SONGWRITING PART 2/3

#6) Where does inspiration come from?
Quite often when I write a song, I think back to a moment in my life. I use what has happened in my life as an inspiration to make music. The more I do in my life, the more I can write music about- new experiences. Sometimes just getting out of the house and doing something you haven't done in a long time (or never done!) can open up the doors to musical inspiration. Open up a photo album, read old letters, visit family, friends, go do an activity, do anything but music! Read poetry, watch ballet, go see a movie, walk around in a museum, look at oil paintings and sculptures- these are all different forms of art. Music is an art form too. Sometimes other forms of art can be inspiring to the musician. Come back, after your mind has been freed, and try to write a song about it.

#7) Oops I made an accident.. er- no I didn't!
Once we begin a song, our minds begin to formulate where to go next, and most of the time- we excitedly travel down the road. Throughout the excitement, we can make good mistakes. We hit the wrong key, and all of a sudden, our mind is opened to a new avenue. Mistakes can be good things, because it is an unexpected thing. I think the best music sounds familiar enough to know where it is going, but unpredictable enough to avoid musical clichés! Sometimes I will click on a random sequence of notes- not to actually use it in a song, but to see if I can find maybe a simple pattern that I can build off of. About 95% of the time, I just hear musical mush that I can't use. The other 4% it is good stuff, and 1% of it is amazing! Accidents can be good things. Remember that. If you don't have an inspiration, sometimes just 'playing around' is a good answer!

#8) Country?!? I make rock songs!
It is hard to compare Clint Black to Korn. That is not to say there isn't something to be learned from different styles. The best way to be able to attack a song from every angle is to have as many techniques and styles as possible. Your talent will tell you which ones would work for your song. Learn country, rock, alternative even try polka! Learn as much as you can. There might be a place to use that knowledge somewhere in the future!

#9) A + B =C. A + B = XYZ???
Don't use the same formulas for your songs! Just because you found a winning formula, that may only work for that particular song. Try different avenues. There are artists that you hear (even on the radio) that seem to have all of their songs to sound alike. Be creative.

#10) Don't retrograde your V into a IV??!? Are you crazy?!
Don't be a music theory lawyer, but use it to your advantage. Knowledge of the rules of music can be a great thing- if you also know that it's okay to break them. If you stay theoretically sound, you may have a generic sound. Dissonance can be a powerful tool.

#11) That musician can't play himself out of a paper bag...
Ahh, how many times have I heard one musician talk about another behind their back. The reason why refraining this can help your songwriting is because when you stop comparing to the outside world, you can learn from them. Maybe the guitarist isn't the most technically sound, but maybe he can fingerpick like you wouldn't believe. Learn from his strengths so they can be yours too. Examine his style and abilities and see if there isn't something you can't learn from him.

#12) I feel like listening to...
Maybe you're brain fried but you feel like writing a song. Why not toss in a CD of someone who inspires you to write. Examine the style, the mixing, how the entire song is constructed, when each instrument blends in and out of the mix, etc. etc. You'll find that many times you can get ideas from other artists. I'm not saying steal their riffs (but go ahead if it makes you feel better) but you can take some of their ideas and blend them into your own style. Steal an idea and then bend it to the inner workings of your mind!

               SONGWRITING PART 3/3