The Songwriting Tip I Wish I Learned Sooner

[@Jsmith-ll1eo]

Best songwriting tip I ever heard was from Michael Jackson: If I were to sit here at the piano, play some chords and say I’m going to write the best song ever, nothing happens. Something in the heavens has to say look this is the time that this is going to be laid on you and I want you to have it.... Artists seem to get in the way of the music. Get out of the way of the music! Don’t write the music, let the music write itself.“ Update: For anyone interested in where I got the quote, it was from the last interview Jackson did with the BBC, the interview is within the first 10 or 15 minutes of the interview.

[@Crystalrosety]

Wow

[@Deliquescentinsight]

That is some mystical, true words from Michael, the best of songs appear like that I am certain

[@ollierobertson4603]

he touched kids

[@kizzyy1757]

Ollie Robertson sexually

[@tronlady1]

I want to like this but something in me tells me that it’s an absolute load of hogwash!!!!

[@tomcripps7229]

Try to write 5 lousy songs every day. You will get into the practice of moving words and music around. Your sensibilities and good taste will take over.

[@alexc9278]

lousy songs?

[@tomcripps7229]

@@alexc9278 try to write good songs but don't feel bad if they're lousy and don't stop writing.

[@gregorydiasmusic]

@@tomcripps7229 can I try to write lousy songs and not feel bad if they're good ... Cos im killin it at the thing you recommended already :'-D

[@babiesmilk2771]

What’s the next step?

[@tomcripps7229]

@@babiesmilk2771 record it.

[@michaelmaas6460]

Many years ago Willie Nelson was asked how it was he had written so many hit songs. He said "I think I've written over 2,000 songs. You do that much of anything, you're bound to get a few right"

[@effisummerscreative]

Yess this this this. The Beatles had a lot of opportunity to get really good as well, hours and hours of practice and performing.

[@fishmut]

A bit like learning to driving a car , how many times do you go for those drives before you got it all figured out. And even Then you still learn some things through experience even when you think you got it figured out. 👍

[@Lexsee-fc1iu]

wow thank you for your wise wordss

[@sabrinaartlife3766]

Dope

[@janelu1339]

whoa 2000 is truly a lot. Guess I'm frustrated way too early. Good news though to know I'm not the only one.

[@gryphka]

The other day I heard one tip that I think could really help. It was in order to improve your songwriting, write a song every day.

[@Atlas65]

Yeah but just be careful of not coming into the of coming up with something new everyday. It is a good thing to start like that, but then you should move into finishing song and go through the whole process of making complete lyrics recorded and totally let go and get into the habit of finishing songs. Alot of people keep on writing something new everyday and get really good at coming up with new ideas but then they suck at making a complete work, arrangement etc because they haven't practiced that. But won't realise that until they attempt to go into the full recording process. I myself realised that along the way, after making so many demo's, but never really fully finished anything. Then I was forced to learn it in the recording process, in results, I needed many attempts until I was satisfied with that particular track. Realising I could have saved so much time, if I had already finished couple of mediocre songs before going into the "big one" Most of creative work is trial and error. Like that quote says 'Fail fast, fail often, fail forward'

[@dominiquethenosyreader2686]

I wouldn't say everyday but once every month

[@archie-dadonut869]

I've been writing songs almost every day..

[@SyptikRaGe]

My problem is writer's block and cant think of anything to write.

[@myrddinglas]

Aj this is a major problem I think everybody faces (I know I do lol). My advice is to build a habit of sitting down to write at a specific time every day. Start small and keep taking baby steps. Also, learn to be cool with the fact that you gotta write some shitty songs if you ever wanna write some good songs. Writing shitty songs gets you a lot further than writing no songs. When you sit down for a writing session, write whatever is on your mind, maybe start by writing about having writer’s block. Best of luck 🤘

[@zoeybell_]

Him: when you get into the studio Me: I use GarageBand and the notes apps in my bedroom

[@therealjohngalaxy]

Use what you have and feels comfortable. I write my songs with good ol' pen and paper.

[@samuelvilla1558]

and that’s okay ✨

[@la6007]

That’s how most successful writers once started ✨(need to remind myself of this often)

[@ShortyBusShorts]

Big facts lmao

[@jonathan_8100]

I literally just use my keyboard, put notes together that I like and then try and figure out lyrics which is the hardest part for me

[@surfrunnerd8457]

The greatest rule to songwriting is ignore the rules.

[@mojoefelix]

That is definitely completely untrue.

[@lightyearbeats6826]

Exactly👌

[@geoantonakakis8128]

What are u fucking insane?

[@surfrunnerd8457]

What I meant by that is simply you don't always have to do verse chorus verse bridge chorus fade. When you are starting out in songwriting all the "experts" tell you to do this because they assume you don't know anything. But there have been many many hits over the years that do not follow this formula. Once you break the mold and are successful then people start following you. There are leaders and there are followers. Follow your gut, your instincts. Years ago I wrote a song Eagles style for a songwriting contest. Celebrities were critiquing and judging the entries. Mine was thrown out in the first round. The judge said it was very catchy and pleasant to listen to, toe tapping and so on, but I needed to expand out of the traditional songwriting formula if I wanted to establish myself in the music business. Prove that I could do something unique and different. Well, the next year I wrote a song that changed keys 3 times, used 16 chords, built to a crescendo but without following verse....chorus...etc. The judge told me the song was excellent, very unique, had great promise, but to win a songwriting competition like that I had to prove I had educated myself on the fundamentals of basic songwriting. He suggested I write something with no more than 3 or 4 chords and stick to verse - chorus and throw in a bridge somewhere.

[@jademusic1211]

I agree. "Everybody" tries to tell you how to write a great song and all these formulas to use. I never pay attention to the "50 best chord progressions every songwriter should know" lists. Imagine from your head, play from your heart, and learn just enough theory to allow you to get ideas out of your head and onto your instrument. Squeeze wrote "Up The Junction" and it was the first time I'd ever heard a song with just verses. It blew my mind!😅 Just do "you" and don't listen to the "experts".. because the very thing you come up with could become the next big thing.. but you won't know that if you listen to everybody else.

[@celimacedo1351]

I agree with Michael Jackson completely!!! Music comes to us. I've written a song in 15 minutes. The lyrics came to my mind, and I was not in a songwriting process. I had only to get a paper and a pen and write! It was like if the lyrics were being whispered in my ears! Sometimes an idea comes to my mind, other times sentences, and I have only to put them in order. Sometimes the song comes complete: lyrics and instruments. It seems that I hear it on the radio. There's no rules for songwriting. Music comes to us!

[@neutralkushhotel5010]

@@sace4700 you just need a chorus tbh, the rest can be whatever

[@piratehalfdroid7370]

I too wish to audibly hallucinate. (This is a joke please dont take it seriously)

[@celimacedo1351]

@@piratehalfdroid7370 Never mind. I"m Brazilian. I don't understand some jokes. :) :)

[@aaroncunningham4487]

I wanna live the life In a face that makes me dance I wanna feel whats right No drugs in a trance The weak one I fight I wanna live my life Not think about what might I wanna live like a love song In them words where I belong Let me live my hole life long Let me live my love song I cant live to long Faces make me cry I only wonder whats wrong I think about this life How long..Im the weak one I wanna live my hole life Forget what might Not tonight God listen to love..Listen to my song Listen to the love song I wanna live in this love song I wanna live my hole life long In them words I belong Ima live my hole life long Ima live my love song This is our love song By: AARON GUARRASI

[@littlet-rex8839]

I've had 2 of those

[@myra9962]

This video was a relief to watch knowing that it's normal to scratch songs that you put a lot of time effort and money into - story of my lifffeeeee

[@Jaredkfjones]

I'm curious, after you've put time, effort, and money into your songs, is it that it no longer serves the original purpose? Have you ever thought about repurposing the song?

[@TheRealSandman]

I've learned to never delete ideas you think aren't going anywhere, I've wrote a song & went nowhere, then the first verse for that, ended up becoming the second verse for a new single. I've deleted ideas in the past before & always regretted it.

[@mrobd]

I've written 2 verses to a song & left it as i couldnt get back into that headspace to finish it. A few years later i wrote 2 verses & a chorus to a song & as i was going back thru my songbooks whilst putting music to these verses i found that song i hadn't finished, it had a similar vibe to the new song so i was able to meld the 2 different sets of lyrics into 1 song & it works really well. The song's called Little Secrets. So i know what you mean when you say its best not to delete ideas 🙂

[@jaydaawg.8191]

" Write 2 shit songs every day and by the end of a week you'll have 14 shit songs" - Me.

[@BobectorGamesBobector]

Seems legit

[@narkahticks]

Or if you do that you can switch the lyrics around to different songs and actually try and make a couple good ones :D

[@midtiien]

13 shit songs and a hit**

[@NickOmnia]

that's still more impressive than having no shit at all so, I'll remember this quote for the rest of my life mate lol

[@SJ-cy3hp]

It’s called a first album... And later it’s your best work.🤣

[@jamiegoodson950]

I wrote 4 partial songs that turned out to be one song in the end over a five year period. It was an Emotional journey. But once it fell together a Great release came upon me. Great video

[@elizabethharalson7903]

I once wrote three verses in 8 years. It's aways been the top pick of all the songs I've written.

[@fishmut]

@@elizabethharalson7903 a very personal and deep connection to that song 👍

[@littlet-rex8839]

I have one song that was 30 years in the making

[@CV-jh7nz]

I don’t know if this is a good tip, but I honestly didn’t know this at first: you don’t always have to rhyme (not even near rhyme). Many good songs don’t even rhyme and they repeat a lot. Personally it’s easy for me to write songs without worrying about that, I just express my feelings freely! :) hope this helps anyone I don’t know if it was helpful lol

[@ashleyt.4322]

This just helped me so much right now, I got songs in my notes app and sometimes I get stuck because I can’t find a word that can rhyme to the last word. Thx!

[@efim_061]

@@ashleyt.4322 sometimes i have that problem too !

[@OMGITZQUEZZO187]

@@ashleyt.4322let the music flow

[@ericlewandowski6588]

I recently graduated college with a music management and production degree and have a plethora of songs I’d written over the years throughout school. I’d only released one song that I wrote and recorded in two days and maybe spend a week on mixing/mastering. Since then I’ve been sitting on these songs that I felt had so much potential to give my hopeful career as a musician started. I’ve been in such writers block that I just last night I put away all of my home studio (including my guitars and keyboard) to give myself a clean break from music until I have that burning desire and drive to crate music I feel is worth sharing to the world again. Seeing this video helped me realize so many things I’d been telling myself for so long but didn’t want to believe. Thank you.

[@PatrickBreenMusic]

Thanks for sharing this with the community man. So many times I've found myself in the exact spot you're in. Keep creating and keep finding joy and satisfaction in the thing you create. Stick with your craft and keep learning/exploring new things.

[@AliciaBeale]

Eric Lewandowski do it!!! Do it!! 🤘🏽💕

[@Southernguitar74]

There is no such thing as "writer's block". It is an overused cliche' that needs to go the way of the do do bird. You can write something. Anything. Write something shitty. At least its something. It will get you working, either way, and the more you work, the closer you are to making a hit. An idea, a line. Many hit songs came from one small idea that started with a lousy writing day. Work, man, and stop telling yourself you have "writer's block".

[@bobbythompson4268]

Shut it down jimmy

[@charlesdowens]

Speak that truth son! I literally spent 3 more hours banging my head against the wall yesterday trying to make sense of my hook with my verses... gave it a rest, started my house chores, and the song i started right after this song started flowing like water.

[@PatrickBreenMusic]

Love that! Thank you for sharing that with us!

[@owens.]

I remember I wrote the same song 5 times with 5 different versions, and it drained a lot of my creativity. I made the right decision of deleting that song, and made other songs that were fresh and new. These tips are very helpful.

[@haydenhovis1554]

So I’ve been making music for about 2 years now. I started off with music that didn’t really mean a lot to me. It didn’t really have a whole lot of emotional value to me. That all changed when my little brother passed away. That gave me reason. I wrote about losing him. My battle with addiction. My love for music helping me through this dark time. And eventually, me waking up knowing that every day is new, fresh, and good. Now after that I really can’t find that spark to make music that sounds good and is sentimental to me. Was it basically a fling of emotions that I used music to get out of me? Or should I continue? I’ve done shows, have people with my logo tattooed on them, been recognized around my city. I just don’t know if I’m still at a place in my life that I have material to work on. At least, material that matters. Any weigh in helps guys thank you.

[@echobasecustoms8927]

Hayden Hovis always keep going bro. Inspiration is fleeting but you’ll find it again. Just gotta change your process. I think both negative and positive events in life can make good music it’s all about tweaking your process or your style. Just try new things! Best of luck

[@MattMcConaha]

Write a song about what you just said

[@rockandrollemergency]

Anything can be a muse. Sometimes my weird friends will say hilarious things to me, that I later right into songs. One friend blurted out this gem: "I know I may be ugly But at least I've got no money." I was like....wtf, that's ridiculous. But, it made for a great chorus in a song about an unkillable asshole that sleeps with all the ladies and every guy hates. Lol If you wanna hear it, it's recorded. Anything can be a muse.

[@guacguacguacguac]

So ur telling me I have to lose someone to make a good song?!??!?

[@rockandrollemergency]

@@carryon4123 it's not on Spotify. But I'd send it yer way if you tell me where to send it. :) I don't mind sharing

[@MildredStain]

Set aside, revisit later. Keep creating. Keep writing!

[@PatrickBreenMusic]

Hey Friends! ✨ THE PART 2 VIDEO IS HERE!! 👉 bit.ly/songwritingbps 🎵 Check out my LATEST SONG here 👉 bit.ly/morninglightsong

[@itsjoshuamusic]

Definitely! Really trying to tighten my melodies and music theory so stuff like this is much appreciated!

[@PatrickBreenMusic]

JOSHUA glad to hear it! 🙏🏻

[@eastonisbell764]

This video helped me in so many ways. I’ve been struggling with my writing process for a while so thank you.

[@l1usiononly]

Question I listen to Kendrick Lamar and he writes lyrics how can I be better at writing before I hit his level

[@melissawelsh3289]

Yes please! Any advice on songwriting. Especially if you have any advice for folks who would like to write for others!

[@DeniseHoukMedia]

It was hard to get through this with the background music...

[@dominiquethenosyreader2686]

Yeah it's a little bit too loud for me

[@mugflub]

Agreed. Too much.

[@tombstoneblues1023]

So much true

[@songbrewery9479]

Progress is always a must! And I agree, that tossing a song (momentarily) is sometimes the best thing you can do! Creation and destruction are two forces, that require each other! Loved this!

[@TenThumbsProductions]

I really like the video, the vibe, the flow. Not to mention you come across as confident and well informed.

[@neraisan6097]

you are the one i always sees in mrballen comment

[@TenThumbsProductions]

@@neraisan6097 Yep, I love that channel, big fan of the dark and mysterious told in story format, but my channel is music education so you will see me in places like this, too. Are you a songwriter?

[@preppyxgirls7703]

@@TenThumbsProductions well i’m trying to be...

[@KirbyDTrim]

O yeah! He sure did! This is an awesome talk.

[@vronika1052]

I love the tips and the advices you gave ..I've been writing for more than a year now and I can tell you the only way you get better at it is just to keep on writing everything you feel.Whether you are so hyped or whether you are so down ,trust me the words and melodies will just start exploding right out of nowhere.

[@Deliquescentinsight]

Not every song is going to live in its day, some songs resurface decades later and people discover something in them, some songs never see the light of day!

[@MrRaymondworld]

I’m gonna be 110% honest I am struggling artist in development and I’ve been sitting on these demos for what seems like forever and I’ve been trying to figure out how to make songs that I write flow sound like I know what I’m talking about and rhyme those are my three big problem areas but watching this video kind of gave me some hope thanks man

[@ebonyh9566]

You got this. You’re gonna be something great

[@rafalvarezsevilla]

i remember a documentary about linkin park and their album production, i think they wrote like 150 songs for one album, that's why they are so awesome

[@heartshinemusic]

The experience you describe at the beginning off the video sounds a bit like falling into the social media, attention trap. Sharing the creative process is really cool and useful for followers, but if you ask me you should never realease those while you're still working on the songs or an EP or album. Just release the behind the scenes stuff when the work is done and the music is released or at least ready for release. Many people feel the urge (and are seduced by the evil algorythms) to consantly give updates, but I think it intervenes with and influences the creative process in a bad way. It is also a common knowledge that a project loses it's energy when you talk about it before doing it... because the reactions to the idea already give some sort of fulfilment, which results in not needing to actually do the project. Talking about the project feels to the brain as if you are doing it. To really get things done, only talk about the projects you have completed already.

[@bobbyguzman3058]

Legit advice. Ive definitely done all of the above, and i have a hard time working on songs after i put out some version of them out there

[@effisummerscreative]

I think dropping behind the scenes stuff in the build up of a release campaign works really well. It's amazing how much the 'story' part of branding really connects an artist to their fans :)

[@nihaarika8782]

Totally right! Whenever i tell ppl im gonna write a song i either get stuck halfway, hate it or not even write one....

[@brianmccreadie6751]

Thanks for this comment! Needed to hear this too!

[@lucykastla5766]

Damn that hit my soul

[@MisterExcelsior]

Man as a musician there’s so many things we need to learn, an instrument, songwriting, music production, mixing and mastering..

[@lukethedrifter4622]

As a beginning songwriter, this is the best tip I have watched! This and the Cowboy Jack Clements video "Shakespeare Was A Big George Jones Fan" in where he says 1. Experts are often wrong. 2.Experts tend to be narrow and overly opinionated 3.Reveal some of yourself in most of your songs 4.Write the worst song you can think of 5.A song gets better with age. And lastly he said, " It's okay to be fake, but it's NOT okay to be phony".

[@MrTom-Songwriter-Composer]

As a long time music composer (under performance rights organization, BMI, Inc), it's really awesome to watch and see a video like this where the person is giving "actual solid helpful information" to other songwriters out there. There is "A LOT" of videos out there that are simply money making scam videos with no "real" content, so again.. really happy to watch this video. Two of my long time tips: 1) Choose another music genre or maybe a sub-genre of music to play and write a song in. For example: If you like to write modern electronic pop songs, try writing Lo-Fi Chillout or Acoustic Indie Folk, changing the genre can spark the creative processes. 2) Also the same applies to if you play and write music using one instrument, try to learn another instrument that is close to what you play and write music on... so you get a different sound and again sparks your creativity. For Example, if your play and write on a piano or a synthesizer, try the melodica. If you play electric guitar, try acoustic guitar. If you play acoustic guitar, try the guitarele or the baritone ukulele. You'll find that doing "both" 1) and 2) tips that I mention above also expands your music not only to a wider audience but also in regards to commercially licensed music. - "So says MrTom.. and so it was written..." :-)

[@PatrickBreenMusic]

Two really great tips, thanks Mr. Tom. Really appreciate the kind words too, means a lot! Thanks for your comment, my friend 🙌

[@MrTom-Songwriter-Composer]

@@PatrickBreenMusic You are Welcome Patrick.. I'm glad you are doing well.. again I'm happy to see some actual "solid" content on KZbin that you have on your channel here.. awesome. A lot people never heard of me, even though I have a few NDA's with co-writing songs in the past with some very notable people... Currently, other than a few sponsorships/endorsements with music instrument companies, I mainly write commercially licensed music.. instrumental tracks for music libraries mainly, various media... sometimes small albums (EPs) for retail sales and streaming mechanical royalties.... I'm writing probably my last full album next year (I'm an 'old early 1980's guy) ... "maybe" playing some small venues that I lined up.. depending on the virus situation. Have a great weekend friend, be safe out there.

[@therealjohngalaxy]

Great tips! Thinking outside the box here. Nice.

[@rudranaksh9540]

Helpfull thanks sir

[@revolutionsme]

Hello

[@denniswomack500]

I like to write poetry and recently I've been trying to figure out how I can turn my poetry into songs. So I'm studying song writing now.

[@jct3066]

Nice songwriting info. I’m just getting back again into songwriting. I haven’t written in a long time that I thought my skills were gone out the window - not yet! Thanks for the tips

[@IamRocque]

Lyrics I wrote a year ago came in handy for a song I’m featuring on and I was shook by how some things just aren’t meant until it’s meant if ever meant.

[@EclecticEssentric]

The background music is a bit too loud for a conversational video.

[@finisbarrow860]

i like how your intro was like 30 seconds and got right to business. 👏

[@Xuritron]

Yess!! These tips are great!. I kinda did the same, my band broke and I was so frustrated because of all the great riffs and work going to waste. So I took my guitar parts and repurposed them to new songs, tried how they sounded in keys, synths, different phrasings in guitar, etc. and ended up happy with different songs. Other thing that helped me a lot was taking advantage of mistakes, sometimes mistakes get you to a fresh point of view and nourish your creativity, I try not to stick to any "rules" when I can.

[@geovannivelez2998]

This is great. it’s hard to verbalize how or what to even ask for help with, but you’re explaining everything perfectly, and positively reinforcing that practice makes perfect

[@drum877]

Use contrast. If you lyrics are faster in the verse slow them down in the hook. Different octave for hook and verse. Is your hook hummable. Words like dum, yeah, oh, la etc are very catchy since when repeated have a hypnotic Groove that people from all languages can understand.

[@dallinthueson6473]

I have the hardest time putting my lyrics to a vocal melody, due to the fact that I am not great at singing. I’m good at coming up with progressions on the piano, and I’m good at writing lyrics, but putting the two of them together is very difficult for me.

[@iprobablyhaveapoint]

Same boat

[@CagedGod]

You can try to improvise the vocal melody first and write lyrics to fit them. Or you can use your pre-existing lyrics, count the syllables as if they were rhythm and play that rhythm to the major scale on your piano.

[@tomasagustinveravicentin7789]

It's easier to come up with a vocal melody first and then writing some lyrics over that. Most pro writers go that way.

[@bobbythompson4268]

@@CagedGod music should always be first

[@liamgarfield7934]

Taking some singing lessons improve where you are weak

[@ericgreenwood5150]

I've heard mixed things I this topic, some people say just finish the track no matter what but I'm also into more of the production side

[@KristinaHelene]

I was searching for a place to find answers to my road blocks in my song writing. I’ve been feeling paralyzed from writing due to pretty much everything you mentioned. Thank you SO much for making this video. Short, sweet, and effective. I was watching this video going “wow this guy has a lot of awesome insight!” And then you mentioned Allen Stone.. my favourite live performer/artist. Definitely subscribed! Thanks again!

[@jameydenison2045]

It's great having a co-writer to bounce ideas off of. I remember how we would each get a notepad and pen and just write down any idea that popped into our heads. This was especially a good way to break a writer's block. Some of our best finished songs came from the impromptu brain storming sessions. It obviously doesn't work as well when you write alone.

[@kurtfroberg6636]

Good common-sense video! One piece of advice that I like to share is: Never throw away that Verse 1/ Chorus 1 that you never finished, but you thought was good. Reason being is that sometimes we can experience profound moments of clarity, well beyond our years, and so we start writing in that moment- but then we can’t follow through with a Verse 2 & Bridge because we just don’t have that life experience under our belts yet in order to speak (sing) with authority on the subject. Short version: Don’t get rid of a good idea. Just let it marinate until you’re chronologically ready to revisit.

[@elizabethharalson7903]

Sometimes I write the last verse first, the end of the story I'm trying to tell. Then after much thought the first verse comes and the second verse is always the hardest to write.

[@JaredHumphers]

REALLY good video! I like how you said you’re not saying goodbye to a song- just putting it on the shelf. I’ve taken parts of songs and put them in others- it was hard because I wanted these ideas in particular songs, but putting them in different songs made them make more sense and helped make a better song instead of trying to force an idea in. Also, I’m glad I’ve waited on some ideas, because I’ve grown as a musician and producer and have been able to translate those ideas from a month, 6 months, or years ago in a better way, because I’ve had more experience. Being open to changing things around is really important, because you might not know what you’re holding yourself back from. Really like these styles of videos!

[@PatrickBreenMusic]

Jared Humphers really good stuff in here, Jared. That’s something I didn’t think to mention, but it’s so true - sometimes the song idea doesn’t translate because YOU aren’t developed enough to get your idea down. Definitely has happened plenty of times to me. It’s so funny how, with a little time and development, those old ideas can become new. Writing really is like trying to catch lightning in a bottle!

[@urmom7449]

This was really helpful, thank you. I really like how you said it in more of a constructive criticism way rather then a mean way. Also love how you really talked about the creative process of writing songs, not just the logistics of writing a song

[@PatrickBreenMusic]

Glad to hear it, my friend.

[@prschuster]

A lot of my best songs have been cobbled from previous attempts that didn't pan out, so I grabbed a couple melody lines or phrases and reworked them into another song.

[@barrycoulter6951]

Good practical advice... i struggle w/that... song starts off w/the best of intentions then falls short of expectations.....then, on to the next project of greatness! Lol

[@rosskeck5928]

👍🏼 Good Points! ive been writing songs and poetry for 35 yrs.the first Year was kind of a throwaway year.but after that i started saving all of it,many lil bits have been used thru the Years!my only tip is,if Your writing while strummin a guitar,try not tooveredit!🤷🏾‍♂️this meditative process can become a kind of conduit connection to something bigger! This is talked about extensively in the book “The Artists Way” 👌🏽💛✌️🙋🏽‍♂️

[@decaying_]

idk if this comment section is still active, but if it is, i just wanna know, how? how do you even write a song? what kind of stuff do you write about? emotions, experiences, something ridiculous? how do you come up with lyrics when you choose what to write about? are the lyrics directly referring to what you’re writing about or is it a “hint,” if you will, towards it? how do you even come up with the music itself to play in the background? ugh i have too many questions

[@emmamay8371]

woah to many ! u can write about anything u want like breakups,loss,happiness,rain,lockdown anything !!!!

[@marcie557]

for the lyrics question, i think it really just depends on the artist’s value and choice. some people choose to go direct with their lyrics bc their strength is in something else (vocal performance/concept/melody), while others don’t. people write a song based on their knowledge in music, knowing your way around basic chord progressions and what sounds good together, is actually enough to start making one. good luck!

[@houseofgraceworship]

I like to think of it as a jigsaw puzzle. The song is already there. There’s no first piece u have to start with. What u do is draw out the song from wherever it comes from but u decide which first piece to start with. Pick a first line about whatever u want and then let the next line present itself after u decide what the first line will be. Then continue to build from the previous lines. As u keep going you’ll learn to change the pattern in your words after a few bars or for the chorus.

[@jessekilgore]

From my experiences I pull a lot of stuff. From my personal study and neuro diversity due to the BiPolar and the Asperger's, its becomes fairly easy to translate those things that most folk have trouble expressing, or even better who are trying to learn from other peoples lessons. Because of these experiences, my biological makeup, and an autodidactic nature, I find I am never short on material. The biggest trick I have learnt is to listen to your inner dialog, that third voice that speaks to you -- that's your higher consciousness speaking so you better listen. And when you hear a paradigm shift, pay attention enough to to the feels so you can translate it later. In order to do this, it takes honed observation skills. Almost out of body experiences when you watch yourself go thru a very traumatic or joyful situation. Of course, with this, you lose out on a lot of in the mix with other people type in the moment living. Its a trade, IMO.

[@opiemaki82]

I agree! So many times I’ve started writing a song, which I thought was a good idea, and quickly became uninterested with it. I file it in the unfinished pile. Then I’ll work on something else that might intrigue me. Then, what might happen is, I’ll say, you know that piece that I was working on might fit nicely in this song. I have done that several times. It’s good advice. Use it for a middle 8 piece! You can ALWAYS go back to ones on the shelf to either finish or use for other songs. it’s like picking fruit from a tree!

[@LuhRen]

Wow this was the video i needed to watch. I get so discouraged when i start a song and im really excited an into it and then i drop it and start something else. I thought i just lacked focus but this happens to everyone so now i feel a huge weight off my back. I can get so caught up in wanting to finish a song because i have so many unfinished songs, that i start overthinking, then get anxious, then i start wondering if i should even be a musician, then i start wonfering about my whole existence and that makes me super discouraged and i quit for awhile. With this little piece of information i feel a whole world of possibilities have opened up for me. Thank you.

[@sirrichardlangfordii7247]

Thanks so much, mate! I'm a songwriter myself but I, too, am having trouble writing some great tunes! Your advice was crystal clear! I really appreciate it!

[@micahjuliamusic8523]

Likewise!!

[@dallinhaymore7097]

His tip is essentially be okay to not finish songs you have written.

[@effynikki1221]

I’ve been writing songs my whole life( I’ve been playing guitar my whole life since I was about 6) and I’d also like to add that you’re gonna write some bad songs before any good ones. I always have a rule that once I have a song in mind to write it down or once I have a rhythm down to record it anywhere(even on your phone). You’ll stand more of a chance of revisiting the song and playing around with it. It can be hard to find what works for you even in my many years of songwriting I still experiment with different sounds. It’s better to say that you’ve tried than to say that you didn’t and that it won’t work.

[@stephaniematos5767]

This is REALLY HELPFUL and so are all of the videos relating to this category! I also enjoy the simplicity and straight to the point manner!

[@PatrickBreenMusic]

Stephanie Matos awesome! Glad to hear it 😁🙏🏻

[@raygeorge9233]

Great information! It’s always great to see songwriters sharing information they have learned on the long roads they have traveled with others!

[@tonygodwinjr7390]

Write about your life. What hits your true emotions. If you make something up throughout the day.. Save it. Actually, record it even on your phone. Record the sounds you felt inside to make you sing those words. Make that a song.

[@human9381]

a good tip is if you are wanting to write a song about a real life problem that is happening to you or someone you know, everyday if something happens that has to do with the song you are wanting to write about, you can write on your notes app about what happened and once you have a lot you can make a melody and put it together to make a song

[@user-sn3cs2hd8r]

Can’t tell you how many times I come back to an old idea months later to finish.

[@thefloragod]

sometimes it's not even about quantity, its about developing quality in one idea over time - had a song of mine on the backburner since around this video was released and only just recently got to dropping it after version and version of new ideas and scrapped ones. appreciate these notes here

[@damiansaucedo9951]

So true. Sometimes those bits of songs come together. I had bits of guitar parts on my phone. Then one day I realized that some of those pieces fit together, found a drum track on KZbin to help get started then got with a few friends and BAM one of the best things we made that it even got liked by a radio station.

[@craigwillms61]

Everything Patrick said is true. I've been writing and recording since the early 2000s but have never been prolific. If I write 4 songs in a year that's a good year. Guaranteed some are turds, but I record them anyway having access to a quality studio during the down time. It does help me develop the need for beginnings, middles and endings (and the bridge where appropriate). It forces me to finish the songs and refines it for the recording process. That is not to say there were not at least ten ideas that never got off the floor.

[@christianspecht5141]

I'm glad I found this video. I wrote 7 songs in 2016 and have always wanted to write more. It's just been difficult to get back into, writers block and just unmotivated because of the frustration it causes. There is a lot of good advice that actually has me wanting to just jump in this blindly and letting loose. So thank you!

[@sanjaydharshan3127]

I just started writing songs. i mean, i was surprised that i could even write in the first place. but i'm not happy with anything, and i just start a song and write its verse,pre and chorus and i get stuck. i can't move. i start a new song, and the same thing happens. Lol.. i feel like i'm unable to finish a damn song!

[@amandaf3601]

Same here😭

[@TaraSBaker]

My tip is to write with a friend I had the same problem for years. I had never even written a song with my best friend even though we both write songs We wrote a song together and it was the first song I ever finished. We only know how to write. We have no recording equipment or anything. Our music teacher heard our song and loved it. I could finally finished songs after that. Basically, write a few songs with your friends. Then start practicing by yourself.

[@javi_blinkuniverse]

Hey not every song needs to follow the typical //verse-prechorus-chorus//-bridge-chorus structure! I have a song that is just two verses, a vocalization section, and two more verses. Experiment with structuring your songs and see what comes out as well :)

[@sophiaredwood5825]

I came here because I can’t finish a song and got the advice that I’m not gonna finish all my songs 😂😭 I was like “yes I get that but like can I please have ONE?? ONE song? Just SOMETHING getting done??” Lollll it’s a process 😅

[@shan5445]

@@sophiaredwood5825 you are scared to finish because you think the first verses are perfect. Remember the song is coming from you

[@DavidDiMuzio]

Cool vlog, will have to check out your actual music :)

[@sessiakojenu4829]

I will like to know more about the basic elements of songwriting i.e. the melody, the bridge, the chord, chorus, stanza, etc. Thanks.

[@seanemmettfullerton]

Thank you, Patrick... yes, yes yes! we all must learn to allow a new idea to flow unedited, free-born, before our inner critic can strangle it. So we just write... free verse, without rhyme, SOConsciousness. Friends: Allow yourself to shape-shift stylistically. A good song is a good song regardless of genre or today's latest trend.

[@robknife]

This is good advice for artists and hobbyists. For professional creatives, I'd recommend you finish everything you start.

[@HomemadeSongwriter]

It can be so difficult to make the mind shift of “killing your darlings” in your songwriting, but when you can make that shift and write more songs you will take your songs to the next level!

[@teddow5455]

I'm bad at being thankful through words, but this video really opened up my eyes! I've been struggling to record projects I started months ago and was thinking I'm the biggest loser and that I wouldn't be able to make anything... but thank u again! I'll come back and update this

[@unrecited]

I needed this so bad right now man I’m so glad u made this .... I have so many songs started and I’ve done it for years. ... put it on the back burner and I’ve always felt like i couldn’t leave it like thst ... now years later when I uncover a beat or create music with thst tempo or vibe I almost ‘recover’ thst long lost hook verse or concept and I find it’s ok but watching this video has helped open my mind and heart to the concept so much - you just earned a new subscriber with this one bro good job 👍 👏

[@mojoefelix]

This video is helpful regarding songwriting mindset.

[@TheActualCinnamonGirl]

Personally I write songs on paper by putting words together and melodies then I sit down and revise it in the notes app on my phone it’s worked pretty darn well I’ve wrote more then 10 full songs that way and they all were decent as hell took me less then a day :) but the biggest tip is to let what happens happen for example I sat down to write a “turn it up” feeling song and it ended up romantic and slow but it still is one of the best songs I wrote! Go with the flow If it’s meant to happen it will!

[@smithjohn383]

The problem with this is that when I have shown my demos some people like the tracks that I thought were the worst but they don't appreciate much my own favourites. So how to tell which ones work and which won't? I think this is a quite common thing. Every time I check out an album I'm thinking 'why is this amazing song not a single, when this un-musical piece of crap is?'

[@Brirongauri]

Really helpful, the kind of things we don’t know we need until you talk about them 👌🏽👌🏽Love the concept and how you transmit your ideas🔥🔥

[@PatrickBreenMusic]

Thanks for the feedback, my friend. Glad you’re enjoying the videos 🙏🏻🙌🏻

[@vwjordan89]

I'm far far far from expert but i like to write down my favorite lyrics and i find that helps get the juices flowin. Then you see structure and how to flow words together🤷‍♂️🤙

[@timothybrannigan]

Thanks for the video! I call it being “precious” about songs I’ve written. It often happens to me during the recording process. I’ll go down a rabbit hole trying to produce a great production of a song I’ve written. I once recorded a song 3x and still wasn’t happy. I’d exhausted my ideas and was very frustrated. Suddenly it dawned on me that maybe the song just wasn’t that good! My ego as a songwriter or musician or producer, engineer, whatever wasn’t going to turn a mediocre song into a great one. Time to move on. “You’re a songwriter, right? Write a better song.” I still can fall into that trap if I’m not careful. Thanks for the reminder! Best wishes - Tim

[@DrMuseclectic]

Superb advice! And really encouraging to hear from such an established musician. I really related to the points about ‘translating’ a (what you think is a great song) into reality - be it in the studio or with a band. I felt that the point about ‘unfinished’ songs “draining energy” is SO important to recognise - As a ‘warning’, I wasted the best part of 20 years of my “songwriting life” by not moving on when I should have and accepting that the ‘song’ really wasn’t going to go any further than, as our esteemed presenter says, the shower! (TBF to me, many ‘things’ got in the way of my progress during the time I was trying to be a ‘songwriter’: PhD, marriage, raising a family, career, etc. But now, here I am, age 50 and still crazy keen to write a song! Hey Ho!) To sum up: Great advice, incredibly useful to those ‘who have ears’. Be well!

[@sbg4ever120]

So obvious but not!! Thank you so much!! This is super helpful 💜🙏

[@chizen4lo339]

With such tips, I think it will be hard for someone to go astray while creating good/conscious contents.

[@veenamadhu7882]

I like this approach. Some videos tend to advise people to put utmost focus on finishing songs, which I honestly felt was a little overrated. I think songs that I don’t finish don’t get finished for a reason, and there’s nothing wrong with it!

[@StacyFrancis94]

I can't wait to get over this creative road blocks.

[@saranonimus9211]

I love that you use "at bats" as a metaphor. I try to remind myself that a baseball player lives with "failure." If a player consistently gets on base 40% of his at bats, he's amazing. That amazing player "fails" 60% of the time, but he still walks up to the plate like a boss.

[@louisaambarita]

this motivated me through my writing block

[@officialWWM]

This makes so much sense to me.

[@xEPiCxSn1p3r]

Great advice- start writing a song, and then drop it when you get stuck.

[@UnvoicedTheArtist]

Thank you, this definitely pushed me in a new direction. God bless 🙏🏽

[@erroldtumaque3430]

I love John's song The Hurt. I always wish he recorded it but it was nice hearing elements of it in Battle Studies.

[@tronlady1]

Look at those perfectly arranged cushions 🤣

[@willbest8126]

Great video! I have soooo many guitar pro files that are kinda good but pretty meh in the same breath. It’s nice to have a bunch of projects to work on but the dead ends add up real quick. It’s inspiring to know that even the pros have this going for them and you just gotta keep making new stuff. Sometimes I listen to my various tracks and just feel lost because of the amount of them and the ‘potential’ I think exists.

[@javascript6948]

Im 61 ive been writing since im 14 . For years i would sit at the piano and turn on a cassette player as i developed a song. I have gone back to those unfinished ideas and found many gems that i am finishing 30 some years later . Some just werent that great . So yes move on if you find they are not coming together . Come back another day with a fresh perspective .

[@wearashirt]

Damn! I love allen stone. I think he went through a lot. When he finally looked up, he was back with new energy.

[@JackTheRabbitMusic]

I just seem to appear any time someone mentions "going down a rabbit hole". The first time I have ever done a search for songwriting, and this was the 3rd video on the list. Cool stuff, man. IDK any of your songs, but I will have to check you out! I write songs sometimes, too. 🐰❤️🎸🎶🤝✌️

[@dollasignjulius]

Dammmnnn the instrumental spurred my creative juices

[@jhopmusictv]

Great video!! There's a lot of truth in this...💯

[@vann9253]

bro none of my songs have been finished

[@louisaambarita]

when u finish one, it feels so good.

[@ssicklyasami6649]

I wrote a chorus and verse ...and wrote multiple other verse that I kept removing. Been trying to match the verse and the chorus for several months now and have not written anything else. I'm gonna let it go for now and get back my creative energy. Thanks for the video.

[@nikita_ayzatulin]

Thank you so much, this was very helpful!! :') ♥️✨✨ And I wish you all the success in making music!

[@retalnotfound4395]

I want to write songs but my mind isn't thinking of anything original like when I do a melody it feels right then I realized it's from another song I can't think of any lyrics

[@soollark]

omg sameeee

[@theveganmodelo9383]

Thank you for this video of great tips Patrick

[@johnboyc5]

I always have little ideas pop in my head while doing things and they go away within seconds and the creative burst only lasts like 2 mins. Only one time have I written a full song in less than 30 mins and it came out very good and I’m just wishing that would happen more often bc damn