How To Break Through A Music Writing Block

1. Take notes when you hear something interesting.

Sometimes you will hear something and think, "that could be a song." Write it down! Keep a pen and notepad on you all the time, or keep a memo document on your cellphone so you can jot down new ideas anywhere.

2. Try stream of consciousness writing.

Take some time everyday to brainstorm. Sit down and write everything that comes to mind, even things that don't make any sense. These ideas could become lyrics or the start of a song idea.

3. Use a deck of cards to create songs randomly.

If you are struggling to come up with chords and strum patterns, a deck of cards can help choose them for you. To learn how to create songs randomly with a deck of cards, click here.

4. Join a songwriting challenge like the RPM Challenge or FAWM.

Songwriting challenges give you a goal and a deadline to meet. This forces and motivates you to complete songs in a limited time. With the RPM Challenge, you get the month of February to create a full album of original songs from scratch. When you complete the challenge, you send it in and it is made available on the RPM site. FAWM is a similar challenge that also takes place in February.

5. Participate in songwriting contests lke SongFight.

SongFight holds weekly contests for songwriting. Every week they post titles and you get to write a song inspired by the title of your choice.Trying to write one song a week is a good goal, and perhaps the chance to win a contest will motivate you to write.