Funny how ya can be writing and in it every day and still be in a 'rut'. Love how small changes or challenges can spirit the process and prevent or jump out of the 'rut'.
I've done the "trick" of writing new lyrics to an existing melody and then coming up with a new melody. I hadn't heard of that from anyone else, I just figured it was a way I could start until I learned how to do it "right." It was reassuring to hear one of my tactics legitimized by the pros here. 😀
Way to go guys! Another good vid. Since Paul already mentioned a tip number 11, I will chime in with tip number 12: take advantage of your hangovers if you happen to drink, because often words will tumble out that you don't expect.
Something that helps me if I'm having trouble starting a song (or if I'm just feeling uninspired) is using a random number generator online. I set it 1-12 to get the key. 1-2 for major or minor. 1-6 four times to get four chords I must use in the song (representing I, ii, iii, IV, V, vi) 60-180 for the tempo. 90 minutes max for the session. It changes my mindset from "what should I write about?" to "what can I create with what I've got here?". This allows me more brain capacity to focus on lyrics, story, melody, etc. I've written some of my best ones using this method. But I would have to say that Tip 11 would ultimately be to just watch SongTown videos! 😎 Appreciate you guys as always!!!
thanks guys - appreciate the time you put in here. Good takeaways every video. Question: I wrote a song for one of the top performers a while ago - if I get it to them, but they are not interested what do I do next - bring the rough demo to one of the Nashville publishers? Q#2 What if the top performer likes it? I have no representation and zero experience in the business. Step one....etc. Thanks.
Great questions. There's too much to unpack for a quick reply on TH-cam. If you're really interested in learning the business and getting your songs heard, I'd check out SongTown.com. It's a complete training ground for songwriters. With a program like our edge groups you can work monthly with top publishers to target write for artists. Of course your writing needs to be there first. And we can help with that if needed. Cheers, CM
@@SongTownUSA I am a businessman - I decided at 18 I was not dedicated and focused enough to make it my career so it became my life-long hobby/meditation etc - I am a Senior now - for the last 50+ years I play guitar every day, write my own music and lyrics. I have 3 careers under my belt and recently one online business so I can travel and work. So I am not really a candidate for courses and methodology - just looking to get my music heard, like most people. I don't have a big ego, am very good with people of all walks of life (CEO's to street people) regardless of education, I can usually find common ground that is relatable and thus buildable. I am not against cooperative writing even though I have always written alone. I have a few professional musician friends who tell me to publish my songs....they think they are very good.
As in Business, it's about connections. Songwriters get connections by being good writers and spreading the word. Cowriting helps. And making industry connections. SongTown helps our members with all of that. Cheers, CM
Good stuff! I've found switching instruments is a big help for sure. What do you think about reading? All kinds of things from headlines, to tech updates, to novels, poetry, biographies, just reading, dip into things outside your normal genre - even bad writing. The same for movies - I get different kinds of ideas when I watch a film that's not one of my usual kickback and relax films. I hear different music in them, too.
All great points and especially listening outside your genre! Helps you to bring a fresh perspective to your writing. Books give you a gold mine for lyrical vocabulary and ideas. Write on! CM
vocabulary is important - reading gives you the ability to have a forest of trees to choose from when you are looking for firewood. Last year I read 263 books. 1 per day - 250-325 pgs - 6 hrs usually per.
@ total agreement on that. Vocabulary, phrasing, ideas - I am not consuming books at your level, but I get in long articles along with a few books a week either reading or via audio. I think hearing the words sometimes impacts me more when it comes to ideas for my own writing.
I grabbed a friend’s baritone uke (that was tuned crazy) and played something usual to my fingers for guitar and a really cool riff came out. Now it’s a song. Also, DADGAD is very inspiring to me as well.
Ive been writing songs for about 25 years but i have never attempted to enter The Industry. I dont even know how one would take the first step towards that. Is there a physical location i would need to go to, or a kind of person i would need to contact? How does one get a publisher?
Bernie Taupin wrote the lyrics then sent the tapes to Elton who then wrote the music.The 1991 film documentary Two Rooms described the John/Taupin writing style, which involves Taupin writing the lyrics on his own and John then putting them to music, with no further interaction between the two. The process is still fundamentally the same, with John composing to Taupin's words, but the two interact on songs far more today, with Taupin joining John in the studio as the songs are written and occasionally during recording sessions.
![Chris Langan - The Interview THEY Didn't Want You To See - CTMU [Full Version; Timestamps]](/img/n.gif)
My favorite was 5 things you really wanna say to someone. You guys are awesome. Thanks for another great video!
Thanks a killer approach to coming up with song ideas from the heart! CM
I would love to do more co-writing. That's something, I would like to work on in 2025! Thank you, guys! Cheers from Germany!
Our pleasure! Many of our members zoom write which can make it easier these days for sure. CM
Funny how ya can be writing and in it every day and still be in a 'rut'. Love how small changes or challenges can spirit the process and prevent or jump out of the 'rut'.
I've done the "trick" of writing new lyrics to an existing melody and then coming up with a new melody. I hadn't heard of that from anyone else, I just figured it was a way I could start until I learned how to do it "right." It was reassuring to hear one of my tactics legitimized by the pros here. 😀
Way to go guys! Another good vid. Since Paul already mentioned a tip number 11, I will chime in with tip number 12: take advantage of your hangovers if you happen to drink, because often words will tumble out that you don't expect.
Ha! That;s going the extra mile for your art! lol
Something that helps me if I'm having trouble starting a song (or if I'm just feeling uninspired) is using a random number generator online.
I set it 1-12 to get the key.
1-2 for major or minor.
1-6 four times to get four chords I must use in the song (representing I, ii, iii, IV, V, vi)
60-180 for the tempo.
90 minutes max for the session.
It changes my mindset from "what should I write about?" to "what can I create with what I've got here?".
This allows me more brain capacity to focus on lyrics, story, melody, etc. I've written some of my best ones using this method.
But I would have to say that Tip 11 would ultimately be to just watch SongTown videos! 😎
Appreciate you guys as always!!!
You're welcome. Write on! CM
thanks guys - appreciate the time you put in here. Good takeaways every video.
Question: I wrote a song for one of the top performers a while ago - if I get it to them, but they are not interested what do I do next - bring the rough demo to one of the Nashville publishers? Q#2 What if the top performer likes it? I have no representation and zero experience in the business. Step one....etc. Thanks.
Great questions. There's too much to unpack for a quick reply on TH-cam. If you're really interested in learning the business and getting your songs heard, I'd check out SongTown.com. It's a complete training ground for songwriters. With a program like our edge groups you can work monthly with top publishers to target write for artists. Of course your writing needs to be there first. And we can help with that if needed. Cheers, CM
@@SongTownUSA I am a businessman - I decided at 18 I was not dedicated and focused enough to make it my career so it became my life-long hobby/meditation etc - I am a Senior now - for the last 50+ years I play guitar every day, write my own music and lyrics. I have 3 careers under my belt and recently one online business so I can travel and work. So I am not really a candidate for courses and methodology - just looking to get my music heard, like most people. I don't have a big ego, am very good with people of all walks of life (CEO's to street people) regardless of education, I can usually find common ground that is relatable and thus buildable. I am not against cooperative writing even though I have always written alone. I have a few professional musician friends who tell me to publish my songs....they think they are very good.
As in Business, it's about connections. Songwriters get connections by being good writers and spreading the word. Cowriting helps. And making industry connections. SongTown helps our members with all of that. Cheers, CM
Perfect advice, I've been going through a transformation and re writing period. You guys are amazing helpful. Thank you!
So glad to hear it! Write on! CM
Good stuff!
I've found switching instruments is a big help for sure.
What do you think about reading? All kinds of things from headlines, to tech updates, to novels, poetry, biographies, just reading, dip into things outside your normal genre - even bad writing.
The same for movies - I get different kinds of ideas when I watch a film that's not one of my usual kickback and relax films. I hear different music in them, too.
All great points and especially listening outside your genre! Helps you to bring a fresh perspective to your writing. Books give you a gold mine for lyrical vocabulary and ideas. Write on! CM
vocabulary is important - reading gives you the ability to have a forest of trees to choose from when you are looking for firewood. Last year I read 263 books. 1 per day - 250-325 pgs - 6 hrs usually per.
@ total agreement on that. Vocabulary, phrasing, ideas - I am not consuming books at your level, but I get in long articles along with a few books a week either reading or via audio. I think hearing the words sometimes impacts me more when it comes to ideas for my own writing.
Fabulous session guys! Thank you for all you do!❤❤❤❤❤
Our pleasure! 🙏
best channel on youtube
Awww thank you 🙏
I grabbed a friend’s baritone uke (that was tuned crazy) and played something usual to my fingers for guitar and a really cool riff came out. Now it’s a song. Also, DADGAD is very inspiring to me as well.
Write on! CM
Thank you ❤
Awesome, thank you!
You're welcome! Write on! CM
Great stuff, as usual
Really appreciat you guys! Thanks!
You're welcome! 🙏Write on! CM
Ive been writing songs for about 25 years but i have never attempted to enter The Industry. I dont even know how one would take the first step towards that. Is there a physical location i would need to go to, or a kind of person i would need to contact? How does one get a publisher?
Co-writing is great for everyone who is not Billy Joel or Freddie Mercury.
John Lennon and Paul McCartney could write solo just fine....but they really put out songs/volume together.
Bernie Taupin wrote the lyrics then sent the tapes to Elton who then wrote the music.The 1991 film documentary Two Rooms described the John/Taupin writing style, which involves Taupin writing the lyrics on his own and John then putting them to music, with no further interaction between the two. The process is still fundamentally the same, with John composing to Taupin's words, but the two interact on songs far more today, with Taupin joining John in the studio as the songs are written and occasionally during recording sessions.