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Songwriting Guides Staying on track
Having a routine
In a business where you are constantly relying on your own initiative to come up with songs, it can be difficult to focus when there isn't a routine being imposed on you by a company, a school or a college. Some writers clearly have an organic approach to songwriting that works for them, allowing ideas to come to them whenever and wherever and working on them as they appear, others will have a definite routine.
What is interesting about writing songs is that progress can actually be made in quite a short time. Lots of creative activity happens in short bursts, whether it is painting, writing fiction or music. That being the case, it's best to try to have a short time set aside for writing rather than whole days.
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You could explore renting an office space with other songwriters.
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Clearly the lack of an imposed structure could be problematic for those who lack self-discipline. It is all too easy to go back to the fridge, watch another music video or play that CD again.
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Try to section off time during the week or the day where you can just sit and write.
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Knowing you have one hour to work on a song can be more productive more than knowing you have one day.
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If you can't discipline yourself, find a writing partner or two.
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Create a space that is for your work - it can be at home (home studio/back bedroom/a corner of your flat), or you could rent a studio or a small office. You could even explore renting a place with other songwriters, then work it out like a timeshare and get an allotted amount of time every week.
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If you can't work in a routine way, always have notebook handy and carry a small voice recording machine with you. They can be very cheap to buy and it means you will never lose your ideas. You can then work on them when you want to.
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Songwriting Guides
Writing a Song
Performing
Working with Other Writers
In the Studio
Publishers
Record Companies
Management
Staying on Track
Having a Routine
Confidence Tricks
Keeping Faith in Yourself
Rejection
Creative Block
The Long View
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ÌýThe Songwriting Game |
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Pick a chord
Play with chords and find out what kind of songwriter you are with the Songwriting Game.
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ÌýDON'T MISS |
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Doves Special guests on Dermot's show this week
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