Depending on how you’ve started your songwriting process you may at this point have a tune, melody, singing line or even a complete chorus or verse worked out. So your masterpiece is now beginning to take some shape:) The next thing to turn your attention to are the song lyrics and title. Something catchy and singable. So you get yourself settled down with a brand new writing pad and new pen and your all set to fashion a classic song! Well the hardest bit is surely in the bag isn’t it? Getting that tune sounding good was tough and now the lyrics will just write themselves…won’t they? So first thing is getting a theme and then scribble out those lyrics. And as the minutes and hours pass by and you stare blankly into space you begin to realise that lyric writing isn’t quite as easy as you thought. Better get another drink!
So the next drink goes down, the pen gets another chew, more staring into space and still nothing to show. “OK, maybe I’m just not in lyric mode today after all” you think to yourself. “I’ll try again tomorrow.” We’ve all been there and this is generally what’s known as writers block. I once went a whole 2 week vacation with writers block. Got through plenty of coffee in those couple of weeks:)
So how to get beyond it. Well, some people would say that you cannot be taught to write songs and lyrics. I don’t agree however because I’ve ‘learned’ how to do it and I very rarely become stuck for words anymore. That’s not to say that some people find it easier than others. Like any create process, some people do simply have a talent for it, but if you stick to certain techniques, and practice your lyric writing then it does get easier.
So here are just a few simple tips that should get you scribbling in no time:
*It’s important to give a simple message and try to write lyrics that people can identify with.* *cliches should be avoided or rewritten into your own words* *Although certain lines should rhyme they shouldn’t be forced as this could affect the singability of the song* *writing a story in the past tense is the easiest method so you could write about something that has already happened* *Writing about a present day theme is also a good thing to work on. Consider writing about something that is happening to you, a friend or a family member right now* *writing a song about a future happening is also a popular technique. Perhaps if you won money, or if your partner had an affair with a friend. Write about how this might affect your life*
Use these simple ideas to try and beat songwriters block.
Do you want to find out much more about songwriting on guitar then visit songwriting4guitar.com, Beginners Songwriting, and LearnSongwriting On Guitar Don’t reprint this exact article. Instead, reprint a free unique content version of this same article.
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