Welcome to the Songwriting Exercise of the Week – the Personal History Exercise. This exercise is all about exploring your own personal history and using it as inspiration for your music. Your personal history is full of stories, memories, and experiences that are unique to you, and by tapping into these, you can create music that is deeply personal and meaningful. Here’s how it works:
Start by thinking about a specific moment or event from your personal history that you feel you could explore in your music. This could be a happy memory, a difficult experience, or something else entirely. The key is to choose something that resonates with you and that you feel you could write about.
Once you have chosen a moment or event, start brainstorming ways to express it in your music. You might use words, melodies, chord progressions, or any other musical element to convey the emotion. The key is to be creative and see what ideas emerge.
Try writing a verse or chorus that explores the moment or event you have chosen. Start by writing down a list of words and phrases that come to mind when you think about the moment or event. Then, see how you can use those words and phrases to create a verse or chorus that speaks to the emotion.
Don’t be afraid to be authentic and vulnerable in this exercise. Your personal history is full of complex and nuanced stories, and it’s okay to share them in your music. The key is, to be honest and genuine and to let the emotion guide you.
Once you have a verse or chorus that you’re happy with, try expanding it into a full song. You might want to use the moment or event as a theme for the entire song, or you might use it as a starting point and see where it takes you. The key is to be open to the possibilities and see what works best for you.
Overall, the Personal History Exercise is a powerful way to tap into your own unique experiences and create music that is deeply personal and meaningful. Whether you’re exploring happy memories or difficult experiences, you can use this exercise to create songs that speak to the heart. So go ahead and give it a try – you might be surprised at the insights and inspiration that emerge when you explore your personal history through music. Happy songwriting!
