Gary Ewer recently linked to an article of his called ‘Five Things to Do When You Don’t Feel Like Writing a Song’ – the post contains some songwriting games you can use to get the creative juices flowing.
Here’s the first:
Take the pressure off to write a full song, and engage in some songwriting “games”: Set the timer for a ridiculously short period of time, like two minutes, and see if you can come up with a verse and chorus (with bonus points if you actually manage a lyric to go with it!) Once you’re done, reset the timer and go at it again. Most of what you’ll write will be… rough. But some of it you’ll find to be useful, so don’t throw anything out.
Which I have foolishly decided to have a go at. So without further ado, I shall get to it.
Equipment used:
Cubase
A microphone
A guitar
Notepad
My voice
a long day and not enough sleep.
Rules: 2 mins thinking/experimenting time.
one take recording.
rambling explanation after each little scratch demo.
Song sketch no.1 – The kinda things they say.
The kinda things they say to you
The kinda of things they do
The way the act as if you’re not exactly there
you’re not exactly whole.
The acts of violence that flash
Behind you’re smiling eyes
The bones that crunch when you let fly.
Speak when you’re spoken
Think when you’re told to think
the kinda they say shall not questioned
Sketch1 by Indiesongwriter.net
no 2.
Well they won’t let me go where I’m needed
And they’ve chained me under the sky
One of these days I’ll break free
I swear that will
Use the powers I have just for me
And they won’t like it when I do
Sketch2 by Indiesongwriter.net
No.3
Hold your head right back
it helps to staunch the flow
that’s what love feels like
Darling don’t you know?
keep your lips tight shut
You know what’s good for you
If I break i keep it if I want it I get
love hurts
love hurts
One day I’ll break free
by doing what he did to me
Sketch3 by Indiesongwriter.net
No.4
Well I needed you
And do still
Oh I needed you when I called
Lit fires to scare them all
And you came, darling
You came when I called
You came to me oh my sweet
Came when
Sketch4 by Indiesongwriter.net
No.5
Season broke
Year turned
Dust grew
silent hand
Never say always
Never say done
Sketch5 by Indiesongwriter.net
Are these great pieces of music? Of course not! each of them represents two minutes sketching. However, I think there’s a little potential in one or two and it’s a great way to get the creative muscles flexing after a period without much songwriting going on.
Have a look at Gary’s post and see if you fancy a go.
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