Relaxation with Music

Does songwriters block affect me? Yes, sometimes, but fortunately not for a long period of time. If I really get stuck it's just for an hour or a day.

I can also have writers block over one particular song, but then I start writing on something else and the inspiration miraculously comes back.

I spent a decent amount of time on lyrics to make it work. It can take a day, a few days or a week and it is only seldom that I finish a complete song in a hour or so. When it does happen it's mostly one of my better works.

Nice chord progressions, finger-pickings, cool licks and solos is the fun part. I can write music endlessly. Lyrics for me is the more difficult part and sometimes I can get stuck, but that is where the list comes in. This list definitely makes things go a lot smoother.

Put these 33 impeccable ways to the test yourself and experience the magic of inspiration:

1 - Ask why, how, when, where and who?

Ask yourself questions about the subject. If your song is about a suspicious old man then ask the questions: Where does he go? Where did he come from? Who is he? What is he going to do? Who are his friends? Does he have any? What are his interests? What are his dreams? Is he married? What is his history? Why does he act so strange? Ask as many questions as possible to come up with ideas.

2 - Put on some music.

Listen to music that fits the mood of the song you are about to write. It gets you into the vibe.

3 - Don't try to be a perfectionist.

Just write your story, lower your standards and adjust it later if you need to.

Knowing that you can always alter it afterwards will make you write more fluidly.

4 - Read.

Read books, blogs or magazines on the subject or topic you want to write about.

Expand your horizon.

5 - Take a cup of coffee or nice cappuccino.

Caffeine will wake you up and increases mental faculty.

6 - Establish a routine.

Write on a weekly or daily basis. Write consistently. With everything in life to get good at something you need to do it often. Practice makes perfect.

7 - Change your song structure.

Be controversial. Instead of writing a intro-verse-chorus-verse-chorus-bridge-chorus, try to do something like chorus-verse-chorus-solo-chorus or two long verses with a hidden chorus and a solo. Break out of your usual pattern.

8 - Get rid of distractions.

Find a quiet place where you can concentrate and be creative.

Turn off all your electronic devices ( Internet, mobile phone, Radio, TV, Telephone, etc )

9 - Set a deadline.

Push yourself to the limit in a healthy way. Tell yourself you have one hour to write lyrics and one hour to write the melody. This way you won't lose yourself in endless details or worrying about grammar.

10 - Get some fresh air.

Take a break for a while. Go outside and walk to the park or to the beach to bring back inspiration. It really helps.

11 - Listen.

Listen to people and inspiring stories. Have a conversation with friends, family or strangers. See what you can get out of it.

12 - Let go.

If you have a hard time finishing your song, put it away for a while and write something else. Create something totally different. This will help.

13 - Keep a notebook with you.

Keep a notebook with you everywhere you go and be aware that you have it with you. Your mind will overload with ideas. Life is full of stories everywhere you look around. Write down everything you can come up with. Even the silliest things.

14 - Eat or drink healthy.

Eat an apple, a banana or drink a glass of water to fresh up. Healthy foods will get you back in the saddle.

15 - Experiment.

Write about something you would never write about. Write in a different style then you would normally do. Write an instrumental piece, a song without a chorus, a really short or long song. Be bold.

16 - Work out.

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