AKARSH SHEKHAR
How To Overcome Songwriter ’ s Block ?
START WITH THE TITLE Find an interesting title and most of the song will almost write itself , reputable songwriters claim . This is something that songwriters use in many songs . Renowned composers and artists have used this strategy , and great hits and songs have been written in this way . Keep in mind that in many songs , the title tells the whole story .
LOOK AROUND FOR INSPIRATION Whether it ’ s being on a train , walking , or just having a conversation with someone , you never know what you are going to hear . So when you ’ re really paying attention to what ’ s going on around you , you can sometimes hear someone say something randomly and think , “ That ’ s a great phrase ! I should use it .
ALWAYS RECORD OR NOTE This may seem basic , but since you never know when inspiration might hit songwriters , it ’ s important to have a way to document a great musical idea every time it ’ s presented . If you ’ re comfortable with traditional music notation , a small lined notepad ( staff ) may be all you need . If you prefer to sing your tunes , a voice recorder on a smartphone or other small recording device can get the job done .
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USE OTHER COMPOSITIONS FOR IDEAS TO FINISH YOURS Even if you are only able to put a verse here and a chorus there , it is imperative to save everything you write . A lot of famous songwriters have written many unfinished ideas for different songs that they turn to when they get stuck .
WRITE CONSTANTLY The more hours you spend writing music , the easier the creative process will be . Consistently writing like professional songwriters helps you feel comfortable creating songs - and with yourself as a songwriter .
IDENTIFY YOUR CLICHES When there is a blockage , it is not because you do not hear anything , what happens is that you are hearing old clichés . You ’ re only getting those ideas you ’ ve sung and written a million times . In times of creative frustration , it can be easy to slip back into melodies or chords that you ’ ve been using for years . But being able to see your own cliches can also incentivize you to do something unique .
POSITIVE SELF CRITICISM Self-criticism can be a paralyzing force when trying to write a song . It can also cause you to lower the bar while writing worthwhile words or melodies . Good writing , like acting or singing , is a marriage of heart , talent , and skill . If it is meaningful to you , it will also be meaningful to other people .
GET SOME HELP Rather than viewing a co-writer as a burden , you have to view it as an opportunity to push yourself as a composer . Co-writing was once described as helping a friend solve a crossword puzzle . Co-writing can help you overcome your fears .
USE A SECONDARY INSTRUMENT Creating fresh musical ideas often means writing songs for instruments that you are not familiar with . One thing you can try is to pick up a bass , improvise melodies on it , and sing a lyric while playing the bass . The less familiar you are with the instrument you are playing , the better . It will really help you get out of your own cliches .
TAKE A BREAK Sometimes you just have to take a break to find inspiration again . For them you only need , for example , to listen to music , read a book , go for a walk , or maybe turn on the television .
GET INSPIRATION FROM YOUR FAVOURITE ARTISTS Listen to the recordings of some of your favorite songs and play along with them , regardless of what instrument is played . This will help you come up with ideas like instrumental form , chord structure ratio , or chord progression , or even something that later transforms into a song .
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