What Most Songwriters Get Wrong About Writing Every Day – Quantity vs. Quality

Comments · 86

• TH

  @Thomas-y7u5b · 1 month ago

  The great classical guitarist, Andres Segovia, said that if he missed more than three days of practice in a row, when he got back to playing, he felt as if he were starting from scratch, again. (-:

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• IA

  @ianshortall3356 · 1 month ago

  I recently went back and listened to some of the first songs I wrote, and I have to smile—they’re pretty rough. At the time, I was convinced they were the best things I’d ever written. Looking back now, after writing around 500 songs over the past three years (all while working full-time in a completely different field), the difference is clear. Practice really does change everything.<br><br>One piece of advice I’d offer is this: stay closely connected to the current music in the genre you’re writing for. Listen carefully to what’s being said, the themes that are resonating, and the kinds of titles that are landing. That awareness helps you in two valuable ways—you can either write in a way that feels natural and current within the style, or you can deliberately step outside of it and offer something fresh that stands out.

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• KJ

  @kjsummerville8791 · 1 month ago

  As with any creative work, the more one does it the better one can be.

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• BR

  @brucevierck4400 · 1 month ago

  Thanks, gents. I appreciate your reference to Leonard Cohen. I tend to write…and re-write…and re-write the same songs. I’m glad to hear those hours “count”. Still have a long way to go before reaching 10,000 hours. &nbsp;And to be clear, I know I ain’t no Leonard Cohen.

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• JO

  @johnfanuko6008 · 1 month ago

  I&apos;m amazed how much just a couple of months as a SongTown member, with the uptick in writing and learning skills regularly, has spurred my creativity. Melodies come quicker and I more easily come up with directions out of my comfort zone. Some good, lots mediocre, but all giving me more to work with. I think writing regularly activates and works creative muscles that become stronger each day. (Same holds true for authors.)

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• KJ

  @kjsummerville8791 · 1 month ago

  May I suggest what I call “ The Beatles Way”. They first learned hundreds if not thousands of songs by their favorite artists. Then they became one of the great songwriting teams with all that information.

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• HA

  @HarryH-777 · 1 month ago

  Just to say, how I go about writing songs, and that is to note down lyrics, verses and several choruses. Then when I get an idea for a new song I will have some material to draw from if needed. Of course I can force a song, but it is never feels as good as the ones that come to me more naturally. In my opinion! Thank you guys.

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• JO

  @johnsiekrause4109 · 1 month ago

  Thank you guys

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• 1C

  @1camjam · 1 month ago

  I feel, sometimes I draw from the well and sometimes I fill the well.

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• SO

  @SongTownUSA · 1 month ago

  🔴Join us for the 12th Annual SongTown Creative Xperience LIVE in Nashville Oct 16th! ➡ <a href="https://songtown.com/birthday-bash-creative-xperience/">https://songtown.com/birthday-bash-creative-xperience/</a>

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• DY

  @dylangeiger454 · 1 month ago

  I’ve been in a rut of creating melodies but going to keep pushing through

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• CH

  @christianhardtofind6349 · 1 month ago

  Couldn&apos;t agree more! I&apos;ve made it my goal to write a song every day this year! While there are some days I&apos;ve been unable to finish one, I&apos;ve definitely seen the most value in the consistency of putting in the effort. Believe me, I write plenty of bad songs, but the intentionality of continuing to push through those and get some good ones is worth the effort, especially if paired with getting feedback and sharpening your craft in the process!

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