The 6 best songwriting exercises: follow them to grow

Songwriting is a challenging endeavor. Finding inspiration can be challenging, and even then, it can be difficult to put your ideas and emotions into words and put those words into music. But often, all you need to polish your songwriting abilities are a few straightforward workouts!

You must overcome obstacles to grow as artists, which includes developing your writing skills. If you want to work on your songwriting craft as efficiently as possible, go no further and get ready to learn and apply the following exercises.

Songwriting Exercise N.1: Associated Words

In this activity, you aim to come up with as many words related to a given topic as you can by using a brainstorming-style format. You should have a list of terms at your disposal and set a timer for three minutes, no more. This increases the pressure, which enables you to express your opinions without as much hesitation.

If you were to pick the term "Travel," for instance, you would need to come up with as many words and concepts that go along with it. Distance, excitement, joy, adventure, and new things; any phrases you may use to describe "Travel". Your vocabulary will grow as a result, which will improve your comprehension of the words. Additionally, you'll be more receptive to new concepts and comfortable with word synonyms.

You may take it a step further by putting the words you select in the form of sentences, phrases, or even song lyrics. You'll notice that your mind is more open and that you are able to come up with thoughts that you wouldn't generally think after finishing this exercise.

Songwriting Exercise N.2: Write a song in 10 minutes

You should write a song in 10 minutes for this songwriting practice. This can be compared to freewriting for songwriters, only you'll be adding an instrument of your choice. The time limit is 10 minutes; therefore, you must create lyrics and a chord progression quickly.

As the minute counts down as you are performing this exercise, you will undoubtedly feel the pressure. Follow a generic song structure that you can use to guide your songwriting in order to make it a little simpler:

- Intro
- Verse
- Chorus
- Verse 2
- Bridge
- Chorus

Your "10-minute" song could have strange lyrics or not have any at all. There will be times when you perform brilliantly for the first verse and chorus but completely fail for the second verse. Don't overthink this, and practice writing spontaneous sentences.

Set everything aside and start your 10-minute song after the timer strikes. We advise recording it so you can reflect on what you've done and how far you've come as a songwriter.

Songwriting Exercise N.3: Study the songs of your favourite artists

This is something that all songwriters should do: find out how to play the music of your favorite songwriters and musicians. Mastering your favorite songs is a wonderful way to diversify your musical styles and abilities.

All of your musical influences will have an influence on your own music as you develop as an artist. Your lyrical approach will keep changing. The musicians you follow and your own musical taste may eventually converge to create a new, distinctive sound that you can name your own.

Your favorite musicians might serve as an inspiration for your songwriting's chord progressions, lyrical approach, and overall mood.

You can have fun rewriting the choruses of songs you are learning from other people. The hardest part of creating a song is often getting to the chorus, commonly referred to as the point in a song where everything comes together. This practice makes it easier for you to construct memorable choruses that complete songs.

Songwriting Exercise N.4: Freewriting

Freewriting is a mental practice that can help you acquire the habit of putting your thoughts, whether they are complete or still growing, down on paper. Thoughts always come and go, and most of the time, people will only write down their fully formed thoughts.

You must stop this terrible practice, as you never know what ideas will turn out to be your next big hit. Freewriting will assist you in capturing additional ideas so you may develop them further.

For your freewriting session, set aside a particular amount of time (10 minutes, for example) and write about whatever comes to your mind. There is no obligation to show this to anyone if you don't want to, so there is no pressure. Simply reflect, feel, and write. When the alarm goes off, put down the pen and stop.

You'll notice a difference in the freedom of your songwriting after a few weeks of freewriting. You'll feel more liberated to write down whatever is on your mind or in your heart at any given moment.

Songwriting Exercise N.5: Collaboration with other songwriters

Collaborate on songs with other songwriters. It would be ideal if you are in the same room or on a call together to make this activity the most enjoyable. If it's just a cold, impersonal exchange of files via the internet, it's not even close to being as entertaining.

Collaboration, whether it be with a producer, another composer, or a tutor, may always result in fresh and intriguing changes to the songwriting process. Any songwriter, regardless of ability level, can benefit from co-writing because it can help them see things from fresh angles and explore writing genres or ideas they've never tried before.

Songwriting Exercise N.6: Switch the genre

Select a musical style that seems to be the polar opposite of your own. Make a death metal song, for instance, if you usually write rap lyrics, or try to write a jazz song if you're a true fan of country music.

Not only will this approach be incredibly bizarre and entertaining, but you might also come up with great ideas that you wouldn't have considered if you hadn't thought about an entirely different genre and style.

Conclusion

If you want to become better at songwriting, just as with any other ability, you need to practice and train. You will notice that your skills as a songwriter are developing if you put in the effort. This set of songwriting exercises is intended to help you refine your art in the most effective way during practice sessions.

We hope you enjoyed reading this post, and if you'd want more career-related guidance, on our blog section, there are many more beneficial articles, advice, and recommendations to be found.

You are undoubtedly here because you love music, so please take advantage of the chance to listen to it while interacting with other users via webcams in CalypsoRoom.

Are you a music artist or label and do you want to give your music a further dimension? Do you own or co-own the master and publishing rights to your music? Consider to post it on CalypsoRoom listening to it together with your super fans, at the same time, connected by webcams.

Thanks for reading,
CalypsoRoom Team

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Written by CalypsoRoom Editorial Team
The CalypsoRoom Editorial Team is a skilled and diverse group of writers, researchers, and industry specialists who have access to Calypso's data and information in order to give you broad knowledge about the music industry as well as helpful advice to help you manage your music and dancing career.

Updated January 2023

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