Dabbling and experimenting in song writing is not something new to my life. However it has always been a bit of a chore. Things have rarely fallen from the sky and landed in my lap, instead they have been a labor. Despite the laboring there have still been successes with songs that I am proud of, and ones that have the ability to touch and connect with people. I believe what has been missing from the my past experiences is how time and song writing collide.
In the past I often would set aside an afternoon, evening or a few hours of time to do some songwriting. In that afternoon, evening or few hours I would hope for a song to be written and created. You can likely imagine the frustration when after the allotted amount of time there was no song speak of, only half witted, lame ideas on a very blank page.
After watching how creativity has blossomed in other areas and other avenues of my life, I think the following steps/changes are in order specifically in my approach to time.
Ongoing Time - There needs to be writing and lots of it over an extended period of time. Once every now and then doesn't cut it. It needs to be project and after project, song after song. In that I think I can hone the craft a little better and spit out songs good or bad. Say for every 10 songs there is one good one, then the fast I can get out 10 songs the sooner I have a good song! Long term the goal would be so to see that ratio decrease and see more successes.
Shorter Time - In these first weeks and steps of 2013, I've already noticed the benefit of taking shorter bursts of time. 45 mins - 1 hr has yielded some good ideas and some development of ideas that have come at random moments through out the day. There is still value in longer concentrated amounts of time however life often doesn't facilitate that so this has been working well.
Approaching Time - I've already been experimenting with my approach to time. Not simply approaching the writing experience with an instrument, pen and paper. So far I've tried sitting down with just the pen and paper which was really different and fruitful. Also tried some time with just piano or guitar, no paper. Different books, inspirations, locations, mediums and other sources will continue to be a part of my songwriting time!
Songwriting is a creative process and it takes time! I am so pumped to keep investing time in this process and to slowly watch things grow, blossom and produce fruit!
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