As musicians, artists, or songwriters, we all make our living by being creative. Ways for songwriters to optimize creative output are essential for maintaining a steady flow of innovative and inspiring work. Every day, we have to come up with something new. We challenge our creative mindset and push it past its comfort zone to reach its extreme potential. But most of the time, we don’t have the luxury of sitting around until we get inspired. So, how can we optimize our creative output? Through constant practice.
Fill Your Schedule with “Input” Activities
Ways for songwriters to optimize creative output include filling your schedule with activities that lead to the outputs you desire. Successful people with goals build their entire lives around to-do lists. As an artist, you can get some really good results by planning, even if it is planning to be spontaneous. So, get yourself efficient and build your entire day around intervals of time when you wake up, go for a walk and reflect, read, listen, write, and learn something new.
Example Schedule:
- Morning: Wake up, do a brief meditation, and jot down any dreams or ideas that came overnight.
- Mid-Morning: Engage in reading or listening to new music to gather inspiration.
- Afternoon: Write or record music, focusing on new techniques or styles.
- Evening: Review the day’s work, note any ideas for improvement, and relax with an activity that refreshes your mind.
The Right Mindset for When Things Go Wrong
Another crucial aspect of ways for songwriters to optimize creative output is maintaining the right mindset when things go wrong. Never be afraid to fail. Sometimes, failure can be more beneficial than success. It teaches us a lot, exposes us to new experiences, helps us reflect, builds resilience, and most importantly, helps us grow and improve. Maintain this mindset and know that it is okay to fail a couple of times before succeeding. This will make you a better songwriter.
Extend Your Vocabulary
Expanding your vocabulary is one of the best ways for songwriters to optimize creative output. Read every day. Learn new words and make a list of them. Compiling a list of intriguing words can help you discover compelling combinations of words, which you wouldn’t have thought about. This element of chance will help you enhance your writing process.
Tip: Use a thesaurus and dictionary regularly. Create a personal lexicon of words that resonate with your style and genre.
Be Prepared to Get Your Songwriting Ideas from Everywhere
For artists, the world is filled with rhythm, movement, harmony, and pattern. To you, everything is music. You absorb the world you exist in and translate it into your writing, so make sure you are always prepared for that with a handy notebook or a note app, for when the inspiration comes.
Inspiration Sources:
- Nature: Sounds of birds, rustling leaves, and flowing water.
- Urban Settings: Conversations, traffic noises, and city life.
- Personal Experiences: Emotions, relationships, and personal growth.
Embrace Your Identity as an Artist
Understanding and embracing your identity as an artist is essential for optimizing your creative output. You are a visionary and a creator. Know that there are no rules in songwriting. You create the rules and define your art. Always be confident in your abilities and what you are presenting. Remember, listeners have expectations, but your unique voice is what sets you apart.
Unplug: Pause the Body and Rest the Brain
Alan Cohen once said, “There is virtue in work and there is virtue in rest. Use both and overlook neither.” It is a fact that some of your best ideas will come when you are not even trying to use your brain to come up with a great idea. It might come when you are taking a shower, resting, sleeping, driving, eating, or even hiking. So if you are having a hard time coming up with a new idea, grant that brain the rest it deserves and let your subconscious mind wander to get you your next great idea.
Incorporate Feedback and Collaboration
Ways for songwriters to optimize creative output also include incorporating feedback and collaboration. Sharing your work with peers, mentors, or a trusted audience can provide valuable insights. Collaborating with other artists can introduce new ideas and perspectives, enriching your creative process.
Collaboration Ideas:
- Co-Writing Sessions: Partner with other songwriters to blend different styles and ideas.
- Workshops and Seminars: Participate in events that focus on songwriting and creativity.
- Online Communities: Join forums and groups where you can share your work and receive constructive feedback.
Utilize Technology and Tools
In today’s digital age, there are numerous tools available that can help optimize your creative output. From digital audio workstations (DAWs) to songwriting apps, leveraging technology can streamline your creative process.
Recommended Tools:
- DAWs: Ableton Live, Logic Pro, FL Studio.
- Songwriting Apps: MasterWriter, Lyric Notepad, Songspace.
- Recording Equipment: High-quality microphones, audio interfaces, and monitors.
Regularly Review and Reflect on Your Work
Finally, one of the most effective ways for songwriters to optimize creative output is to regularly review and reflect on your work. Set aside time to listen to your previous compositions, analyze what worked and what didn’t, and think about how you can improve. This reflective practice helps you learn from your past experiences and continuously refine your craft.
Conclusion
By incorporating these ways for songwriters to optimize creative output into your routine, you can significantly enhance your creative process and produce high-quality music consistently. Once you have learned how to grow and strengthen your creative ability, write your greatest masterpiece, record it, and get ready to share it with the world. All you have to do is sign up with Deliver My Tune, and leave the rest for us. Deliver My Tune will distribute your music to an extensive network of popular online music download and streaming sites such as iTunes/Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon, Google Play, Gaana, JioSaavn, Wynk, Hungama, Napster, and much more. The platform will expose your music to over 4 billion audiences across the world. Now that we have shared with you the know-how, what are you waiting for? Let’s get it started.