大象传媒 - Radio 2 - Sold on Song - Songwriting Guides

Having a routine

In a business where you are constantly relying on your own initiative to come up with songs, it can be difficult to focus when there isn't a routine being imposed on you by a company, a school or a college. Some writers clearly have an organic approach to songwriting that works for them, allowing ideas to come to them whenever and wherever and working on them as they appear, others will have a definite routine.

What is interesting about writing songs is that progress can actually be made in quite a short time. Lots of creative activity happens in short bursts, whether it is painting, writing fiction or music. That being the case, it's best to try to have a short time set aside for writing rather than whole days.

You could explore renting an office space with other songwriters.

Clearly the lack of an imposed structure could be problematic for those who lack self-discipline. It is all too easy to go back to the fridge, watch another music video or play that CD again.

Try to section off time during the week or the day where you can just sit and write.
Knowing you have one hour to work on a song can be more productive more than knowing you have one day.
If you can't discipline yourself, find a writing partner or two.
Create a space that is for your work - it can be at home (home studio/back bedroom/a corner of your flat), or you could rent a studio or a small office. You could even explore renting a place with other songwriters, then work it out like a timeshare and get an allotted amount of time every week.
If you can't work in a routine way, always have notebook handy and carry a small voice recording machine with you. They can be very cheap to buy and it means you will never lose your ideas. You can then work on them when you want to.

Mark Cardiff
I carry a notebook round which I write down words or sayings or sentances that pop into my head when I'm walking round. It means I never forget ideas and also means i can work on them wherever and whenever they come up.

Elizabeth Ford from Crawley
I found inspiration in my dreams. I have dreamt of complete songs only to wake up and forget about them or just remember a verse. Make sure you have a recording device MP3, mini-cassette recorder, pen&paper on your bedside table. Meditation is also helpful. Try mumble-jambo for a bit and you'd be surprise what can come out of non-sense!

Leon Briggs from Southampton
Generally your creativity levels are at their peak when you are most relaxed. Some of the best inspirations came when not thinking about anything at all. i.e giving your subconscious mind a chance to work.

Simon Elvin, Plymouth
As an exercise, set a time aside to write a new song when you don't have an idea from which to start. The discipline can be rewarding, especially if you give yourself a time limit. The first time I tried this I sat down with not one idea. It was quite exciting, though, because I didn't know if it would work. Half an hour later I had written my best song to date. I won't always work, but it's good to practice being 'professional' about the process of writing.

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