This is where I share my process along with things I’ve found helpful.
While painting, Bob Ross famously used to say to his viewers, “We don’t make mistakes, we just have happy accidents.” I want to point out something obvious: We don’t have happy accidents unless we make mistakes—and you can’t make mistakes if you aren’t taking action. When’s the last time you had a happy accident? […]
On Songwriting: Happy Accidents (or Action-dents) Read More »
My dad is an electrician. Naturally, I call him when I have an electrical problem. He’ll troubleshoot with me over the phone, and I understand him for a little bit. But then he slips into jargon and electrical-speak and I have to have him explain what he means. When it comes to wiring a house,
On Songwriting: Breaking the Curse of Knowledge Read More »
Songwriting isn’t about theory. Many professional songwriters don’t even read music. I’m one of them. We often don’t know the names of the chords we’re playing on guitar or piano. What many of us do know, however, are numbers. Numbers are based on the shape or position you’re in rather than the key. They give
On Songwriting: Instead of Theory Learn This Read More »
I’ve never been good at math. I quit my calculus class with Mr. Wensloff to join the show choir. Had I paid more attention, I would’ve learned this lesson sooner. In fact, you probably already know it. Have you ever heard of the Pareto principle, also known as the 80/20 rule? Here is the basic
On Songwriting: The 80/20 Rule Read More »
Finding your unique songwriting voice is really just a continuation of the stuff you’re already doing, but simply editing it down and changing its form. If you’re having trouble finding your unique songwriting voice, imagine your brain as being a giant rain barrel. The top is open. Everything you take in—experiences, reading, watching TV, whatever—is
On Songwriting: Finding Your Unique Voice Read More »
(From Aaron’s book On Songwriting: Practical Tips and Insights from a Decade in Music City) Whenever I’m stuck on a song, I imagine my dad and me in the Beltrami Island State forest in northern Minnesota. Growing up, that’s where we’d go on the weekends to hunt partridge. My dad didn’t own a pickup truck, but
How to Get Unstuck Read More »
With your big family, how do you still find time and energy to write your own songs and also be creative in other areas (drawing, blog)? Su Hi Su – I love this question because it’s something I think about a lot. After our third child (and again after our fourth), I felt like I
AMA: “How do you find time and energy to be creative with a big family?” Read More »
As I write this, it’s snowing big flakes here in Nashville. It reminds me of the snow I imagined when I wrote “Back to the Beginning.” Tsiaro, a listener in Madagascar asked me what the inspiration for that song was, so I think now’s a great time to answer. Hi Aaron ! I’m Tsiaro
AMA: “What Inspired the song ‘Back to the Beginning’?” Read More »
I use these a lot to help me in my production and writing process. Or just for goofing around. Some of them my kids love, too. DM1 This is an app for making beats. It’s great for when you’ve got some time on your hands (who are you, by the way?) or starting a new
Music Tool Apps I Love Read More »
I have a new single coming out in a few weeks, but rather than show you the process after the release, I thought I’d unfold it with you. That way, by the time you are listening on Bandcamp or Spotify or wherever, you’ll know the backstory and have heard the various versions. Sound fun? Ok,
How a Song Comes to Be, Part 1: The Idea Read More »