The Benefits of Experimenting in Songwriting

Celine Ellis
Jun 9
3 min read

Updated: Jun 10

A young person sitting under a large tree at twilight, reading an open book that glows with magical light, surrounded by sparkles and a moody, dusky sky. — Photo by Josh Hild pexels.com

Songwriting is an art—but it’s also a craft. And like any craft, it thrives on curiosity.

While there’s comfort in sticking to what you know, growth often happens when you lean into the unfamiliar. Whether it’s trying a new genre, switching up your process, or exploring unconventional techniques, experimenting in songwriting can lead to creative breakthroughs, artistic growth, and even your best work yet.

Here’s why making space for experimentation in your process can be so powerful:

Break Out of Creative Ruts

Every songwriter hits a dry spell now and then. Instead of waiting for inspiration to strike, try shaking things up.

Start with a melody instead of lyrics—or the other way around
Borrow a chord progression from a favourite song and write something completely new
Try a genre that’s completely outside your comfort zone

Taking a different route into your writing can activate new creative pathways and keep your process feeling alive.

Expand Your Musical Toolbox

The more approaches you explore, the more tools you’ll have at your disposal. Experimenting in songwriting introduces you to new chord progressions, rhythms, lyrical structures, and melodic ideas that might not emerge in your usual process.

Use alternate tunings or chord voicings
Try writing a full song with only three chords
Experiment with time signatures—step outside 4/4 and see what emerges

These creative experiments help you stretch your skill set and build confidence.

Discover Your Unique Sound

Every great songwriter has a distinct voice—but finding that voice means stepping beyond the familiar.

If you usually write structured verse-chorus songs, try a more freeform or atmospheric style
Imitate a songwriter you admire, then add your own spin
Blend influences from different genres to create something new

Through experimentation, you’ll begin to recognise what resonates—and develop a sound that truly feels like you.

Open the Door to Unexpected Songs

Some of your best songs might come from your strangest ideas. When you make experimenting in songwriting part of your routine, you create space for surprises and happy accidents.

Start a song from a drum loop or bassline instead of chords
Write a lyric where every line begins with the same word
Use a strange or abstract metaphor as your starting point

These kinds of creative risks often lead to songs you never imagined writing—but that turn out to be deeply original and compelling.

Keep Writing Fun and Engaging

When songwriting starts to feel stale, it’s easy to lose momentum. Experimentation helps bring back that sense of play—the spark that got you writing in the first place.

Treat your writing time like a creative lab. Not every idea will work, but every one will teach you something. Whether it’s flipping genres, changing your workflow, or writing from a completely different perspective, experimenting in songwriting keeps things fresh.

Experimenting In Songwriting: Final Thoughts

The most powerful growth often comes when we step outside our comfort zone.

By giving yourself permission to experiment within your own consistency, you keep your writing dynamic and open up new creative possibilities. You don’t need to abandon your process—you just need to stay curious.

So next time you sit down to write, try something different. Let go of the outcome. Explore, play, and trust that the music will meet you there.

💬 How Do You Like to Experiment?

Have you tried something new that changed your writing process? Share your experience in the comments—we’d love to hear how experimenting in songwriting has shaped your creative journey.