Why I Always Start Songs With a “Rough Draft”

• Posted by sha635 20777 3 hours ago Filed in Other #Songwriting  #music ideas  #demos  #melody  #creativity  #ai music generator  5 views
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  I used to think a song had to start with a “great” idea—something catchy enough to deserve a full recording. The result? I barely finished anything. I’d get a small melody, doubt it, and move on.

  Now I treat music the same way I treat writing: I start with a rough draft.

  A rough draft song can be ugly. It can have a simple chord loop, placeholder lyrics, and a melody that changes every time you sing it. That’s fine. The goal isn’t to impress anyone—it’s to capture the feeling before it disappears. Once the idea is saved, you can shape it later.

  My quick workflow is simple:

  1. Record a 10–20 second hook (even on a phone)

  2. Add a basic progression underneath

  3. Hum the melody in two different rhythms

  4. Write one line that matches the mood

  5. Save it and move on

  The important part is speed. When I move fast, I create more ideas—and the good ones stand out naturally. When I move slow, I start judging too early.

  This is also where an ai music generator can be surprisingly useful. I don’t use it to “write the whole song.” I use it like a sketchpad: to test a vibe, try a tempo, or hear how a simple hook might feel in a different style. Sometimes it confirms my direction. Sometimes it shows me what not to do. Either way, it helps me make decisions faster.

  The best change for me wasn’t better gear or more theory—it was giving myself permission to draft. Finished songs come from iterations, not from perfect beginnings.

  If you’re stuck, try making your next idea intentionally small: one hook, one mood, one minute. Save it. Repeat. You’ll be surprised how quickly a “rough” idea turns into something real.