Songwriting is an art learned best by doing – writing songs frequently is one of the best ways to improve your craft. However, today, we’re focusing on fun exercises for songwriters that don’t involve actually writing a song. Yes, you read that right! So put away your guitar or close that DAW (just for a little bit) and get ready to get your creative fix in some unexpected ways.
1. “The Warm-Up Exercise”
Do a series of vocal and physical warm-up exercises to get your body and voice ready for songwriting. You can try singing scales, doing vocal exercises, or stretching your muscles to get your creative juices flowing. Even if you’re not a singer, using your voice can help you discover melodies and feel the music in your body in a whole new way.
2. “The Listening Exercise”
Choose a playlist of songs and listen to them with the intention of analyzing their structure, lyrics, and other musical elements. Take notes on what you like about each song and what you think makes it effective.
3. “The Journaling Exercise”
Spend some time writing in a journal about your thoughts, feelings, and experiences. You can use your journaling as raw material for your songwriting or as a way to clear your mind and get ready to write.
4. “The Brainstorming Exercise”
Gather a group of friends or fellow musicians and spend some time brainstorming ideas for songs. You can either choose a specific theme or just let your ideas flow freely.
5. “The Drawing Exercise”
Spend some time drawing or doodling as a way to spark creativity and find new ideas for songs. You can use your drawings as raw material for your songwriting or as a way to get your creative juices flowing.
So there you have it – five fun exercises for songwriters to get your songwriting juices flowing without actually having to write a song. Whether you’re feeling uninspired, stuck in a creative rut, or just need a change of pace, these exercises can help you find new inspiration and get your creative process going. So next time you’re feeling stuck, try one of these exercises and see where it takes you. Happy songwriting!
