Songwriting is Like a College Course

Hello Dear Artists:

I've had a chance to jump into to a nice songwriting project recently and I was reminded at how much I love creating music.

In the process, I was also reminded that there is always going to be a tough spot when writing - a block, a stop and some inevitable frustration.

I'm not new to this feeling of difficulty in the songwriting process, but when I'm there, I have a strategy that works for me. After I take a step back and realize that I'm super fortunate to get to create music, I prep for the work ahead by grabbing some tea, finding a comfortable spot, looking at the clock, and committing to working the song as much as I can in a given amount of time. If I come up dry that day, there is always tomorrow. In other words, I give myself some grace around the process.

Treat your songwriting like a college course.

Making songs is hard work - fun, but hard work. The biggest problem that I notice with new songwriters is that they don't treat their art with the seriousness of enrolling in a college course. They might think about doing it and talk about doing it, but when it comes to showing up to class, they decide it's better to drop out midway through the semester because they thought it was supposed to be easier than this.

To get a decent grade, (and to eventually move people with your music) you will have to show up each week, pay (studio) tuition, listen to instruction (a music producer), do homework (research), talk with other people about the class (collaborate), hire someone to help you understand (again, a music producer or engineer), take notes, study, and prepare for the final exam.

If that sounds like a lot, I completely understand.