Breaking Out Of Writer's Block
At one point or another in our
songwriting, virtually all of us find ourselves suffering from writer's block or
"uninspired music syndrome" (everything you write sounds the same). Here's some
old tips along with a few of my personal favorites that might help you break through that
songwriting block and get back to writing good songs again.
1. Use
a different approach. Some songwriters write the melody first. Some
prefer to come up with the chord progression first and then write the melody. And still
others prefer to come up with a rhythm or groove first and then write the melody and chord
progression. There is no one correct way to write a song. However, if you're someone who
always writes the melody first, try coming up with a chord progression first. Or, see if
you can get yourself into a different groove by programming a beat on your drum machine
and writing to a rhythm.
 2. Write
a song in a different key. Try writing ia song n a key you don't normally
write in. This is especially good if you compose on guitar. It will get your fingers into
different positions, hitting chords that sound fresh to your ear. If you're a keyboardist,
you might try using one of the other programmed sounds from your keyboard instead of the
usual piano or DX-7 sound.
 3. Learn some new chords. It may be time to expand your
knowledge and add a few more tools to your songwriting toolbox. Learn some new
fingerings on the guitar. Try some of those chord inversions or suspended chords you've
been afraid to use. Take some chances - do something as a songwriter you wouldn't normally
do.
 4. Jumpstart
your creativity. Maybe your songwriting battery's just a little weak and
you need a jumpstart. Try opening your music book to a song you don't know and write out
the chord progression on a piece of paper. Then, try and write a melody to that chord
progression. You can do the same with rhythms. Write down two rhythm patterns from a song
- one from a verse motif and one from a chorus motif and try to compose a melody/chord
progression around those rhythm patterns. By choosing your patterns wisely, you'll also
guarantee yourself of writing a song with strong rhythmic contrast.
 5. Write somewhere else. Get away from the keyboard or
guitar for a little while. Try writing a song in your head while you're working out at the
exercise club or chopping vegetables in the kitchen. Try writing in a different room.
 6. Take a few days off. Get together with some friends,
go see a movie or read a good book. Look through your old high school yearbook. You may be
emotionally spent and need to refuel. You can't drive a car forever without stopping to
fill up the tank once in a while. The same goes for your songwriting.
 7. Don't
worry about it. Don't spend too much time being frustrated or worrying
about that song you're still not finishing. The more you worry about it, the more you'll
continue to block your creative energy. Know that it will pass. It always does.
Hope to see you on the charts.
Danny
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