JPF Home Page Forums General Messages Songwriter Message Forum Considering a song writing day away - Will it work?

I need to vacate the house for a day while some work is done and am thinking about taking my guitar, notebook, unfinished songs, portable recorder, etc. to a park on the beach and looking for inspiration!

Anyone think this will work or is that trying to force something to happen?

No, I think it's a good idea. I never try to force inspiration, but changing environments sometimes helps trigger it. Taking the paraphernalia along just means you're prepared just in case. Have fun.

Joe

I've done this but it never works for me. I think part of that is I am a "lazy" writer. I write when the mood strikes me and it doesn't strike me as much as it used to.

I agree with Joe, the environment sometimes triggers it.

In 2002 I went to the Frank Brown Festival. It was the first songwriting thing I'd done in at least 10 years. I wasn't writing much those days but I started three songs and finished two just on the trip down. I thought they were both pretty good songs.

One was inspired by seeing the contrail of a plane far off in the distance. It became a song about a soldier in Afghanistan longing for home. Another was inspired as I listened the radio and heard Diamond Rio's song from 10 years earlier--"In A Week Or Two." That song reminded me of a situation involving me and two friends when it was out. The song I wrote may not be one of my best but it is one of my favorites.

The third song I started writing was about which was better: choosing a dog or choosing a wife. It had the immortal line "you can rub your woman's belly but that don't mean she'll wag her tail." I still don't have a dog or a wife.
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Colin:

Who can say what will or won't work for songwriters. Give it a shot and see if it is comfortable and productive. I never know when inspiration will strike... or in what form it will arrive. Sometimes a melody, sometimes and expression that sounds like a good hook... or sometimes just an idea that might lead to a good song story. Often in a different genre than my last recording.

Some of my best inspirations have happened when driving fairly long distances... just as, I suppose when rail travel was really in-vogue, the sound of the rails could generate musical ideas for those "bent that way."

I seem to write my very worst songs when I try to force something... but I write them nonetheless. After all, once it has been written and recorded... a rewrite is always "in the cards" if the song is even worth the effort for a salvage attempt. It's funny how the creative juices flow more easily on a given day than on the day before.

Let us know if it worked. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

Dave

http://www.ShowCaseYourMusic.com/DaveRice

No need to force anything! Just have the musical things nearby for when you get the urge.

I finished "All Over Again" while walking on Mertyl Beach! I had the guitar in the hotel room looking out at the beach and water, and after some time getting some chords and words for that song, I asked my wife to join me on the beach just to walk.

I didn't need to take the guitar on the beach, as the song was playing in my head enough already. After walkng and talking some, I just started talking about the song, then doing some light singing while we were walking. That is where 90% of the words of that song were written. (Not may words in total), so it didn't take that long of a walk!

But, because of that experience and such a different scene from my usual spots here at home, that song always brings up those images of Cindy and I being together like young lovers and just having a great time. The song being completed was extra.

So, YES! At least have the option in place. The just let it flow, thinking about songs or not. if it's meant to be creative, it will be. and if it is, you'll have those extra memories and feelings, much like how we heard songs on the radio for the first time that became hits! It's an association to something wonderful. At least be prepared just in case.

Have a great time that day! (Either way), song or not. Recording or not. What matters is the good feeling flow of things, no matter what you are doing.

John

Colin,

I think a note pad might be more handy than a guitar. I once took a long Sunday stroll in Chicago from the Loop, all the way north to Wrigley Field and ended up with a dozen "hooks" jotted down.

The scenery went from downtown, to the beach, to the zoo, to yuppieville, etc.

Part of one of Brian's quotes is to "go somewhere you've never been".

Whatever you do, I think you've got the right attitude, as opposed to going to a double matinee at a theater or something.

Have fun!!

Midnite

Colin,

Your last concern "... or is that trying to force something to happen?", suggests that you are nothing but a passive media for inspiration. I think, this is far from any truth.

Inspiration does not have a life of it's own, if you think so, that attitude is key if you have any concerns about inspiration. Sure you can feel more and less inspired, and certain places can trigger it, but you really shuldn't rely on such luck.

Songwriting is a craft, it's neither rocket science or miracles as anyone committed can learn how to do it, so I belive great songs comes from writing regularly. Getting songs recorded by artists is more about business politics, than it is about inspired songs. Great songs are crafted by you, not given to you.

If you sit around waiting on inspiration, you are not paying your dues, as you need to open a 'channel' for inspiration, to get a habit of creativity. That ain't gonna happen if you treat inspiration as if it comes from anywhere outside yourself. That's an old myth, and has little to do with getting in the luv. How can you know what the good ones are before you've written them? You can't, so the waiting for inspiration thing is a writers block, coming from your own judgements.

Like any other craft, songwriting is much more about inner determination and action, than about devine inspiration coming from the outside, Colin. A handyman just goes to work and do it. He's paid for his consistancy, and so are songwriters. Sure we benefit from ouside stimuli, but there's no such thing as 'forcing creativity' - there are only actions.

So will it work to take a songwriting day away - absolutely not! - in terms of opening yourself to regular creativity and the 'good ones'. In terms of writing an occational song, the answer is.. perhaps.

Well, you asked..

Hey Colin,

Just a personal anecdote....... I took a month off, just to concentrate on music. Only got three songs done, only one to finished broadcast standard. For a day, I'd take a notepad and voice recorder, and just jot down some ideas. Then, in a couple of days, play/read it back. You'd be surprised how many ideas you can create just by letting the mind roam free.

cheers, niteshift

Colin, I think it is a terrific idea. It might work. You might have a good time. Who knows, but it sure seems like it is worth a try.

Tom

I did it. Completed one rewrite, started one new song, and moved forward on two other ideas. Here is my office.

I like that office. It's got everything--writing instrument, playing instrument, drinking instrument (complete with software), and an inspiring view. Good job.

joe

Opinions aside, you got one h... of an office, Colin! Great job..

Congrats Colin! (Seen so MANY Commercials, I wuz lookin' for Corona Bottles in that Pic!) ;-)> That's one fine "Office"!

I guess Semi-Solitude WORKS...time-to-time. I usually get Inspired by just hangin' out in some Crowd-filled-Locale..& just LISTEN-IN on the Conversations. Sooner-or-later, Somebody spews-forth a HOOK...& the rest is easy.

So..were your New Ones "Beach Songs?"

Congrats, whatever they were/are! Your Trek paid-off..YAYY~!

Big Guy-Hug,
Stan

It looks like a good setup and I am glad it worked. Nice insite into what worked for you, Colin.

Tom

Colin, all good songwriters need is time to write...getting out of the four dots will only increase the inspiration. nice spot to work, wish they were hiring staff writers for that office...be well...moker

I think it was a very good idea and it worked. May be you decide to do it again soon. Good luck with your songs, Colin.
Nadia

Love your office. A view without a room. I have found that once I have certain parameters set for a song writing session, the muse can be called forth. I have written more good songs on demand than the other way. Good luck to you.

Thanks for your interest......I am seriously thinking about doing this regularly. Maybe once a week. This spot in Fort DeSoto Park has the right degree of activity to be inspirational but not enough to be distracting.

When I got too much sun, I moved to a picnic shelter. They have picnic shelters with dome shape concrete roofs. The acoustic guitar sounded cool under one.

I found it easier to focus on the songwriting with no computer, wife, neighbors, refrigerator, etc.

Colin I was jealous of your picture and wished I was there ...maybe you could finish this song, needs the Chorus now...

Found a table by the beach
Got my guitar within reach
It's like the sun is on a leash
Ain't gone no where

Just drinking in this awesome view
The sky and water painted blue
It's real but too good to be true
An answered prayer

Hey Colin,

My husband and I have what we like to call "art night" every Friday night. He's upstairs doing his artist endeavors and I am downstairs writing songs. I've been able to write songs in that 3 or so hour block of time, finish songs, start songs. I have things swirling around in my head all week and by Friday, they want out. It's not exactly like writing on demand because I'm not that good under pressure but this seems to work for me.

When I was working full time, those few hours were all I had and I made the most of them. Now I have more time but still do my best to keep this date with myself. The point is, if I had a cool place like your park I don't know that I'd write any more or any less, but the fact that you take the time for yourself is valuable beyond measure. I have worked in cubicleville and have become a master of tuning out the world. So for me, it isn't the where that is important but the when, making time to do what I love.

So, wherever or whenever you do it, just DO IT!!!

Ricki

Good idea Colin! Would someone help me move my piano to the park?

Best, John

Nice work Colin, and great office!

Nice one, John.

"Considering a song writing day away - Will it work?"

That depends entirely on you. No one can or will try to take it away from you, at least I don't think so.....

As for forcing it?
What do you want? Is this something that you feel is going to help you, or get in your way?

Use or lose it, but the final decision is all on you.

For me, it's a great idea.....Have thyself too much fun!

if you write by force of habit you lose that special icing but as with everything in life the more you do something the better you can get a hold of it but sometimes in quantity you lose quality and I'd much rather have quality verses quantity in my songwriting

Very Cool!

See so it worked.

My office is pictured below AWESOME right? WRONG!

It's a distraction, just like computers are and any recording gear,technical troubles and doing too many things. But i just need to get out period lol.. Haven't been able to go out to diner in 5 years now. Even that might inspire me lol...

What your doing is good, but one big reason why it's working is because you REALLY want to do it. You want to write/create. When it's in your heart and mind you'll create just about anywhere!

I used to hold a "Write Nite" here at my home every Thursday night. It started off with 3 or 4 people but sometimes that's too many. So two people is perfect.

I terrorized a few of those people away, with HARD WORK
The others I started to out contribute. In other words as we went I was putting in 100% of the music and 50% of the lyric then about 75 -85% of the lyric

But one guy was bringing a bit of both and that really makes me go!

Other people MAKE ME BETTER! You should try this with somebody Colin.
I never push myself enough when I'm alone, but put me on a team and I excel.

After a while try to find someone to bring to the park with you. Co-writing even though sometimes a disaster is the best when it works.

Great Photo

All the best!

I usually just take a pen and a pad, and maybe a guitar but you can find inspiration anywhere,walking down a city street or in the middle of a cow pasture

Also, if we ever have to wait in long gasoline lines again, and I wouldn't be surprised if it someday did happen again, what with the oil situation and the fact that so far we refuse to wean ourselves off of it. A well-known song was spawned in just that situation.

Mike, it is evident from your videos and posts that you are "dedicated." We all know you are talented. That combiation is unbeatable. A lot of people would have given up in face of vertigo, but you continue to drive through it.

Tom

Thanks Tom

My videos and posts surely but you had to be in a band with me lol. Or in the studio.

A small list of sacrifices for my music

1. My health
2. A Family
3. All my money

The vertigo/equilibrium problem has slowed me down GREATLY! It was the start of it. Start with that which caused the loss of finances, and a normal life, then hope.
I have been able to punch through and squeeze by up to now. But I don't think I can go much further. In 2005 I went back to the emergency room for the 5th time since 1997. I had "HAD IT" then and then fought through 4 more years with NO help. Pure frustration.

My heart still fights but my bodies giving up. However it was in 2005 I found JPF.
I found it mainly cause the illness had me grounded.

Finding JPF and the people here has been the only new good thing in my life in the past 4 plus years!

Thanks to you!