Are you a new songwriter looking to get your creative juices flowing, or an experienced songwriter looking to break out of a writing rut? Either way, there are several exercises you can do to get your songwriting flow going. Here are five exercises that can help you tap into your creativity and start writing great songs.
1. Free writing
One of the easiest and most effective ways to get your songwriting flow going is to simply start writing. Set a timer for 10-15 minutes and write down anything that comes to mind. Don’t worry about grammar, punctuation, or whether or not what you’re writing makes sense. Just let your thoughts flow onto the page. You’ll be surprised at how much you can come up with when you let your mind wander.
2. Word association
This exercise can help you come up with new and interesting lyrics. Take a word, phrase, or idea that you want to write about, and write down as many words as you can think of that are associated with it. This can help you find new and unexpected connections between words and ideas that can lead to new and interesting songs.
3. Chord progression experimentation
If you’re struggling to come up with a melody or chord progression, try experimenting with different combinations of chords. Start with a basic progression and change up one or two chords, or try adding a new chord to the progression. Experimenting with different chord progressions can help you come up with something new and exciting.
4. Writing prompts
Sometimes, all it takes is a little push to get your songwriting flow going. Writing prompts can be a great way to generate ideas for songs. You can find writing prompts online, or make your own. For example, you can take a sentence from a book or movie, and use it as a starting point for a song.
5. Collaboration
Collaborating with other songwriters can be a great way to get your songwriting flow going. Not only can you bounce ideas off of each other, but you can also learn new techniques and approaches to songwriting. Even if you’re not in the same room, you can collaborate with other songwriters online.
In conclusion, songwriting is a creative process and there is no right or wrong way to do it. The exercises mentioned above can help you tap into your creativity and start writing great songs. Remember, don’t be afraid to experiment and try new things. Keep writing, experimenting and most importantly have fun with it. Creating music is not about a specific formula or recipe, it’s about experimenting, trying new things and having fun with the process. Happy songwriting!
