In the introduction to this series I talked a little bit about the overall aspects of songwriting, now I will delve into it in finer detail. First off is preparing and finding a start to the creative process.
Creative process?
Yes, because this is what it ultimately is about. Creation of a song. Creation of art. Creation of that inner something (thought or feeling) that wants to come out and manifest itself through music.
It can be hard to get inspired on demand (in that little time you had cut out to work on this new song) so always be ready with your notebook, guitar, recording device or whatever you use to plot down ideas. You don't want to miss out when inspiration strikes as you never know when it will strike again.
I remember many times where I've been in a place and time where I didn't have the tools to transfer my inspiration into a format that lasts when my memory doesn't. Don't do that same mistake. Sometimes it comes back and sometimes it doesn't. But why take a chance.
Inspirational flow
Here are a few tips on how to get the inspiration flowing:
Creative process?
Yes, because this is what it ultimately is about. Creation of a song. Creation of art. Creation of that inner something (thought or feeling) that wants to come out and manifest itself through music.
It can be hard to get inspired on demand (in that little time you had cut out to work on this new song) so always be ready with your notebook, guitar, recording device or whatever you use to plot down ideas. You don't want to miss out when inspiration strikes as you never know when it will strike again.I remember many times where I've been in a place and time where I didn't have the tools to transfer my inspiration into a format that lasts when my memory doesn't. Don't do that same mistake. Sometimes it comes back and sometimes it doesn't. But why take a chance.
Inspirational flow
Here are a few tips on how to get the inspiration flowing:
- Do something that you really love. This will trigger feelings and thoughts which you might not have been allowing yourself to receive if you were not in a place of passion, in the now, in focus or whatever you want to call it. Being totally present always makes you aware and awareness is key if you want to tap the inspirational flow.
- Explore a place you haven't been before. I'm referring to a physical place in the world as well as a place inside of you that you haven't explored. Remember to be aware and take note of the things you notice. New places often make you more aware then where your normal routines are.
- Listen to music that really moves you. This is a great way to both find inspiration and get actual musical ideas. Don't feel like you can't do this because you're afraid of copying, everyone does it and what isn't the world but just another layer built upon the ideas that came before? Don't consciously copy straight off though, that's not the point, but reach for that feeling you got when you were moved.
- Play your instrument or jam with other people. There is a no more hands on way to both get inspiration flowing and to translate it into music at the same time. Often the synergy of two or more people playing together creates new ideas that you wouldn't have come up with by yourself. But even as you sit alone you can come up with wonderful music, and as you create new melodies, chord combinations, riffs etc. you will feel the joy of creation flowing through you. This is when you know that you're on the right path. Just remember to record it for later when you are out of that inspirational flow and the creation process because it won't be as easy.
Establish your goal
After inspiration has struck you need to figure out your goal, why you are writing the song. Is it to tell a personal story that happened to you, or a fictional story that you came up with, is it to share your emotions of pain or happiness, is it instrumental and if so, what feelings do you want to come through etc.
Many of the songs that I write are based on things that moves me, deep feelings, a philosophy I think is interesting or an issue that needs exposure.A few of my examples:
New Year's Eve was written out of love and passion for my Laura whom I'm deeply in love with. I wanted to express how I felt about her at a special place and time. Here I tried to use the lightness I felt by being around her in my guitar playing.
I wrote Brown Grass because I feel we focus way to much on what we don't have (the grass is greener...) instead of appreciating what we have. But when we've been on the other side where the grass looked greener we stomped it down because we treated our life the same way as before. The lesson is that no matter where you live you have to take care of your life and make the most of it. It will not change just because you change where you live.
Through Your Eyes is a reflection of the mirror that our partners so efficiently hold up. They give you back your true self so that you have to deal with the way you are deep inside. With a partner you can't escape yourself anymore. Often this causes so much emotion and sometimes pain that it seems like it's the partner's fault while it's actually your own issue that you need to deal with. It takes courage to see through your partner's eyes at yourself. It takes courage to let your partner see you, the true you, and hear that truth.
Always be true
It's important, very important in fact, that you always stay true to yourself. Your listeners are going to connect to the music through many different ways, but they will always have the tone or feeling of you underneath all of it. So if you create music that is not in line with who you are then your listeners will connect to someone that is not you. It is not authentic.
Why is this important? Well, ultimately you want to create music because of the wonderful feeling of creation and self expression. Yes, some may argue that they want to write music to make money or impress an audience. I feel like this is secondary or even just a byproduct of your creation. I believe that songwriting should foremost and primarily be about expression and creation.
Ultimately you want to attract listeners who will like your music and who you really are (as it always is the underlying feel of your music). Don't worry about getting the most followers and adjusting your music to that. If you make music that is true to you then the listeners will come to you, I promise. As a listener I want something that is authentic and personal. Something that I can connect to.
Next part of the "How to write a song" series
The next part in this series is about turning your inspiration into a song. Be sure to check out previous posts on this blog. There are a few updates on the album I'm recording, a spotlight on Peirson Ross who is a great songwriter etc.
If you want to see and hear more, check out my facebook page or the Vide Geiger website.
Stay tuned (subscribe to the blog) for the next part!
Image: domdeen / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Image: Idea go / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Image: renjith krishnan / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Always be true
It's important, very important in fact, that you always stay true to yourself. Your listeners are going to connect to the music through many different ways, but they will always have the tone or feeling of you underneath all of it. So if you create music that is not in line with who you are then your listeners will connect to someone that is not you. It is not authentic.
Why is this important? Well, ultimately you want to create music because of the wonderful feeling of creation and self expression. Yes, some may argue that they want to write music to make money or impress an audience. I feel like this is secondary or even just a byproduct of your creation. I believe that songwriting should foremost and primarily be about expression and creation.
Ultimately you want to attract listeners who will like your music and who you really are (as it always is the underlying feel of your music). Don't worry about getting the most followers and adjusting your music to that. If you make music that is true to you then the listeners will come to you, I promise. As a listener I want something that is authentic and personal. Something that I can connect to.
Next part of the "How to write a song" series
The next part in this series is about turning your inspiration into a song. Be sure to check out previous posts on this blog. There are a few updates on the album I'm recording, a spotlight on Peirson Ross who is a great songwriter etc.
If you want to see and hear more, check out my facebook page or the Vide Geiger website.
Stay tuned (subscribe to the blog) for the next part!
Image: domdeen / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Image: Idea go / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Image: renjith krishnan / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
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