At some point, just about every songwriter comes down with a case of songwriting burnout. Stressing over your writing (or lack of writing), unable to finish songs, dissatisfied with everything you write, losing touch with your creativity, feeling uninspired—these are all symptoms of songwriter burnout. You just feel like you’re so done with it all.
Next thing you know it’s weeks or months and you haven’t written anything since you can’t remember when. Your creative muscles are sagging, your inspiration has gone to sleep, and it seems like too much trouble to start it all up again… and do you really want to anyway? That’s a serious case of Songwriter Burnout.
1. LISTENING IS AS IMPORTANT AS WRITING
Let go of the idea that you are only writing songs when you are actually getting lyrics on paper, humming a melody, and strumming chords. In fact, listening to songs is as important as writing them.
Listening to songs you like, in a style you want to write in, will help you pick up fresh grooves, suggest new melodies and chord progressions, increase you lyric themes and rhymes. When your creative well runs dry listening to songs will fill it up again. It’s a critical part of songwriting and one you can enjoy doing anytime.
To get the most from your listening time, pay active attention to the songs and make notes. Listen for melody and lyric techniques you can use. If you are producing your own songs, look for arrangement ideas and mixing tricks to try. Once you start filling up your well with new ideas you’ll be excited to start writing again.
FIND OUT MORE… To find out more about “active listening” read my blog post Should I Write or Should I listen?
2. BREAK IT DOWN INTO SHORT SESSIONS
If you feel you really want to get some writing done, don’t wait for an afternoon or evening with no distractions. (Yeah, try finding one of those during a busy life!) Look for opportunities to squeeze in short 30-minute sessions in between work and classes and a social life. Grab 30 minutes in the morning to sketch out a song idea, try out a rhythm loop, organize part of your sample library. Or use your 30-minutes to rewrite an old chorus lyric and add more imagery.
NOTE: Don’t work longer than 30 minutes. The time will go by quickly so you’ve got to stay focused and get something done. And if you quit while you’re working on something you like, it’ll be easier to come back to it later on or the next day.
TRY IT NOW!
Find out more about how to write in 30-minute sessions. Here’s a list of 30-minute sessions that will help you start and develop a song.
Some of my song coaching clients have used the 30-minute method to break out of burnout and keep writing when they’re on a tight deadline. You can accomplish a lot over a few short sessions.
3. DON’T GET OVERWHELMED BY THE GOAL
Don’t fall into the Perfect Song trap: “I have to write a slam-dunk hit song for that famous artist” or “I have to write the perfect song for Film & TV.” You can drive yourself crazy trying to write the perfect song! There is no such animal. Instead, try an approach like this:
1. I want to write a song I like, one that expresses something I feel.
2. I’ll keep in mind the general guidelines for writing in my genre and market.
Remember how you felt when you started writing songs and why you wanted to do it. Bring that feeling back. Believe me, it’s be the best present you can give yourself!
For your next song write something that makes you laugh, cry, hum, or want to throw a party. Write a kids’ song. Write a song about your favorite movie star. Then go share it with your friends and have fun!
Check out my eBook “The 30-Minute Songwriter” for a whole raft of 30-minute sessions:
â–Ş 20 ways to start a song in 30 minutes
â–Ş 12 plans for developing your song in 30 minutes
â–Ş 17 ideas for polishing your song in 30 minutes
â–Ş 12 ways to prepare and pitch your song in 30 minutes
PLUS more 30-minute sessions for setting up your songwriting and recording sessions and studying your market. You choose your sessions depending on where you are in your writing process. Do them in order, mix and match, or select at random and get your songwriting career in gear!