Whether you're a beginner or a novice, we all get hit with writer's block. Here's my homemade recipe to getting a song out, whether it be for your own enjoyment or a deadline coming up.
If you're here, it's probably because you want to write a song but some of the pieces aren't fitting together. Trust me, I've been there before, and because I've been down that road about a million times, I feel that I am more than qualified to be able to give some of the tips and tricks of the trade. It doesn't matter if you're almost finished and it just needs a few tweaks, or you're staring at an empty page with not a single thought in your head- these tips will get you up and writing like there's no tomorrow!
Tip #1 - STOP Waiting for Inspiration to Strike.
We've all heard it before- a songwriter who wrote their record breaking album after experiencing something incredibly emotional, or even after just hearing a phrase on the phone (I'm looking at you, Journey, with your Don't Stop Believing. . .).
For the rest of us, however, we don't have the luxury of waiting for inspiration to strike, instead, we need to strike inspiration! That means writing anywhere and everywhere you can. On a bus, while grocery shopping, when you wake up at 3 a.m. sweating to George Lopez on the T.V., because what may seem like a jumble of words to you one moment may be your Hounddog the next!
Tip #2 - Research, Research, RESEARCH!
We all have the artists that made us want to get into songwriting in the first place. For me, one of my biggest inspirations is Elton John and Bernie Taupin, Elton's lyricist. It's easy to just listen to their music and try to write just like them, but you'll find yourself disappointed by the results more often than not.
Instead of just looking up your favorite artist, look up their inspirations, and those who inspired them, and so forth! This musical lineage will give you all the pieces to the puzzle as to how they are able to create those melodies that enrapture your mind or those lyrics that touch your soul.
Tip #3 - Allow for Failure
I know, I know, nobody wants to fail. It can be embarrassing and diminish our passion when we take failures to heart, but you can't expect to get it right every single time you do something. If the song you're working on just isn't flowing like you want it to, or the melody isn't catching the lyrics the way you need, it's alright to move on and start fresh.You'll only be wasting your time by trying to force something that isn't there- like trying to shove a circle through a square hole.
Tip #4 - Don't Throw Anything Away
I don't care if you think that it's the worst thing you've ever written- don't throw anything you write away. The phrase one man's trash is another man's treasure applies on a more linear scape than quantitative one for this example. What you may think of as terrible may be the perfect hook or bridge for a song you write in the future. I tend to keep mine in the Notes app on my phone for easy access, and I'm still looking back on songs I wrote at 15 years old for lyrics and melodies I may like!
Tip #5 - When in Doubt, Just Copy Someone Else (Disclaimer: Not Actually!)
Before you go and steal Buddy Holly's album, just PLEASE hear me out. Sometimes when we're in a DEEP writer's block and nothing is coming off the page, we need a little booster to get the writing juices flowing. In my experience, I've found that taking an existing piece and rewriting the lyrics or melodies can unlock some ideas I never even knew I had! You can then use these ideas to create your own original piece- just don't forget to ACTUALLY create something new. . .
Now, With all That Being Said. . .
We can all be a little too hard on ourselves sometimes, so if you take anything away from this how to, let it be this: cut yourself some slack. We've been fed so many stories about these miraculous songwriters that just seem to have an unattainable gift, but everyone has written a terrible song now and again. Be true to yourself and the story YOU want to tell with your songs because, to quote All Star, "Only shooting stars break the mold".