Songwriting Tip of the Week Wednesday #5 (Songwriting Exercise)

I took some time off during the holidays and during my move to New York, but Songwriting Tip of the Week Wednesdays are officially back in session!

This week I'm going to give you a fun little songwriting exercise.  First pick a song you know and love and put the lyrics in front of you.  Keeping the same phrasing and the same rhyme scheme, replace the words, then change the melody and the rhythm to fit your new song.

For example:

Bob Dylan's "Blowin' in the Wind"

The answer my friend, is blowin' in the wind

The answer is blowin' in the wind

Now I replace the words, melody, and rhythm but keep the phrasing and rhyme scheme:

I'll string my guitar, with strings from my heart

I'll string it with strings, from my heart

Now you try it--and you'll never have writers block again!