Songwriting Habits

There are some songwriting habits that most successful professionals apply. Sometimes these are not even habits, rather principles. Sometimes they are "principles about habits". Alright, let's start because I don't make sense anymore.

Making Yourself Write


You daydream about songwriting… imagine accepting all those Grammies… opening the mail and finding a million-dollar royalty check in it… Does this sound familiar? It's all achievable. But there is an important songwriting habit to apply first. Write songs!

If you are like most songwriters, sometimes (or most often) it's difficult to make yourself sit down and just write. There can be several reasons for this.

• It's hard-work.
• You're worried it's not going to be a hit.
• People around disturb you.
• You don't feel inspired.

And the list goes on. You can always find an excuse for not writing. But unless you make yourself write songs almost every day, you'll never get where you want to be.

Self-discipline is one of the most treasured songwriting habits. Without it, you don't stand a chance.

What can you do? Just sit down. Promise yourself that it will only be one minute, you just come up with a title. Next day, you come up with a line from the chorus… and so on. If you break it down to little steps, it seems much easier. And most often, if you sit down and do it for a couple of minutes, you'll want to continue. Because the ideas start coming and they just won't stop. And even if you write a song by coming up with one little section every day, it's still better than not writing at all.

It's Blood, Sweat and Tears and Amazing

I don't think there is a songwriter for whom it's "easy". Many of them say that they LOVE writing but they never say it's an easy job.

If you've written a couple of songs, you know that it isn't only "not easy" but can be incredibly difficult at times. Even if you manage to get yourself to write, you face all these problems. There isn't a proper rhyme for this word. I can't make up a chord progression that sounds "special". Everything I write sounds cliche…


Don't kid yourself. Although when you become a seasoned songwriter, it does become easier but never easy. But that's partly what makes this art-form so special. There is this incredible feeling of accomplishment and pride when you listen to the finished product. It's a little like a baby of yours. You sometimes ask yourself: did I really write this amazing stuff? While you are working on it, it's sometimes doesn't seem so amazing…

Appreciation Makes It All Worth It


Wait until you first hear your song on the radio. It's an incredible feeling. And when people write to you and tell you how much strength you gave them or how hard they were laughing when listening to your song… that's what makes it all worthwhile.


Daily Routine vs. Songwriting Habits


A consistent daily routine is one of the most powerful songwriting habits. What professional songwriters do is they set a couple of hours each day when they work. And that's all they do in that time period. No phone. No friends. No children. No TV. No internet. No games. Just songwriting.


If you can't write every day, choose a day or two when you know you'll have more free time.


If you don't decide in advance when you'd like to write, you'll always say I'll write a song tomorrow. And when tomorrow comes, you just can't find the time. There's always something more urgent to do. But no problem, you can make up for this next day. And you never do. Then you start feeling more and more guilt. Believe me, you don't want to go there. So set a time-period (for each day if possible) to make it work! You'll be glad you did.




Writer's Block


Have you ever been sitting in front of the computer (or paper) and feel like nothing comes to mind no matter how hard you tried? This is called a writer's block, my friend. Sometimes it lasts a minute, sometimes years. Luckily, there are ways to overcome this.


You could try all the songwriting habits on this page. If none of them works, just sit down and start writing. It doesn't matter what. It can be about your children, your dog, the trash, etc. You should do it in a stream of consciousness style. Don't stop to think, just keep writing. And before you know it, you'll come up with some phrases, topics or other kinds of ideas for your song. Just don't force it.

If you feel that it's difficult to get yourself to write, you could also read The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron. It's an amazing book about the artist's life and how to spark your creativity. You'll learn how to overcome creative difficulties and enjoy yourself all the way. Since I read this book, I bought all the other ones by Julia Cameron. I've picked up several great ideas and methods regarding staying creative.One more thing. If you can get yourself to work on your songs a little every day, you won't even get familiar with the idea of writer's block. If you write ever day, it feels much easier and more natural than if you do it only once a week or even less often. Think of working out in the gym. Doesn't it get easier after a couple of weeks if you do it every day? You even miss it when you can't do it for some reason.

Trying On Different Habits


Don't just choose one of the songwriting habits on this page. If you want to be as productive as possible, try on all of them and see which ones fit your life-style. You may be surprised to know that those songwriting habits that seem to be the least meaningful are usually the best ones in your case.


Songwriting Time & Positions


Where do you usually write songs? In what position? Changing this habit can sparkle your creativity.


• If you usually write sitting down, try standing up. You can even try walking while you're writing.
• If you usually write in front of the piano, try using an iPod piano app or any other instrument.
• If you usually write in the morning, try writing in the afternoon or in the evening.


This can seem like small stuff but changing these songwriting habits can be powerful. Any change can bring things out of you that you have never imagined before. You never know…


Getting Into the Mood


Please, don't wait for the songwriter's muse to come to you! It very rarely does. Especially while you're watching TV, eating or just sitting on the couch.
To consciously "invite the muse" there is only one thing you can do. Start working! I swear it works. Every time. Inspiration comes while you are working and not at the beginning. If you're waiting around for great ideas, you'll finish very few songs in your life.


Write even if you're not in the mood. Sometimes that's the best time to bring out your deepest thoughts and emotions that your future listeners will really appreciate!


More information about How To Write A Song