Last week we talked about accomplishing dreams. This week we are going to focus on some of them. Music is a wonderful outlet for a lot of us. As for some of us, pursuing music may be one of those New Year’s Resolutions scribbled down on paper. Today we are hearing tips from Laurel Powers, a pop singer/songwriter, on how to start writing music.
I’ve known Laurel for several years and watching her passion grow to write songs has been a privilege. She never gave up when challenges seemed impossible, which deeply inspires me to keep going after my own goals. She started singing at 12 and then taught herself piano at age 13. With her music she strives for women to be encouraged and to know that they are not alone during struggles. For all of you Taylor Swift and Zooey Dechanel fans you would love Laurel’s piano driven pop sound. Here are a few of her tips:
- Write all the time. Work on your craft whenever you can! Even if you think a song sounds bad at first, keep going, I promise you’ll get better. As we all know, practice makes perfect.
- Be open to the fact that your process might be different every time. Each time I write something new, it’s going to be different. There is not a particular formula for it. Each song is a new thing to discover.
- Know that inspiration is often inconvenient. Take advantage of the lyrics or melodies that pop in your head at random moments of the day and jot them down on scrap paper or record them in your phone.
- If you cannot afford lessons, it’s easier now than ever to learn. I learned piano by watching other people play on Youtube. There are all kind of tutorials online. To be self-taught takes dedication and discipline but it’s definitely possible.
- Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. When you finish a song be proud of it! Show your friends and family or share it on Youtube. It can be nerve wrecking at first to share something you created but it’s always great to share triumphs with people you love. Know that if you do share something on Youtube people will post harsh comments. For me, I can have twenty really encouraging comments and then that one bad comment will devastate me. You have to weigh out the good and bad. Focus on the positive feedback.
This is her newest song about writers block!
You can keep up with Laurel on her Facebook, Twitter or Youtube.
Until next week ladies! Keep making those goals and going after them.
