As a songwriter, I’m a firm believer in writing a little bit every day. But when I’m in a groove, finishing several songs in quick succession, I sometimes notice they start sounding too similar. This is especially true when I focus on writing within a specific genre.
While it’s important to develop your brand as an artist, writing songs that sound alike can be limiting. It’s not a bad thing if it aligns with a project’s direction, but stepping outside your comfort zone can bring fresh ideas. If you find your songs sounding repetitive, it might be time to push yourself creatively. Here are some tips to shake things up and bring more variety to your songwriting:
Change Up Your Melodies
Listen to a few of your recent songs. Are your melodies similar in structure—ascending, descending, or stagnant? Do you tend to rely on straight or syncopated rhythms? Challenge yourself by trying the opposite of your usual style. Experiment with different melodic movements or rhythms to create a fresh feel. I like to call this ‘auditioning new melodies’ take the progressions and lyrics you have and try and find a new melody.
Try A New Song Structure
It’s really easy to follow the same or similar song structures when writing without even noticing or putting it down to genre or your style. But I find that experimenting with AABA song structure, or using a one word chorus can really make me work harder in other areas of the song.
Switch Up Your Time Signature or Tempo
If you tend to stick with one tempo or time signature, try experimenting with something new. Write a song slower or faster than usual, or explore an unusual time signature. Using a metronome Or Click track in a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) can help you maintain the new tempo and keep you on track. You can also alter the rhythm of your accompaniment by adding syncopation or changing the time signature. Experiment until it feels natural.
Change Your Key or Adjust Your Capo
Sticking to familiar keys might feel safe, but changing your key can offer a new emotional effect. Try shifting to a higher or lower key to see how it affects the mood of your song. You can also experiment with capo placement to explore different tonalities on your guitar. This is one of my favourite tips as it’s really easy to do, and lets you play open chords with fresh sound.
Borrow Chord Progressions From An Existing Song
Even simple pop songs don’t stay within the same set of chords. You can vary your chord progression choices by borrowing from existing songs. Don’t worry, chord progressions can’t be copyrighted – they are like the colours that painters use; fundamental to the process but inherently everyone can use as many or as few as they want to.
Final Thoughts:
Conscious songwriting can feel more like work than the free-flowing creativity we often crave. If you find it’s becoming a bit mechanical, separate the process into two phases. Write the structural parts of your song first, then revisit the emotional aspects in a later session. This way, you can experiment with new sounds without losing the emotional heart of your song. Experimenting should be a staple in your songwriting process to avoid these sticking points.
By pushing yourself outside of your usual patterns, you can bring fresh creativity to your music and continue growing as a songwriter.