Here are some helpful advice from friendly web-surfers. If you want to add your own comments, please email me at wisdom@lyricist.com

I'd like to collect and post on this site a collage of thoughts/ideas/hints on any aspect of songwriting. It can be any length, in any style. I'm very interested in what you have to say about the art, science, and process of songwriting, especially since it's a different experience for everyone.

Here's a couple of questions to get you started [suggested by songwriter Suzanne Jackson]: "What do you do to overcome writer's block?" "Where do your ideas come from?" Or you can make up your own questions and answer them instead. It doesn't matter - I expect you are a creative person anyway. :-)

- Jeff

Hi, I thought I'd just pop in and share what I heard Alanis Morrisette say in a recent television interview when asked about writer's block: "I don't believe in writer's block. I believe writer's block is pressure, and not being in an environment in which I feel safe, or not giving myself the freedom to be able have periods where I'm not forced to write. So if whenever I'm trying to force myself to write during a period when it would be best for me to be rejuvenating, that's what writer's block means to me."

- Jeff Mallett

Hi, I just stumbled onto your web site for the first time and thought I would offer some tips. I use these to help myself through the songwriting process...

Q. What to do to overcome writers block...
A. When you're stuck, you're distracted so, take a break. When the frustration subsides, learn a couple of new tunes by listening to the radio or a new CD. You'll get some ideas on chord changes, phrasing, etc. You will feel inspired again before you know it. No copying though.

Q. Looking for just the right word or meaning?
A. Go to http://thesaurus.com. This is a tremendous source for finding new ways of expressing your thoughts.

Final thought... If you're inspired by a melody, rhythm or cord change...record it, save it, write it down!
Regards,

- Trey Ackerman

Greetings! Now, I will be the first person to tell you that I am NOT God's gift to songwriting. But the thing that I believe helps me is emotion. Some of my best songs have been written when I was feeling very sad or very happy. Write what you know, but also write what you FEEL. That is the only way in my opinion to get songs with true feeling and not just words that happen to rhyme set to music. GOOD LUCK

- Isaac

Hey, awesome site!

Thanx everyone for great advice in writing music. Writing music is so cool! I love writing music, but my lyrics aren't always the best I know I can do. Computers are so great! It's easier for me to write lyrics on the computer than on a piece of paper with pencil. When you have pure inspiration it's easier to write music and you might get more lyrics in one go before your creative juices run out.
Gotta go! Hope that someone actually gets something out of my very poor advice. Might wanna use a rhyming dictionary when you're writing music.It's TONZ of help.

- Jennifer Vance, Utah

I am not trying to sound disrespectful but if you were really in a position to write about songwriting,then would you surely not be selling records and letting the world hear your music? You need to get out there and just f***ing do it as Lennon would say. Music should always come from the soul - it should be about you and your beliefs and you should tell the wole world about it. If you love somebody then tell the whole world or if you believe in peace then do what Lennon did. Don't get to the age of sixty or so and have regrets about what you could have done and wondering why the hell you have been playing your own songs to yourselves all your lives. You can't write good songs out of boredom as the first entry claimed, you have to write them out of passion. I can hear you all asking "who the hell is this to be saying all this to me?". Well I will tell you I am a seventeen year old but get used to my name because I am going to be the biggest musician the world has seen scorn now blush later.Wait for the song SORT YOURSLEF and you will know then that this prophecy has been fulfilled.

So,brothers and sisters, Stand up for what is right for you - your loves, your pain and suffering, peace hope happiness your music and most of all your music.
Remember me - see you at the toppermost. Love and Hope from

- James Leatherbarrow-Peake

I am only 15 but am already writing songs and getting them done at recording studios. I also sing them. I think that the easiest way to write a song is to sit down and just write it. The best time to do this is when you are bored or have nothing on your mind. Some people, think that it is best to write a song when you are feeling a deep emotion. You can get your feelings out that way and you are most creative. I have tried this numerous times and it sounds really great at the time I am writing it. When I am done, however, the song looks corny and stupid. I hope I have helped someone out there.

- Katy, 15, California

Hi budding songwriters.

I know we all have different styles of music and different ways of writing songs but here's what has inspired me most........SHAKESPEARE. This guy created some of the greatest metaphors, similes and moving imagery known to man. His written work is second to none and can easily be adapterd to fit songs. Don't copy other people's lines, but you can strongly adjust them or take ideas from them to fit your songs with ease.

- Danny Thomas, Liverpool, England

Hello. I have found that learning some new chords, chord structure variation, or learning some new interesting musical technique on my instrument, has always help me come up with a nice new melody......and as I play the new melody it evolves into a better new melody. Then I record it on my miniature casette, so as not to lose the melody. This is very important, as those nice new melodies you worked on till 3AM get lost after you hit the sack and then try it again at 10AM or later......I've lost many good ones, thus the mini cassette recorder. If you capture a cool line save it on the recorder, so later you can find the right place for it in your song......it will help you from having to use up your creative juices to find previously created material.......Songwriters are artists and sometimes get a little whimsical or spiritual about songwriting, but if one will impliment some practical old fashion work ethics to your craft you will find your much more productive. Go talk to any aged successful canvas painter and you will find he/she treats her art as work/job.......and it is.......Genius is 95% perspiration, and 5% inspiration.........Once back in the 1700's when a famous poet named Tennison was approached by a woman praising his works and one line in particularly, as though it all must have flowed from him like streams of flowing water so easily, he remarked to her....."My dear lady you have no idea what you say, why that 5 word line in which you are so enamored over took me 17 pipe fulls of tobacco to work out"..........work ethic------>Basically this is the method that I have used to work out the lyrics for my songs. Yes, the first cool sounding lines initially come fairly flowing at first, (when after time of searching for what the melody conjures up in my "feel-ees"), but the many other nessassary lines/versus have to be worked out to fit in right.........Learn new things, read old stories, try new styles of playing, try new stuff...........use a thesarus, use writers tools.......successful songwriter/composers/artists are practical...........Take some of your old songs from the past and rework them. Your early work may have had some great ideas but lacked what your present knowledge could offer it.......Many of the great masters composed and reworked the songs over and over, and sometimes even successful songs years later.......One of the best things to help any song writer is to master his instrument, and always study to become a more knowledgible and skilled musician.......not nessassarily a preformer.......Another little suggestion for those with writers block. Play/write in more than one or two different keys, or use a capo.....using the new chords or new technique you've learned.......A good song is a good song all by itself....if it does not seem marketable who cares, if its good. If its good then its good and there will be an audience that will like it....Another tidbit. If you can join in at a local songwiters guild for play & critique sessions, you will be able to have like minded folks give you critique and suggestions on your different songs. Its nice to have someone outside your own fish bowl looking in, as we can't always here ourselves like an audience would. I've had many excellent suggestions that really helped.....Tidbit 3: Try odd sounds you don't really like, this has helped jog me into some pretty cool songs that I did like. Pick something really unpleasant and make yourself come up with something unique to you, and don't stop till you do, this is fun and often productive as it stretches your brains elastic.........Lastly, beautiful melodies......make your songs have beautiful melodies....everything else is secondary.

Me? I've played with my various songs along time. Played for some audiences that loved my music and some that ignored me fairly completely......Have played in places from the Hoopa Indian Reservation in N.Calif', to the Santa Cruz Mountains to Catalina Island to Ciscos in SLO Town......Have a few songs out there, that were sung by some folks along time ago, nothing too big though. Am writing more than ever today hillbilly story songs. I'd like to write a great Hymn someday, such as A Mighty Fortress by Martin Luther.

- David Mann

Wow I really cant believe Im about to give some advice, when Im the one that is really in need of advice. After reading many of these entries Ive realised that the songwritting process is pretty much the same for everyone and different at the same time, how that is, I cant really explain. That would be like trying to explain were the songs come from, I dont know Im just thankfull to God that he gave me this gift.

Well first of all I never was a fanatic of music, I dont even know the first thing about reading or writting music, and I dont play any
instruments. Another thing as a kid(now im 23), I always hated it when my dad would turn his music on, and now I love his taste in music. I got turned on to music way too late if you ask me. Back to my point, why I ever recieved this gift I dont know either, It just happened one day, its that simple. At first I really thought I was going insane, schizophrenia or something, the music was coming in loud and clear and only I could hear it. You all hear the music too, dont you? I would seriously ask those around me if they could hear it too, but they always said no. So after a while I learned to keep this to myself, before they ever decided to lock me up or something. In a way I felt kind of greedy not to share this music with anyone, cause Im telling you when it plays in my head, its a grand experience that I always yearn for it to come back. Well back to the beggining, at first I could not put this stuff down on paper, or any kind of means of recording. I just heard all this grand music with distinct voices singing along to it, and I couldnt do anything about it, kind of like when you wake up and cant recall any details of that wild dream you just had. But after a long time I was finally able to recall some bits and pieces of these experiences, these experiences are very euphoric and transient when they come. I dont do drugs by the way, although Im very tempted to sometimes. Eventually Ive gotten better at remembering the material, Im really able to get main melody and main verse to all my songs, its just that its seems like an impossible task to ever finish these songs, remember I dont play any musical instruments. Best I can do is record myself humming on a tape recorder.

And that is basiclly were im at right now. I frequently sing portions of my songs to friends and family, and every once in a while Ill catch them singing or humming my songs. That right there is a wonderfull feeling of accomplishment in itself, but I know that I can still step it up a notch.

Well here are the few tips that I can give, anybody wanna trade?

1.Here is how i do it, no Im not crazy. When you are about to fall asleep, and you hear that little ring tone in your ear, you know that little beeeep. What I do is just concentrate only on that beep until it is all that I can hear, and soon enough before I know it, the music is on. Its like tuning into a radio station at first, it comes on full blast and it fades, and even static comes on, but if you concentrate long enough youll get it. Just like I said, its like being in a trance.

2.Then there are other times when all that I can think, write, or speak, is a rhymes, creepy. Not so creepy, this is when I come up with my best lyrics, even for melodies that I thought I would never ever write lyrics to.

3.Everybody tells me that I should write down my lyrics. I just dont feel good about that, as soon as I write down the lyrics I forget the melody, so all Im left with is a poem, most song lyrics dont make for the best poems. If the song is worth remembering, it will come back and stick, I promise. Ive remembered great songs that I had forgotten months ago and and I thought that I had lost them all together. Dont worry they stay in there, just when theyre coming back, there is no telling.

4. Listen to all sorts of music. When your running low on ideas, would be the best time. And if you want to write a certain style of music, just will yourself into it, it will come too.

5. On long lonely road trips dont play your stereo, this is when I come up with my favorite melodies, and bring a tape recorder, it will come in handy. Just like the beep in your ear, the sounds made from the howling wind almost have the same effect, same goes for other sounds like rain, a faucet dripping in the middle of the night, just about any constant noise in your sorroundings works, just pay close attention to them.

6. Then I just humm the melodies until I convice annoy everyone, well actually just a select few friends and family, into thinking, no accepting that what they are hearing is the best song that they have heard, even though sometimes it really isnt.

7.Another really important thing that I read and is true, dont throw out songs that you think are corny or that you think sound too much
like something youve heard before. Just write as much as you can and store it in that head of yours, a time will come when you can use that material.

Well thats about it from me, as you can see I dont really come up with the music its sorta just handed down to me. I hope you all can tune in the same way I do. Anybody have any tips for me, besides going to see a psychologist.

- German Iniguez

My biggest difficulty in songwriting is finding the appropriate words and/or topic for melodies and music I've already written. I'd often sit down with the intent of writing a complete song, focus on something I feel strongly about, and let the juices flow. Almost invariably, the result is that the musical floodgates burst forth, producing a nonverbal testament to everything I'm feeling inside, but as I listen for lyrics, I hear stray consonants and vowels that compliment the flow of the melody, but nothing so coherent as a word or a phrase! I later focus solely on developing the lyrics, but most of what I come up with is either embarrassingly trite, or it just isn't a good match with the passion and flavor of the music.

I am usually very articulate, and used to be a wizard at writing parodies of songs. Why am I able to write lyrics to existing songs, but not to my own music? I know I have it in me to be a lyricist. I don't think my problem is lyric-writing in and of itself. I think I have a problem finding the verbal counterpart to the non-verbal ideas that I've already committed to my songs. The music is like the gestures, facial expressions, and vocal inflections of someone telling a story in a foreign language. You can understand the nature of the story, but not what it's about! I am determined to overcome this obstacle, as I believe that it's the only thing preventing me from being a prolific songwriter.

Thanks to Jeff for the wonderful forum and all the resources, and thanks to everyone who has shared their insights and questions.

- Carl V. Shinko

To all those who write. Remember why you started writing and keep in touch with that feeling. I believe it's a gift and you can share it with everyone without hurting anyone. Don't waste it. You will always wonder what could have been if you had persevered. It may be your 200th song that becomes a hit. Don't give up. At least you can enjoy the process even if you never write a hit. How many people can say they wrote something that made someone else happy anyway? Just listening to what I've written on my own cd player is pretty cool in itself.

- SB

I think to be a good songwriter, you have to be an artful thief.

A friend of yours says something clever, you write it down. Then, three months later, maybe it is a song title or a catchy line. Maybe a soap opera character has a pretty name _ maybe that's another song title.

If your brain clicks on something you think is neat, then you can probably use it as a source of inspiration and put it in a song. I also have found that the lives of my friends are well-mined sources, although in those cases I try to check things out with them before I reveal their stories to the world.

So you can see where it is important to haul a little notebook around with you at all times -- and perfect the art of writing something down without looking like a social outcast.

Don't get too stuck on the truth. I use it as a launching point, yes, but I often mix attributes of and anecdoates different people and myself into one ``song person'' _ if those things fit my main idea.

Case in point: I had a friend who was filling out a questionnaire for the Roman Catholic Church as he sought his second marriage with an unmarried Catholic. It had plenty of personal questions and asked for his first wife's current address and phone number.

I suggested that he ought to make a pre-emptive strike and call her in Indiana before the church did. They had not spoken in many, many years. I put myself in that place, drew from that angst and wrote a song about someone looking back on that first union as he prepared to make the call. And items from my life also crept in.

And to be honest, I don't know if he ever called her.

--Jeff Bair

I have ben writing poetry for some years now, and I have started songwriting over the past few years(along with other musical aspirations) and after reviewing all(some of the) the "how to write songs" and "10 steps to a great pop song" articles on the web and in books and where ever else, I decided to give advice on what has helped me out the most.

first: if you see and article with the word "pop" in it, don't bother reading it. real songs are not conceived with radio airplay in mind. nor are all songs 3 1/2 minutes long.

second: reading over the articles of metaphors, coupletes, common meter and so on are good, but don't WRITE by them. when i first started writing(lyrically), i read over all of that, but i have not really touched it since. if your song isn't in aabbaacc form, don't worry. if you can't help BUT write in aab..., make yourself break the mold. often, the song sounds better out of form than in form.

third: write with your head, not with your hand.

-Jeremy Winnett

Jeff,
I appreciate the forum you have provided. You have an excellent amount of advice from various individuals.
I have always enjoyed singing to songs as well as recording songs by others on a little recorder. You know, the rectangle kind that lay flat...and you put the cassette in and push record/play while listening to a song being played really close. Well, I've done that so many times since I was little that I somehow got the idea that I could become a singer. Then I came up with the idea that I could get into the business by writing a song. And by writing a song, I mean just the lyrics. I feel as well as others, that I have read my lyrics to that I have a gift, I just would like to possibly hook up with someone even if it is via email, where I can get advice as to putting the words to music, developing how the song will sound etc.
I have found, that lyrics to writing songs exist everywhere. The more relaxed I am, the better the words come to me. I can be at work doing something, and I will get a one-liner (I usually use it for the title) and I write it down. Then I proceed to develop my song. I guess I'm somewhat stuck in the love-song mode. I would like to do some fun pop, rap type stuff, but everytime I begin to write, I'm thrust back into the "I've loved you since the first time my eyes caught your presence" and I do not know if that is all bad. I would like to pursue getting a song published, but I do not know the exact process. I'm not sure if I can get a song published just by having the lyrics or if I also need the tune/harmony/music type stuff as well.
Songs are words put to music. Someone could go through all this wonderful information on this site and write a song from it if they wished.  
If you can make a living at doing something you really love, then your lifes mission has been fulfilled and that in itself is success.  Keep up the good work...and remember "If you think you can or you can't, you're right.

- Thank you for your time, Jimmy C in K.C.

Hi! I've been writing since the age of 14. I am now 45. It is a frustrating enterprise if one is in it for the money. I tend to be more of the artist. I've had very limited success. I've collaborated with others though most of my work is by myself. I arrange and produce as well. I've written several hundred songs. There is a school for which I wrote an alma mater. There was a local cable television show for which I wrote the theme song. I had a song produced by an academy & grammy award winning songwriter/artist that was performed on Soul Train in the last 70's and still, I am yet to have that "hit" song. 

However, I am happy to continue to write, produce, record, etc. because I am grateful to God to have the gift of creativity. If nothing else, I am happy to give God the glory for the talent He's given me. If it's His will, financial success will come. If not, I'll praise Him just the same and continue to create new music as long as I am able to.

I was suggest to any budding writer - decide why it is that you want to write. If it's for the sake of art, then you should never stop. If it's for commercial success, then be ready for the long haul because it's extremely competitive! Best Wishes to ALL of you!

- Fred Forsh

Great Web site!

I have been writing songs since I was 13, and am 25 now. I am in law school, but I am fighting to be a musician who studies law instead of a lawyer who does music on the side. It's tough serving two masters like that.

My advice is simple: BE YOURSELF. There is only one person like you in this world, and if you are true to yourself in your lyrics, you will have something unique to offer. As much as mainstream music seems to be centered on a specific sound or shallowness, individual people want to be really moved and interested. That can only happen if you are honest and true to yourself in your lyrics. Tune out the peer pressure. Good luck!

- Kerry O'Brien

I suppose I am like a lot of others, after a really bad time in my life, I picked up a pencil and started writing. At first, the songs were just about my problem, but soon I began writing about everything in my life, and everyone. I have been working for a year, and last April, got the courage to read my work to friends of mine I was on vacation with, and they loved them. Which gave me the courage to show my work to others that might not be so easy to please. Every person, friend or foe, has told me that they love my work, and I should pursue this as a career. At the age of 37, I am contemplating a move to Nashville. I sent my work of to the US Copywrite office, to protect my songs and myself. I do enjoy the process, and the finished product. I have been told my lyrics remind them of Dolly Parton, which really is flattering. To anyone reading this, I only have one thing to say, keep working. The joy and release you get from the finished product is worth all the effort, even if it never makes a nickels worth, it is still yours, and you created it. Thanks for reading!

- Mark

After having checked out your site (and what a great site it is!!)....and having read all the comments, there is not much that I can add, except that I don't believe that I suffer from "writers block"....I just have times when I don't feel like writing!! And that's OK!! I'm not perfect!! For me, songwriting is more about being in tune with "my world", meaning what's going on around me (not necessarily me...but rather places, people, events, etc.). I write what is in my heart...not my head; I write much better that way. It's not about personal gain....it's about who I am; it's not about opinions...it's about expresing oneself; it's not about fame...it's about love of music! It has been my experience that if you think that you have a good song...then you do!! 

Thanks ever so much for this site!!

"God gave the heart a voice to sound its joy...and He called it music"
"Without music, life is a journey through a desert"

I don't know who the wise men or women were that made the above statements, but I always keep them in mind when I am expressing myself

- Sean M Bryand

hey , im kinda new at writing songs but here goes...advice :
write down everthything, ive written several parts to several songs ive got a huge amout of stuff that ive just sketched out...and that has really seemed to work for getting creative stuff, that way when i am ready to really write some decent songs ive got lots of stuff to build on
Another thing i do for coming up with song ideas is keep a notepadby my bed and when i have a dream that i wake up from and remember,whether its 3:00 in the morning or when ur alarm clock goes off at 7:00 I write down the general idea and a few image words.....its really good for coming up with new ideas
i write a lot of poetry and these to methods keep me full of resources to base things on and with a little work you can turn out some pretty different stuff

- Richard L.

Hi. I just came upon your website by chance and I would like to express my thoughts. I am a 17 year old singer/songwriter and I have written since I was able to remember. I have been playing in Nashville, Tennessee professionally since I was 13 or 14. However, right now, I am suffering from tremendous "writer's block". I think it could come from 2 sources. 1: I am trying to graduate from high school, 2: I am in the beginning stages of recording an album. At any rate, I used to write at least one song a DAY, and now I don't write anything that I really like. I have written about 3 songs that I really have liked since October 99. It is a mixture of things that I can not get over in my writing. First, I just don't know what to write about. It feels like if I write another song about love, I am going to scream. It's a tired topic, you know? Like politics. :) But, I feel like I don't know what to say anymore about anything. Second, I feel like I just don't like what I am PLAYING. I hear something in my head, but it doesn't come out sonically correct. Third, I am concerned, as I am a professional entertainer creating a product (an album) that I must create music that is "marketable." This, perhaps is my biggest hurdle. If you have any ideas or can turn me on to anyone who might, please email me back. It would be a great opportunity for me to meet another songwriter who has dealt with this (I hope) temporary block.

- Thank you, J.F.

I write pretty frequently for my students. I tend to stick with words of wisdom from Eddie Van Halen when it comes to songwriting..."If it sounds good, it is good."

Also, Clapton once said that ONE NOTE played at the right time, in the right place with the right emotion is enough when it comes to a solo.

As for solos, I like to stick with the Zeppelin method...make sure the SONG rocks, then add ribbons and bows...

Also, you know if you are good only when you let others hear the song.You have to muster the courage to hear the words, "that sucks." You might suck, but you can't let that stop you. Most cool bands sucked when they started and almost all the classic groups are far more than the sum of their parts. Be brave with your work and sing it like you mean it.

Lastly, you aren't curing cancer, developing nuclear weapons or cloning sheep...you are writing a song. Don't beat yourself up! Keep working on it, but please try to avoid self-absorbed pretensiousness. You are adding to the joy of the human experience, but at the end of the day we all have bills to pay and families to feed and loved ones to worry about. Life will go on with or without your song, so look at your process with gratitude for the gifts God gave you. Many poor souls will never sing or play because of numerous reasons. You aren't one of them, so don't play the diva...just be cool and be honest. It also helps to remember that there is more talent on your block than there ever will be on modern radio. The business is about being pretty, not about being talented.

- Bill Caris

My name is Leslie Greenfield and I am 14 years old. Seems kinda young to be songwrting, eh? Well I just wanted to say that songwriting is a beautiful experience that everyone should try. I write when i'm worried about something or sad or just about an experience. It makes me feel better and a wonderful peice comes out in the end! Whenever something bad happens to me I see the silver lining around that dark cloud - I have more songwriting material!

I have found out that when I carry around a microcasstte recorder I try too hard and can never come up with anything in any way, shape, or form that's substantial enough. But when I leave to recorder at home (like when I'm at school) I come up with great ideas, but then i have no method of recording them. Call me crazy but I'll just walk down the hallways singins a melody or a riff or whatever until I can't forget it. i've also noticed that whateverit was that I was singing becomes a stronger melody/riff because I'm continualy repeating it and unconciously improving it as I go. I figure that If I can't remember it after a whole day of this it's not worth remembering anyway.

- Christopher Culver, 18 Muskegon MI

Brilliant website, the first of its kind that I've come across.

Hi, I'm Emily, and I'm 13. I've been writing songs for roughly a year now, on and off. I have a few tips for all you aspiring musicians out there

1. If you've written a song or play an instrument, you're probably more musical than most pop bands at the moment, who don't seem to know a thing about music except the singing side.

2. If you've got writers block, try and think about something that you wish you could help, or someone that inspires you, rather than the norm. love songs.

3. Keep going, remember that the decent songwriters had been going for three or four years before they got noticed, even if they didn't sing, just wrote.

4. Have confidence in yourself, and if other people don't believe in you, don't let it get you down, think of it as one more reason to get there.

5. Songwriting is all about your brain and whats inside it, what YOU are feeling. Use it as a way to let it all out, but without offending anyone!

finally, I hope you're all following your hearts and I'll see you at the top someday!

- Emily

PS To that 16 year old, I've forgotten his/her name; Ben Adams, my cousin and the songwriter from boy band A1, wrote three of his top ten singles at your age. Keep GOING!

Rules are for obedient fools........ but, more importantly, for the guidance of the wise.

Listen to all the advise on this site, then be guided by you own instincts.......and good luck.

- Brian

First and foremost I'd like to say thank you to all the professional and experienced songwriters who have graciously shared their wisdom. I am a beginner to say the least. I began writing poetry approximately two years ago at the age of 38, after a very emotional personal loss. Like someone else mentioned, I began writing in journals at night before drifting off to sleep, as an outlet for my pain. In time, I began putting together poetry. After two years, I started humming the words and started forming lyrics. I rarely put much effort into this. Like others, it has been, to this point, totally inspiration. My greatest inspirations come to me between 3 and 5 in the morning. Sometimes I wake up and it's screaming at me. I turn on the light and start writing. Lately words have formed in my mind while doing the dishes or other ordinary household chores. I find myself jotting down words. I believe in time, with practice, you really begin to strengthen your gift. I do believe that, as someone else mentioned, this is a gift. Listen to your inner voice. Listen to the whispers of your mind. Often your friends, family, co-workers in general conversation will convey the exact words you've been looking for, for a particular song or poem.

Anyways, I'm very proud to call myself a writer and am learning daily so many new ideas and am constantly searching for ways to improve my writing. Thanks to everyone for so many tips! Thank you Jeff for this opportunity.

- Ann, Ontario

I am 18. While I have been writing song lyrics for about 1/3 of my life. And out of those years I find new ways of writings songs. Some people write songs according to the beat of a song, what ever comes to my, or from pass experiences. My new way of writing songs is to first write it as a peom. When I am writing my peom I focus on one thing. I find that when I write peotry it express my thoughts clearly. After I write my peom I visualize it with some background music and that is when I begin to reform my peom according to the music. I find this much easier because the words are already there, you just have to figure out how do you want to say them.

- Le`Keesha C. Jones

hi. wen i get blocked when i write my songs i just stop for then and when an idea come to my head i urry up and write t down. i usually write about stuff i see going on with people or what im feeling or have been going through. now i have a question for you all. what do you do when you cant do a demo cause your parents say its too much money, or when you want to do talent shows but you cant cause there is none in your town, or when you want to audition for a record company face to face but your parents wont take you?

- bryancha(bee)

SONGWRITERS ARE BORN - NOT MADE.

I LOVE TO READ THIS SITE FOR ADVICE FROM REAL SONGWRITERS. BUT I AM PAINED BY THE WANNABES WHO OFFER ADVICE ON HOW TO STUDY OTHER PEOPLE'S MATERIAL. THEY ARE NO DIFFERENT THAN RECORD COMPANY EXECUTIVES, AND NO-CLUE MUSIC PUBLISHERS WHO'S CONSTANT AIM IS TO COPY WHAT IS SUCCESSFUL AT THE MOMENT.

MY ADVICE TO THEM IS TO FIND ANOTHER NICHE IN THE MUSIC BUSINESS, AND LEAVE THE WRITING TO THE SONGWRITERS. THEIR MUDDY COPIES OF THE REAL THING ARE THE REASON THE AIR-WAVES ARE FILLED WITH CRAP.

- JAMIE QUINN

Dear Jeff,Your site is exactly what I've been looking for! It's really a writer's paradise... great job! Well, if you have an ear for some words from an inexperienced but devoted 17 year old musician, I'd love to share some thoughts of mine. Right now, I play piano, clarinet, sax, and flute, and have been writing instrumental music for only the past 8 months or so. It's my belief that no amount of theory, conservatory training, or even natural talent and aptitude can substitute the true love of music. Even if you're an amateur, as long as you truly FEEL for music you're creating, and as long as you pour out your heart and your soul into your creation, then it is an EXCELLENT song because it does exactly what music is meant to do - convey emotions and ideas. Of course, proper training and lessons will make the world of a difference, but the virtuoso who can fly through Chopin but can't shed a tear playing Beethoven's Sonata Pathetique is no musician at all. LOVE is a very different thing than skill. And in the end, LOVE is all that matters, right?...

- Contradanza

Great Site!

I've done that responsible thing since, when all's I ever REALLY wanted to do is write songs. Now 30+ years later, I'm semiretired from a Construction related industry, and am DOING it.

And THAT'S the meat of it...JUST DO IT! If you let everything else come between you and your music, you'll always regret it when you finally have time to ask yourself, "What happened ?"

Also, write what you know/feel/think/experience/etc.

POSITIVE music makes people feel good; and isn't that what we all want; to feel good?

Keep Writing, and thanx for caring,

- Glenn B. Morrison

I've been songwriting for a good 4 years now, and completely agree with those my age (late teens/ v. early 20s). How can a naive kid write something deep and meaningful? And the best answer is simply dont try to. Your first song is 99 times out 100 very sketchy and probably pretty awful, and many get downhearted. DONT!!! keep going at all costs, and soon through experience or whatever, it'll finally work out. It doesn't have to rhyme (most of mine don't tend to, and if they do it's purely by chance) and the best time to write is whenever you can. Any thought that comes into your brain needs to be captured on paper and manipulated.

I've got a pretty unauthodox technique which seems to be working at the moment. Whenever the mood or urge to write comes along, I take my notepad and write a whole song there and then from whatever comes into my head. Usually it'll flow straight onto paper, and will work in tandam to the tune that I'm strumming, but if it's left alone you can't recapture what was initially there in the first verse or chorus. There has to at least be some heartfelt core to the song that can be manipulated and bettered at a later date, but the framework HAS to be there or the song is lost forever. Whether it's about a love gone wrong, a reflective story or simply about going out and getting drunk; if a thought is left un-nurtured you will find it difficult to regain the magic that you started off with.

Hope it helps

- Adrian, U.K

First off, a lot of people mistake emotion as the only source for songwriting...While this is a great source, one can also make great songs from opinons on issues, or even just opservations. The song "What if?" by Creed, is just a hypothetical question wondering what would happen if everyones thoughts and words were equivilent to actions and could be punished the same way. Sure, you can write about your (boy)/(girl)friend leaving you, but if you having some trouble writing, or even not, try writing about something different.

- Jzf_K

Hello, I'm Jamie W., a 34-year-old female that plays rhythm guitar in a bluegrass/country/oldies/etc. band. (My husband plays the stand-up bass.) Well, I have been recently informed that now the "leader" of the band wants us to start to write our own songs, which is a great idea, but I am worried about how I'll be able to inspire myself to write anything worth a crap. We play mostly bluegrass, so the lyrics need to be appropriate for that style of music.....but original-sounding too, if that's possible.

I used to sing dumb little songs to myself when I was a kid that I made up, and have written a few poems and short stories, but that's about it. I am not worried about the musical part, really, seeing as most of our songs have similar chord progressions anyway.

Anyway, this page is great!!! Sure am glad to have run across it. The advice is varied, and from people that know what they're talking about. After I get one or two songs written, I will swallow my pride and submit them for public opinion. They can't be much worse than some of the stupid songs we do now, lol. (oops)

By the way, we sure ain't in it for the money!!! Being in this band costs us money if anything, but we enjoy playing, so we play. If they like us, then great, but we're not opening for Paul, so we usually play for free meals at a restaurant or bluegrass festival. Have to watch the language and the lyrical content, so that's pretty limiting. Anyone reading this, wish me luck! I'll take any advice that's out there; I'm not the moody, sensitive musician stereotype at all. :o)

The best of luck to other folks in a "blocked" situation, especially to other beginners. This won't be easy, but it will sure be fun.

- The Warringtons, Humboldt, Tenn.

I haven't been writing for long at all. It seems such a monstrous task in the beginning that I am nearly dwarfed by the sheer thought of it...but, I have been trying the following:

1 Listen to all varieties of music, experience other people's songwriting. Maybe you can gain inspiration from them.

2 Write until your fingers bleed. Get a little notebook and write non-stop whenever you can. Do not take your pen off the paper - just scribble until the next idea or thought arises. Some of the phrases I am most proud of have come from doing this. (Gives you something interesting and sometimes humourous to read later on, too).

3 Hum to yourself everywhere - in the car, supermarket, shower, etc. I have no problem getting a melody (having been playing the piano and singing for over 10 years), but the words don't come easy to me.

4 After playing the piano for what feels like forever, I felt that all of my sounds were too similar. So I took up the guitar. It seems surprisingly easier, as you only need three or four chords, and they don't sound as monotonous on a guitar as they do on a piano. Believe me. You are also free to throw in more R & B runs and undulations while you are singing with a guitar.

Good luck.

- Sherri, Australia

My name is Mai-Kim Dang. I am an exchange student currently living in Japan.Now that I am in a foreign country I am dependent upon the internet, to search for certain information.It was interesting to read other writers,opinions and ideas. This morning I went to the park to write,and though it was 6:30a.m. in the morning the park was full. I write most effectively when I am outdoors and alone. I started writing songs in 6th grade.I use to write songs for my classmates, and their friends.I threw my notebook away after a classmate showed the boy I liked the song I had written about him.I don't regret it much now,but then I did.I do keep all my work.Scooter's comment made me laugh,because this past Wednesday I called myself the human paper.Because I do not sing well I sometimes don't know if a song is good or not. Recently I've become tired of Rhythm and Blues because words aren't manipulated in a manner to create an image,and mainly it's about love and sex,when there's a million things to write about,that's where commercialism comes into play.I've began writing for an audience,only because I'm trying to earn some money.Believe me I'm aware that prize money offered in competitions is quite a rip off, when you think of the millions of dollars it may earn. I find when I write a poem, it can be turned into a song, but when I try to write thinking of it being a song it doesn't work for me. People often will discourage you from using unfamiliar words to the general public,but I don't listen. I like Fionna Apple, Julia Fordham,and Tracy Chapman, they are all creative writers. I hope to someday see these aspiring songwriters songs in print of course as well as my own (smile).

i came to your site for advice, and let me say, this is a fantastic site. but i cant help bu tfeel like an outcast. I write lyrics for rap songs. i dont really play an instrument, and i'm not into gangstar rap, but nevertheless, i write rap. thats what i'm good at, but lately i have been having writers block, and when i came to your page, i kind of felt like i didnt belong. the other people there kept talking about bands, and country music, which made me feel that i was a lesser songwriter than they were because of the style i choose to write in. arent their any other rap or R&B writers that come to your site? R&B is music too!

- JazzyAL

Hey Jeff! I really like your page on songwriting . I've been writing Gospel and country songs since the early 70's To be honest I've probably only have written about 30 songs in that length of time which is not very many. I've had about 4 or 5 cuts though locally.

It seems that I always get inspired when I get a chance to hear what other songwriters have to say ..It seems like I am always learning. This is the main reason I like your website .To attain more knowledge on songwriting...

I guess if I would say what my best approach was on writing a song, I would say to find a good title or catchy title that would feed off personal experiences and stay focused ,depending on what the song is about. I think the music sets the mood or the tone for me and the lyric seems to flow at the same time . I'm a musician but every song I have ever written , I've been away from my piano.

I think I need to hear it inside me first. The only time I go to the piano when I'm writing is to check a chord or the melody to make sure its the same one I'm hearing. If it is a 2b9 I'm hearing I go to the piano and play a 2b9 .. If it is an 5aug. I get up from my desk and play an 5aug. and so on. Since I have rededicated my life back to the Lord Jesus Christ and I serve Him now for the past 10 years , I write Christian and gospel songs now..

- Danny , Columbus, Ohio

One of the best investments a songwriter can make is in the purchase of a microcassette recorder. Not only will you be able to spill both lyrical and melodic lines into it at a moments notice but you will be able to capture the "essence" of the idea as well. Besides, it sure is a lot easier to sing/speak into a microrecorder while driving in rush-hour traffic, rather than fumbling around with a notepad. (and Nashville has just 'wonderful' roads too!) Another piece of advice: WRITER'S WRITE! Write about everything!! (This is from experience) It's A LOT easier trying to weed out the weak tunes for an album, rather than having to scramble for enough material to finish the CD. I wish everyone well in their "calling".

-joseph todd, Nashville, TN

Great Page, just what i was looking for.

I havn't been songwriting for all that long. And sometimes i sorta think, okay, 'how is a 16 year old middle class kid from subirbia supposed to write a great song?' with 16 years of experience of life?

The method that works best for me, so far, has just been jamming. I am a bass player by title but i love singing and acoustic guitar too. I get together with my band and we just try stuff out. For example i might start a riff going and it just builds, we usually make the lyrics the iceing.

Writing songs about simple things can sometimes the best way to go. For example we were real dry one weekend. And we were sitting round chatting about this dude that allways trys to comeover to your place, like invites himself over. and BOOM there was our most popular song.

So my point is, dont try and write a song that is all deep and meaningful if your not in that mood. Dont write a song about something you dont know anything about. Sometimes the simplest little thing can make the best song.

- Martin, 16, Australia

~King Diamond, San Antonio/TX

Write bad songs, lots of them.

Find someone that is better than you and then let them write most of the song.

Take all song writing courses and books with a grain of salt. Remember, people trying to help you write better songs are in business to sell people help on writing better songs, not necessarily to help you write a better song.

Music is art, enjoy it. You don't have to treat it like you are taking an English test. Trust me on this one, my song writing partner is an English Prof and I hate getting my lyrics back from him marked up with a red pen.

There is a difference between good song writing and good song selling. Decide which is most important to you. (It better be song writing, if you want to keep your soul)

If writing country music, I.W. Harper is preferred over any Jack Daniel product. I have personally tested this many times and can verify it as one of the true golden rules of song writing.

Tune your guitar first.

Listen to other songwriters and steal indiscriminately.

Don't try and become famous or popular because of your song writing. Try to become famous for something more useful.

Don't spend more time trying to push your old songs than writing new ones. If you do, you are not a song writer, you are an egomaniac.

And lastly, always trust the people on the internet trying to give you free advice on song writing. lol ;)

- MojoDallas

I was amazed to hear how Sara Hickman writes her songs. She uses what I call "THE FLOW." I'm in Nashville working on a record deal and had been writing poetry/songs for a few years and was planning on doing an audio journal entry and I picked up my guitar and wrote a song in 15 minutes using "THE FLOW". "THE FLOW" works like this.....I like to sit with a micro-cassette recorder taping me while I play my guitar and brainstorm never stopping even if I say something others may think is ignorant doesn't rhyme well or is too cliche'. "THE FLOW" is always captured by my recorder. After "THE FLOW" I take out my songwriting notebook and write everything down good or bad and then I edit moving phrases changing words placing things in some order then turn the recorder back on and use"THE FLOW" again. I repeat this until the song is finished, sometimes days or weeks or a 1/2 hour. I'm not an accomplished guitarist by any means but this process has been very successful for me. I have gotten some publishing company recognition from my efforts and I feel "THE FLOW" is the reason. Maybe this could help some writers block victims.

- Rick Bancroft, Nashville, TN

I feel there's not much I can say that has not already been said. I was asked the other day.... " what's the point of writing new songs when there are already so many great ones around?" At the time I was surprised as I thpought I was talking to a fellow songwriter. I didn't answer the question at the time, but this is what I think. Yes there are already many great songs around, but the point of songwriting is expression and we need to be able to express what deeply affects us, in a way which is our own. It is fine to sing other people's songs, but if you have the capacity to say it your way... then I believe there are people out there who have the capacity and desire to hear you. We all need to be heard, songwriting is a craft which needs to be developed so that others are enriched, enlightened, inspired and entertained. It is something which makes a songwriter who he or she is. It can't be turned on or off - it is who you are.

- Leeann Botham, Singer/Songwriter Crosscurrents Music & Media Australia

I am a 12 yr. old girl who has been writing songs since about age 7, when I was heavily listening to the Beatles. Since then, I have gone through several musical "phases", including punk, hard rock, ska, folk, alternative, and now reggae. I find that whatever kind of music I am currently listening to is the way my songs want to come out. If I tried to write a Beatle-y song now, I probably would have a very hard time. But I have no problem writing reggae.

I go through very dry spells and then very "fertile" periods. This summer, and early this fall, I was writing maybe eight songs a day on average--it was kind of phenomenal. Now, I'm doing OK with it, but not nearly that good.

I've pretty much quit trying to write very structured songs. I write plain old verses, whatever comes through. One verse could be about summer, the next could be about school, whatever. It doesn't matter. I type all my verses up on the computer, print them, and put them in a binder. When I'm in the right mood, I try to put them into "songs".

A big thing for me is, "What will other people think of my music?" I'll write something hateful about someone, and then something loving about the same person, and I'll get distressed because I'll think, "what if they get the wrong message?" I wish I could write like "nobody's looking". I wish I could be totally honest with myself - it's something to work at.

Good luck to you all, and look for my CD when it comes out! LOL!

~abby p

ALWAYS keep plenty of extra napkins in your car! You know you're gonna forget that notepad and pencil sooner or later. Then what are you going to write that song on?

- Scooter

Write whatever comes to your mind. If you're feeling happy, then write a happy song. Sad, write a sad song. If you feel like you want to rip someone apart, write about that. If you have writer's block, then hell, write a song about writer's block. Songs are only really good if they come from heart.

- Roto Densetsu

I'd just thought I'd mail you give my tip to singer-songwriters who are better with lyrics/poetry than they are with music. I find the best way to fit a poem into a song format is by having an all verse structure, finishing off every verse with the same line. An example of a song that does that is Shelter From The Storm by Bob Dylan. Obviously if you write all your songs like this you will not be a good all round performer, but if you just want to express yourself quickly and poetically in a song, then I find this is the best way to do it.

- RHARDING

Hello, my name is Joe, and I am from Kansas City. I am 19 yrs old, and I have been writing songs for about 4 years. I have never actually completed a song, but I have alot of studio experience filling in for other musicians, and I would like to share some info to the younger writers out there.

-------------------------------------------------------
1. DON'T GIVE UP!!!!!!!!!!!!

1A. DEVELOP YOUR OWN STYLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2. Writer's Block is just a cop out, put that song away, then start working on another one while you are still having probs with the first song.

3. Listen to a variety of music (E.G.)
Alot of Blues and Jazz is carried over into other types of music. Rock/Heavy Metal/Hard Rock is a very good example of this. No one cares about what kind of music you listen to in private!

4. If you don't know atleast three scales for the instrument you play, LEARN THEM! A good couple of scaled to know for guitar are E Dorian and E Pentantonic. If you're a singer, there are also scales for you! You may also try the guitar scales as well.

5. PRACTICE - I cannot stress this fact enough! When I started playing guitar, I was 8, I would sit at home during the summer, and practice ALL DAY LONG! The more you practice, the more familiar with your instrument you will become. Once you have practiced enough, you will be able to pick out notes and harmonies and chords in your favorite songs.

6. Play cover songs with your band. Most people don't like this idea, but it is another way to pick up MORE PRACTICE!!! and, alot of experience playing other's styles and techniques. It will also give you alot of experience playing with others. YOU WILL NEED THIS SHOULD YOU EVER WANT TO LAY YOUR SONG OUT IN A STUDIO. DON'T BE AFRAID TO PLAY THE SONGS YOUR WAY EITHER, I PLAY ALOT OF OLD 80'S PUNK IN A HEAVY METAL/THRASH STYLE. AND, IT ALMOST SOUNDS BETTER THAT WAY! HOWEVER THE SONG SOUNDS GOOD TO YOU, THAT IS HOW YOU SHOULD PLAY COVERS.

7. Listen to whatever music inspires you, and find out how they wrote their songs. Example- Most Metallica (Pre-...And Justice For All) was a combination of MotorHead and DiamondHead.They simply, in the words of James Hetfield, "Put the two HEADS together, and see what we come up with."

Sometimes you will come up with something original by just listening to a song, and say hey, this fill would sound better than theirs. Or, you may come up with a similar rhythm pattern for starters, then elaborate on your discoveries and ideas.

8. Keep a cheap multi-track recorder around, and record everthing you play and practice with. This will save you from coming up with something really good, nd FORGETTING IT! This WAS a very common
problem for me! I have probably forgotten enough songs to become a millionaire by now!
-------------------------------------------------------

STUDIO TIPS AND TRICKS

1. Do not work on your song until it is EXACTLY perfect. Why would you want a perfect song? Aren't you trying to be original? Plus, this gets expensive after a while in the studio.

2. For Rhythm guitar tracks, if you have the ability, lay down your original rhythm track, and then use three or more other tracks of the same rhythm piece, and layit over your original rhythm track. This makes you rhythm parts sound more mid-rangey, punchy, and alot fuller sounding guitar rhythm section for your track.

What I do, is lay down 2-3 tracks of the rhythm guitarist's main rhythm parts on the LEFT channel (MONO). Then, the lead guitarist will come in, and record his2-3 rhythm tracks to accompany the rythm guitarist, on the RIGHT CHANNEL(MONO). Then, of course the Drum and bass tracks are already
recorded. Then master these down as LEFT and RIGHT channels (Stereo). Then, any rhythm guitarist fill-ins or hamonies go to the LEFT channel (MONO). And lead guitarist comes in, and records the rest of
his parts (Harmonies, fill-ins, etc) on the RIGHT channel. Then, the lead guitarist comes in once again to record his MAIN SOLO. This track, or two, comes in as LEFT AND RIGHT CHANNELS (Stereo).

This gives a nice effect on the rhyhm and harmony tracks.

REMEMBER - THIS VERSION WILL NEVER BE PLAYED LIVE, BUT IT IS A GOOD WAY TO GET THAT 'LIVE' FEEL THROUGH THE STUDIO, AND THEN IT WILL COME OUT TO THE CONSUMER, AND CONSUMERS LIKE ORIGINAL SOUNDING RECORDS.

3. Don't be sloppy, but don't be perfect. If you're a so-so instrument player, let it faintly show on your recording. Remember there is NO perfect master tape, and there certainly is NO perfect song.

I like to kinda keep my rhythm tracks a little "loose" or rough if ya know what I mean. Where a "musical rest" should be, absolute silence for a small time slice, keep that hand-moving-across-the-string sound.
dont edit that out. This is the problem with alot of the new POP stuff coming out today, is that it is PERFECTLY RECORDED, and only the trained ear can hear the mistakes.

4. USE ALL OF THE AFFORMENTIONED TECHNIQUES, and I am sure that you will be VERY pleased with what comes out in the end.

Need any more tips or advice? Email me at: joleonekc@yahoo.com

- Joe Leone

Jeff, Like your site. And I find your friends comments very interesting and in most cases helpful. I write mostly patriotic, inspirational, or a combonation thereof. But one thing I do know for certain is, Writing music is much the same as writing a good book, and/or experiencing great sex. If one is not in the right frame of mind, from the very beginning, in any of the three, the results are not going to be worth a darn.

- Joe Lantz

A catchy Hook is all you need to get the listener to listen with intrigue support it with some simple chords and people will but it in their hoards. Nothing to flash and nothing to brash just convey the meaning meant as long as your happy at the end of the day your work is done and your music will pay.
 
 - Neil Evans BMUS(hons) u.k

Treat your songwriting as you would any other type of writing. That is, consider the voice with which you plan to express the core emotion or idea of your song and approach it with literary standards. Plan and execute your lyrics the same way you would a poem, short-story, or dramatic script. Pay attention to narrative quality and imagery.

As with poetry & short-story writing in particular, waste no space on merely "catchy" phrases or lines, but make sure that every word furthers the intentions of the song. On the other hand, don't over-express, either, stuffing needless syllables alongside much more compact musical phrases. Poetry and song lyricism are, in essence, *distilled* emotion. If you plan carefully and consider beforehand what you are trying to express (lightning-bolt of inspiration or no), you will be much more capable of crafting something truly evocative, along the lines of the best of Tom Waits, Lou Reed, or Elvis Costello.

-John Hilla, Royal Oak, MI

First write the song in your head! many great proffessionals carry with them a mini tape recorder ( David Bowie, Ozzy) so they can write down later their inspirations. So after you sing the song to yourself in your head grab a guitar or sit at the keyboard and fit the music to the lyric- This is of the utmost importance- this is the best way to write a song because music doesn't often inspire great lyrics while the opposite is true! Finally when trying to pen good lyrics remember one thing- HONESTY- that is the key to getting others to feel like your song was meant for them.

- euclid654

Great Site! Quite helpful to me and I'm sure lot of others.

I will try to say some things that haven't been said already and repeated numerous time.

I am 15 years old. I started 'writing' at age 12 (Somewhere around there. All I really wrote was power chords in a sequence that closely matched a song I was into at the time (What ever it may have been at the time). Recently, with a band I've put together, I've been able to start to understand how to write a song, how to get words on paper, and how to use day to day experiences in my work. One thing I must say, Is that there are so many ways to 'Write' a song, that you can't really go someone elses way perfectly. You can only take some guidlines and let it flow. Here's what i think a good songwriter, or someone who hopes to be one needs to do to start 'writing' great things.

1 - If you don't put 110% into your writing process, don't even waste your time. Sometimes distractions can be a source of inspiration, but what I mean is that if you don't want to be doing what you're doing,
Don't!!!

2 - Listen to MANY Kinds of music. And don't just listen, experience too. What I mean is go to live concerts, read music books (Biographys, stories, etc.) Personally, I listen to Jazz, Classical, Rock, Some rap, Some country. I read quite a bit of biographys of musicians. It may seem strange, but I also like to read doctor suess. The man has a way with words. I also go to ALOT of concerts (All genres). These are Mentality changng, goal changing, and life-changing experiences.

3 - Set Goals!!!!! If you want to write a nice song for your wife or girlfriend, go for it. If you want to get signed by a record company and make lots of money, go for it. if you simply want to be heard, go for it. There are so many things music can do for you, just make sure you're into music for the right reasons, whatever they may be.

I can say alot more, but I have muic to play. Perhaps 16 hours of practice will do for today. THAT IS MY SHORT TERM GOAL.

Perhaps I'll send some demo tapes to a record company - And get a letter back. THERE IS MY LONG TERM GOAL. Do you have them too?  

- Bsweet

Jeff , like your site. Im 26 years old and I've been playing guitar and writing songs now for about ten years.Regarding writers block , never had too much trouble in that department although I have learned over the years that the worst thing ( for me anyway ) is to sit down and say "right I'm gonna write a song or two".It just doesn't work like that.Anything that does come from a session like that sounds forced.My advice would be just play , let it come naturally ,life will make things happen to you or around you that you will be affected by and eventually it will come out as a song or songs.Read , listen to your favourite music, listen to new music, styles you've never tried etc.Take notes all the time, never be stuck without a small pocket notebook.Keep the faith!Where do ideas come from ? One word .Everywhere. Bye

- Rich, Ireland

Jeff-

First off...great site. It's nice to see some good use come of the 'net. Good old fashioned songwriting circles done in cyberspace!

I've been writing songs for 12 years. I studied music (and songwriting) at Berklee College of Music, and I grew up in a musical family. I will impart my (limited) wisdom on the art of songwriting.

1] A Songwriter Writes Song
To be a songwriter you must write songs. Don't worry if they're good or bad...someone else will be all too happy to point out that out to you.
Spend time writing everyday.

2] Write Often (even if its not a song)
One of the best things to do is to keep a journal. Write down your thoughts and feelings...and go over them occasionally. there are usually good songs in what you are experiencing. I like to do "journal writing" before I go to sleep. It helps trigger the creative side of my subconscious, and I wake up feeling more creative. It is very important that you keep your journal private. That way you won't feel like you need to censor yourself when you write. Just write honestly...even if you offend yourself. If you feel like you need to change what you write for fear of someone else reading it, you will be taking the first step in learning to quit before you get started.

3] Read
It is also good to read often. You will be surprised at how much better you express yourself when you read. It also helps to increase your vocabulary.

4] Share
Share your songs with people and have them honestly critique them. They don't even need to be musicians...in fact find a friend who is a music lover, but not a musician...they will have an angle you might miss.

5] Correct
No song is perfect, if you wrote the perfect song you wouldn't have to ever write another. After writing a song I will record it & listen to it over a week or so, and then make the necessary changes. Don't think of it as rewriting, think of it as clarifying & cleaning. It makes a more powerful song.

6] Analyze
Prosody! Let the music fit the lyrics (or the lyrics fit the music). Everything should go together. Happy music = happy lyrics. Sad music = sad lyrics. Don't be intentionally ambiguous. You'll lose the listener.

7] Move On
Lastly, the best piece of advice : the best song you've written is the next song you'll write. Everything is a learning process. It's like playing an instrument, the more you do it the better you get.

I hope this helps someone...somehow.

- Steve DeMott

Hi Jeff:

Thank you so much for developing this site... I found it accidentally when I was searching for some information on how to find an agent. I've been writing songs for about 15 years, beginning at age 13. I feel that singing is my true "instrument" but I can fake enough piano and guitar to get something in the background when it's time to record songs.

During the past 4 years, I hit a dry spell -- it's hard for me to write songs when I'm happily married, happily employed, etc. However, I've begun to use experiences/emotions from my past (the last 2 songs I've written have been about this guy I fell in love with in college who really did a number on me). I've also borrowed experiences from stories in the newspaper which inspire me and problems my family and friends are experiencing.

Last summer, I decided to enter the 1998 John Lennon Songwriting Contest and I finished/recorded a song I wrote seven years ago in college. I wrote the song at the age of 20 but didn't have a "handle" on the emotions or the experiences until the age of 27 to do the final "tweaking". Reading other writers' comments about putting a song away for a while if it's not coming together is definitely true for me too... I put "If Only" away for 7 years and I believe it's better now than it ever could have been then.

Other advice? I have a 30-minute commute to work and I have written many of my songs during this time... I asked Santa for a microcassette recorder to help me remember them. However, one theory I always had was if I can't remember it 30 minutes later, it probably wasn't very good!

I'm really enjoying reading other writers' advice... even if someone is doing what I already do, I feel a sense of comradery! And I am taking away some useful tips as well.

Thanks again- Tammy (Napoleon, Ohio)

I believe James Mays has the right idea. Most of us will never be good or (more importantly) lucky enough to earn a good living writing songs.However,this should never stop us from writing.I know at this point I couldn't stop if I wanted to.I didn't start writing until I was 40 years old.Having played the guitar since I was 18 I always wanted to write songs but I could never quite get it all together.Friends that I jammed with always had "songs". I wanted to have "songs".This probably seems simple to most of you but I was finally able to start writing after reading an old interview with John Lennon.In it he said the most important thing to do in songwriting was to be honest with your feelings.Well,I now have "songs".When I look in the mirror I think "I am a success".Doncha love this site?

- Dayne Linn

Been reading your page so much I fell I should give my own feelings on the subject of songwriting even though I am any thing but an expert.... I have never yet written a song while I was trying to write a song. In the middle on the night something starts going around in my head and I have to get up and write it down. It's either get up and write it or lay awake all night fighting it.
I have written a lot driving back and forth to work...I do that with a micro-tape recorder. If something pops into my head I grab the recorder and sing it. I can't write anything until after I have sung it a few times. Sometimes I just sing it in my head but eventually I have to sing it out loud before I can make it work. I listen to everything anyone says about songwriting and try to pick out to things that may help me. A long time ago I learned that you can learn a lot more by listening than you can by talking. SO! thanks Jeff for the great page.
My page is www.geocities.com/Nashville/Opry/3274 "Paul's Bluegrass Songwriters Connection."

- Paul

Jeff,
Your site is really good. I needed some help, and you helped me out tremendously. I write songs all the time. I usually write songs when my mood changes, or my feelings are hurt, ect. I always carry a notepad with me so that I can write lyrics down as they come to me. I have been told that my songs sound like a post-NIRVANA-angst. It seems to me that when i get angry, I usually end up writing a song. These songs never look the same or sound alike. Which I guess that is a good thing, but what I am trying to say is that a feeling,emotion or whatever can trigger thoughts that actually can be turned into lyrics for songs in the future, or for the moment. Not getting along with the wife can turn into a song. I named a song "I don't give a @#$%" because I was fighting with my wife. Good lyrics are everywhere you just have to think them, live them, read them, like them. Also, you can never tell yourself that you are no good at what you do. You must remain positive.

- Jeff B. songwriter/musician

I am not really sure what this aging hippy can add to the ideas you have gathered. I have had more success with prose that lyrics. I am a 49 year old Corrections administrator and still feel that I have something to say. I have experienced so much and seen so much that has made me bitter and withdraw but when I get together with a few freinds and stroke a few chords on my aging Gibson guitar I think that maybe I can stll put together something that will strike a failiar note. I find that listening to Dylan and John Prine seems to get me through ths enivitable blockages that come and if no one else appreciates it @#$% tham. I wish you well.

- Rudy H.

Jeff: I was really moved by your site. I started reading just a few pages, and said to myself, "That's what I feel,...That's what I'm going through...That's the problems I'm facing...That's what I'm trying to say". All this this I felt as I write my songs. Sometimes it's a struggle...sometimes it flows. But at least it is still there. We all must do what we have to do to write. Read, listen to, observe, practice, meditate, educated, network, pray, and fill our emotional palate to draw from as we create. Whatever it takes to grow and learn with this "Songwriting Craft" we must all do. Sometimes we just don't know why....but we persevere...continue on. I am thankful and glad to call all of you composers, lyricist...my brothers and sisters. From the guy who drinks 5-6 beers to get out of his writers block, to the person who was obviously a trained music educator with all kinds of formulas for composition, getting you out of the writers block syndrome. Young and Old writers alike. But we are all trying to say something, express something that is so very unique to us...from the person with $$ signs and glory/fame in their eyes to the person with an introspective humility of expression. We are all "unique" and merely pursuing this craft.."Our Craft". We're all learning and growing and we're all reaching different planes at different times of our development. We are "Simply just trying to say something" to touch somebody with our words, with the blend of melody and words. If this is done right. Oh how it can be a moving experience. It can make you laugh...it can make you cry...it can make you rememeber. It can make you be still...or just to give thanks for what we have or what we have lost. Just look and read the "Sharing Wisdom" site and you can see and feel it. I am glad to find so many honorable, honest, witty, educated, feeling, giving, "From the Heart" people on this site. Thank You all from my heart for "Sharing"

- Valentino R. Jimenez - Spokane, Wash.

Hi Jeff

I just found the songwriters' page, and I feel like I've found a soul mate :-) I've been writing songs since I was 15 years old. I'm now 38. I performed as a teenager, but college, marriage and children (and then career) steered my creativity in other directions. Now that I'm finally finished with college, I'm divorced, and my children are getting older, I've treated myself to a new keyboard and opportunities to write again.

Now I'm an executive with regional responsibilities. I spend a great deal of time in my car. I've found this to be a great opportunity to create songs. It's different in that I typically have the keyboard to help me find the melody, but in the car, I only have what's in my head....requires more creativity actually, but I have found great momentum during my lengthy commutes to different worksites.

Like one of your other readers, I had to learn to record as I write. I can't identify and write chords as I drive along in the car like I do when I have the assistance of the keyboard. I do, however, have my little clipboard, and envelopes, and my daytimer and anything I can find to sketch a line or a verse as it pops into my head.

Would love to correspond with any of you songwriters. I consider my singing, and writing to have been the most valuable coping/defense mechanism of my life. I'm glad for a "link" to others who share my passion.

PS..I sometimes manage to watch the road too :-)

- Cindi, North Carolina, chodges@ns1.eastlink.net

Q: What do you do to overcome writer's block?
A: Whenever I need new ideas, I plant myself somewhere I've never been before. I have found that new surroundings fertilize new thoughts. Also, I try not to hesitate when I create. I believe that writer's block results from a fear of creating something that isn't good. No songwriter wants to make bad songs, but here's my philosophy: there's nothing wrong with creating songs that suck; sometimes you hafta make ten bad songs and analyze them to find the inspiration to write one good one.

Q: Where do your ideas come from?
A: I don't know. Does it matter? I don't fully understand how my heart beats either.

- Jason Eyes (Lyricist/Singer)

Every songwriter has different ways, styles, and difficulties. I have only been writing for about a year and am barely 17, but I have learned much within that small space of time. From glancing at your page I noticed things like setting a time to write and using a thesaurus and such. I could never do that. From day one I haven't been able to write decent songs on cue when nothings going on. I find it makes my songs repetitious and boring. Once again, things work for different people and this is me. I like to wait until something inside me sparks and then I set to writing. Sometimes it's barely a line that I don't fully understand, but most the time I can't stop from writing. From one idea, three new ones come in. Usually I can't write fast enough so I get on my computer whenever possible. The only problem is that I can't see words I would have scratched out. No matter how bad or short a song is, I always try to save it because I usually find something in it later on that makes perfect sense and can be used in another song. When I have a "block" I don't try to get through it, instead I wait a while, sometimes a week or more. I find that there's many troubles to this though. One, when I mow I think, therefore I think up whole songs instrumentally and lyrically. That's worse than a writers block cuz I can't write down the music or lyrics in time. One day I'm gonna buy a mini recorder. People go through different experiences and write about things in life that others think are negative or too sad, but that's life! Music is an ART FORM. You use it as an outlet to express your feelings in their purest, worst, and best forms. Don't be scared to write things down or ashamed to keep illwritten songs. Search for your true, unique style. I have always had trouble with rhyming everything. I now know I can use it to my advantage. Also, love songs are the hardest form to write because it seems as if everything is taken, so I try to use symbolic phrases in all songs especially this kind. Anyways, I hope this helped atleast one person. Thanks.

- Christian Clark ATL, GA

Jeff:

What a great site! I was running on empty when I came across your site a week or so ago and found some great stuff that helped me get over a roadblock. I was reworking some old songs with dry lyrics, and just didn't seem to be getting anywhere. Then I stumbled across your "Sharing Wisdom" page and started thinking of some of my own "tricks of the trade," which was what wound up pouring hot coals on some of my cold songs!

I was told a couple of years ago at a songwriter's workshop to start carrying around a "Hook Book" to jot down words, phrases or rhymes that impressed me as I heard them. The things I write down in my Hook Book often make their way into my songs, and I never lose an idea! Sometimes I might be groping for the right line, and I'll glance through my book and find exactly the phrase I'm looking for. Over the last two years, I've filled up about three notebooks.

A couple of other tools I would recommend for the budding songsmith is 1) a GOOD Thesaurus, and 2) a rhyming dictionary. Use the first to find a substitute for those words and rhymes that are overused and have become cliches. Use the latter to come up with original rhymes, keeping in mind that a rhyme doesn't have to be exact.

Keep up with the great site. I know I'll be back often!

- Sonya Lynn Cleberg

Nice site, Jeff! I'd like to share a recent revelation that may be of benefit to fellow songwriter/websurfers. This is directed to those who have difficulty finding time to write music while managing full-time jobs, housework, yardwork, volunteer work, and other commitments that pull us from our songwriting. I've been writing music since the age of 7, but fell out of the habit in the past decade. I always meant to return to it but never did. Recently I was given a guitar for my birthday and have learned to play it, not splendidly, but I can accompany myself. (I've always been a piano person.) I've been cranking out songs like a machine. I've let other things in life slide, and you know what? Nothing bad has happened.

It used to be that when I had tasks facing me, like dishes, errands, yardwork, etc. I would tell myself I would make music as a reward for getting my work done first. Sometimes, there was no energy or time left for the music. Now I have a new trick. I ask myself which is more important. When I'm on my deathbed, will I regret that I didn't make more music or will I regret that I didn't mow my lawn as often as I should have?

Somehow the other stuff gets done on the run and somewhat haphazardly, but that's okay. Even if my songs are never heard or appreciated by anyone else, I've validated my songwriting to become as important and timeworthy of a place in my life as all those other things.

I'm sure most of the readers of this page have already come upon this piece of wisdom. But for those of you who keep intending to sit down & poke around with those melodies or words banging around in your head, it's time to give yourself permission and let the dishes sit!

- Chandra

I've not been writing for to long, but I have a few tips on getting ideas out.

1 - Instead of trying to work out a stringent rhythm to write lyrics to, try just getting one sheet of A4 paper and jotting all your thoughts down on it. Anything. Write any possible hooklines down too. Then come up with a catchy enough chord sequence or melody and paste these thoughts down.

2 - Keep it intense. Keep a constant development of the song by leaving out little words, like if, its, I etc. A good example of how this technique works is Radiohead.

3 - Make it different. A simple chord structure and meaningful words will not be enough. Add 'odd' chords not relative to the scale you are working on to 'bend' the ear. It can create some useful melody ideas. Try the new Manic Street Preachers album for inspiration on tunes.

4 - Dont give up. If a song just isn't working then put it away for a few weeks. When you come back to it you should have enough ideas to develop it into something more. It might only need a change in structure or words, so take time to consider these. The process is not always a straightforward one. S.Y.M.M from the latest Manics album took over a year to write, so dont start worrying if a song dosent work after half an hour.

- Mike

In my endless quest to browse the Internet for songwriting bits here and there, I found this site to be quite useful, and I would just like to add a bit to some of what has been said.

I am eighteen years old, and I have been writing since I was sixteen. At such a relatively young age, I have learned so many things about writing that I feel may help many of the writers currently looking to take their abilities to the next level.

First off, I have been very interested in the many comments made on writer's block, namely because I don't really recall ever having it. The songs come to me and I write them down, and I think this may be something that others may wish to do. If I attempt to write a song and my heart is not in it, then I do not expect that it will be done anytime soon. Therefore, I go by this rule: If the heart says to write, then write. If the mind says to write, be wary.

Second, the very interesting concept of double meaning caught my eye. This has long been a device in my writings, and I really do believe that it helps to make a song more meaningful as individuals can take personal perspectives on the song. For instance, in one of my songs, I wrote "Can I make it any clearer than the glass case that I'm in?" Plainly speaking, the artist is using the word "clearer" to indicate: a) that he wishes to know if his point can be explained any better, and b) that he feels as though he is trapped by his current situation, as a glass case would indicate. I have been told that this is one of the classic lines that I have penned, and I tend to agree.

On yet another note, I would tend to agree with the notion that mood is the most important thing in a song. Since this is true, the tempo of the song must agree with the subject. For instance, tender romance tracks usually are slow and mellow, while party tracks are more upbeat. If I want somebody to feel saddened, I will probably write to a slow tempo, so as to have the listener feel less than excited about what is to come. If I was angry, I would try a more violent tempo, possibly envisioning a lot of crashing cymbals in the track to show conflicting emotion. Once the tempo is established, I can come up with an opening verse in a certain key, and music tends to dictate which notes should follow which.

Opening lines of a song are very important. Thus, I like the idea of getting the subject out of the way as soon as possible. This means that a person does not have to wait until the chorus to understand what the song is about. While there are times when I will stray from this, the majority of the 174 and counting songs that I have penned begin with simple lines explaining the situation. For example, in one song, I began, "When I tell you how I feel about you, you never believe." In another, I open with, "I miss you with every beat of my heart." Neither is a truly profound line, but both get to the point, and both make an initial impression on the listener's mind. This brings the listener to the point of understanding the mood of the artist, whether lonely, jubilant, or angry.

Yet another subject that must be commented on is the subject of a song's title. Before I even hear a song, I get an image in my mind from the title, and this should be an image that will make me want to listen, much as a book's title causes one to read or not read said book. In this regard, I do not recommend a title such as "I Love You", because it is not saying enough. If, however, it was to be named "You Know How I Love You", I would be more inclined to listen.

If one comes up with the title of a song first, please try to make sure that the song fits the title, and that the song is not written in a less-than-appealing manner in order to accomodate the title. If this happens, simply change the title. Remember, a name doesn't make a song a hit, lyrics do.

As always, try to make the lyrics as descriptive as possible. I would not like to hear "the air was cold" as much as I would appreciate "an icy breeze consumed me". Vocabulary plays a very big role in this. Instead of using the name of Cupid, try Aphrodite. Rather than "feelings", try "emotions". If your song is to rhyme, do not sacrifice quality in order to get a "perfect" rhyme scheme. For instance, "frame" and "rain" go just as well as "name" and "game".

Avoid using tired rhymes like "world" and "girl". In place of one or the other, for instance, one might try "pearl".

One last tip that I would like to share is this what I call my "imaging" practice. When I take notice of a music video, I believe that the video should match the content of the song. Sometimes, it helps to think of it the other way around. Imagining what a video for the song would consist of can help with lyrics, as far as setting a scene and adding depth to the situation. Thus, envisioning a scene where an ex holds the artist in mid-winter can lead to "I miss how your touch kept me warm in mid-winter snow." Then, as she fades away, one might say, "I never knew the world was so cold 'til you let go." Trust me, it works. (The line is copyrighted, in case you were wondering.)

In closing, I would like to say to keep your heads up and know that every gift comes with a curse that can only be lifted through perseverance. Final tip: if you lose ideas, try new subjects. (Instead of losing a lover, write about one who won't give you a chance to get into his or her life.) Jesus is Lord. We are all kings and queens. Knowledge is power. Peace and God Bless.

- Maliq Adonai Soter, Bronx, NY

What I have seen is that the music business has, for decades, actualy been the business of assisting the powers-that-be to destroy the mental and moral backbone of our nation. Unless your music fits this, or else you take the flip side of the coin and become a Christian music entertainer, chances are you haven't got a chance to make it professionally beyond a cult following as a songwriter. I know at least two professional songwriters (both have written for major singers, and one has had a couple of music videos done by the big guys). Nobody pushes them anymore because their music isn't decadent enough.

Of course, mere decadence isn't enough -- there are plenty of people providing plenty of this. If you want to be a "success", get a regular job; write for the people who love you, most of all yourself; and then look in the mirror and say, "I'm a success" because then you will be.

You may not realize it but "success" in the traditional sense of the word only means you become a better-paid slave to a different master.

- James Mays

Hi Jeff and everyone else--Great Site!

I'm a not yet established songwriter in West Hollywood, CA. It was interesting reading comments from songwriters like myself--some of the techniques sound very familiar.

I think many of you hit on a great point--don't edit until afterward. If you stop after every chord or line to criticize, you might lost the creative flow of the song. The mood is most important and most of the fundamental writing must be accomplished during this initial mood. One can go back to a work and complete it successfully, but it seems to me to take on a different life and direction. Also, I think it depends upon the song itself as to how to begin writing. Sometimes I start with a melodic hook, other times with a chord progression, or lyric line, and still other times with the bass line or rhythm. I think you should listen to a lot of music, and it's okay to write with another song in mind, because by the time you're finished, it tends to take a different direction anyway without becoming derivative. The other song can just lend a little inspiration.

An interesting thing I do--If I start with the music first (I work with an X3 workstation) I find myself singing syllables that then become gibberish or trite lyrics which I then concentrate on turning into something distinctive once the technical aspects have been worked out. This way, I can purely focus in on the mood that has been established and hone the lyrics into something finer.

As for writer's block, just do something else--anything else--and it will come back. Don't connect those negative feelings with the place or process that is your passion.

- Steven DuVall

JEFF, I'AM WRITING TO TELL OF A LIFE OF A DREAM I KEEP TRYING TO ACHIEVE. I STARTED WRITING WHEN I FEEL IN LOVE WITH A GIRL WHEN I WAS SIXTEEN. NEVER HAD THE GIRL FOR LONG. NEVER DID ANYTHING BUT KISS HER. BUT LIFE FOR MY SONGWRITING KICKED OFF. I WROTE FOR SEVERAL YEARS BECAUSE OF THE FEELINGS I GOT, BUT GETTING NO WHERE. I GOT DISCOURAGED AFTER LETTING MY MIND SAY THERES BETTER THINGS TO DO WITH MY LIFE. I'AM WASTING MY TIME PAYING PEOPLE TO PUT MUSIC TO MY LYRICS. I KNOW NOW I COULD DO JUST AS GOOD AS THEY DID. I STOPPED WRITING FOR ABOUT 18 YEARS. I LEARNED SOME BASIC GUITAR. NEVER LOSING THE DREAM TO WRITE PROFESSIONALLY I HAVE RECENTLY STARTED TO RE-ENTER THE BUSINESS OF BELIEVING MYSELF THAT SOMEDAY I'LL MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THIS BUSINESS AND MY LIFE. SONGS HAVE NEVER COME EASY TO ME. BUT PEOPLE ASK ME HOW DO YOU THINK OF THESE SONGS, YOU MUST HAVE A GIFT? I SAY NO I JUST DO IT. I DON'T BEIEVE IT'S A TALENT IT'S JUST A FORM OF EXPRESSION I LOVE TO DO. I HOPE PEOPLE ENJOY WHAT I DO. THATS THE PURPOSE WE ALL WHO WRITE DO IT . IT'S TO MAKE PEOPLE HAPPY, SAD, OR JUST PLAIN FEEL GOOD. I LOVE TO WRITE LYRICS AND I'AM GOING TO LEARN TO PERFORM MY OWN SONGS ONE DAY ON TV. EVERYBODY OUT HERE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE BELIEVE IN YOURSELF AND KEEP TRYING. I'AM NOT THE BEST BUT I CAN ALWAYS TRY TO BE. TAKE CARE! KEEP WRITTEN THEM HITS.

- RON MARSOLF, LAWRENCE, KS

Hi Jeff, this is a great outlet for us underrated writers out there looking for the support and encouragement to carry on with our sometimes lonely craft. I am a singer/songwriter who is a fairly accomplished guitar player. I believe in the strength of a good lyric but have sometimes had to be careful not to try to be a 4 or 5 piece band in the process of writing what I think might be a great song. I agree with a lot of the people who have left some hints on your site with regards to losing or regaining the inspiration required to finish a half finished song. Usually I have about 2 or 3 musical ideas and a few lyric ideas running around in my head at the same time. When you begin to put words together for the sake of putting words together, you may as well put it down and go on to the next one or go about your daily routine. The original inspiration will come back.

When it comes to lyrics, I like to be as cryptic as possible without thinking too much about that in itself. Double meanings are usually good to capture a cross section of peoples emotions. This is hard to explain as it is such a personal and sometimes subconcious process. Here is a simple few lines from a recent idea I put down on paper for future use:

Harken to the sound of the rain pelting down on the rooftop
And the hiss of the sneaky leakers dancing on the stove.

Though this kind of lyric will never necessarily be a pop chart buster, it is something that came into my mind at the time.

I guess if I had any advice for anyone on writing, it might be to write whatever comes to mind, whenever it comes to mind. I like to write mainly in the folk/rock style but I have a lot of celtic influence having grown up in Newfoundland, Canada. As you can see by the above lyric this may be something that falls in that category lyrically but if that's what feel and lyrics come to mind, then you have to be true to yourself and let it fly.

- LukeCox, Brampton, Ontario, Canada

The title should NOT come first, nor should the lyrics, nor the melody or beat. First comes mood. Your mood becomes the song's mood. Nothing about the song-- title, lyrics, melody or rhythm-- will ever seem quite fitting unless it sprouts as a natural outgrowth of your initial mood.

Anybody can fashion a song embryo at any time, but for a song's embryo to actually come alive it must be conceived not by whim but by a soul-felt union of mood with touch...the touch of a piano key, or a guitar string, or just your soul touching your vocal chords in a simple hum.

Writer's block-- it's simply the absence of mood. When mood returns, your songwriter juices will flow once more. As with sexual procreation, don't try to force things. Just wait for the mood, then things will happen. In the meantime, spend a week or three doing and thinking about other things. Mood cannot be turned on and off like a water tap; life will turn it on for you, when it's time. When mood comes, the things you experienced during your week(s) off will spill out in your creative passion, as will experiences from long ago. Therefore don't regret time spent away from songwriting, for during that time you will simply be out gathering raw materials for your next round of production.

Remember: mood first. When it's there things will flow and fit together quite naturally and wonderfully.

- Mike Bailey

Here, in three words, is a tip that could mean the difference between the life or death of that 'hit song' you just wrote: RECORD! RECORD! RECORD! I'd often found myself with this ingenious hook, be it chorus or verse that was just so good, I would never forget it and move on to something else. (that's how I write) Only to go back to it a half hour later and forget the vast majority of it, sending me into an even more depressed state. Surprisingly, I had written 200 or so unfinished songs before I decided to start recording my new material. Now it's a matter of going back and logging those past songs on tape. So I must say record every practise/jam session you do. You never know when that song might turn up.

- Jack T

Hi Jeff and thanks again for your fabulous site. You help us all so much by giving us a venue as well as a networking resource.

First my two cents about the second word in "Music Business." Having been a professional musician since age 16 and a writer since age 18, I am definitely on the writer's side of the "aisle", even though I have recently formed by own BMI publishing company. The reason? I was fed up with ridiculous "critiques" of my music; I was fed up with giving others free ideas that probably produced songs similar to mine that I will never know about; most ALL major publishers that could do me any good have staff writers that very easily COULD and DO do just this; the smaller publishers listed in sourcebooks are mostly filing cabinets that collect copyrights. Why give them half of my writer royalty? I have a filing cabinet too!! And with hard work I can probably put more into pitching MY OWN music than a complete stranger. I have learned so MUCH about the biz it now makes me sick.

I got so sick of the closed doors..irrespective of the qualiy of the music..that I finally said "Hey, I'm gonna take Frank Zappa's advice and go out into the desert, grab a rock and say: 'I AM A RECORD LABEL'." So I made my OWN CD in my OWN studio playing everything myself including vocals..of my best songs...songs that I FEEL are good and mean something to ME..songs from the HEART..not formula songs. I've never read a "songwriting" or "lyric writing" book in my life and I don't intend to start now. To hell with whether anyone at a label likes it. It's MY creation and expression for the world and my kids that will last forever..something i can touch, hold and listen to for the rest of my life and be PROUD of!! DON'T LET THESE COMMERCIAL/FORMULA/SLICK MARKETING/STUPID LYRICS/DUMB MUSIC LOVING PUBLISHERS AND RECORD COMPANIES TRASH YOUR HOPES AND DREAMS! DON'T LET THEM MAKE YOU QUIT OR LET THEM TELL YOU THAT YOU ARE NO GOOD! LISTEN TO THE RADIO..HOW MUCH OF IT STINKS?? A WHOLE LOT..AND IT GETS PLAYED ONLY BECAUSE OF THE FINANCIAL CLOUT OF THE MAJOR LABELS!

Sometime our songwriting organizations need to start lobbying for us independents who can't get on the radio to save our life, even with a good product! Remember these stations in your community that refuse to play your CD come up for licensing hearings every year and they are supposed to represent the COMMUNITY..thats YOU! Attend and protest if you have a reason to do so! Hits are MADE by AIRPLAY! They are NOT hits until they ARE played. Do not let anybody tell you what a"hit" is or is not. You may have an album of hits that will never be because no station wil play you. THAT is my point.

Do what you love because you HAVE to do it. If someone hears it and you get a break, fine, but that can't be the primary focus. Any book that has a title about money being the botttom line..you know which one I'm talking about..will NEVER be a part of my library.

My latest song has received airplay after John Denver's death as it was called "Fly-A Tribute To John Denver" (BMI) Copyright 1997 Doug Fitch. It was on a major Dallas AC station. I was lucky. I never thought (nor did I write it to be) it would be commercially viable as it was a very personal song since he was my musical idol and I had met him personally. That flash in the pan is over for now and thank goodness I never got too caught up emotionally in the situation. I'll get off my high horse for now with a prayer for all of you writers that have never been heard, or that have been and almost quit because of some "publisher or exec" who most likely WASN'T EVEN A MUSICIAN who told you that you lacked a hook or some other stupid comment or told you to listen to "Margaritville" to see what a good song is. HAH! Do it on your own if you can afford the equipment. Make YOURSELF proud.

- Doug Fitch (BMI), CATIII Music Publishing (BMI) IFR Records

Right now, I am 12 years old, and have been writing on and off for a year or two now. How I first got started is kind of interesting, so I'll tell you, but it takes a lot of background information. At the time, I was in a full-time gifted 5th grade class, with 10 other boys and 5 girls. Well, the girls began writing these really messed up songs about whatever- I can't remember what, but I do remember them singing at lunch... they couldn't sing worth a #@$!! and the lyrics made no sense. Eventually, some of us boys got dragged into it- well, not dragged, but you get the idea. I remember writing my first song, bringing it to school, and letting everybody read it. It was a huge sucess. I remember little about except the title: "Psychotic Bum". This should tell you a little about the type of song it was. The reason I remember little is because I threw it away- I reread it a couple months later, and chucked it. I thought: "How could I write such complete, senseless, meaningless crap?"

Well, since then I had written about 2 or 3 full songs and the beginings of around 5 more. I kept them all in one big book.

I threw the entire book out. Again, the same thought from earlier reappeared in my head.

Now, I find myself listening to music a lot more, less to the guitars, and more to the drums and lyrics. Right now, I have one- ONE!- song completed that I think is any good. And even that came from a song I had written before, with the same title. And I'm on the brink of tossing it again- the more I read it, the less I like it. I finally find a good subject, and I can't find a way to express my thoughts on the subject!

I found your page after searching for "songwriting", because I was looking for a little help on the subject. As of yet, I haven't found any. But at least I found somebody I can talk to about songwriting- nobody I know cares, or understands.

I have been reading over the messages some more, and find more and more about the subconsious. I think dreams are very important to the writing of music, but often when a song is written about the dream, not the events in it, it sounds rather weak.

I used to play the keyboard, but have not in a very looooooong time, so I have almost forgot how. But, I don't know how to read music, so therefore cannot write it... Even so, I think it must be easier to write the lyrics to a song and then put music to it. I don't know, but that's how it appears.

- Gavin Baker

TIPS for the advanced songwriter ...   1) Start with the melody and the chords - if your melody doesn't get you humming, or make you feel, you're kidding yourself if you think your words are going to save it.   2) Forget your past - there's nothing wrong with writing something that sounds like something you've done before. Maybe the thing you're working on now will be the hit, and the old song will be forever left on the shelf. Just free yourself to write anything that sounds good.   3) DON'T progress - you hear so many writers that used to be good turn into old hacks cause they get bored with writing good catchy songs. If you have the knack of writing stuff that gets people singing, stick with it and screw those urges to 'go jazz'.   4) Don't get too attached - I love trashing one of my songs and storing it where I know it will never be looked at again. It means I've got objectivity and standards. I guess it comes down to how much you write. If you write one song a month, you're gonna feel pretty crappy tossing it out. If you write one a day, you won't give a hoot. I write a stack of trash - it's the only way to write anything good!!   5) Write at least three times a week - screw writer's block. Just write a song about anything. You can put meaningful lyrics to it later. You need to get your brain out of the habit of thinking it needs inspiration or special conditions. Train it so that it will churn out a great song any time, anywhere.   Any comments. E-mail me: stustu@pronet.net.au

- Stuart Stuart, songwriter/producer, Australia 

Hi Jeff,

I've just gone through your Songwriters, on Songwriting, section, it's very satisfying to read the comments,suggestions etc. from so many different writers. As I was reading I found myself nodding in agreement or thinking, I feel the same way. I notice a lot of talk about writers block. I used to worry about writers block, but not any more. I've been writing for over 20 years, and I used to get very stressed during the times when I just could not seem to write anything. I can remember thinking on numerous occasions, "this is it I will never write again"

Of course I would always write again. These days when I have the block, I don't write, I don't even try, I just wait it out. There are lots of other things going on in our lives, focus on those for a while. It always comes back, and I now know that it always will. If you are a writer, that isn't going to go away. Actually I find that since I've stopped worrying about it,I get writers block less frequently, and when it comes it never lasts as long. Everything we do in life seems to run a course of highs and lows, songwriting is no exception. I realize that everyone is different, and how writing blocks affect them is different, but I have really made peace with this over the years. This approach has worked for me, maybe it will work for others as well. Just thought I'd pass it along. I noticed a lot of advice on writing from the heart, Amen to that ! By the way Jeff, Fantastic site, keep up the great work. Sincerely,

- Jim Shaw, ( Nova Scotia, Canada)

I would like to congratulate all of those songwriters who have taken time out to put their thoughts into words to share with others like myself on this page.

I tuned in with a case of musicians block and I leave here inspired. I'd also just like to say that I think that it's wonderful reading these comments to find out just how much integrity my fellow songwriters have. Personally I think it's about time we had some kind of revolution in music, I tuned into the Grammy's this year and was left feeling flat. This is not music it's marketing.

My advice to you is probably something I should preach less about and practice more myself. Be yourself, forget the hype and write from your heart and cultivate confidence within yourself first. Feel special cause you're you and the inspiration you seek will surely come.

- Paula

Hey Jeff I just stumbled across this page. Good stuff. I am a Canadian songwriter, and God knows writers block hits me enough. I try to picture every song as a color or a feeling. This gives me an emotional tie to the song. I find that if I can't connect with what I am writing than neither will anyone else. Getting stuck just means that I havn't found the correct approach to the song that I am working on yet. So it means hammering away for a while yet. Maybe it means getting a solid foundation and moving on. Come back and give her a whirl tomorrow. Focus on melody and leave it to the heart. Very often I let myself get stuck because I am trying to capture the perfect lyric. I find that sometimes leaving the cheesey lines and keeping going with the song is a good thing. Usually I will get farther along in the tune and something will strike an idea. So back I go and weed out the cheese ( don't get me wrong though, sometime the cheesiest stuff sells ). Right now I am going through a rhythm phase. Experimenting with a little more syncopation. Being a country writer I am finding a change in the industry in the last year. It seems to be a new brand of country. Take a band like the Ranch, or David Lee Murphy's (Just don't wait around till she's leaving), Michael Peterson's (Too Good to Be true). They are using a lot of off beat rhythm and 1/8 note pushes, it's catchy. Same with ballads. Typical John Michael Montgomery like I swear is turning to Angel in my eyes. Garth Brooks She's gonna make it Great tunes with a fresh approach. I try and not copy these type of songs, but see what emotions they stike and recreate that fire in my tunes. Most important keep at er'. You may find tomorrow is the day that you finally finish that song, so imagine that you don't sit down to write that day. That idea may never come again.

- Dave Orsten, Edmonton Alberta, Canada

I noticed while reading through the comments and advice section how alot of people talk about "being yourself" or "writing from your heart". I have come to believe (as I think there are mostly beliefs, little truths) that the key to being good, being entertaining, is to be completely involved in the experience of preformance, even while practicing or writing. For instance I know this guy in my hometown who is a singer/songwriter. The guy is not that good technically but truthfully, he is damn entertaining. He's just so absorbed in the act. It's like watching Jack Nickolson bug-out in a film. Completely absorbed. I think this is the same idea everyone else has put in different words. Just believe in what you do and do it relentlessly. I quit one of my jobs yesterday practically condemning my self to having just enough money but an obsessive amount of time. I love this art and though it sometimes brings pain or confusion, I relish in it. Oh, and thanks for this site, I dig it.

- Terry Smith, Bowling Green, KY.

The only advice I can give is listen to the opinions of others when you present your song. I've found a lot of people (myself included) can get very attached to their songs and when people dismiss or criticise..listen to them! Work on the weakness, turn it into a strength. I know people who have been writing for 20+ years and they're producing absolute shit because they've refused to listen to the comments of outsiders and have carried on in the same direction.

- Chris Bainbridge

Sometimes I find myself stuck half-way through writing a song,so I put it away and go about my everyday life.Thats where my songs come from.My husband,my two babies,the good times and the tragdeies.I like to hear a song that I can relate to so I can say "Aint it the truth!" The only real problem I have is, I am my worst critic!Then I think of an old saying"What you consider trash,is somebody elses treasure!"Right now I am unpublished but I still cant stop writing songs.I hope to be heard someday before my kids grow up and say,"Do you still write songs mom"

- Dessell Lawson

There's a few of tips on (song)writing that I've found very useful and I wish to pass them on. I hope that others will find that they are useful.

Tip 1) write a verse, a line, or the whole song down, put it aside, and come back to it after some time - an hour or a day - had passed and look at it again. You might love what you had written; you might stare at the paper in utter horror, wondering how in the world YOU could have written something so horrible.
Tip 2) Remember that nobody knows the formula to writing a hit song.
Tip 3) There is no such thing a "the perfect song".
Tip 4) When I started writing lyrics, I was told that it was an absolute must that my lines rhymed and that I had to have a meter. Through personal experience, I found out that it was not an absolute must that my lines rhymed but the advice about the meter was right on.
Tip 5) WHATEVER HAPPENS, DON'T YOU DARE GIVE UP. Giving up is the worst thing you can do.

Hope these tips were some help. Good luck

- Sandy Patten

The thing i do to get the "poison" of bottled up feelings out of me is to live what kind of music you make, and to write down your life on paper.

-Jeremy, Hollidaysburg, Pa

You know, songwriting is hard. You have to have the right words. It doesn't matter if they don't make sense, chances are you can't hear the words anyways, or it was meant to leave you clueless. And don't ever try to copy someone else. What makes a song good is it's style. It can be a classic song or one of those "in with the fad, gone with the moment" songs. Don't try to perfect your songs, you're not perfect. Afterall, your songs reflect on you and the event you wrote it about. An old indian friend once told me "It's not the stillness or the beauty of the land/moment that makes you think, it's the silence." My songs don't always work out, I'm an amateur to begin with. But I know a lot about the trick & trade. I have been making up songs since I was two. And wrote down my first when I was 5. At 7 I wrote like crazy and from then on I have been a lyricist. If your songs aren't ever even copyrighted don't worry, it'll make sense and make someone feel better (or worse) when they finally hear it.

- Sky

THE BEST SONGWRITING ADVISE COMES FROM YOUR OWN HEART. LISTEN TO IT WELL. WHEN IT SAYS THIS IS REALLY NOT GOOD ENOUGH, THEN BELIEVE THAT IT IS REALLY NOT GOOD ENOUGH. SOMEONE ONCE SAID,"YOU WRITE A GOOD SONG.....YOU REWRITE A GREAT ONE"!!!

I AM A ESTABLISHED SONGWRITER/BMI. I WRITE WITH A HOOK IN MIND. FIRST LINE WHEN POSSIBLE,BUT IF NOT ALWAYS POSSIBLE, AT LEAST WITHIN THE FIRST THREE OR FOUR LINES. WHICH TWO LINES CATCH YOUR EYE FIRST?

(1) I'M COLD TONIGHT BECAUSE YOU'RE NOT HERE WITH ME
AND IT'S HARD FOR ME TO GO TO SLEEP.

(OR)

(2) IF LONLINESS COULD HOLD ME.....HONEY, I'D BE WARM TONIGHT
I COULD GO TO SLEEP WHEN I TURN OUT THE LIGHT(COPR. 1997 PAT SMITH)

- Patricia Smith

Dear Jeff, I enjoy your page. I just wanted to say that I am an official member of the Guitar-Players-with-lots-of-lyrics-who-can't-sing Association. I often feel the pressure of having to write good lyrics to remove attention from my voluminous and off-key whaling. I have found, however, that if the words stirred or shook you, they'll probably rock someone else, too. I also notice that most people seem thrilled that I actually had the courage to sing, considering my far-from-pleasant vocal stylings. They sort of look at me as if to say "WOW. I can't believe you're doing this!" So this is for all you axe-wielding hopeless singers: Never let a lack of talent hold you back. :)

- Theresa

My technique for making up songs: HOBARTs, refrigerators, Washing machines and other industrial machinery that hum. I like to go to public places where I can pick up on the general sadness of the population (myself included) and sing it out against the roar of these monster machines.

A lot of people these days don't let themselves feel anything of what life is presently doing to them. You have to let yourself get down in it, up in it, whatever. AND STOP THINKING LIKE A MARKETER!! It'll get you every time. Express yourself first, then use those fancy techniques for molding the residue into a hit so everybody else can hear your expression and hopefully, it will still move others.

I spent a long time where I kept playing slow, melodic, harmonious, but wordless guitar music that I liked for when it was just me, alone; but deep down, of course, I wanted to rock out and sing to people. Well, the other day I realized how much I hated my job and my schedule and my alarm clock and for once I was in a real, honest-to-God rock-and-roll mood. I couldn't beleive it. I think rock-and-roll must be job-hating music-- Now I know how all those slaves felt. I made up a good song in two minutes and it sounded exactly like how I felt. I was singing lyrics before I noticed and now all I have to do is structure the song and take out the part where I keep dropping my pick.

So, Uh, I guess what I'm saying is, live your life without constantly thinking, "Is this good? Is this marketable?" If you just want to entertain yourself and your friends (we cant all be famous) express yourself without regard to musical form, rhythm, melody, etcetera. I promise you, your friends will like it better than if you pester themwith "is this good? is this a hit?"

- Shams D. Kitz

I tend to write lyrics first and foremost. Lyrics are the things that listeners hold onto most, I think. Have you ever heard someone say "Nice major-minor progression" or "He should've put a diminshed 7 in there"? No! They hum the tune and sing the lyrics. Plus, I find it easier to shape music to lyrics, not vice-versa. How Billy Joel and Neil Diamond do it that way, I'll never know. I write my lyrics, and then a chord chart, for I lack the patience and the ability to write it note for note! :)

When inspiration hits you, don't take a Tylenol! Keep the "pain" for as long as you can. Write down what you hear, be it in your sleep or in the car, whatever. Joel's "River of Dreams" and McCartney's "Yesterday" came to them in their sleep, and look at how popular they've become. Writer's block is your mind's way of telling you to let instinct override mentality. I haven't written anything in months, just because there's nothing to write about. Don't force it, because if you record a track that was written by force, you can hear it in the music.

Read is the magic word, fellow writers! Read every single word you can, on the WWW, or mags, or books, or newsgroups, or chats. Every medium you can get your hands on will help. Don't copy, learn. Take elements from everything and meld it into your own style.

- David R aka DavidPiano (a 12-year old pianist/starting songwriter needing lotsa help!)

Here's a tip for the "music" people, as opposed to the word people. This tip is primarily aimed at modern country songwriters, where the market is pretty clearly defined.

Pick up a country album, that has the lyrics printed in the booklet. Challenge yourself to write music to the lyrics, BEFORE you listen to the songs. Choose a groove, feel, and tempo that the lyrics suggest to you, and write a song! Something like Band-In-A-Box or Jammer, can be very helpful if you have limited playing ability, to put a song together quickly.

After you've written a couple of songs, then listen to the version on the CD. What do you think? Is your song as good?

This excersise can really give you a chance to compare your skills with some top writers.

- Eric (JEricL@aol.com)

so many people are trying to make a living off of new songwriters.Song sharks come in many dfferent packages. Some call themselves Song Critiquers for a fee they will listen to your songs.Some call themselves consultants for a fee they will help you better your songwritig.Some call themselves song pluggers the list goes on and on.There is no such thing as a bad songwriter or song.If your song was written from the heart it's a hit.If someone says your song stinks it's only their opinion the same goes if they say your song is great.Don't give Song Sharks your hard earned money. Let them go out in the world and make an honest living.

- PaulB21888@aol.com

Method 101 for the creation of songs

THERE ARE NO RULES!! Musically, lyrically, and phonetically, there is just no one way to write a song. Write what you like and learn to find what you do that others may like and whalla, you there! There are places in this world that no man as ever stepped. The same applies for songs.

- Imminent99@aol.com, 2 time Grammy winner writer for multi-platnium selling rock/pop group.and still learning to write songs

Hi, I thoroughly enjoyed the web-site. It is nice to hear what other writers/musicians go through during the writing process.I have had some minor success in writing and recording original songs here in Northeast Pa. Your page has made me think about where all of the ideas & inspiration have come from over the years. Commercially, I have had my best success in writing songs "to order"...that is ,to say, when the theme or storyline is already a given...I once wrote the theme song for an ice-carving festival. Once the main idea was established, I simply filled an entire notebook with any ideas I could come up with that pertained to cold,ice, winter, etc...Once I picked over all of the items I had jotted down, a story began to form. All of a sudden, I was able to relate the short life span of an ice carving to that of a human being. The song was written and recorded by my band Mere Mortals in the space of 3 days. That was in 1992, and many people say it was the best work I've done to date. I would be interested to hear what other folks think of the lyrics.

           Cold(Still-Life)

    There stands a crystal palace 
    In cold, still life
    Born of magic fingers 
    And the sculptor's knife
    
    There we walk on snowy ground,
    Framed in winter's gray
    With age we are like these glacial walls
    We slowly melt away
 
    In cold, still life

    You can't replace this picture
    Or the memories that bind
    The flames of time can't touch them
    They are frozen in your mind

    In cold, still life

    Cold, still life is me