Establishing an efficient songwriting workflow is a critical component of maximising your creativity. Here’s a few tips to help you on your way to becoming a songwriting machine and keeping you productive:
- Get organised
Make sure you have everything that you need at your fingertips and have your writing space clear of clutter. Even if you have a simple setup with minimal equipment, ensure the tools you need are readily available so that you can capture the initial moment of inspiration.
- DAW templates
No matter which is your choice of DAW, have a series of individual templates setup to help you quickly get up and running as soon as you’re ready to compose or write your next piece. For example, have one setup purely for audio recording with a click track and a couple of blank audio tracks/mic inputs, have another template setup for midi/virtual instrument recording only, another for mixing etc. You can expand your templates as you progress and find what works best for your process.
- Headspace
Having a clear mind is super important when approaching your next songwriting session. If you’ve had a long day or night, haven’t slept for 2 days and haven’t had a decent meal, this is going to affect your productivity! The simple things like eating right, getting enough sleep, taking time out to meditate should be part of your holistic approach to creativity.
- Portability
Ensure you have adequate means of capturing ideas quickly when you’re on the road. Fortunately, technology is your friend in this regard. There is a multitude of audio recording options with smartphones and tablets which allow you to make virtual notes at any time of day. Keep all your snippets organised, labelled and dated so that when you get into the studio, it’s easily accessible and you’re ready to go!
- End Goal
Ever started at the end and worked backwards? This is a great way to change your perspective and give you an overview of the bigger picture. What is your end goal? Is your plan to write an entire album? Or just a 2 track EP? Lay out your album plans in a ‘storyboard’ format, even to the extent of album title and individual track names. You’d be surprised at the inspiration that can come from having the framework in place and then gradually watching it evolve!
Until next time,
Mike
Great ideas Mike
Thanks Craig, appreciate it!