by : T. Fennel Crenshaw

I'm about to let you in on a little secret that if you don't know by now will change your life for the better, in any aspect you choose. If practiced, this secret will also help you shape your lyrics, songs, and writing much more closer to the heart than before.

People tend to receive that which they expect,
and in the direct proportion to which they are expecting.

If you need a simpler explanation try this-

"You can't always get what you want, but if you try sometimes, you might find, you get what you need."

My objective in stating this is not to turn song writing into a clinical operation. In fact it is the exact opposite. I state this so that we may be free to explore the countless avenues available to us as artists to write from the heart and soul of any matter…so that we can make the strongest connection possible between ourselves and our audience. In order to make this connection possible, we as artists must first under-go a transformation that takes place in the depths of the heart, a transformation that is willed into existence by mere thoughts and ideas.

Subconscious Songwriting 101

Answer these questions and think about how they relate to your song-writing style.

1. What do I expect to achieve by writing this song?
2. How can I use the simplest of means at my disposal to achieve this?
3. What measure of difference will my song make to others?
4. What measure of difference will my song make on me?

By asking these simple questions you begin to jar your mind into creating an outcome your subconscious will work hard to deliver. Keep a sharp eye out as you proceed through the day-your mind is at work and every little moment could be a giant piece to the puzzle waiting on you to stumble across.

Writing In Your Sleep

Use your dreams and subconscious as instruments to your advantage by preparing at bedtime to receive thoughts, words, and music while you sleep. You might want to keep a pad and pen or a pocket recorder by your bed to capture these fleeting images and melodies. Begin by shutting out all outside noise and lie comfortable on your bed in a position as flat as possible. Take several deep breaths and imagine your body becoming free and still. Think about only your breathing and if other thoughts enter your mind, let them go and come back to your breathing. Start at your toes and with each breath feel your body slowly relax and go limp. With each slow and deliberate breath, work your way up till you reach the tip of your head and your whole body is relaxed and free from sensations.

Now begin to tell your subconscious that you trust it will send answers to your questions and provide images, words, and melodies in your sleep. I state it this way, "I believe that I will receive powerful and simple words and music tonight. Words that will complete a melody and beautiful melodies that will demand new words. I expect to dream these answers in words and music and upon waking, I will remember and be able to translate my dreams with ease. I will guide my mind to where the answers will come." If you've relaxed your body and have connected with your inner-self, you will fall asleep during this process and wake refreshed in the morning with something new to write upon, or with answers in the form of words or music.

Trust what you receive in these nocturnal exercises. It is the purest of dreams and the essence of creation you are discovering. Make a habit of ending your day and beginning your sleep this way- you will find new worlds to write upon and new answers to old questions that will make each new day a beautiful song in itself.

Empire:Zine is a production of Spyder's Empire^®. ©All rights reserved. Legal notice.
Contact webmaster@empirezine.com with questions or comments regarding this site.