Singer Songwriter | How to Write a Song, Make Music, Song Lyrics, Music Theory, Singing Lessons

Have song lyrics but no melody? You've written the words, but now you're wondering how to turn them into a song. Where do you begin?

In this episode, I'll walk you through three simple songwriting steps to help you find a melody for your lyrics. You'll learn how to discover the natural rhythm of your words, find a melody in one line, and build out from there.

You don't need to figure out the entire song at once — or know a lot of music theory to get started. Sometimes, all you need is one line, a little curiosity, and a willingness to play.

In this episode, you'll learn how to:

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Find the natural rhythm and pulse in your lyrics.

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Explore the rise and fall of a single line to discover a melody.

•

Build on that musical idea using your voice, an instrument, or improvisation.

Have lyrics waiting for their music? Grab your notebook, try these steps, and see where your words take you.

Want to explore songwriting together? Join the free Songwriting Workshop Interest List to hear when the next live workshop is announced:

http://singersongwriterworkshop.com

What happens when you stop putting music at the bottom of the list and start with the music?

As creatives, it’s easy to fill our time with the things that seem more important — work, family, responsibilities, planning, even thinking about our creativity instead of actually creating. But making music isn’t something we have to earn our way toward. It matters.

In this episode, I’m talking about what happened when I decided to start my own work with music first — and why I believe making time for creativity doesn’t just nourish us as artists. What we create can spill over into the rest of our lives and connect us with the people around us.

If you’ve been putting your music on the back burner, consider this your invitation to make some music before you do anything else.

Sing. Play. Hum. Write a line. Pick up an old song. Follow an idea. Even if just for a few minutes.

Start with the music and see what comes.

<3 Lainey

Next Steps:

Join the Next Workshop: http://singersongwriterworkshop.com

Visit the Website: http://reawakenyourvoice.com

Write Me: hello@reawakenyourvoice.com

Have you ever wanted to write a song, but found yourself completely stuck?

Maybe you don't know where to begin. Maybe you have too many ideas and don't know which one to follow. Maybe you've started a song but don't know how to develop it — or you're deep in the messy middle and suddenly questioning whether the song is any good.

And sometimes, the song is almost finished… but you just can't seem to let it go.

In this episode, we're looking at 5 places singer songwriters commonly get stuck in the songwriting process:

• Wanting to write but not knowing where to begin
• Having too many ideas and not knowing which one to follow
• Starting a song but not knowing how to develop it
• Getting lost in the messy middle and questioning the song
• Getting close to finished but struggling to let it go

I've been exploring these stages through my own creative process this summer, and they're also at the heart of an upcoming free live songwriting workshop I'm putting together.

The goal isn't to find one perfect songwriting formula. It's to understand where you are in the creative process, what's actually getting in your way, and what your song might need next.

Want to be the first to know when the free workshop opens?

Get on the list here: http://singersongwriterworkshop.com

If you've been wanting to write more songs, finish the songs you've started, or simply find your way forward when you get stuck, this episode is for you.

Next Steps:

Get on the List for the Free Live Songwriting Workshop: http://singersongwriterworkshop.com

Visit the Website: http://reawakenyourvoice.com

Write Me: hello@reawakenyourvoice.com

Do song lyrics come first — or does the melody lead the way?
The truth is, songs don’t begin in just one way.

In this episode, I walk you through five common “doorways” into songwriting — simple, human starting points that can help you move past the frozen feeling of “Where do I start?” We explore how songs can begin through lyrics, melody, rhythm, harmony, or listening to what’s already stirring beneath the surface — and how finding your doorway can make songwriting feel more natural and less intimidating.

If you’ve been searching for a simple way to start writing songs, this episode offers a clear framework you can return to again and again — without pressure, rules, or overthinking.

<3 Lainey

P.S. Be the FIRST to hear when the next FREE Live Songwriting Workshop opens -->

🎶 Free Live Songwriting Workshop

Learn how to turn your ideas into songs in this FREE workshop with Lainey

Register at http://singersongwriterworkshop.com

Your ear is one of your greatest tools as a singer-songwriter.

In this episode, I'll show you a simple listening practice you can weave into your regular singing practice or vocal warm-up — starting with finding Do, stepping away from home, and listening your way back.

We'll use simple solfège patterns like Do-Re-Mi and Do-Ti-Do, and then let the exercise open up into vocal improvisation. Because ear training isn't just about learning to sing the “right” notes. It's about developing the connection between what you hear internally and what you express through your voice.

The more you develop your musical ear, the more possibilities you begin to hear — in your singing, your improvisation, and your songwriting.

Solfège gives you a map. Improvisation invites you to explore.

Start with the known: Do. Venture into the unknown. And listen your way back.

Next Steps:

Join the Newsletter: http://reawakenyourvoice.com/insider

Visit the Website: http://reawakenyourvoice.com

Write Me: hello@reawakenyourvoice.com

Want to write songs but don't know where to begin?

You don't have to know music theory, play an instrument, or have years of songwriting experience before you can call yourself a songwriter. You can begin with what you have—and learn what you need along the way.

In this beginner-friendly introduction to songwriting, we'll explore what it really means to be a songwriter, different ways to begin a song, and how to find a simple "song seed" that can become the doorway into your first song.

You'll learn why there's no single right way to start writing a song, how to let a song reveal itself as you work, and why you don't need to have the whole thing figured out before you begin.

If you've been wanting to write songs but keep thinking you need to learn more first, this episode is for you. You are allowed to be a songwriter while you're still learning how to write songs.

Next Steps:

Join the Newsletter: http://reawakenyourvoice.com/insider

Visit the Website: http://reawakenyourvoice.com

Write Me: hello@reawakenyourvoice.com

How do you get unstuck when you're writing a song?

Feeling stuck doesn't always mean the same thing—and it doesn't always require the same solution. A songwriter who can't get started may need to develop their musical skills, while someone stuck in the messy middle may need to learn how to tolerate uncertainty. Someone else may be stuck in perfectionism, unable to finish, record, or share their song.

This summer, I've been paying close attention to my own songwriting process and the different places where I tend to get stuck. It's helped me see the creative process differently: where you are determines what you need next.

In this episode, we'll look at the different phases of the songwriting process—from desire and gathering ideas to choosing, beginning, navigating the messy middle, finishing, recording, and sharing—and the different creative blocks that can arise along the way.

Because sometimes you need a songwriting skill. Sometimes you need to make a decision. Sometimes you need to trust yourself, let go of perfectionism, or become willing to see yourself as the songwriter you're becoming.

If you're feeling stuck writing a song, don't assume you're behind. Find where you are in the process, identify the bottleneck, and discover what you need to keep moving.

Next Steps:

Join the Newsletter: http://reawakenyourvoice.com/insider

Visit the Website: http://reawakenyourvoice.com

Write Me: hello@reawakenyourvoice.com

What if one of the simplest ways to improve your singing is to start pressing record?

I practiced recording myself this week, and the experience gave me a valuable reality check about where I am as a singer and musician—and what I need to work on next.

When you're inside the music, it's easy to miss things like breath support, tempo, phrasing, tension, or other habits. Listening back gives you an outside perspective and turns vague feelings of "I need to get better" into specific information you can actually use in your practice.

I'll also talk about the difference between healthy musicianship and perfectionism. Wanting to sing and record well isn't the problem. The problem is believing you have to be perfect before you're allowed to press record.

Recording yourself doesn't have to be about creating something you're ready to share. Sometimes it's simply a practice tool: record, listen, notice, learn, and try again.

If you've been hesitant to hear your own singing voice on a recording, consider this your invitation to press record anyway.

<3 Lainey

Next Steps:

Join the Newsletter: http://reawakenyourvoice.com/insider

Visit the Website: http://reawakenyourvoice.com

Write Me: hello@reawakenyourvoice.com

Why do you keep putting off recording your songs — even when the song is finished?

You finally finish the lyrics. You make the revisions. You find the version of the song that feels true. And then, somehow, recording it becomes the thing you keep avoiding.

I've noticed this pattern in my own creative process. After spending the summer paying attention to the different stages of songwriting — from gathering ideas and choosing, to navigating the messy middle, finishing, and sharing — I've realized that recording is one of my own creative bottlenecks.

In this episode, I explore why recording can feel so much harder than writing the song itself, and how perfectionism, overthinking, and the pressure to get it "right" can keep us from taking the next step.

If you've been sitting on a finished song — or a song that's almost finished — and somehow can't seem to get yourself to record it, this one is for you.

<3 Lainey

Next Steps:

Join the Newsletter: http://reawakenyourvoice.com/insider

Visit the Website: http://reawakenyourvoice.com

Write Me: hello@reawakenyourvoice.com

Have you ever wondered why songwriting feels effortless one day — and impossible the next?

What if the problem isn't that you're creatively blocked, but that you're in a different stage of the songwriting process?

In this episode, I'm looking back on an unexpected discovery. What started as a summer of recording podcast episodes about singing, songwriting, and creativity turned into a deep study of the creative process itself. As I paid attention to my own songwriting practice, I began noticing familiar patterns: gathering ideas, choosing a direction, working through the messy middle, finishing a song, and finally finding the courage to share it.

Every stage has its own challenges. Every songwriter gets stuck somewhere. The key isn't trying to force your way through—it's learning to recognize where you are and what that stage is asking of you.

Whether you're struggling to find song ideas, stuck halfway through a draft, caught in perfectionism, or having a hard time finishing and sharing your music, this episode will help you locate yourself in the process so you can keep moving forward with greater clarity and confidence.

Next Steps:

Join the Newsletter: http://reawakenyourvoice.com/insider

Book a Coaching Session: http://reawakenyourvoice.com/coaching

Visit the Website: http://reawakenyourvoice.com

Write Me: hello@reawakenyourvoice.com

What if the secret to vocal confidence isn't having a better singing voice?

So many singers believe confidence comes after they improve their technique, sound better, or finally feel "good enough." But what if confidence begins somewhere else?

In this episode, we're exploring a different way of thinking about vocal confidence—one that's rooted not in perfection, but in trust. I share why learning to trust your singing voice enough to let it be heard may be more important than chasing the perfect sound, and how our inner critic often pulls us out of the experience of singing and into the role of judge.

Whether you're recording yourself, performing on stage, posting a video online, or simply singing for someone you trust, the invitation is the same: stay on your own side. Instead of asking, "Did I sound good?" what if you asked, "Did I stay connected to myself? Did I tell the truth?"

If you've ever struggled with self-criticism, hated the sound of your own singing voice, or felt afraid to let your voice be heard, this episode will encourage you to build confidence from the inside out.

<3 Lainey

Next Steps:

Join the Newsletter: http://reawakenyourvoice.com/insider

Visit the Website: http://reawakenyourvoice.com

Write Me: hello@reawakenyourvoice.com

How do you know when a song is actually finished?

Not when it's perfect. Not when you've exhausted every possible revision. But when it's ready to let go.

In this episode, we're exploring the final stage of the songwriting process: knowing when to stop revising and trust the song you've written. I share what happened after revisiting an old song that finally found its missing verse—only to discover myself slipping into endless tweaking, second-guessing, and overthinking every artistic decision.

We'll talk about the difference between healthy revision and hypercriticism, why perfectionism keeps so many songwriters stuck, and how to recognize when another rewrite isn't helping the song anymore. Sometimes the hardest part of songwriting isn't finding inspiration or writing the first draft—it's trusting yourself enough to finish.

Whether you're working on your first song or your fiftieth, this episode is an invitation to embrace the imperfect beauty of your work and remember that every finished song is simply a snapshot of who you were when you chose to let it go.

In this episode, we'll explore:

• how to know when a song is finished
• the final stage of the songwriting process
• songwriting revision vs. perfectionism
• editing and revising song lyrics
• overcoming self-criticism in songwriting
• trusting your creative instincts
• why finishing a song is an act of trust
• avoiding overthinking during the songwriting process
• letting go of perfection and releasing your music
• building a sustainable creative practice

Next Steps:

Join the Newsletter: http://reawakenyourvoice.com/insider

Book a Coaching Session: http://reawakenyourvoice.com/coaching

Visit the Website: http://reawakenyourvoice.com

Write Me: reawakenyourvoice.com

Have you ever held onto a lyric, melody, or song idea simply because you've lived with it for so long?

In this episode, we're exploring a different stage of the songwriting process — not gathering inspiration, but choosing what belongs. I share the story of revisiting an old song and making one unexpected change that revealed a deeper, more honest version of the story it had been trying to tell all along.

We'll talk about why artistic growth isn't just about creating more — it's about developing the discernment to recognize what truly serves the song. Sometimes the hardest part of songwriting isn't writing the next line. It's having the courage to let go of something good so something truer can emerge.

Whether you're writing songs, making music, or simply learning to trust your creative instincts, this episode is an invitation to embrace the deeper work of choosing, revising, and telling the truth in your art.

In this episode, we'll explore:

• the songwriting process beyond first drafts
• editing and revising song lyrics
• how to know what belongs in a song
• creative discernment and artistic choices
• telling the truth through songwriting
• letting go of lyrics that no longer serve the song
• trusting your creative instincts
• why honesty leads to stronger songs
• embracing revision as part of the creative process

Next Steps:

Join the Newsletter: http://reawakenyourvoice.com/insider

Book a Coaching Session: http://reawakenyourvoice.com/coaching

Visit the Website: http://reawakenyourvoice.com

Email Me: hello@reawakenyourvoice.com

Feeling tired, stiff, or disconnected from your singing voice?

In this episode, I'm sharing a simple 10-minute singing practice I used after a long holiday weekend to reconnect with my voice—without forcing it, judging it, or trying to sound "better."

Instead of focusing on vocal technique or performance, this practice begins with noticing how your voice feels today, meeting it where it is, and allowing it to lead the way through humming, movement, improvisation, and familiar songs.

We'll explore:

• how to reconnect with your singing voice in just 10 minutes
• what to do when your voice feels tired or low-energy
• why noticing your body's sensations can be more helpful than judging your sound
• how improvisation and movement can help your voice open naturally
• embracing your voice as it is instead of fighting against it

If your singing has been feeling stale, disconnected, or you're simply looking for a gentle way back into your voice, I hope this practice helps you rediscover the joy of singing—exactly as you are today.

<3 Lainey

Songs Mentioned:

Ain't No Sunshine by Bill Withers

Wade In The Water - Traditional African American Spiritual

Next Steps:

Join the Newsletter: http://reawakenyourvoice.com/insider

Book a Coaching Session: http://reawakenyourvoice.com/coaching

Visit the Website: http://reawakenyourvoice.com

Write Me: hello@reawakenyourvoice.com

Have you ever had a song that stayed with you for years—but never seemed ready to be written?

In this episode, I'm sharing a personal reflection on a song I've wanted to write for a long time and what it's teaching me about the songwriting process, creative timing, and learning to trust inspiration instead of forcing it.

As America celebrates its 250th birthday, I've found myself returning to a creative desire that's been quietly living in me for years: to write a song that captures the beauty of home, freedom, and Americana summer nights. The inspiration is there. The imagery is there. But the song itself still hasn't arrived.

Rather than seeing that as failure or creative block, I'm learning to see it differently.

In this episode, we'll explore:

• why some songs take years to write
• trusting the timing of the songwriting process
• the difference between creative readiness and creative pressure
• how life experience shapes the songs we're meant to write
• why you don't have to force inspiration to create meaningful work

If you've been waiting for the right words, the right melody, or the right time to finish a song, this conversation is an invitation to trust that some songs are written slowly—not because you're doing something wrong, but because they're still becoming.

<3 Lainey

Join the Newsletter: http://reawakenyourvoice.com/insider

Book a Coaching Session: http://reawakenyourvoice.com/coaching

Visit the Website: http://reawakenyourvoice.com

Write Me: hello@reawakenyourvoice.com

Trying to force your creativity to happen? There may be another way.

As artists, we often feel pressure to know exactly where we’re going. We want the finished vision, the clear plan, the perfect idea — and when we don’t have those things, we may assume we’re stuck.

But the creative process doesn’t always unfold in a straight line.

Sometimes the work is in the unknown.

In this episode, I’m exploring what it means to stop forcing an outcome and start trusting the creative process — allowing space for exploration, discovery, curiosity, and transformation.

I’ll share reflections from my own creative season of not knowing what my next project will be, and how I’m learning to embrace the adventure of creating rather than rushing toward the destination.

We’ll talk about:

• outcome-driven creativity vs. process-oriented creativity
• becoming comfortable with uncertainty
• why the unknown is part of the artistic journey
• how curiosity and exploration lead to meaningful work
• trusting yourself when the path isn’t clear yet

If you’ve been waiting for clarity before you begin, this episode is an invitation to stay engaged with your creativity and let the process reveal what comes next.

<3 Lainey

Next Steps:

Join the Newsletter: http://reawakenyourvoice.com/insider

Book a Coaching Session: http://reawakenyourvoice.com/coaching

Visit the Website: http://reawakenyourvoice.com

Write Me: hello@reawakenyourvoice.com

Have you ever felt disconnected from your singing voice—even though you still love to sing?

In this episode, we're exploring a different way of thinking about singing. One that goes beyond practice, performance, technique, improvement, and achievement.

I share reflections from my own creative life lately, including singing while doing dishes, gardening, playing with my children, and following little melodies as they appear throughout the day. These ordinary moments have reminded me that some of the most meaningful singing doesn't happen on stage or in a practice room—it happens in the midst of everyday life.

We'll talk about:

• reconnecting with your singing voice
• the difference between the critical ear and the creative ear
• singing beyond practice and performance
• overcoming perfectionism and self-judgment
• finding more joy and play in singing
• everyday singing as a creative practice
• coming back to your "why" as a singer

If you've been feeling out of practice, disconnected from your voice, or unsure how to get back into singing, this episode offers a gentle invitation to reconnect with singing in a way that feels natural, meaningful, and alive.

<3 Lainey

Next Steps:

Join the Newsletter: http://reawakenyourvoice.com/insider

Book a Coaching Session: http://reawakenyourvoice.com/coaching

Visit the Website: http://reawakenyourvoice.com

Write Me: hello@reawakenyourvoice.com

Have you ever had a great song idea disappear before you had the chance to develop it?

In this episode, we're exploring an often-overlooked part of the songwriting process: capturing inspiration while it's still alive.

Building on last week's conversation about The Work Before the Work, we're talking about what happens when the first spark of a song finally appears. How do songwriters capture ideas before they slip away? What role do voice memos, notebooks, and unfinished songs play in the creative process?

I share reflections from revisiting old voice memos, rediscovering early versions of songs, and noticing how a single song idea can evolve over time—sometimes becoming something entirely different from where it began.

We'll talk about:

• why songwriting inspiration is often fleeting
• how to capture song ideas before they're lost
• why unfinished songs still have value
• how revisiting old ideas can unlock new creative possibilities
• why song ideas evolve throughout the songwriting process

If you've ever lost a lyric, melody, or song idea you wish you'd held onto, these simple practices can help you capture inspiration and give your songs a chance to grow.

<3 Lainey

Next Steps:

Join the Newsletter: http://reawakenyourvoice.com/insider

Book a Coaching Session: http://reawakenyourvoice.com/coaching

Visit the Website: http://reawakenyourvoice.com

Write Me: hello@reawakenyourvoice.com

How do you find inspiration when you don't know what to create next?

As singer-songwriters, we often assume we need a clear idea, a finished vision, or a specific project before we can begin creating. But what if inspiration doesn't come from thinking harder about what to make?

What if it comes from paying attention?

In this episode, we're exploring the work before the work — the often overlooked phase of the creative process where artists gather clues, follow curiosity, collect observations, and remain open to inspiration before a song, project, or creative vision fully reveals itself.

I share some behind-the-scenes reflections from my own creative season of uncertainty, including revisiting unfinished songs, experimenting with new creative possibilities, and learning to trust the process before clarity arrives.

We'll talk about:

• how to find inspiration as a singer-songwriter
• the creative season before clarity
• gathering creative clues and collecting ideas
• why inspiration often follows engagement, not the other way around
• living creatively with open eyes, open ears, and an open heart
• overcoming the pressure to have everything figured out
• trusting the creative process when you don't know what's next
• preparing the soil before the song emerges

If you've been feeling stuck, uninspired, creatively restless, or unsure what project to pursue next, this episode offers a gentler approach: stay engaged, pay attention, and trust that something meaningful will emerge in its own time.

<3 Lainey

Next Steps:

Join the Newsletter: http://reawakenyourvoice.com/insider

Book a Coaching Session: http://reawakenyourvoice.com/coaching

Visit the Website: http://reawakenyourvoice.com

Write Me: hello@reawakenyourvoice.com

Feeling stuck with your singing voice lately?

In this episode, we’re exploring a creative approach to reconnecting with your voice through curiosity, experimentation, vocal harmonies, and creative freedom — instead of overthinking, perfectionism, or trying to sound “perfect.”

I share some behind-the-scenes reflections from my own creative process lately, including experimenting with vocal layering, unfinished song ideas, singing with a different instrument, and how changing the creative environment can help the voice open up in unexpected ways.

If your singing practice has started feeling rigid, repetitive, creatively flat, or disconnected, this episode will help you reconnect with the playful, expressive side of your voice again.

We’ll talk about:

• vocal freedom for singers and singer-songwriters
• creative singing exercises
• vocal harmonies and layered vocals
• overcoming perfectionism in singing
• how curiosity helps free the voice
• reconnecting with your natural singing voice
• using unfinished songs as creative playgrounds
• creative approaches to your singing practice
• how experimentation can unlock creativity and expression

Plus, I’ll give you a simple vocal exploration exercise you can try this week to help you reconnect with your voice in a more creative, alive, and pressure-free way.

<3 Lainey

Next Steps:

Join the Newsletter: http://reawakenyourvoice.com/insider

Book a Coaching Session: http://reawakenyourvoice.com/coaching

Visit the Website: http://reawakenyourvoice.com

Write Me: hello@reawakenyourvoice.com