Limited-Time Offer!
READ A FREE EXCERPT OF
"WRITE SONGS RIGHT NOW"
I want to give visitors a taste of what it's like to work with me one-on-one!
So for a limited time I'm posting this excerpt of my Ebook and Audiobook. It's an inspirational guide for songwriters who are either stuck, or just getting started. Enjoy, and let me know your thoughts!
~ Alex
CHAPTER 1:
INSPIRATION STRIKES THOSE
WHO PREPARE FOR IT
YOU DON’T NEED TO BE A VIRTUOSO TO WRITE A GREAT SONG!
Let’s face it: a person could easily become intimidated by the many incredible songs that already exist in the world. Perhaps you’ve spent hours or days bemoaning the fact that you might never write a better song than fill-in-the-blank—whoever is your favorite right now.
This is a classic case of “compare and despair.” And where does it get you? Probably sitting in front of a screen, feeling frustrated and eating way too many cookies.
My job is to get you off the couch so that you can experience the wild ride that songwriting can be. Whether you’ve written one song or a thousand, the creative process can be scary, upsetting, or exhilarating as hell, but at least it’s never boring! And if you keep doing it, your songs will inevitably get better.
Later in the book, we’ll do an exercise in which we explore our various strengths and weaknesses, but suffice it to say we all have both. I’ve heard it said that some people are born with a particular talent, and others shouldn’t quit their day job. My suspicion is that people who say that sort of stuff would rather be creative artists themselves!
So, let’s assume that if you’re reading this, you harbor a sincere vision of being a songwriter. Well, Step 1 is to declare that, in your heart of hearts, you are a songwriter.
Yes, even if you’ve never completed a single song, you can start this very minute by saying it, preferably out loud: “I am a songwriter.” If you’re like most people, the next voice you’ll hear will be that annoying one inside your head that says “NOT!” (or something more colorful to that effect). The Voice will then list the reasons why the reality of you being a songwriter is impossible. For example, you might hear any of the following:
-
But I don’t play an instrument!
-
But I can’t write lyrics!
-
But my voice sounds like fingernails on a blackboard!
-
But I haven’t made money on it yet!
-
But I don’t have the right equipment!
I am here to say that you do not have to be a world-class prodigy on an instrument, sing like Aretha Franklin, or have a five-zillion track recording studio in your basement to be a great songwriter. Some of the world’s most successful songwriters don’t play an instrument at all. Others can’t string two words together. But they do know what they’re good at, and they capitalize on it!
Remember this ancient wisdom: the mind is the builder. In other words, every manifestation starts with a clear declaration of one’s vision in the mind’s eye. So go ahead, declare it now: “I am a songwriter.”
Once you’ve declared yourself to be a songwriter, the next step is to start doing the things great songwriters do, like building up your skills in the areas of songwriting that attract you. Ideally, you’ll have some inkling of those areas in the next few months, and can put some serious effort into strengthening them, either alone or with the support of colleagues, coaches, and/or mentors. As for your weaknesses, fear not! We’ll delve into