Category Archives: Songwrite

Five Steps To Set Up Your Songwriting Space

This article will help you set up your songwriting space in five easy steps.

Set Up Your Songwriting Space In Five Easy Steps

Setting up your songwriting space is an important act. It’s a signal to yourself that you are ready to write–at any time. You will be prepared when inspiration strikes. Follow these steps and you will be able to focus on songwriting without distraction.

Step 1: Pick the Right Spot

As you ask yourself the following questions (touchy-feely disclaimer):

  • Is there a place in my home/workspace where I feel energized, creative, happy? Go and stand in that area. Think about how you feel.
  • Ask yourself, “Can I dedicate this place (or a portion of this space) to songwriting?” If your answer is yes, proceed to the next section (Pick the Right Tools). If not, think of another area in your home, rinse and repeat.

Step 2: Pick the Right Tools

Now think about the following questions, grab what ever comes to mind, and place it in your songwriting area:

  • What instrument(s) do I use or want to use to write music?
  • How can I easily capture songs as they come to me?
  • Do I prefer to write using sheet music, a pen and paper, a handheld recorder, a 4-Track, ProTools, etc.?
  • Where’s my tuner?
  • Do I want to sit or stand?

Depending on your responses to the questions above, set up your space so that you have all of the tools you will likely need. Think about the basics that come to mind. Don’t worry if you can’t have everything you want right away.

Step 3: Choose Your Inspiration

Consider using a peg board for inspirational quotes, photos, goals, and random thoughts that you may have. Who inspires you? What’s your favorite band?

Step 4: Stay Organized

Set up a basic filing system with separate spaces for song bits or fragments, mostly completed songs, and completed songs. A basic notebook will do if you are just getting started. Keep your song ideas organized and you will spend less time searching for that great song idea you had last week.

Step 5: Pat Your Self on the Back

Congratulations. If you have followed these steps, you now have a dedicated songwriting space. Until next time, thanks for dropping in and happy songwriting to you.


Looking for the right chord? Randomchord.com may help

I came across this site and thought it might be helpful to musicians who are looking to find the right chord in a progression or simply looking for inspiration. Here’s how it works according to the site http://www.randomchord.com/:

“A useful resource for all musicians — improvisers can make sure they can play over any harmony; songwriters can find that elusive lost chord to complete their chord progression. Each chord comes with its own looped backing track and an explanation of the scale choices that fit with it. Choose a chord from the drop down menus and click ‘Go’, or click ‘Random’ to have a random chord generated for you.”


Matchbox 20′s Rob Thomas talks songwriting

I got to open up for Matchbox 20 back in 1996 or so at the Electric Lounge in Austin, TX (with my old band Zero Cool). All the guys in Matchbox 20 were really cool, very down to earth.

I found this YouTube video where Rob Thomas talks about his songwriting process. I can’t embed the video (it’s been disabled by request). To watch the video, click the link below:
Rob Thomas of Matchbox 20 talks songwriting

Rob Thomas
Rob Thomas


Top five things I learned from going to see live music tonight

This is a follow up to my previous post and highlights the top five things I learned from going to see live music tonight.

5. Get out of the house

  • I often get song ideas while driving around town. Tonight, I didn’t get a new song idea, but I did hum a few of my older songs.

4. Break a routine, develop a habit

  • I don’t see live shows as often anymore. Since a body in motion tends to stay in motion (and a body at rest tends to stay at rest) I got moving. It felt good to get out and see a show.

3. Support a friend

  • I’m went to see Jess Klein tonight. She’s a recent transplant from NYC and a talented songwriter. Jess sounded great plus it was her birthday!

Jess Klein

2. Catch a live performance

  • There is nothing better than a live performance. A recording never captures the experience of being in the room while music is made, plus you never know what’s going to happen.
  • I enjoyed the audience participation. Maybe it’s this way in other towns, maybe not–the crowd broke into multiple harmony parts.
  • I didn’t enjoy the cell phone induced interference in the sound system, but the band soldiered on and even joked about it during the song.

1. Learn from others in the music community

  • It’s always great to learn more about how others write their own songs and to see the impact that a song can have on an audience.
  • The night had an opening act (Ashley?) from the guitargirlaustin group, which is a group for women who want to learn to write songs/improve their songwriting powers. To find out more about the group, visit http://www.girlguitaraustin.com/


Top five reasons to go see live music tonight (or right now)!

I’m headed out tonight to soak up some live music here in Austin, Texas. I thought I should quickly tap out my top five reasons for going to see live music as a way to kick off this Songwrite Blog.

5. Get out of the house

I often get song ideas while driving around town.

4. Break a routine, develop a habit

I don’t see live shows as often anymore. A body in motion tends to stay in motion and a body at rest tends to stay at rest. I want to be in motion.

3. Support a friend

I’m going to see Jess Klein tonight. She’s a recent transplant from NYC and a talented songwriter.

2. Catch a live performance

There is nothing better than a live performance. A recording never captures the experience of being in the room while music is made, plus you never know what’s going to happen.

1. Learn from others in the music community

It’s always great to learn more about how others write their own songs and to see the impact that a song can have on an audience.