3 Bad Songwriting Habits You Need to STOP!

[@aaradhyamandloi9265]

This channel is goldmine for songwriting.

[@godsings132]

Indeeed!

[@fromdreamtostream]

Agreed!

[@rodolforoger]

Couldn’t agree more.

[@iankinzel]

0:00 "If you are genuinely trying to get better at writing songs..." Damn it, I've been inauthentically trying to get better at writing songs.

[@casabonitaaa]

I think they mean like, earnestly. Like, you’re putting in time and effort to improve, not just wishing you were better at it.

[@iankinzel]

@@casabonitaaa Oh okay, that makes sense.

[@shawnlauren8429]

My goal is to write and record a song a month. I book my studio session once a month and that puts a deadline for myself and forces me to be disciplined. Thank you both! ❤

[@gabykruithof1639]

You can always edit a bad page of writing; you can't edit a blank page...

[@SongSecretsMomNeverTaughtYou]

#2 is especially important! Using random selection to pick a starting key, tempo, vocal phrase start point, or even a chord other than the tonic can all be incorporated in that. If for example you are "forced" by random selection to write a song thats 80 bpm or less, or something at 200 bpm or faster, that will immediately force you to get creative because most songwriters default to 110-140 bpm, or they slap on a capo with their habit of using chord shapes of C, D, or G major, or E and A minor

[@jeffrey.a.hanson]

Forced constraints have been what sets me apart when asked to come in for co-writing sessions. When questioned I point to In The Air Tonight’. Phil Collins wrote that BECAUSE of that Roland drum machine…despite being a drummer. Or ‘Jessica’, which was written to be played on two fingers as a tribute to Django.

[@supermarioxs1]

One thing that I have always kept in mind and strive for is to make all of my songs have their unique sound , style , feel and groove ! I detest having songs sounding the same to your point !!! Professional drummer singer song writer turned acoustic folk singer song writer!!! Anticipating releasing my first solo album by the end of this year … BTW, this project has been in the works for over 3 years !!! It’s going to be awesome , at least I think so … 🤩 The way I write is my own style . I don’t think of songs or chord progressions from other songs ! I simply play the guitar and try to come up with my own cool sounding chord progression then I get inspired with lyrics and blamo!!! New song !!!!

[@neilsmith5464]

Totally rate their Song Writing groups/circles - I've done 2 over the last 4 months which has resulted in 8 new songs, new connections and learning to use new approaches & developing skills for writing

[@htws]

Love it, Neil!

[@CoryRyanHoward]

SO much great knowledge here and in all of your other videos. I’m super grateful for you sharing your skills!

[@JamieR]

Love the content you guys put out. I'm amazed by how much quality information you two share. Thank you! ❤

[@martapopovici]

It’s amazing, yes!

[@robertrussell9336]

I just can't believe how pulled in to your way of teaching that I've become. I can't listen any harder. I have a dozen pages of important notes that I am bursting to begin to implement. Thank you both so much, Sincerely. These truly feel like nuggets of gold to me. Brilliant time so well spent. Thank you.

[@htws]

Wow, thank you!

[@samuelstone242]

I love that you touched on writing melody first. This is a new strategy I’m going to be trying as I have always written chords first. I actually have been finding, especially lately, that this method is limiting for me. It makes me stay on a particular scale or set of notes without knowing how to deviate from them. In theory, writing melody first before taking it to an instrument should offer quite a bit more freedom to move the melody into areas I may not have thought of when sticking to chords in a specific key.

[@elliepodmore4348]

This video provides great tips and tools. Scheduling is my biggest hurdle. Once I'm in my "creative land", I never want to leave, but getting me there is the hardest process of all.

[@doliver5447]

I’ve been following this channel and working on the techniques, mainly with my lyric writing, which is where I’m weakest, and it’s really making a difference.

[@WilliamClawson-lk8vd]

Your channel is motivating me to write songs in a new and exciting way, apart from my current workflow. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@mattcarless642]

A daily routine helps me with my painting and music. I don't always 'feel it' but when I do I'm able to catch it :) Love these videos BTW

[@seancarterx]

This is the EXACT advice I needed at this moment in my songwriting journey. I'm coming up on 2 years of really dedicating myself to the craft and the process that had worked so well for me (coming up with melodies and fleshing them out with my acoustic guitar) is slowly but surely becoming less effective. I had been beating myself up that I was writing songs I loved every other week 8-12 months ago and am now finding it hard to even get one that I like each month. Hearing you both explain *why* that's happening is so validating and seemingly obvious in hindsight. I look forward to mixing things up in the months to come. Thank you for the inspiration to change my approach - ya'll are awesome!

[@TerofiedBeats]

I love making terrible things. Thanks for these tips, helps so much ✌✌

[@chiefwakil]

You guys have been a blessing. I’m a professional, but I feel like you guys have unlocked something and it’s much appreciated.

[@txkyx4004]

Been feeling so stuck but willing to write because making music is everything to me..its my therapy and the only thing that makes me happy rn ..and as someone who makes their own beats its soooo frustrating when you make something so nice but you cant write anything for it, its been so much worse since i got my own equipment ..its like I wanted to write something but the comfort of knowing that i can record anything anytime combined with writers block put me in a great depression these past few days but discovering this channel is one of the most amazing things that has ever happened to me ..really appreciate you guys. I now know that there are technicalities and methods to songwriting and i need to learn and practice them just as I did with the beat making. This channel has literally lifted my depression . I can not thank you enough.

[@SinisterShadows-hj6nd]

On my way to work, I often have thoughts worth putting down in my notes. Usually random lines, or funny observations, you get enough put down, you might have something to work with later. The more you do it, the more material you accumulate. You can then flesh out the ideas, and then do even more so when you get into that flow state where you are completely vibing and in sync with the beats you create. You’re not alone. I know exactly what you’re feeling, at least on the creative side. We all go through it. You just gotta roll with it and use it as fuel.

[@Joe_Ebee_BanjoPaterson]

Fantastic channel guys. Thanks

[@Anthony-fr2ub]

Man, I like this channel, 2 beautiful people, with kind intensions to truly help others.

[@chadsealock5706]

You two rock!

[@Anya-Pruitt]

Very interesting! Thanks!!!

[@howardowens721]

‘I held my head’ Alliteration I think it also scans better. The extra syllable could throw off a measure. For another variation, check out, Sting’s song, or the Johnny Cash version, ‘I hung my head’

[@MoromoMusic]

Wow! Solid tips! Thank you so much! I appreciate how much you pack into one video!

[@gitano9001]

Wow . This is a really good video . Thank you

[@toddbarlow5355]

Well done. Thank you. Much of this amazing advice for songwriting contains concepts that might also be applied to other aspects of one's life. I feel like a better person already. 😂

[@mystikrebel1089]

Once again amazing advice and it is true if you even if not inspired just put the effort in for a few mins and suddenly the creative inspiration comes . Also I do get creative ideas also when going for a run or the gym. Actually i started writing some lyrics while listening to this video

[@timball8429]

Wow guys. There’s so much info in this video. I’ll have to watch this a few times to take it in. Thanks Keppie and Benny. ❤

[@TacticsTechniquesandProcedures]

Writing is not unlike whittling a piece of wood. You’ve got to know how far to go but you also need to know when to stop.🛑

[@davidmason1500]

Thank you so much for making all the videos.

[@MancoMusic]

Guys it's shocking how this video cover almost all my doubts and problems about songwriting. It is true, we always think that we have to do our work in one shot to be a good songwriters. Thanks for saying it out loud. I have to be honest, the first bad habit is the one that hit me harder. Study your instrument, make video/contents for the social, go to rehersal with several project, play live, do the other works that help you to make money to live, spend time for your healt/physical well-being...often at the end of the day I didn't spend a minute writing something. It's hard to find the right time on the day, respect it constantly, and be ok with the fact that you can spend also few minutes, but do it. I don't know why this consistency it's hard to respect with songwriting compared to other things. But thanks again to say it out loud too.

[@officialWWM]

I have lots of songs. I’m always writing them. I’d love to see a video on how to sell my songs.

[@htws]

howtowritesongs.gumroad.com/l/ykviuz?layout=profile

[@aligrundy812]

Love this channel. Really getting me thinking about songs I’m writing

[@coloaten6682]

Such high quality education. Thanks Keppie & Benny! :)

[@victorbalogh4706]

im stealing that line, "sometimes you have to kill your darlings"

[@richardhardy7660]

One of my nicknames is Tinkerman because I am constantly editing and revising. Knowing when to stop is so important!

[@michelle-psl4441]

Another excellent topic. You have the most content-rich videos. Thank you!

[@scobrado]

Great points. Thanks.

[@m1chacha]

Great tips guys! The one about editing verbs is a really interesting one, because now that I think about it, that definitely is where some of my lines start to feel a little bland or weak - something to think about going forward :)

[@GillianRice]

I needed this

[@andrewtea]

I always have too many melodies and ideas for a song. So I end up splitting it into two songs, where often times certain elements sound very similar. And I never get them finished.

[@RobertGadfly]

Enjoy your videos so much! I've been using some of your ideas to improve my approach and hopefully, results!

[@marshal6473]

Okay, this is actually useful!

[@catsarecool9331]

I write once I come up with something or a guitar piece falls together nicely. My songs won't ever come out the very same way as the last time. I occasionally edit, but I am normally fully satisfied with the first result.

[@TheHarmonicaBarge]

this is dynamite- thanks x

[@olivernapster1973]

Gracias por compartir su conocimiento, realmente es informacion muy valiosa!!!

[@htws]

Muchas gracias, Oliver! Estamos muy contentos de que sea útil.

[@funkeykong]

Hi Keppie and Benny, i’ve been putting your tips into practice. Started a progression and melody idea with guitar and voice early in the morn. Then later that morn with my sibling, we shifted the writing process to the DAW. Started with finding a drum loop, edited it slightly and then started recording vocal ideas over that. Our melodies went in directions we may not have if we just stayed on the traditional process of staying on acoustic guitar. I like to mix up the writing process by shifting to different instruments, like piano or uke too. Also recording the writing process of the same song in different rooms on the phone has helped me draw out new ideas. Approaching writing/mining sessions as 15min bubbles of time is less daunting and find that i go over my 15min goal anyway but if i start with the goal of spending 1 hour, i am find it harder to get started/keep up the habit.

[@migueldemaria3830]

Love you guys--such great advice.

[@alexriley5717]

I recently started out writing a song a day

[@kingsdaughter9849]

You've got a new sub! I GET you...priceless

[@SniqrsFFA]

Something I like to think about is how the lyrics fit the feel of the music, its a somewhat subtle detail that can impact the entire songs meaning, let’s say it’s a breakup song or some sort of heartache song I’m just using a breakup as an example, one version has an upbeat groove to it and the other is slower and more melancholy, the listener can interpret different things based on how the words and melody and feel of the groove go together, the slower more melancholy song may suggest that the writer feels deep despair that they can’t cover with a fake smile while an upbeat song with the same lyrics may sound like the artist is feels despair but is able to put on a smile anyway. You could experiment with this and end up creating something with complex emotions that will broaden the emotional reach of the song, because the meaning becomes alittle more cryptic and leaves more room for interpretation and it takes longer to figure out exactly what the writer meant by the song, making it less boring and more replay-able

[@xoquinnnn]

love the content!

[@victorbalogh4706]

you two are awesome. i just heard the first bit of your lesson, but i had to run to the grocery store so i bought my babytaylor guitar with me, so i had like five minutes to get my shopping done by the time i got to the store so the guitar went strapped o my back as i made my mad dash thru target, , so, i was last person in the store and i gow way too many items so with two bags and a guitar strapped on i got to the street level so theres a bench in thew shape of a star in front so i sit my but down to get my stuff in order , so i grab my guitar and i notice that the d string is a half a not flat and it sounds real nice, very minoresque.... so at this spot theres an entrance to the store as well, and all these people coming up last minute and as each one comes up, i sing them, "your a half a minute late, they just locked the door, cant get into the store today, eh....,then that sparked in my mind, im late to work again, .....that got me thru verse two, and the chorus was easy late late a feeling i hate, in not really here im half awake, and then i dig in the chords and i remember this lovely australian girl i knew from spotify, who sang a song with a lyric a half a world away, and that was a super sad verse because i found out that she actually came here to los angeles, hollywood,and i never knewq it till she went back to australia and unfortunately she passed away, and what a sweet talent she was , i miss her and i never met her in the flesh, only by video chat, and her music, so now i got me a real sad song

[@bobbleedy]

thank you

[@richins3]

Five minutes in "fine, I'll go write something bad." And I did. Only took ten minutes. My family will thank you later 😂😑

[@thetrevorosborne]

really interesting many thanks

[@Mellow_Music11]

Can you do How to Write A Song Like Zach Hood? I love how he does his lyrics!! And his songs are so catchy

[@geody3001]

I've been binge-watching your videos this week. I just discovered them at a time when I am trying to reignite my songwriting. You've given some great advice and lessons and tips. I'm getting a lot out of it and I think it just might work to get me going again. But, I gotta ask, WTF language is your copy of Atomic Habits in?

[@GaZonk100]

'Nick Cave' writes the same song in different ways and has never written a 'rocker' or floor-filler...Nick Cave is mostly cultivated image

[@ledaswan5990]

Sheduling? Never heard that before

[@MichaelTurner856]

If you're writing songs or writing everyday how are you going to know what to use and how do you make that song/lyric/melody etc. memorable so you don't forget it when the next one comes? Are you supposed to write one whole song a day or not. And if not how do you know when you're writing time is done. I know I could probably know in the moment but this seems like the advice to do it everyday can be interpreted in alot of ways and I want to know which one would work best for me

[@MichaelTurner856]

I'm probably just having a rough patch getting back into it but I want to know

[@MichaelTurner856]

I wonder how I can get myself into a flow state. Maybe it'd help to calm down I feel really emotional today. That first phrase could be a good little lyric

[@MichaelTurner856]

It'd be good to have things flow

[@MichaelTurner856]

It can suck to overthink stuff and I think that might be happening. I'll work with it I'll take a break

[@Gabriel.A.L.]

The title is so generic and i dont wanna even click on it. And then i find the most specific, original and unique content thats super helpful. Maybe the titles could be different...

[@acoustically9201]

Professional songwriters are more common than the public thinks. I agree with you that so-called untrained geniuses are almost non-existent. I'd go further and argue that most of these stereotypes are gifted the completed songs. Surely, no one who's ever tried to write a song believes The Beatles wrote 180 great songs in 7 yrs. It's called show business for a reason!

[@silverhandle]

😎

[@ledaswan5990]

Except some great songwriters do NOT write every day. It’s not some media driven myth.

[@djdavisiscool]

You cannot own a chord progression

[@Raggo12345]

Since English isn't my main language, sometimes i just scroll through the comment sections, and pick some phrases here and there. And put them together. Then I fill in with things that sound ok. Or I write down things I hear being said by Englanders. (In my language, I'm quite good. But that's definitely not English.) So I have no clue, nor ambitions. I hope to write something simple, just like the Scorpions. They got these very simple but strong lyrics, because their "lack" of English language knowledge makes it very simple. But strong. I have no ambitions. if I can write a few English songs before the alcoholic dementia takes me, I'm happy. 🤣😂🫢😒 But when writing lyrics in my own language, I'm dead serious... 👍Your channel is fantastic!

[@car5car5]

Very interesting! Thanks!!!

[@gerrithdutoit835]

This is an amazing tutorial! Thank you very much for sharing such great expertise with us!

[@julianmorrisco]

I was always told, when I worked in the recording industry, that chord progressions were unenforceable re IP litigation. I suppose many people are taking the mick these days, so perhaps it’s OK that this particular fence has shifted. Still, of all the plagiarism cases I’ve heard about maybe a fifth of them have merit to my ears. And that’s being generous. I can hear similarities with some of the others but they are the sort of similarities that occur just from listening and writing with the same influences. Most of it appears to be lawyer make work.

[@winnetouch]

I just wanted to say thank you! I still lack a bit of discipline but with your help I think I managed to reach a level, where I can confidently say "I am a songwriter". We lost our primary songwriter in the band a couple of years ago and someone else had to step up. Since then I've written notebooks full of lyrics and melodies and with your help I managed to finish ideas that have been laying around for months or even years. We don't sing in English so some of the advice you give doesn't work in our language but A LOT of it is top, irrelevant of the language. Also the advice is easily transferable to any music genre. We are a rock / punk rock band. So thank you again! Our lyrics are even better then they were before because of your help and advice :D.

[@kevinalanmattson]

Good stuff. To challenge myself, I created a friendly deadline by promising to write a new song every week for a local radio show I produce. Some are pretty good, and if not, I make them as bad as I can and pass them off as comedy.

[@OliverAmberg]

Bad Habbit #3: Guilty as charged. 😬

[@epiphoney]

Repetition and variety. That's deep, man.

[@drummermomcjs]

Once again thank you for the encouragement and inspiration. I have learned this year the tremendous value in approaching songwriting with discipline and structure. I used to be a hapless victim of bad habit #1 and as a result wrote a handful of songs in 30 plus years, one or two of which are pretty good. Last year I accepted a three year song challenge and this first year has produced SO MUCH material to use for songs that it sometimes overwhelms me with joy as I ponder the many song nuggets I have written since Jan 1. I have cultivated a habit of writing something each morning, a verse, a chorus, a bridge section, or sometimes it is just a series of thoughts around a subject that is going in the direction of a song. What I get down each morning is not as important as getting something down. I write it out on an index card and share it with my husband each day before storing it in a box for next year. Beginning next year, I am going to take nuggets that I collected this year and write one whole song each week. It doesn't have to be a good song, it just has to be a song that I work on each day so that I have a song at the end of the week. I will be continuing to write something new each day as I have found that that habit has helped me in so many other ways that I want to continue it for life. Thank you so much for your encouragement and inspiration this last year. You two have become some of my most valuable music professors and I have learned a lot and gained a lot from the things that you share on this channel. As I approach the end of the first year of my challenge, I look forward to what the next year has in store. Thank you and God bless you both. 🙂

[@rodolforoger]

Thank you so much for your videos. That’s all I can say. Thank you!

[@sstrudeau]

Thanks for these great tips. I loved pianobook and Spitfire's free products but I have started seeking other sources of inspiring virtual instruments given the harmful transphobic positions of Spitfire co-owner Christian Henson, his unwillingness to introspect and make repair for those harms and the company's inability to distance themselves from those views. Jeremy Blake at Red Means Recording has done compelling work outlining the ongoing harm of statements and positions of people like Henson and his enablers.

[@htws]

Thanks for letting us know about this. I had no idea!