I took a couple vacation days this week. I thought it would be an ideal time to write a song. I got up early and went down to my music room. I played my guitar and got on the computer and worked on a song. Nothing felt fresh. It felt old and stale. Like I was writing a song that I have already written. Everything felt the same as before. Same old boring chords. Same pattern. It was not working for me.
We all know the meaning of insanity. Doing the same thing, everyday and hoping to get a different result. I decided I needed to fill up the tank. I started off by going to You Tube and listening to some music videos. I listened to a Riley Green's Grandpa song. I then went to Utlimate guitar to see the lyrics and watch some of the how to play it on guitar videos. Sure, I could of listened to the song and figured out the chords but this is so much easier.
Next I listened to a Justin Moore song, If heaven wasn't so far away. I looked up the lyrics, listened to the song and played guitar and sang along. It was fun. I really like Justin Moore's music. The next song I picked was a John Prine song. Angel from Montgomery. I really like that song. I listened to Bonnie Raitts version. Then I sang it and learned to play it.
I probably spent an hour or two just playing around. No agenda. Just having a good time listening to music. Finding the lyrics and chords to the songs. Watching a video of the song. On some of the songs I would watch the original music video. On others I would watch a learing guitar video. The great things about watching the guitar videos is it helps with my learning process. I can read music and I can play by ear but it is quicker if I can see and hear it done.
I was able to write a verse and a chorus for a new song. What was exciting was that I really liked the chords and the new melody. It was fresh. It was different. I had something in the songwriting tank that I could take out. The next time you are struggling to write a song and are feeling frustrated give this a try.