Write every day, even if it’s terrible | Think Like A Musician

Key Concepts

• Deliberate Practice: The methodology of consistent, high-volume creation to improve technical skill.
• Feedback Loops: The process of seeking external critique from industry professionals to identify skill gaps.
• Creative Humility: The practice of prioritizing the needs of the song over the ego or habits of the songwriter.
• Iterative Development: The understanding that creative work is non-linear and requires varying timelines for completion.

1. The Catalyst: Failure as a Turning Point

The narrative begins with a pivotal failure in 2014. Breland, then 19, secured a meeting with industry executive Lyor Cohen. After playing only a portion of his music, Cohen dismissed him, stating, "You’re not ready yet." This rejection served as the primary catalyst for Breland’s transition from a casual musician to a disciplined professional.

2. Methodology: The Volume-Based Growth Framework

Following the rejection, Breland implemented a rigorous, multi-year self-improvement framework:

• Year 1 (2014–2015): Committed to writing and recording one song every day, resulting in 365 songs.
• Year 2 (2015–2016): Increased the intensity to two songs per day, resulting in over 700 songs.
• Strategic Outreach: Recognizing that volume alone was insufficient, Breland began "cold-calling" industry professionals—including songwriters, producers, and A&Rs—via email, social media, and letters to solicit critical feedback. He identifies this phase as the period of his "biggest jump" in skill development.

3. Philosophy of the Creative Process

Breland outlines several core principles for songwriting and production:

• Service to the Song: He argues that the producer must listen to what the song "needs" rather than relying on past formulas or personal preferences. This requires "a level of humility."
• Managing Writer’s Block: Breland views writer’s block as a natural occurrence. He advocates for the ability to "step away" from a song entirely if it is not progressing, rather than forcing a result.
• Non-Linear Timelines: He emphasizes that there is no "exact science" to creativity. Some songs are completed in a single day, while others require months or years of incubation.
• The Value of "Dud Songs": Breland posits that unfinished or unsuccessful songs are not wasted effort; they are essential data points that inform future work and pave the way for successful compositions.

4. Actionable Insights for Musicians

• Persistence: Breland stresses that one should not get discouraged by the speed of progress. He notes, "You will eventually get to the songs that you really want if you just continue to work on it."
• Perspective-Taking: To gain clarity on a project, he suggests three methods:
  1. Repeatedly listening to the track.
  2. Taking a break (letting the song sit for days or weeks) to gain distance.
  3. Playing the song for others to gauge external reactions.

5. Synthesis and Conclusion

Breland’s journey highlights that professional success in music is rarely the result of innate talent alone, but rather the product of extreme volume, aggressive feedback-seeking, and the humility to abandon ego in favor of the song's requirements. By treating songwriting as a discipline requiring daily practice, he transformed a devastating rejection into a structured path toward mastery. His core takeaway is that the creative process is a long-term commitment where even "failed" attempts serve as the foundation for future breakthroughs.