Archive for Songwriting Inspiration

The Power of Setting Songwriting Goals

September 19th, 2023 by
setting songwriting goals red target with green curved arrow

If you’re passionate about songwriting and looking to enhance your craft, this article is for you. Today, we’re diving into a crucial aspect of songwriting – setting goals. Imagine a ship. It needs a destination to navigate the vast ocean. It is the same with a songwriter. Creating goals help to steer the creative journey.

As you read you will learn why setting goals is essential for your songwriting success. Along with how they can help you stay on track, motivated, and constantly improving.

Charting Your Songwriting Journey

Imagine your songwriting journey as a winding road. Without clear goals, you might find yourself lost. You are unsure of where to go next, and easily distracted by other creative pursuits. Goals are like road signs, guiding you along the path you’ve chosen. Goals help you focus on what you want to achieve. They also keep you from getting sidetracked by other creative ideas. Those ideas that might lead you away from your main objectives.

Stoking the Flames of Motivation

Goals are the fuel that keeps the songwriting fire burning. Each goal you set is like a checkpoint on your musical voyage. As you reach each milestone, you gain a sense of accomplishment that propels you forward. This sense of achievement serves as motivation to do three things.

  • continue writing
  • learning
  • growing as a songwriter

Transforming Dreams into Tangible Reality

Your mind is a powerful tool for creativity, but it needs direction. Setting goals transforms your songwriting dreams into actionable plans. When you establish concrete goals, you create a path toward your musical aspirations. Writing your goals down gives them substance, making your dreams feel attainable.

Setting Songwriting Goals: Not Only for the Pros

Don’t think that goal-setting is reserved for professional songwriters. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned artist, goals are your secret weapon for progress. They bridge the gap between where you are now and where you want to be in your songwriting journey. Goals are universal, accessible to anyone who loves crafting songs.

Crafting Your Songwriting Goals

Setting goals isn’t about simply saying, “I want to write better songs.” It’s about being specific. Your songwriting goals should be well-defined and detailed. Consider what aspects of your songwriting you want to improve. Once identified, you make a plan to achieve those improvements. A clear plan ensures you cover all the necessary bases.

Dealing with Distractions

In the creative process, distractions can be formidable foes. But, with a well-defined goal in place, you can handle them with ease. Prepare a strategy for dealing with distractions.

For example, you have a songwriting buddy who can help keep you on track. Or they provide feedback when you stray from your goals. Finding a collaborator who shares your passion can be invaluable. This is because they also care about your progress as a songwriter.

The Importance of Setting Songwriting Goals

Goals give your songwriting direction, motivation, and purpose. They help you focus on your craft and prevent you from feeling lost in the creative wilderness. Songwriting is about growth and progress. It is not only about composing lyrics and melodies. Setting goals ensures that your songwriting journey is a purposeful one.

If you’re serious about becoming a better songwriter setting goals is a must. The goals help you reach your full potential. Goals are your guiding stars in the vast universe of songwriting. They keep you on course and motivated to write your best songs yet.

Join me on social media. A place where we’ll continue to explore the world of songwriting. Let’s embark on this musical journey together! #SongwritingGoals #CreativeProgress #ComposeYourSuccess

About John Pape

John Pape is songwriter and composer from El Cajon, California. He was surrounded by music from a young age. He began playing the guitar during his high school years and started writing his own songs as a teenager. John writes and records music, with a goal of reaching and touching to as many people as possible with his music. Checkout his artist webpage at John Pape Artist

Ideas For Creating Your Songwriting Workspace Studio

September 12th, 2023 by
Songwriting workspace studio showing several options

If you’re like me, you know the importance of finding the perfect creative space to do songwriting. Having right environment to write songs, fosters inspiration when creating songs. In this article, we’ll dive into how you can infuse creativity into your work space studio. Plus, we’ll explore various ways to transform your workspace studio into a haven for your songwriting.

Designing Your Songwriting Workspace Studio

To start you need a work area that resonates your personality. When writing a song, the design of your workspace should be harmonious. Think of it as setting the stage for your artistic expression. Your workspace should be a reflection of your personality. When you invite others over, you want it to feel inviting and authentic.

Avoid overwhelming clutter in your space. Instead, aim for a comfortable atmosphere. You don’t need to break the bank to achieve this. You simply need to combine the right resources and ideas to find your creativity. Remember, simplicity can be incredibly powerful. The right music studio furniture can help with your workspace

Playing with Colors and Harmony

Colors play a significant role in setting the mood and ambiance of your workspace studio. It is just as lyrics and melodies do in a song. Consider using a mix of neutral colors and adding a bold one to create visual interest. Your studio is a canvas for your creativity, that ensures ideas flow freely.

Think about the pathways in your workspace studio as verses, and the room as choruses. The transition should be smooth, much like how a song progresses from one section to another. This harmony can inspire you as you move throughout your space. Doing this can help your songwriting ideas to flow.

Drawing Inspiration from Everywhere

As songwriters, inspiration can strike from the most unexpected places. To fuel your creative fire, turn to various sources for inspiration. Explore online platforms, peruse magazines, and even watch design shows on TV. When visiting friends or family, pay attention to what you like and dislike about their work area. Take those observations and make them your own, giving them your unique twist.

If you like an idea don’t hesitate to copy the idea. Or you can use them as a foundation upon which to build your own creative vision. Incorporate these ideas in different rooms. or reimagine them with alternate materials to create a fresh perspective.

Exploring Boundless Possibilities

Your workspace potential is as limitless as your imagination. Don’t be afraid to mix and match colors, fabrics, patterns, and designs. Your only restriction is the boundaries of your creativity. When overwhelmed with choices, consider seeking input from someone you trust. They can help you make decisions. Collaboration, after all, is a key element in crafting beautiful songs.

Making the Workspace Studio Your Own

Before you commit to any design idea, ask yourself, “Is this me?” Your workspace should reflect your personality. What works beautifully in someone else’s workspace may not translate the same way in yours. The tiniest details can significantly impact the overall feel of a room. So, make sure each element aligns with your current décor.

Remember that setting up your workspace is a dynamic process. Sometimes, what you thought would be a perfect addition might not quite fit. Don’t get discouraged! Just like you can revise and refine your lyrics, you can adjust your workspace décor. Paint can be repainted. Fabrics can be replaced. With patience and creativity, everything will fall into place.

In conclusion, your workspace studio is a canvas for your songwriting journey. By designing a space that fits your creative style, you’ll find your inspiration flowing effortlessly. So, go ahead, embrace your inner songwriter. Transform your studio into a sanctuary of musical innovation!

If you’re seeking more inspiration and tips to fuel your songwriting, follow on social media. Let’s make beautiful music. #SongwritersUnite #CreativeSpaces #StudioInspiration

About John Pape

John Pape is songwriter and composer from El Cajon, California. He was surrounded by music from a young age. He began playing the guitar during his high school years and started writing his own songs as a teenager. John writes and records music, with a goal of reaching and touching to as many people as possible with his music. Checkout his artist webpage at John Pape Artist

What Do Want to Be? Discovering Your Life Purpose as a Songwriter

May 1st, 2018 by

Songwriter Guitar Pathway Life Purpose

“He who every morning plans the transactions of the day and follows out that plan, carries a thread that will guide him through the maze of the most busy life. But where no plan is laid, where the disposal of time is surrendered merely to the chance of incident, chaos will soon reign.”
— VICTOR HUGO

Your Life Purpose Starting Point

To begin with there are some soul searching questions to need to ask yourself.  Here are some of those questions:

  • Have you ever wondered why you exist?
  • Do you feel like you wander aimlessly though life?
  • Have you reached your goals?
  • Are you where you want to be in your songwriting?

I am sure these are questions each one of us has pondered. I believe that each one of us in the world has a unique and special life purpose. This is especially true of creative people like songwriters. With that in mind I wanted to write about this discovery process. The get started, here are two stories about two individuals. (more…)

5 Powerful Ways to Overcome Writer’s Block

November 28th, 2017 by

Overcome Writer’s Block guitar songwriting
Struggling with writer’s block? Don’t get discouraged. To overcome writer’s block is something that every musician has to deal with. The good news is there are many different ways to push through the feeling of being stuck.

Each person will have a few different tricks they find work best. I’ll provide you with the 5 most common methods of blasting through writer’s block so you can turn out that next chart topper! (more…)

How to Discover Your Personal Songwriting Style

November 21st, 2017 by

Discovering Personal Songwriting Style
Music has not only the ability to evoke past emotions but also to awaken feelings that we have never experienced. But finding your tune is not easy. With a great variety of music genres and categories, it is almost impossible to decide on personal songwriting style. Entertainment industry offers us many events to enjoy the favorite band or singer. How to develop personal songwriting style? How to discover what brings your pleasure and satisfaction? If you are curious about that question, this article will help you answer it.

How to begin?

To discover the your personal songwriting style, you have to listen to many compositions of different genres, even what seems stupid and strange from the beginning, even if you are frightened by the name Marilyn Manson. (more…)

How You Can Write Great Songs

October 26th, 2017 by

write great songs
Songwriters may often ask themselves, “What makes a song great?” The answer to that question can make the difference between a mediocre song and an amazing song. Hopefully, once you finish reading this post you will be on the path the write great songs. This is not a new topic it has been written about by many experts in the industry. Trying to unravel the right formula is a lot like hitting a moving target. Taste change, technology changes making it difficult to nail down the right formula. (more…)

How to Add Emotional Impact to Your Songs

February 12th, 2017 by

Add Emotional Impact to Your SongsEither you are writing sad songs about love, or some songs about happiness, you need make the right song structure. You can add emotional impact to your songs with the right lyrics, using deep and emotional lyrics at all times.

Feeling

You have to make your listeners feel the way you do. Drawing your listeners into an experience is one of the best things you can do these days. This will allow you to get what you want in no time. Make your listeners hear what you are hearing, feel what you are feeling, and almost touch what you are touching. They should be involved in the situation without even think about it. Your focus should be on the use of physical senses to get what you want. Your listeners should take in a lot of images. This will allow them to better understand what you mean. Your listeners should identify with you as much as you can. (more…)

How To Turn On Your Muse To Write A Perfect Song

November 6th, 2016 by

Perfect Song - When inspiration does not come to me I go halfway to meet it. - Sigmund Freud

This motivational phrase shows that it is extremely important to find a muse before the beginning of each business, especially a creative one like the perfect song.

Inspiration comes to us unconsciously after experienced emotions or feelings. It is a sense of  absolute concentration and commitment which is accompanied by special enthusiasm and emotional rise.

It is harder for adults to find an inspiration than for children. Unfortunately, an experience prevents us from believing in miracles but without it, a muse is transformed into an ordinary accounting.

From a realistic point of view of an inspiration — is a feeling when an experience and the dreams about desirable future are connected. (more…)

Nine Questions Every Songwriter Needs to Ask Themselves

December 17th, 2013 by

Songwriting Questions Magnifying Glass Hand

1) Why do you write songs?

Answering this question will give you the motivation to move forward.  It will help define your purpose for songwriting.  Knowing the reason why you write songs is a strong motivator.  This is especially helpful in those times where you creative energy is low.  Know the reason why you write songs. (more…)

The Amazing Power Songs Have That Impact Your Life

November 18th, 2013 by

Power Songs - Walking Down the Road GuitarWhat does a car ride, a wedding ceremony and any great party have in common? Many things probably, but one thing they have in common for sure is songs. Think about it. So many of our daily activities and our special events include special songs.

Songs are Everywhere

Think about the things you love to do during the day. Love to watch television? Pretty much any television show is filled with the songs of different musical artists. Do you prefer to go to the mall and shop? If so, take time to listen in each store you enter because you will find that songs make up the background noise at every shopping mall. (more…)

19 Ways You Can Improve Songwriting Creativity

September 28th, 2013 by

Songwriting is a creative activity.  Sometimes songwriters need a shot of motivation to get creative juices flowing.  Here is a list of 19 ways to improve songwriting creativity when writing your next song.

1) Make Lists

checklist Board to Improve Songwriting CreativityLists are great ways to come up with ideas. And can be the first step to improve songwriting creativity. In the case of songwriting, you can start a list of words and ideas that relate to the song you are working on.  Lists can also morph in to process by listing various tasks and placing them in sequential order. Songwriting is a process and a list can help keep you on track.

2) Carry a Notebook Everywhere

Blue Dragon NotebookYou never know when an idea will strike.  You could be anywhere and a great song title or song concept will jump out at you.  If you have a notebook handy it is a simple task to open it up and write it down.  Now you don’t have to rely on your memory to hold that idea.  Open your notebook later and you will have your ideas ready to work on. (more…)

5 Things You Can Do to Take Your Songwriting to the Next Level

May 1st, 2013 by

Next Level Songwriting Headphone MusicYou’ve started to write songs.  You really enjoy creating these songs.  Up to now it has only been a hobby but now you want to take it more seriously.  You’re creating some great sounding songs, but now it’s time to improve your skills as a songwriter.  Here are some ways to help move you toward next level songwriting.

Learn Music Theory

Understanding music theory can help you with the inner workings of how music is put together.  To get start you need to pick up a good music theory book or enroll in lessons.  The essence of music theory will help you learn about scales, chords, rhythms, harmony.  Learning these elements in music will make you a better songwriter. (more…)

More Secrets to Songwriting Success You Need To Learn Now

January 30th, 2013 by

Develop these attributes of a successful songwriter, and you will find yourself moving quickly toward songwriting success!

Thick Skin

The music business is a tough business. You cannot be easily hurt or upset if you want to be a successful songwriter.  There will always be situations where your work will be under scrutiny or critiqued. You need to develop a way to see past that and let it roll off your back, like “water off a duck’s back.

Duck in Water

Ducks have feathers that are tight and their density act like oil. It keeps the duck dry and warm.  So when water, cold or otherwise, lands on the back of a duck, it simply rolls off. Let critiques roll off your back in a similar manner. If you are going to be successful, you need to take these situations as opportunities to become a better songwriter.

(more…)

Using Creativity Techniques to Write Your Song

January 24th, 2013 by

Creativity Techniques Guitar ChordSongwriting is a creative endeavor. As such creativity techniques need to be applied when you develop your songs. These techniques will help you find new and innovative ideas. We are going to go through the process in a step by step fashion.

It is important in the creative songwriting process to have plenty of ideas. What are some of the ways to go about getting ideas for songs? Let’s take a look at three methods of getting ideas. (more…)

Four Top Tips Every Successful Songwriters Needs To Do

January 19th, 2013 by

Successful Songwriters Hit the Target

Here are four tips that will help your songwriting career become more successful.  First you will need character.  Character is about who you are.  Second you will need to hustle. This is the amount of effort you put into your work.  Third is time management.  The ability to control what you do and when is vital to your success. Finally, the fourth thing is risk taking.  Playing it too safe can destroy or even stall your progress.  Include these skills into your strategy for a successful songwriting career and you’ll move forward faster than you ever dreamed! (more…)