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Song Writing

Tom Waits finds inspiration by playing multiple radios at once and listening for interesting overlaps in the music. This technique of "absurd composition" leaves parts of the music to chance. Similarly, staring out a window or at a piece of art for a long period of time allows one's mind to think clearly and tap into deep memories and feelings that can inspire songwriting. Taking occasional periods of silence, even just an hour, can reset one's brain and allow those inspiring thoughts to rise to the surface. Setting absurd time limits for songwriting sessions, like 14 minutes, can lead to hit songs as deadlines focus the mind.

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jomari estra
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153 views4 pages

Song Writing

Tom Waits finds inspiration by playing multiple radios at once and listening for interesting overlaps in the music. This technique of "absurd composition" leaves parts of the music to chance. Similarly, staring out a window or at a piece of art for a long period of time allows one's mind to think clearly and tap into deep memories and feelings that can inspire songwriting. Taking occasional periods of silence, even just an hour, can reset one's brain and allow those inspiring thoughts to rise to the surface. Setting absurd time limits for songwriting sessions, like 14 minutes, can lead to hit songs as deadlines focus the mind.

Uploaded by

jomari estra
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as ODT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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1.

Play five radios at once


You might wanna do this one when no one else is home. Or at least keep
the volume low. It’ll definitely cause your friends to ask if everything is
ok.

But it really works! Tom Waits famously uses this technique during
his songwriting process. He turns a couple radios on and then listens for
the interesting overlaps.

This type of absurd composition is a form of aleatory music—It’s music


You’ll find
where certain parts of the composition are left to chance. It’s the perfect
interesting
storm for song inspiration.

progression
If it worked for Tom Waits it’s definitely worth trying. So turn on all those
s and
radios, roll the dice and listen for the interesting overlaps.
melodies.
Think of it
like ear
sampling.
2. Look out the window for a really
long time
The small room that I make music in has a skylight in it. The view is
quite limited—just a small blue square with the occasional cloud, bird or
airplane.

But I think I’ve learned more about my own process from that small blue
square than any guide, walkthrough, or manual could ever teach me. It
lets me think clearly.

It doesn’t even need to be a window either. Just something silent to stare


at. Like a tropical aquarium, or a nice piece of art.

These days you have to actually rip yourself out of the hyper-fast
distractions that are constantly there (computer, cellphone, etc.) to find
some quite silent time.

Do you think Brian Wilson composed ‘Good Vibrations’ while he was


Once you do
replying to an email, ordering an Uber, checking his plays on SoundCloud
and you’ll
tweeting get
about the weather at the same time?

into a way
I don’t think so.
better space
3. to write talk
Don’t for the entire day. Just
some songs.
listen.
Take a temporary oath of silence. Your songwriting will thank you.

A whole day might be a bit much. Besides, you HAVE to talk to lay down
that earth-shattering vocal of pure genius.

But It’s no secret that silence is good for you. Even an hour of silence is
more than enough time to reset your brain.
Whether you know it or not, talking is a huge and complex task for your
brain to carry out. Putting it aside for a little while will put you in the
right place to write.

And during all that silent time all those deep memories and feelings will
have a clear path to the top of your mind. Y’know, all those thoughts that
make great songs.
So take a break from the chatting and try silence for awhile. Let your
brain do the talking and find all the inspiration you need.

4. Set an absurd time limit


Guess what? Diamonds by Rihanna was written by Sia in 14 minutes. She
put the beat on and the lyrics just flowed. It has gone platinum 5 times in
the US alone.

Time is a hard scale to balance. Too much and you end up second
guessing everything. Too little and you get nothing done.

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