Creative generation: abstractions, inspirations, melodies, chord progressions, lyrics, lead sheets, piano reductions
1.0 Album Planning Checklist (Creative)
Abstraction & Concept
☐ Create an album‑level abstraction – one sentence or paragraph describing the album’s core theme, emotion, or story.
☐ Define the album title (and working title, if different).
☐ Identify the intended emotional arc – where does the album start (intimate, quiet, tense) and end (powerful, resolved, explosive)?
Tracklist & Flow
☐ Determine the number of tracks and their order.
☐ Map each track’s genre/style.
☐ Define the energy/loudness arc across the album (e.g., quiet opening, building mids, peak near the end, possible breath before finale).
☐ Assign target relative volume or loudness feel per track based on genre and position in the arc (use descriptive terms like “intimate”, “moderate”, “aggressive” – actual LUFS can be set later).
☐ Plan transitions between tracks (crossfades, silence gaps, continuous sound).
Sound World (Feelings & Abstractions)
☐ Define the emotional tone of the album in 3‑5 adjectives.
☐ Describe the imagery or atmosphere – what does this album “look like” or “feel like” in abstract terms?
☐ Identify emotional milestones – specific feelings you want the listener to experience at different points in the tracklist.
☐ Create a reference mood board (written or visual) of non‑musical inspiration – films, paintings, memories, nature, etc.
☐ Do not select specific gear (consoles, tape, plugins) at this stage – those decisions will emerge as each song evolves.
Reference & Inspiration
☐ Curate a reference playlist of 3‑5 albums or songs that exemplify the desired emotional arc and sound world.
☐ For each reference, note what feeling or technique you want to capture.
☐ Hold “listening parties” before writing to get inspired.
1.1 Songwriting Checklist
☐ Start with the end in mind. Feel as if the lyrics are already done. What are they like?
☐ Create an abstraction (what is the song about? title?).
☐ Before writing, create a one‑page song abstraction (one‑sentence summary, emotional arc per section, key/mode changes, reference songs, dynamic contour, non‑negotiables).
☐ Generate a list of adjectives (as many as you can come up with) – write them on a whiteboard.
☐ Write the song’s emotional arc – map each section to a feeling from your adjective list (for both lyrics and musical intensity).
☐ Listen to 2‑3 reference songs in similar style.
☐ For albums, map energy/loudness arc across songs before writing.
☐ Start anywhere: melody, bass, rhythms, chord progression – doesn’t matter.
☐ If stuck, ask “What does this want to go to?” then try parallel key, another mode, or alternate tuning.
☐ Rotate through all active songs in a single session (15‑30 min each) – parallel processing.
☐ Use “Songwriting Drill Downs” for deep dives.
☐ Use random prompts (Storymatic cards) when stuck.
☐ Decide song form early (verse, chorus, bridge, etc.).
☐ Write a one‑sentence summary of the song.
☐ Play a rough version for a trusted listener early (CST).
☐ Set the song aside for 24‑48 hours, then review.
Songwriting SOS (advanced harmonic techniques)
☐ Chords from relative minor/major.
☐ Chords from parallel key (e.g., C major → C minor).
☐ Temporarily switch to harmonic minor.
☐ Modes as different starting points (e.g., A Dorian).
☐ Inversions and voice leading.
☐ Schoenberg’s “chart of the regions”.
☐ Key change a semitone above while on V chord.
☐ Add new bass note below a triad to create extended chord.
☐ Change harmonic function of a chord (chord wheel).
☐ Modulate up a semitone.
☐ Go to any parallel key for any chord in the progression.
☐ Shared notes – sustain a note while switching others.
☐ Play pentatonic of IV chord against I chord.
1.2 Lyrics Checklist
☐ Start with the end in mind.
☐ Create an abstraction (what is the song about? title?).
☐ Generate a list of adjectives (as many as you can come up with) – write on whiteboard.
☐ Write the song’s emotional arc – map each section to a feeling.
☐ Listen to reference songs for lyrical tone.
☐ Free‑write for 2 minutes (no editing, no judging) – keep adjective list visible.
☐ Write a one‑sentence summary of the song.
☐ Decide song form (verse, chorus, bridge).
☐ Write chorus first (emotional core), then verses, then bridge.
☐ Rotate through all active songs in one session – parallel processing.
☐ Read lyrics aloud to check rhythm, stress, and alignment with feeling‑words.
☐ Use random prompts (Storymatic cards) when stuck.
☐ Set aside for 24‑48 hours, then revise – check that each line evokes one of your chosen adjectives.
☐ Type clean lyric sheet.
☐ Memorize lyrics before recording.
☐ Mark breathing points on lyric sheet.
☐ After recording, do a final pass for sing-ability and emotional delivery.
1.3 Lead Sheets & Piano Reductions
☐ Create lead sheets (melody, lyrics, chord symbols) for each song.
☐ Create piano reductions (two grand staves) for complex arrangements before orchestrating.
☐ Use these as the bridge between writing and full score notation.