Songwriter’s block; it happens to every artist at one point or another.  You might feel motivated to write music.  You might have a deadline to finish a composition.  But when you sit down with your instrument, you have constipation of the brain. Prune juice isn’t going to do much for your music. So what do you do; force your ideas?

Here are some ways to be more productive, and get that natural flow.

1. Take a break -  It’s difficult to write music when you are frustrated or angry.  It’s difficult for many people to even speak what they want to say when they are frustrated or angry.  Put that emotional blockage aside, and come back when you are refreshed.

2. Immerse yourself – Just as method actors do, immerse yourself in the song.  Be warned, this may not always be a good idea.  For example, if you happen to write in the Gangsta genre, I would not suggest taking to the street with an automatic machine gun.  However, if you are writing a love song, spend more time with that person.  Hopefully that isn’t an "easier said than done" task. Take a trip, or watch a film.  Do whatever you can to be safely connected to the content of your music.

3. Switch instruments – Sometimes your analytic mind can get the best of you.  You shouldn’t be spending too much time thinking about the limitations of your instrument.  You should not be in the habit of playing similar patterns to compositions you’ve written in the past.  Try sitting down with a different instrument, and see what kinds of creative juices come out.  This might be the perfect way to free your mind up.

4. The "chicken or the egg" theory – If you normally start your compositions with lyrics, start with the music instead.  Vice versa, if you normally start a composition with the music, grab the pen and start writing lyrics.  If your song is an instrumental, write lyrics anyhow to help guide the statement you are trying to make.  Musicians are often asked what they do first, and there is no correct way.  Whatever works for you at any given time is the way to go.

5. Freestyle – Push record on your mixer, tape recorder, iPhone, or whatever you have, and just start playing without direction. Once you’re done with the freestyle approach, go back and listen to what you recorded.  Maybe you’ll have played a riff you can build off of.  Maybe you’ll have discovered a whole new song. It doesn’t matter, you need to stop searching for the right melody, and let it happen on it’s own.  People have gone mad, looking for their glasses, only to find that they were wearing them the entire time.

6. Collaborate – Do you really have to do it all yourself?  Have a friend, or contact help you out.  Ask them, "What do you think about this riff?" and let them interject their own ideas.  Most likely it will be completely different than the dead-end idea you had. Just be sure they’re not expecting any royalties.

7. Don’t play from start to finish – Writing music doesn’t have to be a linear experience.  Write a bridge, write a chorus, write a hook; begin writing from a different starting point, and then find the connection to what you had in mind.

8. Have a drink… or two – Don’t get too crazy.  Let’s look at some facts though, it’s been said several times that the Beatles wrote all of their music while under the influence (of something or another). "Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum" might be all it takes to concoct inspirational ideas into your music.

9. Start with the bass – The bass is somewhat of a backbone to all music.  Yet, it allows plenty of creative freedom.  Put down just the root notes that shape your song.  After you have that down,  fill it in with the melodies and rhythmic patterns.

10.  Forget everything you have learned – Theory is great.  The more you know the better.  Jazz musicians study it vigorously.  But when they get on stage, they don’t break a sweat wondering if an A Pentonic scale is going to work over an E Diminished chord (which it could, by the way).  Just play it.  Raw creativity can not be explained or disected into theoretical explanations, because it is relative to interpretation.  Focus less on what is "correct" and more on what you feel.

In this episode, Kevin introduces Michael Trew.  If you love great stories, you’ll love Michael’s folk music.  Now the listener has a chance to learn what has inspired the lyrics.

Michael’s music has no shortcomings.  You’ll enjoy this multi-talented artist and the opportunity to know the man behind the music.

 

 Kevin McDonald Presents... Michael Trew: Play Now

MILWAUKEE – Hal Leonard Chairman and CEO Keith Mardak, and Robert Wise, Chairman and Managing Director of the Music Sales Group, today announced the formation of Music Sales America (MSA), a new joint venture between their two companies created to expand the availability of Music Sales publications in North America.

With creative input from both publishers, MSA will produce publications which Hal Leonard will exclusively distribute throughout North America. As part of the long-term deal, Hal Leonard will also gain exclusive distribution rights to the entire catalog of Music Sales Corporation, and the publishers it represents. Barrie Edwards will remain the president of the US-based Music Sales Corporation.

Music Sales Corporation publishes songbooks and sheet music for many of the most respected artists in popular music, including AC/DC, Tori Amos, Bob Dylan, Pink Floyd, Paul Simon, Cat Stevens and many others. They boast a backlist of more than 6,500 titles, and publish over 100 new US releases a year.

MSA will also distribute in North America publications from the classical imprints within the Music Sales Group, including Bosworth & Co., Chester Music, Novello & Company, J. Curwen & Sons, Edition Wilhelm Hansen, and Unión Musical Ediciones.

Comments Wise, “This development represents the latest chapter in the long and successful history of Hal Leonard and Music Sales working together. The formation of MSA will allow us to expand the volume, availability and distribution of Music Sales product in North America. Hal Leonard is not only our proven partner, but also the print publisher with the most extensive distribution network.”

Mardak states, “Music Sales is the largest print publisher in Europe, with a distinguished history and a vigorous output of new titles. We are thrilled with this new deal, which will help two thriving and distinctive publishers create new products and make the most efficient, cost-effective use of their respective resources.”

About the Music Sales Group
Based in London, Music Sales is one of the world’s leading independent music publishers, owning, managing and exploiting over 200,000 music copyrights. It is also Europe’s largest printed music publisher, distributing products worldwide. Music Sales owns a chain of retail outlets in the UK, and also owns the world’s leading e-tailer of printed music through musicroom.com.

About Hal Leonard Corporation
Founded in 1947, Hal Leonard Corporation (www.halleonard.com) is the world’s largest music print publisher, producing songbooks, sheet music, educational publications, reference books, DVDs, CD-ROMs, children’s music products and more. In its more than 120,000 publications sold worldwide, the company represents in print some of the world’s best known and most respected publishers, artists, songwriters and arrangers. Hal Leonard is headquartered in Milwaukee, WI.