I thought this could lead to interesting discussion.
During the last couple of years, I only write 5 or 6 songs (to completion) a year. I suspect I start maybe 20-30 songs (either based on a groove, a chord progression or some snipets of lyrics) - but most simply don't develop.
I've changed my approach over the years from trying to document anything (so I can go back to it) to an approach that follows the general logic, If I can't remember the melody/progression the next day - it was not good enough to spend time on.
I've tried to force myself to recognize songs that don't seem to be going anywhere and limit the energy I commit to those songs. The good news is, the 5-6 soongs I actually complete are songs I think are decent enough to complete - the bad news, I only complete 5-6 songs. Of those 5-6 maybe 1 each year (or maybe each couple of years) becomes something I'm truely proud of.
On the other hand, since the recording process takes a long time - 5-6 songs per year is about the maximum I have time to write & record.
Like many of you, I play and sing all the parts. Then to add to the effort - when I bring in an outside singer (if my publisher likes something) I often have to re-record (either in a different key or to change arrangements)
During the many years I've been writing songs I've completed about 200 and have recorded maybe 60-70 - of that body of work there are maybe 3 songs that I think are something special, maybe 20 that are pretty damn good and the rest are simply "decent enough to complete"
During the last couple of years, I only write 5 or 6 songs (to completion) a year. I suspect I start maybe 20-30 songs (either based on a groove, a chord progression or some snipets of lyrics) - but most simply don't develop.
I've changed my approach over the years from trying to document anything (so I can go back to it) to an approach that follows the general logic, If I can't remember the melody/progression the next day - it was not good enough to spend time on.
I've tried to force myself to recognize songs that don't seem to be going anywhere and limit the energy I commit to those songs. The good news is, the 5-6 soongs I actually complete are songs I think are decent enough to complete - the bad news, I only complete 5-6 songs. Of those 5-6 maybe 1 each year (or maybe each couple of years) becomes something I'm truely proud of.
On the other hand, since the recording process takes a long time - 5-6 songs per year is about the maximum I have time to write & record.
Like many of you, I play and sing all the parts. Then to add to the effort - when I bring in an outside singer (if my publisher likes something) I often have to re-record (either in a different key or to change arrangements)
During the many years I've been writing songs I've completed about 200 and have recorded maybe 60-70 - of that body of work there are maybe 3 songs that I think are something special, maybe 20 that are pretty damn good and the rest are simply "decent enough to complete"