by Scott Ashley.
With AI (Artificial Intelligence) around us now, maintaining a thriving songwriting practice is so important as a songwriter and involves cultivating both discipline and inspiration, ensuring you treat creativity as a muscle that needs regular exercise. The key is to make writing a consistent habit, not just a spontaneous event, while fostering an environment that encourages exploration and efficiency.
Here are 6 great tips to maintain a thriving songwriting practice:
-
- Write Consistently (Daily Practice)
Make writing a part of your daily routine rather than waiting for inspiration to strike. Even 10–15 minutes a day—such as journaling, exploring a chord progression, or writing a snippet of lyrics—strengthens your creative stamina. Treat it like a job, not a hobby, and the "muse" will be more likely to visit. Don’t just rely AI tools such as such as CharGPT or Suno. Read this related article: Will ChatGPT improve your Songwriting? https://www.songwriting.net/blog/will-chatgpt-improve-your-songwriting
-
- Create a Dedicated Space
Carve out a specific area in your home dedicated solely to creation, even if it is just a corner of a room. Having your instruments such as a Guitar out of their cases (or an acoustic piano nearby) and ready to play lowers the barrier to entry, allowing you to capture ideas instantly without spending half your time setting up. Read this related article:12 Ways to Get Yourself Unstuck in Songwriting: https://www.songwriting.net/blog/12-ways-to-get-yourself-unstuck-in-songwriting
-
- Study Your Songwriter Idols & Analyze Songs
Take time to analyze the songs you love. Don't just listen—take them apart. Examine their song structure, rhyme scheme, chord movements, and melodic choices to understand what makes them compelling. Emulate these techniques to build your own repertoire of skills. Read this related article: 7 Great Ways to Get Ideas for Writing Songs: https://www.songwriting.net/blog/7-great-ways-to-get-ideas-for-writing-songs
-
- Demo/Record Everything Immediately
Never assume you will remember an idea later. Use your phone’s voice memos or a digital recorder to capture melodic snippets, lyrics, or chord progressions instantly. Even a rough demo recording can preserve a brilliant idea that might otherwise vanish. Read this related article: Top 6 Tips for Setting up a Home Recording Studio on a Budget https://www.songwriting.net/blog/top-6-tips-for-setting-up-a-home-recording-studio-on-a-budget
-
- Embrace Revision and Editing
Not every song comes out perfectly on the first try. A huge part of a thriving practice is editing—rewriting lyrics, changing a melody line, or even restructuring the song for better emotional impact. Be willing to scrap, refine, and polish your work. Read this related article: Tips on Editing and Re-writing A Lyric: https://www.songwriting.net/blog/editing-and-re-writing-a-lyric
I would suggest that you keep a journal or songwriting scrapbook: where you jot down interesting phrases, sensory details, or observations throughout the day. Who knows? Any of these would make it to a segment of your current or future songs.
It is also good for you to set goals such as: aim to finish one song per week or one song per month (depending on how you feel), regardless of its quality. Songwriting is like a muscle, you will get better the more you write, the more you will feel more comfortable. So, go write that great song!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Scott Ashley is a songwriter and graduate of the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston. He is a voting member of the Recording Academy (National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences). He is currently working as the Artist Relations director with the USA Songwriting Competition and IAMA (International Acoustic Music Awards). He has written 2 books "How to Write Better Songs" (Hit #1 on the Amazon Best Seller Books Charts in 2022) and "The Songwriting Competition Handbook" (Hit #1 on Amazon in 2025). Click here to purchase Scott Ashley's new book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Songwriting-Competition-Handbook-Winning-Songwriters/dp/B0F8C27BSV/
For information on the 31st Annual USA Songwriting Competition, go to: https://www.songwriting.net