a flaw in a song should not threaten your self-worth
collaboration leads to self-discovery
seduce all of the listener’s senses whenever possible
if it feels unsettling and too revealing, you’re on the right track
experience, practice, and knowledge instill confidence
your own best effort is the least you should expect from yourself (also the most)
don’t be afraid to write simply
imperfections can be charming
when you learn something new about the craft, put it into practice right away
small, sustainable efforts quickly accumulate
writing songs for a receptive audience is highly motivating
dividing a song into sections is very helpful to the songwriter
transitions are just as important as sections
disorganization is self-sabotage
prewriting is crucial; return to the planning stage whenever necessary
don’t be afraid to strip away everything that isn’t working
hardly anyone can see her own work’s true flaws and merits
flinch, be afraid when appropriate, but continue anyway
value your listener’s time
it’s ultimately faster if you take time to master the fundamentals
isolate each songwriting technique for individual examination
insulate yourself from distraction
intentionally lengthen your attention span
look for patterns in your own work and throw a wrench into them
make long lists of ideas to dig beyond the obvious choices
performing passionately feels like a risk but it is far safer than the alternative
finish the songs you start
historically there have always been poets, composers, and bards
under deadlines we perform better and faster than we thought possible
create your own deadlines when necessary
subtle song ideas are everywhere—sensitize yourself to them
listen deeply
the songwriter is a playwright and a character actor
when “uninspired,” study the craft and practice
subtraction is creative too
write honestly enough to alienate some of your audience
write your own etudes, musical and lyrical
you can’t really hear yourself while you’re performing
awards and victories feel good for about 10 minutes apiece
language itself is musical
nobody owes you their attention
clear goals will strengthen your will
even Everest is climbed one step at a time
notation allows you to rewrite a melody just as you might rewrite a lyric
your favorite works may not be the ones your audience likes best
write boldly, make a daring mess, then revise
don’t be afraid of hard work
love the process, and you will never be disappointed
Good stuff – you need to number them to aid commenting. Number 4 has been very important in last years writing for me
That’s been an important one for me too, Matt. Also applies of course to stage fright and other things that hold people back. I still have trouble singing my own songs in front of live audiences, so that’s a fear I need to push through quickly.
Lovely! You could transpose all these thoughts to writing anything (said the neophyte content blogger who wishes she were a better poet). Keep cross-pollenating creative connection!
Writing great content shares a lot of common ground with poetry. Thanks for stopping by, Doc!