One of the many challenges we songwriters face is that we\u2019re tasked not only with creating something from nothing, but our \u201csomethings\u201d need to be unique \u2013 and not only compared to what others have written but also compared to what we\u2019ve written before. This is no small feat, and the moment you think you\u2019ve \u201cfigured it out\u201d as a songwriter is exactly when you need to leave your creative safe place and shake things up again. To help you along the way, I\u2019ve listed a few \u201cwhys\u201d and \u201chows\u201d to get you out of your songwriting comfort zone.<\/p>\n
1. You\u2019ll demonstrate your versatility to music industry decision makers.\u00a0<\/strong> 2. You\u2019ll broaden your opportunities for collaboration.<\/strong> 3. You\u2019ll keep yourself – and the people who listen to your songs – from getting bored.<\/strong> 1. Put down your instrument.<\/strong> 2. Vary your rhyming approach.<\/strong> 3. Write with new collaborators.<\/strong> It\u2019s almost unfair – after you\u2019ve spent all that time learning your craft and honing your songwriting approach to a fine point – to tell you to change it all up again. However, the benefits mentioned above, which come from stepping outside of your comfort zone, will far outweigh the extra work and mental gymnastics required. As I\u2019m fond of reminding myself (when I\u2019m resisting what I know will be good for me), fortune favors the bold.<\/p>\n Good luck!<\/p>\n
\nBy showing you\u2019re not afraid to experiment and explore new musical and lyrical territory and be a bit left of center, you\u2019ll show those in the industry – whether publishers, record label execs or music supervisors – that they can consider you and your music for a wide variety of projects. This can be essential when one area dries up and the industry is looking for something new.<\/p>\n
\nQuite simply, the more styles and approaches that you\u2019re comfortable writing in, the more collaborations you\u2019ll be suited for. The flexibility that you\u2019ll develop by not writing the same style of song in the same way will help you step into a variety of co-writing situations. This concept of new and different collaborators is also a fundamental part of the \u201chow\u201d to leave your songwriting comfort zone.<\/p>\n
\nSongwriting is difficult enough, but heaven help you if your motivation to write starts to fade. By challenging yourself with new songwriting approaches, you\u2019ll stay engaged in the process. And, better yet, your core group of listeners and industry contacts will also stay interested in what you\u2019re doing. It\u2019s just as dangerous to have those folks lose interest due to the sameness of your songs as it is for you to lose your motivation.<\/p>\nThe Hows<\/h3>\n
\nWe\u2019re often limited in our songwriting by how well or in what style we play an instrument. Work on the melody (and the lyric) without your trusty guitar or piano, and you\u2019ll be amazed at the new places your songwriting will go.<\/p>\n
\nA typical songwriting mistake is to use rhymes that are so predictable that the listener knows exactly how the line will end before you get there. Look for unpredictable rhymes, which not only tell a more unique story but surprise the listener when they arrive. You can also deviate from your normal rhyming patterns and make use of internal rhymes to add an interesting touch both lyrically and vocally. Little variations like these can open up brand new areas in your writing with very little effort.<\/p>\n
\nAs I discussed earlier, varied collaborations are an excellent way of keeping your songwriting fresh. Even if your idea is unique, going to the same collaborator over and over will most likely result in a similar sounding song, no matter how new the idea. As much as possible, resist the temptation to fall back on the familiar. There\u2019s also the fabulously motiving element of fear. It\u2019s always a little nerve-wracking to go to a new co-write, but it\u2019s that same nervous energy that creates great art!<\/p>\n