“Don’t steal.” That’s what your parents always said.
Well, they’re wrong.
Here’s why: we’re all just recycling centers.
We take in stuff (music, books, movies, art, whatever), crush it up, and turn it into something of our own, adding our own spice.
After all, creating something is just copying, transforming, and combining.
Even the man who was apparently the wisest person to ever live said there’s “nothing new under the sun.”
And I agree with him.
We might as well steal like artists on purpose.
So here are a few ways you can steal ideas from other songwriters (AKA be inspired by their work).
Take the first two notes from someone’s melody
Try this: take the first two notes from “Amazing Grace,” but instead of continuing with its melody, make up your own.
This can be a great launching pad for writing good melodies.
Obviously, don’t steal whole melodies — this method is meant to help spark melodic ideas in your recycling center brain.
Re-write someone else’s song
Go ahead and re-write a Bob Dylan song or a John Lennon song. Say what they’re saying but in your own words.
Make the verses specific to you, and the chorus more relatable to the listener.
Once you’re done “re-writing,” you’ll have written your own song.
Steal on accident
Let’s be honest, you’re going to steal from your idols and peers whether you realize it or not.
You are a recycling center. That’s what recycling centers do.
You will unknowingly write songs that sound similar to other people’s songs. You might accidentally write a song that already exists.
If that happens, go with it. Stick with the main idea but alter it enough that’s it’s unique to you.
Turn it into a happy (and new) accident.
How do you steal ideas from other songwriters? Let me know in the comments…
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