These three songwriting exercises are designed to get you into the flow of writing without thinking. Your best ideas come from the subconscious, and you can tap into this with regular practice. Remember to do these exercises quickly, spending three minutes on each in rapid fire succession. I set the timer...
Stage Acting, Improv, and Songwriting... Recently I went to see my friend and talented actress Becky Wahlstrom doing improv night at Bongo Java's in Nashville. The group she performed with, the Nashville Improv Company, were amazingly witty, intelligent, and lightning quick in making stuff up. I was struck at how similar...
1.Believe: As creative people, we tend to be self-doubters. It's what drives us to look inward, to constantly question life around us, and, if channeled properly, will drive us to write great songs. It's perfectly natural to struggle with believing in ourselves and our art, but ultimately, we must...
Following your dreams... When I was 19 years old, I decided to leave my small Alabama hometown and strike out on a journey to the Big Apple: New York City. It took a combination of naivety and hard-headedness, I suppose. After all, I didn’t know anyone in New York City,...
Throughout my 20 years as a professional songwriter, I’ve noticed there isn't always a large difference in talent level among creative people. Why, then do some songwriters seem to have an over abundance of fans buying their music while others struggle to sell the first song? The answer is there is not a...
Multi #1 songwriter Clay Mills takes you behind the scenes, documentary style, of his home studio set up. Clay has made it his mission to put together a studio that he can use on records where the quality will sound professional while spending the least amount of money. Join him on...
I remember sitting in my small, cramped writing studio in Nashville 10 years ago with my two best friends and co-writers, Sonny LeMaire and Shane Minor. We'd been writing together for two years, mostly because we loved hanging out with each other and creating music. No one was recording our...
Writing and reading lessens our isolation and prods our imagination. Music makes our souls dance, and great art leaves an impression that lasts for centuries. Over my 23 years as a professional songwriter, I’ve read just about every book on creativity I could get my hands on. Though I’m convince...
The proper way to format your lyric sheet is one of the most overlooked details in the songwriting business! Since starting SongTown four years ago, Marty and I have had the chance to see many songs and/or song lyrics presented in our Pitch-to-Publisher events, song contests, and song feedback forums...
Finding The Heart & Soul Of your Music Takes Courage... And A Few Tricks! Multi #1 songwriter Clay Mills will show you how to find the "true heart of your song" and create music that matters. This video is part of a weekly lesson series for members at SongTown. Clay Mills is a...