In my
previous blog, I mentioned that to come up with creative song ideas, you have to have an ear to hear. Now let's talk about capturing your creative song ideas on paper.
If you don't have access to your music studio, and you think of a idea for a song, such as a creative title, melody, hook, counter-hook, riff, etc. , here's some ways to get those ideas down on paper:
1. Yes, I'll state the obvious: carry a
pen or pencil, and a notebook, a calendar, planner, etc everywhere you go.
2. Use a
PDA;
3. Use
tape recorders (preferably digital). Advantages of this technique:
- You can put multiple tape recorders around the house, in the car, bathroom, etc. to help you capture melody ideas.
- Having multiple recorders helps you find a recorder when and where you need it.
- If you lose one recorder, then you at least have another recorder with music on it so all is not lost.
- A digital recorder will allow you to dump songs onto your computer so now you don't have to concern yourself with losing valuable, creative song ideas to warped tapes.
- Because you can upload the files into your computer, you also don't have to worry about losing your digital tape recorder!
- A digitial recorder also allows you to organize your audio files so that you can go to the specific part without having to listen to the whole tape to find just one part.
4. Use the
memo button on your cell phone if your phone has that option. My Sprint phone allows me to record a short memo to myself. But the time allowed to record the message is too short for me so I rarely use it.
5.
Call your home phone and record your ideas on your answering machine. If, however, your answering machine only keeps messages for so many days, then you again may lose a valuable idea if you forget to re-record your idea on a more permanent medium.
6. Use Braincast. BrainCast is a free message and memo service that allows you to record reminders for yourself on the go, and automatically delivers them to your PC at home for later use. There is also an online organizational system for storing your messages so you can access them from anywhere. Simply add the BrainCast toll free number to your cell phone and you can use it from anywhere free of charge! Currently, Braincast is in Beta but it's still a worthwhile service to use. For more information on that service, you can go to braincast.viatalk.com
7. Use jott.com. This site is also in Beta. Similar to braincast, jott.com
- Send Jotts as e-mails and text messages to your friends and business contacts
- Send Jotts to specified groups that you set up
- Jott To-do lists and reminders to your e-mail while away from the office
- Stay safe using Jott hands-free while driving
Thedy B, Attorney/Songwriter
Hits A Million, LLC
myspace.com/hitsamillionllc
hitsamillion.ning.com
hitsamillionmusic.com
hitsamillionllc.com
