Monty's Random Bits of Genius
By Monty Colvin
Chapter 6 - Avoiding Writer's Block
When it comes to songwriting, everyone has their own way of doing things. There is no one perfect method that I know of. It's whatever works best for you and the end result. However, at some point most musicians will momentarily hit a creative wall. Here are some tips to avoid writer's block. This is a system I've used for years, and for what it's worth, I almost always have a back-log of songs to work on. Just so I can sound like one of those "seminar" guys, I've broken it down into the 3 C's Of Song Writing.
CREATE...
The birth of every song has to begin with some kind of spark. It
can be debated where these ideas come from, but I happen to think some
people are just gifted when it comes to melodies and musical ideas. However,
it's also an art that can be developed. The more seriously you take your
art, the more you will exercise the creative parts of your brain. In a
search for the perfect song and melody, you'll find yourself eating,
sleeping, and breathing the craft.There are several ways to stimulate ideas. One of the best ways, though obvious, is to listen to other people's music and take inspiration from it. We're all influenced by what we've heard and what we like. Take those influences and make something new. Nobody is completely original, so don't immediately kill an idea just because it sounds like something you've heard. It's ALL been done before, and it's easy to become frustrated if you are TRYING to be TOTALLY original. Avoid blatant plagiarism, but don't be afraid to show your roots.
Another way to spark ideas is to jam. Playing with other musicians can generate things you might not ordinarily think of. However, if you're not in a band or you prefer to write alone, a drum machine can work well too. Just program a constant groove and start jamming. Drum machines don't get tired, complain, drag, show up late, or have an opinion. They will never turn their noses up in the air at your ideas, so you can always feel free to try things.
CAPTURE... Almost as important as coming up with ideas, is saving them. If you come up with a great riff or melody and you can't remember it the next day, it may be gone forever. To avoid losing good ideas, I either tape it or write it down immediately. For this reason, I carry a tape recorder and a notebook with me almost everywhere. If I'm driving down the street and a melody pops in my head, I just sing it into the recorder and save it. I've even used a video camera to capture song ideas. And if you are in a real pinch, use your cell phone and record the idea on your answering machine at home. Whatever it takes... just get it saved. Even if it's just one line... a song title... or a cool riff. Record it or write it down.
COLLECT... Now that you've recorded and kept your ideas, they will start to accumulate. You can always go through your notebook or tapes and review your ideas. Some of the ideas you thought were great when you recorded them will appall you when you hear them back. But that's ok. No one else needs to know you had a bad idea. Find the good ones and start working on them, or put them in a "keeper" file.
If you consistently compile your song ideas, you should always have material to work on and you'll be able to avoid writer's block. It takes a little dedication and discipline, but it works. This system can also work with other creative outlets... such as, painting, choreography, inventions, design, etc. So use Monty's 3 C's and don't let those Bits of Genius slip away!
Monty
