In preparation for my 2008 song-a-week project, I wanted some numbers to give me an idea of how much writing I would need to do. Using the 80/20 rule—only 20 percent of my writing will make the cut while 80 percent will go into the waste … [Read more...]
5 Sure Fire Ways To Kick-Start The Songwriting Habit
If you don't already write songs regularly, then it's safe to say that you don't yet have a songwriting habit. Because if you did, you would feel compelled to write songs every day and perhaps all day long. We could talk about motivation or … [Read more...]
Automation As Part Of An Integral Life Practice
Most repetitive tasks are energy sucks. Opening the same web pages every day, clicking our way around the cybersphere, answering the same questions to our customers, all of these tasks are relatively low-value and cumulatively add up to a large chunk … [Read more...]
Applying The 80-20 Rule To Your Songwriting
I'm finding more and more that what stops songwriters from finishing songs isn't a lack of good ideas but a misdirection of songwriting focus. Based on the comments I receive, musicians are spending more time on tasks that do little to move the song … [Read more...]
Advice To Beginning Musicians
If you're new to the world of playing music or even if you're just now thinking about playing your very first note, here's my 7-step plan for beginning musicians: Get a cheap instrument. You probably have an idea of what instrument you want to play … [Read more...]
Holiday Ear Training
If you're anything like me, then you're being pulled in a thousand different directions during the holiday season. Where does ear training fit into your list of priorities? For me, ear training is what I do first thing in the morning... well, that … [Read more...]