Writing a new song is often a rewarding and creatively fulfilling experience. However, it can feel frustrating when you get stuck on the lyrics or struggle to find the right notes for harmonies. If you have a tune you can’t seem to finish, or you’re struggling with the start of a new song, there are several activities you can use for inspiration. Here are a handful of tips for songwriters experiencing writer’s block. 

4 Songwriting Tips to Unblock Creativity 

1. Create a Routine

Practice is key to perfecting your craft. Even if you don’t feel inspired, stick with a daily routine. Set aside 15 minutes per day to experiment with chord progressions or free-write lyrics. This will help you become more disciplined as an artist and build confidence to work through the block. 

2. Rearrange Words

If you have lyrics that don’t fit the melody or don’t quite tell the story you envision, try rearranging them. Print them out or handwrite them, then cut out each word and move them into different combinations. This “cut-up” method can spring forth completely new ideas and make songwriting feel fresh and interesting again. 

3. Listen to Music

Listening to Mozart enhances spatial-temporal reasoning and assists with solving logical problems in abstract ways. This can help you concentrate on writing lyrics and resolve verses, choruses, or bridges. 

Another perhaps unusual but potentially useful technique is to play several different types of music simultaneously. Overlapping sounds, melodies, and progressions can spark unexpected inspiration to start writing a new song or finish one in progress. 

4. Remove the Pressure 

Ideally, songwriting should be fun, but it’s a challenging endeavor that can become upsetting when struggling to meet your artistic standards. Remove some of the pressure by writing words and music without immediately editing or filtering the content. Allowing yourself to play can reacquaint you with the joy that initially prompted you to become a songwriter.

 

When you need assistance with songwriting or producing, get in touch with Walter Hansen Music. Located in North Bend, WA, this songwriter, music producer, and saxophonist specializes in smooth jazz, instrumental jazz, and chillwave styles and can help artists achieve their musical goals. Call (813) 486-5735 to schedule a consultation with this musician and producer. Visit the website to learn more about his latest releases, follow him on Facebook and Instagram, or hear samples on Spotify, Pandora, and YouTube.