the darkness over me that’s become my friend Maybe it’s time for me to believe That this road that I am on is about to end
Maybe it’s time to feel alive again And embrace my life in any way I can Maybe it’s time for me to dream once more Coz I’ve only got one life to live
Maybe it’s time for me to find my way And to trust that all my paths will lead to home Maybe it’s time for me to find my strength And to vanquish all the fears of the unknown
Maybe it’s time to feel alive again And embrace my life in any way I can Maybe it’s time for me to dream once more Coz I’ve only got one life to live
Maybe it’s time for me to start again And to unlock all the shackles around my heart Maybe it’s time for me to realise That grief’s the price you pay for falling in love…
Once the studio is ready I will be doing another collection of songs for release and a re-recorded version of “Maybe It’s Time” will be there in all its glory.
The above piece of advice, often shared among songwriters, displays a truth about the creative process. Striving for perfection can be paralysing, especially in the world of music where creativity and expression are paramount.
Here’s why embracing imperfection and spontaneity can lead to more authentic and impactful songwriting.
The Paradox of Perfection
Perfectionism can be a double-edged sword. On one hand, it drives individuals to strive for excellence. On the other, it can create a mental block, stifling creativity and preventing progress.
When a songwriter fixates on crafting the “perfect” song, they might become overly critical of their work, leading to self-doubt and procrastination. This pursuit of an unattainable standard can transform the joy of creation into a source of stress and frustration.
The Power of Authenticity
Authenticity is at the heart of memorable music. Songs that resonate deeply with listeners often stem from genuine emotion and experience.
When songwriters allow themselves to write freely, without the constraints of perfection, they open the door to authenticity. The raw, unfiltered expression of their thoughts and feelings can lead to songs that are more relatable and emotionally impactful.
Embracing the Creative Process
Songwriting is an iterative process. The initial draft of a song is rarely the final product. By allowing oneself to write without the pressure of perfection, songwriters can generate a wealth of ideas that can be refined over time.
This approach encourages experimentation and exploration, which are crucial for artistic growth. Mistakes and imperfections are not failures; they are stepping stones to discovering unique sounds and lyrical ideas.
Overcoming the Fear of Failure
Fear of failure is a common obstacle in the creative process. When the goal is perfection, the fear of not measuring up can be paralyzing. By shifting the focus from perfection to simply writing and seeing what happens, songwriters can mitigate this fear.
This mindset fosters a more relaxed and open creative environment, where the emphasis is on progress rather than perfection. It’s about enjoying the journey rather than fixating on the destination.
The Joy of Discovery
One of the most rewarding aspects of songwriting is the element of discovery. When songwriters allow themselves to write freely, they often stumble upon unexpected melodies, harmonies, and lyrical themes.
These serendipitous moments can lead to some of the most innovative and original work. The joy of discovering something new and exciting can reignite a songwriter’s passion and drive.
Practical Tips for Embracing Imperfection
Set a Timer: Give yourself a limited amount of time to write without editing. This can help you overcome the urge to perfect every line as you go.
Free Writing: Start with a free writing exercise where you jot down whatever comes to mind. This can help kickstart the creative process and generate new ideas.
Accept Imperfection: Remind yourself that the first draft is not the final product. Embrace the imperfections as part of the creative journey. Always remember… “Great songs are always rewritten.”
Collaborate: Working with other musicians can provide fresh perspectives and help you see the value in ideas you might have dismissed.
Take Breaks: Sometimes stepping away from a song can provide clarity and allow you to return with a fresh perspective.
Remember, striving for perfection can hinder the creative process and stifle authenticity so, by allowing yourself to write freely and seeing what happens, you can overcome the fear of failure, embrace the joy of discovery, and create music that truly resonates with both you and your listeners.
So, the next time you feel the need to write a song, let go of that need for perfection, and see where your creativity takes you.
Call me old fashioned but I still prefer writing songs with a pen to paper rather than to use a computer.
There have been many times where I’ve attempted to use a computer keyboard and word processor instead of pen and paper to jot down my songwriting ideas and I’ve found that each time the special feeling of continuity I get between head, heart and computer screen is not as intense as the organic scrawling of a really good quality pen onto paper.
It’s like the act of putting pen to paper somehow allows me to become an integral part of what I’m writing whereas I feel an uncomfortable distance from my songwriting ideas if I just type it out.
Yes, I know that for this very post to exist I would’ve had to have typed the words into a word processor or directly into the WYSIWYG editor in my blogging platform of choice, WordPress however, this particular post was written on paper first.
I got the idea for this post from automatically and randomly writing on pieces of paper as a means of clearing my mind of the stuff that has collected in it over time. A bit of mental cleaning as it were and some indication that automatic writing works.
I’m a big fan of technology but at the same time I’d hate to see the art of writing a song with a pen and paper disappear for good.
What do you think? Which medium do you prefer to write songs with? Pen and paper or keyboard and word processor?
This manifesto was conceived in 1998 by Bruce Mau, the creative director of Bruce Mau Design. The purpose of the manifesto is explained on his website in the following way:
“Written in 1998, the Incomplete Manifesto is an articulation of statements exemplifying Bruce Mau’s beliefs, strategies and motivations. Collectively, they are how we approach every project.”
From what I have seen, Bruce Mau and his team certainly know what they’re talking about and from reading his manifesto below I can see how the creative process of design and writing songs can come from exactly the same place.
The muse is a multi-talented entity indeed…
An Incomplete Manifesto For Growth By Bruce Mau
1. Allow events to change you. You have to be willing to grow. Growth is different from something that happens to you. You produce it. You live it.
The prerequisites for growth: the openness to experience events and the willingness to be changed by them.
2. Forget about good. Good is a known quantity. Good is what we all agree on. Growth is not necessarily good.
Growth is an exploration of unlit recesses that may or may not yield to our research. As long as you stick to good you’ll never have real growth.
3. Process is more important than outcome. When the outcome drives the process we will only ever go to where we’ve already been. If process drives outcome we may not know where we’re going, but we will know we want to be there.
4. Love your experiments (as you would an ugly child). Joy is the engine of growth. Exploit the liberty in casting your work as beautiful experiments, iterations, attempts, trials, and errors. Take the long view and allow yourself the fun of failure every day.
5. Go deep. The deeper you go the more likely you will discover something of value.
6. Capture accidents. The wrong answer is the right answer in search of a different question. Collect wrong answers as part of the process. Ask different questions.
7. Study. A studio is a place of study. Use the necessity of production as an excuse to study. Everyone will benefit.
9. Begin anywhere. John Cage tells us that not knowing where to begin is a common form of paralysis. His advice: begin anywhere.
10. Everyone is a leader. Growth happens. Whenever it does, allow it to emerge. Learn to follow when it makes sense. Let anyone lead.
11. Harvest ideas. Edit applications. Ideas need a dynamic, fluid, generous environment to sustain life. Applications, on the other hand, benefit from critical rigor. Produce a high ratio of ideas to applications.
12. Keep moving. The market and its operations have a tendency to reinforce success. Resist it. Allow failure and migration to be part of your practice.
13. Slow down. Desynchronize from standard time frames and surprising opportunities may present themselves.
14. Don’t be cool. Cool is conservative fear dressed in black. Free yourself from limits of this sort.
15. Ask stupid questions. Growth is fueled by desire and innocence. Assess the answer, not the question. Imagine learning throughout your life at the rate of an infant.
16. Collaborate. The space between people working together is filled with conflict, friction, strife, exhilaration, delight, and vast creative potential.
17. ____________________. Intentionally left blank. Allow space for the ideas you haven’t had yet, and for the ideas of others.
18. Stay up late. Strange things happen when you’ve gone too far, been up too long, worked too hard, and you’re separated from the rest of the world.
19. Work the metaphor. Every object has the capacity to stand for something other than what is apparent. Work on what it stands for.
20. Be careful to take risks. Time is genetic. Today is the child of yesterday and the parent of tomorrow. The work you produce today will create your future.
21. Repeat yourself. If you like it, do it again. If you don’t like it, do it again.
22. Make your own tools. Hybridize your tools in order to build unique things. Even simple tools that are your own can yield entirely new avenues of exploration. Remember, tools amplify our capacities, so even a small tool can make a big difference.
23. Stand on someone’s shoulders. You can travel farther carried on the accomplishments of those who came before you. And the view is so much better.
24. Avoid software. The problem with software is that everyone has it.
25. Don’t clean your desk. You might find something in the morning that you can’t see tonight.
26. Don’t enter awards competitions. Just don’t. It’s not good for you.
27. Read only left-hand pages. Marshall McLuhan did this. By decreasing the amount of information, we leave room for what he called our “noodle.”
28. Make new words. Expand the lexicon. The new conditions demand a new way of thinking. The thinking demands new forms of expression. The expression generates new conditions.
29. Think with your mind. Forget technology. Creativity is not device-dependent.
30. Organization = Liberty. Real innovation in design, or any other field, happens in context. That context is usually some form of cooperatively managed enterprise. Frank Gehry, for instance, is only able to realize Bilbao because his studio can deliver it on budget.
The myth of a split between “creatives” and “suits” is what Leonard Cohen calls a ‘charming artifact of the past.’
31. Don’t borrow money. Once again, Frank Gehry’s advice. By maintaining financial control, we maintain creative control. It’s not exactly rocket science, but it’s surprising how hard it is to maintain this discipline, and how many have failed.
32. Listen carefully. Every collaborator who enters our orbit brings with him or her a world more strange and complex than any we could ever hope to imagine. By listening to the details and the subtlety of their needs, desires, or ambitions, we fold their world onto our own. Neither party will ever be the same.
33. Take field trips. The bandwidth of the world is greater than that of your TV set, or the Internet, or even a totally immersive, interactive, dynamically rendered, object-oriented, real-time, computer graphic–simulated environment.
34. Make mistakes faster. This isn’t my idea – I borrowed it. I think it belongs to Andy Grove.
35. Imitate. Don’t be shy about it. Try to get as close as you can. You’ll never get all the way, and the separation might be truly remarkable. We have only to look to Richard Hamilton and his version of Marcel Duchamp’s large glass to see how rich, discredited, and underused imitation is as a technique.
36. Scat. When you forget the words, do what Ella did: make up something else … but not words.
37. Break it, stretch it, bend it, crush it, crack it, fold it.
38. Explore the other edge. Great liberty exists when we avoid trying to run with the technological pack. We can’t find the leading edge because it’s trampled underfoot. Try using old-tech equipment made obsolete by an economic cycle but still rich with potential.
39. Coffee breaks, cab rides, green rooms. Real growth often happens outside of where we intend it to, in the interstitial spaces – what Dr. Seuss calls “the waiting place.”
Hans Ulrich Obrist once organized a science and art conference with all of the infrastructure of a conference – the parties, chats, lunches, airport arrivals — but with no actual conference. Apparently it was hugely successful and spawned many ongoing collaborations.
40. Avoid fields. Jump fences. Disciplinary boundaries and regulatory regimes are attempts to control the wilding of creative life. They are often understandable efforts to order what are manifold, complex, evolutionary processes. Our job is to jump the fences and cross the fields.
41. Laugh. People visiting the studio often comment on how much we laugh. Since I’ve become aware of this, I use it as a barometer of how comfortably we are expressing ourselves.
42. Remember. Growth is only possible as a product of history. Without memory, innovation is merely novelty. History gives growth a direction. But a memory is never perfect.
Every memory is a degraded or composite image of a previous moment or event. That’s what makes us aware of its quality as a past and not a present. It means that every memory is new, a partial construct different from its source, and, as such, a potential for growth itself.
43. Power to the people. Play can only happen when people feel they have control over their lives. We can’t be free agents if we’re not free.
Wow!
Even though Bruce Mau and his team approach every new design project using these strategies and philosophies, I truly believe that the process of songwriting (indeed every creative endeavour) can be looked at in the very same way.
I don’t know about you but right now, I’m feeling truly inspired. Are you? Which points in the manifesto resonate with you? Let me know about it.
One of my favourite songwriting websites that I visit regularly and I’m a proud member of is called TAXI.
Apart from the songwriting A&R services they provide for their members, I really like the articles and helpful tips that they provide on the site as well.
One of these articles that I recently came across was by a songwriter named Michael Andersoncalled “Creative Suggestions”
The article is essentially a huge list of wisdom to help expand your songwriting process and at the same time, enrich you as a songwriter which is just the very thing that I’m trying to achieve with Corey Stewart Online.
Anyways, I’ve included the article below for your enjoyment…
One of the great things I have found about teaching is how much you end up learning. The best way to learn about something is to help someone else do it.
As part of my teaching, recently I interviewed a guest, Paula McMath, who came in with amazing material prepared for the class.
I am going to share excerpts of one section here — it comes form a handout she gave the class called “An Incomplete Manifesto for Growth.”
I don’t know where it came from, or who wrote it — and I am editing it for focus and length here. If you are so motivated, I am sure you can find the whole thing on the Internet somewhere.
So here are some suggestions for your process in writing:
Allow events to change you. You have to be willing to grow. Growth is different from something that happens to you. You produce it. You live it.
The prerequisites for growth: the openness to experience events and the willingness to be changed by them.
Forget about good. Good is a known quantity. Good is what we all agree on.
Growth is not necessarily good. Growth is an exploration of unlit recesses that may or may not yield to our research. As long as you stick to good you’ll never have real growth.
Process is more important than outcome. When the outcome drives the process we will only ever go to where we’ve already been.
Love your experiments (as you would an ugly child). Joy is the engine of growth. Exploit the liberty in casting your work as beautiful experiments, trials, and errors.
Take the long view and allow yourself the fun of failure every day.
Capture accidents. The wrong answer is the right answer in search of a different question.
Study. A studio is a place of study. Use the necessity of production as an excuse to study.
Drift. Allow yourself to wander aimlessly Postpone criticism.
Begin anywhere. John Cage tells us that not knowing where to begin is a common form of paralysis. His advice – begin anywhere.
Everyone is a leader. Growth happens. Whenever it does, allow it to emerge. Learn to follow when it makes sense. Let anyone lead.
Harvest ideas – edit applications. Ideas need a dynamic, fluid, generous environment to sustain life. Applications, on the other hand, benefit from critical rigor. Produce a high ratio of ideas to applications.
Keep moving. The market and its operations have a tendency to reinforce success. Resist it. Allow failure and migration to be part of your practice.
Slow down. Desynchronise from standard time frames and surprising opportunities may present themselves.
Don’t be cool. Cool is conservative fear dressed in black. Free yourself from limits of this sort.
Ask stupid questions. Growth is fueled by desire and innocence.
Collaborate. The space between people working together is filled with strife, friction, exhilaration, delight, and creative potential.
Allow space for the ideas you haven’t had yet, and for the ideas of others.
Stay up late. Strange things happen when you’ve gone too far, been up too long, worked too hard, and you’re separated from the rest of the world.
Work the metaphor. Every object has the capacity to stand for something other than what is apparent. Work on what it stands for.
Be careful to take risks. Time is genetic. Today is the child of yesterday and the parent of tomorrow. The work you produce today will create your future.
Make your own tools. Hybridise your tools in order to build unique things.
Even simple tools that are your own can yield entirely new avenues of exploration. Remember, tools amplify our capacities, so even a small tool can make a big difference.
Stand on someone’s shoulders. You can travel farther carried on the accomplishments of those who came before you. And the view is so much better.
Avoid software. The problem with software is that everyone has it.
Don’t clean your desk. You might find something in the morning that you can’t see tonight.
Don’t enter awards competitions. Just don’t. It’s not good for you.
Make new words. Expand the lexicon. The new conditions demand a new way of thinking. The thinking demands new forms of expression. The expression generates new conditions.
Think with your mind. Forget technology. Creativity is not device dependent.
Organization = Liberty. Real innovation in design, or any other field, happens in context. That context is usually some form of cooperatively managed enterprise.
Don’t borrow money. By maintaining financial control, we maintain creative control. It’s not exactly rocket science, but it’s surprising how hard it is to maintain this discipline, and how many have failed.
Listen carefully. Every collaborator who enters our orbit brings with him or her a world more strange and complex than any we could ever hope to imagine. By listening to the details and the subtlety of their needs, desires, or ambitions, we fold their world onto our own. Neither party will ever be the same.
Take field trips. The bandwidth of the world is greater than that of your TV set, or the Internet, or even a totally immersive, interactive, dynamically rendered, object-oriented, real-time, computer graphic-simulated environment.
Make mistakes faster.
Imitate. Don’t be shy about it. Try to get as close as you can. You’ll never get all the way, and the separation might be truly remarkable.
Scat. When you forget the words, do what Ella did—make up something else.
Break it, stretch it, bend it, crush it, crack it, fold it.
Excerpted from Michael Anderson’s Little Black Book of Songwriting available at: www.michaelanderson.com
Now that is what I call an amazing list of creative suggestions to think about.
Reading this article reaffirms my thoughts, feelings and theories of the importance of having a songwriting process. I’m certainly going to look up “An Incomplete Manifesto For Growth” and really get my head around what it means.
The productivity of your songwriting process can be a very hard thing to predict at times. Some days it’s like writing songs is the easiest thing to do in the world while on other days it’s an impossible task just trying to put pen to paper.
When this happens, one of the best ways I’ve found to diffuse this creative stalemate is to simply walk away from the song, do something different and came back to it at a later date.
When I mean walk away, I mean take a complete break from your song or the whole process itself. No more going over the song in your head, no more listening to draft recordings and no more playing your guitar or piano either.
Generally, this creative stalemate occurs when you’ve been doing things like over-thinking your songwriting process which will mentally exhaust you because you’re working harder and not smarter with your songwriting process.
This is why creating some distance between you and your song can be the best thing you can do for it because we all know that once your mind becomes stressed and fatigued nothing comes easy for you let alone the next line for your song.
You see, what taking a break does is that it resets your ears, your eyes, your senses, your headspace and your imagination so you can hear, look, feel, perceive and imagine your new song with a completely fresh perspective.
So what do you do in your time off from your song? Well, the short answer is… “Anything you want as long as it’s not songwriting related.”
You can go for a walk, read a book, have a bath, call up a friend, do some gardening, get on with some housework, go for a drive, anything to take your attention away from the creative stalemate you’ve found yourself in.
I can assure you, when you get back to your song (and only you will know when that time is), you’ll be experiencing your song like it was the first time which will make it easier to move your creativity forward towards completion.
Remember, if you’re finding it hard to finish your song, it might just pay to walk away and come back to it when you’re feeling much more relaxed and refreshed.
I’ve decided to create a blog post series that expands on each of the five pillars and attempts to really define what each pillar is about.
I believe that songwriting is a very personal journey but when it comes to creativity, there are some similarities in the process that can be quantified.
Below is the expansion of Pillar #1: The Songwriter
In this exploration of the songwriting process, we recognize it as a multifaceted journey comprising five pillars. Each pillar is crucial, but it all starts with the first and perhaps the most personal: The Songwriter.
This first pillar isn’t just about the individual’s ability to craft words and melodies; it’s about a deeper understanding of how a songwriter’s mental, physical, and spiritual well-being profoundly influences their creative output.
We’ll dive deep into the essence of the songwriter. We’ll explore how personal experiences, emotions, and the environment play a pivotal role in shaping the music that resonates with us.
From the nuances of mental and emotional health to the impact of physical and spiritual wellness, we’ll uncover how these elements intertwine to form the foundation of every song that is written.
The Essence Of The Songwriter
At the heart of every song lies the essence of its creator – The Songwriter and every songwriter carries a unique universe within them, filled with stories, emotions, and experiences that are waiting to be expressed through song.
The essence of a songwriter is shaped by their life experiences. The joys, sorrows, triumphs, and defeats they encounter don’t just influence their worldview; they become the raw material for their art.
Songs like Johnny Cash’s “Hurt” or Adele’s “Someone Like You” exemplify how personal experiences can be transformed into universal truths, resonating with listeners across the globe.
A songwriter’s emotional landscape plays a significant role. How a songwriter feels, what they think, and the way they perceive the world around them dramatically colours their creative output. Emotions, both positive and negative, can fuel the creative process, leading to songs that capture a spectrum of human experiences.
In essence, the songwriter is not just a creator of music but a storyteller who weaves their inner world into a tapestry of sound and lyrics. It is their authenticity, vulnerability, and willingness to share that makes their music relatable and powerful.
As we delve deeper into understanding the songwriter and their role within the songwriting process itself, we begin to appreciate not just the songs they create but the human experiences that inspire them.
Mental And Emotional Health In Songwriting
Songwriting is not only an artistic endeavour but it also can be an emotional journey. The state of a songwriter’s mental health can greatly influence their creative output, dictating the tone, depth, and authenticity of their music.
When a songwriter is in a good mental space, their creativity can flourish. This positivity often leads to a flow of ideas, making the process of songwriting more fluid and enjoyable. On the flip side, struggles with mental health can also find a powerful outlet in songwriting.
Many artists have channelled their struggles with anxiety, depression, or other mental health issues into their music, creating deeply moving and relatable songs.
A fantastic example of this in action is “Hi Ren” by Ren.
Emotional health plays a similar role. Songwriting can be a cathartic process, allowing the artist to process and express complex emotions. This emotional honesty not only aids in the songwriter’s personal healing but also creates a deeper connection with the audience.
Songs that stem from genuine emotions tend to resonate more, touching the hearts of listeners who may be experiencing similar feelings.
However, maintaining mental and emotional health is a continuous process. It’s important for songwriters to find healthy ways to manage stress, nurture their mental well-being, and stay emotionally balanced. This might include practices like mindfulness, therapy, or simply ensuring a supportive social network.
The mental and emotional health of a songwriter isn’t just a footnote in their creative journey; it’s a driving force that shapes the music they create and how they connect with their audience.
Physical Wellbeing And Creativity
A healthy body can significantly contribute to a healthy mind, thereby enhancing creativity. Physical health impacts energy levels, focus, and overall mood, all of which are crucial for a productive songwriting process.
Regular exercise, adequate rest, and a balanced diet are key components of physical well-being that can positively affect a songwriter’s creativity.
Exercise, for instance, is not only beneficial for physical health but also stimulates brain activity, leading to improved cognitive function and potentially more innovative ideas. Adequate rest, including quality sleep, is vital for rejuvenation and maintaining a clear mind, crucial for creative thinking.
Moreover, the act of songwriting itself can be physically demanding, especially for those who play instruments or perform. Maintaining physical health ensures that a songwriter is able to handle these demands without undue strain.
Therefore, taking care of one’s physical health is as important as nurturing the mind and spirit for a songwriter. A healthy body supports a healthy mind, creating a conducive environment for creativity to thrive.
Spiritual Health And Artistic Expression
Spiritual health, though less tangible than mental or physical health, plays a significant role in a songwriter’s artistic expression. It encompasses a sense of connection, purpose, and inner peace, which can profoundly influence the creative process.
For many songwriters, their spiritual beliefs or practices become a source of inspiration and guidance in their art. This spiritual dimension can manifest in various ways.
For some, it might involve meditation, mindfulness practices, or connection with nature, which can provide a sense of calm and clarity. These practices can help songwriters tap into deeper levels of creativity, allowing them to create more profound and meaningful work.
For others, spirituality might be closely tied to their cultural or religious beliefs, influencing the themes and messages in their songs. This connection often brings a sense of purpose and authenticity to their work, enabling them to express their deepest values and convictions through music.
Nurturing spiritual health can enrich a songwriter’s creativity, providing them with a wellspring of inspiration and a deeper connection to their art. It’s about finding balance and harmony within, which in turn, reflects in the music they create.
The Songwriter’s Mindset
The mindset of a songwriter is a critical component of their creative process. It’s not just about having talent or technical skills; it’s about cultivating a mental state that fosters creativity, resilience, and openness to new ideas. A positive and growth-oriented mindset can significantly enhance a songwriter’s ability to create impactful music.
Key elements of a productive songwriter’s mindset include the following:
Curiosity and Exploration: Embracing curiosity leads to exploring new themes, sounds, and storytelling techniques, keeping the creative process fresh and dynamic.
Resilience and Perseverance: Songwriting can be filled with challenges and setbacks. Developing resilience helps in overcoming writer’s block, criticism, and other obstacles.
Openness to Feedback and Learning: A willingness to learn and adapt, whether from personal experiences or feedback from others, is crucial for growth and improvement.
Balance between Discipline and Spontaneity: While discipline is necessary for honing skills and maintaining productivity, spontaneity allows for capturing unexpected moments of inspiration.
Emotional Intelligence: Understanding and managing one’s own emotions, as well as empathising with others, can greatly enhance the depth and relatability of songs.
By nurturing these aspects of their mindset, songwriters can not only enhance their creative output but also find greater satisfaction and joy in their artistic journey.
Creating a Conducive Environment
The overall environment in which a songwriter works can greatly influence their creative process. Creating a space that is conducive to creativity is about more than just physical comfort; it’s about setting up an atmosphere that inspires and nurtures the creative spirit.
Physical Space: Whether it’s a quiet home studio or a corner in a bustling cafe, the physical space should align with the songwriter’s personal style and creative needs. This might involve organised workspaces, inspirational objects, or specific tools and instruments.
Ambiance and Atmosphere: The ambiance of the space, including lighting, sound, and décor, can significantly impact creativity. Some may prefer a minimalist, distraction-free environment, while others thrive in a more vibrant and stimulating setting.
Technological Setup: In today’s digital age, having the right technology at hand – from recording equipment to music software – is crucial. This doesn’t mean the most expensive gear, but rather what best suits the songwriter’s workflow.
Mental and Emotional Environment: Creating a conducive environment also means fostering a positive mental and emotional space. This can involve practices like setting aside dedicated time for writing, minimising distractions, or establishing rituals that signal the start of a creative session.
A conducive environment for songwriting is a blend of the physical, technological, and psychological, tailored to the individual needs and preferences of the songwriter.
Overcoming Challenges
Songwriting, like any creative endeavour, is fraught with its share of challenges. Recognizing and developing strategies to overcome these obstacles is a vital part of the songwriter’s journey.
(Song) Writer’s Block: Perhaps the most common challenge, songwriter’s block can be tackled through various methods like taking breaks, seeking new sources of inspiration, or switching creative mediums temporarily.
Self-Doubt and Criticism: Building resilience against self-doubt and external criticism is crucial. This can involve cultivating a positive self-image, seeking constructive feedback, and learning to separate personal identity from one’s work.
Maintaining Consistency: Establishing a routine or set of habits can help maintain creative output, even during less inspired times.
Adapting to Change: The music industry and audience tastes are always evolving. Adaptability, both in style and approach to songwriting, is key to staying relevant and fresh.
Balancing Art and Life: Finding a balance between the demands of everyday life and the need to create is essential. This might mean setting boundaries, prioritising tasks, or even integrating life experiences into the creative process.
By facing these challenges head-on, songwriters not only enhance their skills and output but also grow personally and professionally.
So, in exploring the first pillar of the songwriting process, “The Songwriter,” we’ve delved into various aspects that shape a songwriter’s creative journey.
From mental and emotional health to physical well-being, from cultivating the right mindset to creating a conducive environment, each element plays a significant role in the art of songwriting.
Overcoming challenges along the way is part of this enriching process.
As you reflect on your own songwriting practices and well-being I want to ask you…
How do these insights resonate with your experiences? Are there aspects you hadn’t considered before? I encourage you to share your thoughts and experiences either in the comments below or let me know personally.
Let’s continue to learn from each other and grow as artists and individuals in this beautiful journey of songwriting.
A process is defined as “… a series of actions or steps taken in order to achieve a particular goal.” As for a songwriting process, that goal is of course the completion of a song from start to finish.
Songs are what makes this music industry go round and the more that songwriters are encouraged, educated and most importantly, empowered about their own creative workflow, the better off this music business will be.
How you write your songs, from the initial spark of a songwriting idea to the final stroke of your pen, all comes down to how you work your creative process.
Now, there are as many variations to the songwriting process as there are songwriters in the world; however, I sincerely believe that all of this can be distilled into five pillars of a songwriting process.
How effective your songwriting is depends on how you handle these five pillars which create the foundation of your songwriting process.
Below is an outline of the five pillars…
The Songwriter:
The first pillar of the songwriting process starts with the songwriter themselves.
Every song begins with an individual’s inspiration, motivation, and personal experiences therefore, maintaining a healthy state of mental, physical, and spiritual health is fundamental.
When the songwriter is healthy in mind, body and spirit, they are in a better position to translate their thoughts and feelings into lyrics and melody.
Moreover, the songwriter’s mindset and environment significantly impact the songwriting process. Their thoughts, moods, and the physical surroundings can all influence the style and substance of the song hence, finding an environment that nurtures creativity and aligns with the songwriter’s comfort is crucial for the successful genesis of a song.
The Foundation:
The second pillar involves creating an environment and process that fosters creativity and inspiration.
It’s about building a structure that can accommodate the spontaneous nature of inspiration because songwriting often springs from moments of inspiration that can occur at any time, thus having a system that allows for these moments to be captured is vital.
This means setting up a workspace that encourages focus, equipping it with the necessary tools, and arranging your schedule to allow time for creativity.
Whether this means having a quiet home studio or working in bustling public spaces, the important thing is to build a foundation that aligns with your creative style and rhythm.
The Creation:
The third pillar focuses on the process of transforming an initial idea into a song.
This can be an emotional experience as it involves pouring personal feelings, ideas, and narratives into a coherent structure of verses, choruses, and bridges. It’s about bringing something into existence from nothing.
Each songwriter’s creation process is unique. Some might start with a melody, some with a lyric, and others might begin with a chord progression or a rhythm.
This pillar encourages songwriters to explore different methods and to find a process that best resonates with them.
The Revision:
The fourth pillar involves the revision and refinement of the song after it has been written.
This process is crucial to ensuring the song’s quality, and it involves scrutinising the song, editing out any unnecessary parts, and refining the lyrics and melodies.
The revision phase is also about knowing when to stop refining. A songwriter needs to recognise when their song has reached its full potential.
This pillar allows songwriters to engage with their inner critic in a positive way, refining their song without letting self-doubt hinder their creative process.
The Business:
The fifth and final pillar concerns the business side of songwriting. After a song is finished, it’s important to think about its purpose.
Is the completed song for the songwriter to perform at gigs? Is it for another artist? Could it be licensed for use in film or advertising? Or, was it merely (and just as importantly) a therapeutic endeavour?
This pillar requires a strategic mindset, understanding that songwriting is not just an art but also a business. It requires an understanding of the music industry, copyrights, and song placements.
This doesn’t mean losing the love for the craft; rather, it’s about finding the best platform for your work to be heard and appreciated.
If you pay attention to and integrate these five pillars into your songwriting process you’ll find that you’ll be a more productive, efficient, creative and self aware songwriter.
What you’ll find is that you will finish more songs than you start and you’ll not be afraid of songwriters’ block, procrastination, the blank page or your inner critic.
In fact, they will all become your friends.
These five pillars are a work in progress and I intend to explore the many facets of these five pillars through created and curated content in future posts, so if you have any questions you want answered regarding your songwriting process or, you have your own experiences you want to share, please let me know.
As songwriters, we need to be eternally vigilant to any opportunity that might arise which enables us to replenish our repository of songwriting ideas.
When we talk about a songwriting process though, we generally talk about engaging in a set of activities that is separate to our lives in general. We live our lives and in between that we try to make the time to write songs then, we start living life again.
My question to you is… “Why limit your songwriting process only to activities where you have to make time? Why can’t you make your whole life become one continuous songwriting process?”
By doing this, you create a day-to-day life/songwriting ideas loop where one activity (songwriting) can exist within another (day-to-day life) at the same time
Think about it for a moment. When we make the most out of our lives, the experiences gained will make great songs but in turn, when we also write songs about what is happening around us it helps us make the most out of our lives.
Looking at our lives as one continuous and never-ending songwriting process forces us to pay closer attention to what we do in and with our lives and be more mindful it.
I have mentioned in another post the well worn Socrates quote…
“… an unexamined life is a life not worth living.”
There is no reason why you couldn’t find songwriting ideas through the activities that make up your everyday life which will in turn inspire you to find more songwriting ideas.
Imagine your life becoming one big songwriting ideas loop. That would be very cool indeed.
Of course, this concept would only really work if first of all, you’re able to internalise the habit of being vigilant to any songwriting opportunity that comes along and secondly, to have a means to record the songwriting idea as it happens if it cannot be worked on straight away.
At the end of the day, all of this is another way of enabling us to live more in the present. It’s all about being in the NOW, and with that in mind, I’ve now got a song to write.
In a previous post I wrote about my fascination with artificial intelligence (AI) and how it could either be a help or a hindrance to my songwriting process.
When I wrote that post back in October 2022, I was really at the beginning of my exploration into what AI could do for me as a songwriter. I also wrote that post before ChatGPT was released and what an absolute game-changer that was.
For those of you that have been hiding under a rock, ChatGPT is a computer program designed to understand and process natural language, just like the way that humans do.
When you ask a question or type in a message prompt, ChatGPT uses AI algorithms to analyse the input, understand the meaning behind the words, and generate a response that is as accurate and helpful as possible.
It’s like having a conversation with a really intelligent friend who always has the answers to your questions or in my case, a really intelligent songwriting collaborator but bear in mind, the responses from ChatGPT are only as good as the prompts you type into it.
Now how could ChatGPT help me as a songwriter?
Well, I’ve always thought that when it came to writing songs, I was pretty strong in the composition department but not so strong in the lyric writing department. Using ChatGPT has opened the doors to a whole new world of songwriting ideas and lyrical concepts.
Quite simply, this technology has the potential to revolutionise the way I’m able to write songs. It’s created new possibilities and infinitely expanded my songwriting process, especially when it comes to writing lyrics.
Now, I can understand that you might be thinking to yourself that I’m going to just use ChatGPT to write all of my lyrics from now on but that would be so far from the truth.
For me, letting a robot do the work would take all the fun out of writing songs.
One of my favourite ways to start writing a song is from a title or a phrase that incites my imagination and curiosity and this is where ChatGPT comes into its own. Let me give you an example of what ChatGPT can do.
Ok, here is an exchange with ChatGPT from a random songwriting prompt that I asked it to generate for me…
User (me) Give me a random songwriting prompt that I can use to write my next song with
ChatGPT Songwriting Prompt: “Whispers of Time”
Explore the concept of time through the whispers of the past, present, and future. Craft a story that unfolds as you hear these subtle voices guiding your protagonist through key moments in their life. Use the whispers to illustrate lessons learned, the beauty of fleeting moments, and the eternal nature of time itself.
User Give me a detailed synopsis for the song titled “Whispers In Time” using the above songwriting prompt as a guide
ChatGPT Title: “Whispers in Time”
Verse 1: Our protagonist, a young dreamer, embarks on a journey to find their purpose in life. As they walk along a winding path, they hear soft whispers carried by the wind. These whispers are the voices of the past, speaking of their ancestors’ trials and tribulations. The protagonist learns that their lineage is filled with resilience, and they gain strength from these voices.
Pre-Chorus: The whispers in time grow louder, guiding the protagonist as they navigate their way. Embracing the echoes of their ancestors, they feel a deep connection to their roots and a newfound sense of belonging.
Chorus: “Whispers in Time, carry me through, Voices of old, a story so true, Ancestors’ tales, eternally bound, In every step, their wisdom is found.”
Verse 2: As the protagonist continues their journey, the whispers shift to the present, speaking of friends and loved ones. The voices tell stories of laughter, sorrow, and love, reminding the protagonist of the importance of cherishing every moment. They begin to understand that life is fleeting, and the present is a gift to be treasured.
Bridge: The whispers transition to the future, painting a picture of possibilities and potential. The protagonist sees a vision of themselves, standing tall and proud, having overcome obstacles and achieved their dreams. They realise that time is always moving forward, and it is up to them to make the most of it.
Chorus: “Whispers in Time, carry me through, Voices of old, a story so true, Ancestors’ tales, eternally bound, In every step, their wisdom is found.”
Outro: The whispers in time fade away, leaving the protagonist with a profound understanding of the interconnectedness of the past, present, and future. With newfound courage, they embrace their destiny and continue their journey, knowing that the whispers of time will always be with them.
User Using the detailed synopsis above as a guide, name 10 music artists/songwriters that you think could write a song such as “Whispers In Time”
ChatGPT Joni Mitchell Bob Dylan Sufjan Stevens Florence Welch (Florence + The Machine) Leonard Cohen Paul Simon Stevie Nicks Ben Howard Brandi Carlile Hozier
User Ok, now using all of the above information at your disposal, write for me the lyrics for the song “Whispers In Time” in the style of Sufjan Stevens
ChatGPT Verse 1: In the heart of a young dreamer’s quest, Winds carried whispers from east to west, Ancestors’ voices, their stories untold, Of courage and battles, of hearts brave and bold.
Pre-Chorus: Whispers in time, they call my name, A journey unfolds, a destiny to claim, Through the echoes of ages, I walk this path, Guided by whispers, I’ll conquer my past.
Chorus: Whispers in Time, carry me through, Voices of old, a story so true, Ancestors’ tales, eternally bound, In every step, their wisdom is found.
Verse 2: Voices of present, they speak to my soul, Of love and of laughter, of pain that consoles, Cherish the moments, they gently remind, For life is a breath, and time’s river unwinds.
Bridge: Oh, whispers of future, a vision I see, A world full of promise, a life meant for me, Through trials and triumphs, I’ll forge my own way, With whispers to guide me, I’ll seize each new day.
Chorus: Whispers in Time, carry me through, Voices of old, a story so true, Ancestors’ tales, eternally bound, In every step, their wisdom is found.
Outro: As whispers fade softly, their lessons remain, The thread of existence, a tapestry’s frame, In every heartbeat, in each breath I take, Whispers in time, my journey to make.
Not bad for around ten minutes of work.
Normally I would approach a ChatGPT lyrics session with a song title or phrase already in mind plus a strong concept of what the song is to be about. From there I try to use AI to flesh out the concepts so I can then rewrite the lyrics in my own words at the end of the process.
What this means for me is that I don’t have to worry about songwriters block anymore. For me, ChatGPT is just another songwriting tool that I can use in my process if I ever get stuck.
“These AI generated songwriting ideas will still need (and will probably always need) the discernment filter of a human brain that’s been trained by years of experience to steer those song ideas to completion.”
Would I use it all the time… No, not at all, but it’s nice to know that it’s there just in case.
What do you think about all of this talk about AI, ChatGPT and other tools of this nature? Have you used any of them and if so, what are your thoughts? Let me know what you think.
