Song Club #42: Constraints

On how setting limits can set us free creatively

There’s a paradox in creativity: sometimes the more freedom we have, the harder it is to create something meaningful. When faced with endless possibilities, how do we know where to start, or what direction to go? But when we introduce limits (only three chords, a specific scale, a single instrument, a fixed time) we may discover that our creativity is actually sparked by what we can’t do. Constraints give our minds a framework to work within, letting us go deeper into the details.

This week, let’s explore the surprising freedom that comes from constraint-based songwriting!

Big love and keep going, 

Lucy  

---

SONG PROVOCATIONS

Write a song with limited notes

Write a song with just three notes, focusing on rhythm, dynamics, and expression to convey feeling. The fewer notes, the more each one counts. What new sounds or expressions emerge when your palette is so small?