If you make music when you’re in the mood you’re probably going to be waiting around most of the time.
If you make music based on your mood you’ll always have something to write about.
And if you’ll always have something to write about you might as well get going.
»» And mood is simply a great starting point because you’re always in one. Feel free to go far beyond mood.
If everyone at the block party is talking about it it’s easy to think everyone is talking about it. And if everyone is, I should be too.
It’s not hard to find something to care about. Even when we’re not looking, things pop up all the time.
Better to give our attention to what we’re doing something about rather than trying to dethrone the neighborhood know it all.
In coffee shops, bars, restaurants, parks, on the street, green rooms…people in Nashville are speaking the language.
Here are some more things overheard in Nashville…
No we flew to each date
She knows the manager
My neighbor was the main guy running things
The talkback wasn’t working
Send me the date for that show
They completely replaced the drums
Festivals are just so hot
The universal fits are pretty decent
They were at studio in Berryhill
»» Feel free to send me stuff you hear and I’ll include it
Getting better at finishing usually means we recognize that part of finishing is feeling as though we’re not finished and/or that it’s not good enough.
We’re more used to working on it than we are to finishing it…and we want to stay in our comfort zone.
So when that scary voice arises that says, ‘I think I might be done’ don’t treat the fear as a deterrent but rather a calling into the next phase.
Focus more on the writing
Don’t try too hard to make it easy
Go with what you think is good
Don’t wait for a spark
Most people naturally want to either over complicate or over simplify…dig in there
You might not need a new chorus, maybe just a new chord right before the chorus
You might need a better chorus
Don’t hold the rhythm and melody too tightly in the verses
If you write a song so good that you make one solid, clear, emotionally connecting point, you’ve won. Don’t try to make more than one point.
Your voice is the portal of connection
Fun to sing doesn’t necessarily equate to fun for others to listen to
If you believe in it maybe they will too
Your belief is a gift to you and to them.