Songcrafters.org

Tymn raised an interesting qustion in his (second) introduction (https://songcrafters.org/forum/index.php?topic=4553.msg54767#msg54767):

"I thought maybe it was time to reach into this community to see how other folks are making space for creativity in their lives. Can we talk about that in this forum?"

Well, that's a good question.

* I am most creative if I can get a day or two at my cabin (lucky me), but that doesn't happen very often these days.

* I have recorded vox in my car (even posted it, an no I won't put in a bump-bait this time ;) )

* Lately I have recorded vox outdoors late at night at several occasions (also posted).

* If I get a night alone at home (once in a blue moon)
 

Geir and I are both fortunate enough to have cabins, which I too have not had a day to spend there in a while.

If I'm not there, I spend time in the basement learning to play. The most creative time I have is when I'm doing mindless physical labor, such as splitting firewood or mowing. I put on the Ipod and get the juices flowing. I play guitar along with whatever tracks I'm listening to in my mind. I swear it's really helping me when I sit down and actually play.

Hello everyone,

it is really difficult to a world full television rubbishes try to create. I have the same problem when I try to write a song in MICROBR. Electric Guitar is okay, with headphones but when I try to sing and my fiance watches T.V. its a drama. She prefer to watch T.V. than try to do smthing creative. Fisrt times I was telling her to mute television sound for some minutes. She just lowering sound and most of songs are noisy.
Now when I want to write my voice I am going to the bedroom.
Other times I am visiting a friend that had made a small room like a small studio with foam on the walls.

I wish best luck to find ways to write new songs.

Best regards
Stavros

i work shifts so when kids are at school and mrs orh is out even if its only 15 minutes in with house to myself i use that opportunity to do something with my mbr.

Quote from: oldrottenhead on October 01, 2009, 01:37:48 PMi work shifts so when kids are at school and mrs orh is out even if its only 15 minutes in with house to myself i use that opportunity to do something with my mbr.

Ditto....

Kid ain't at school yet so it is a bit harder....



Thats where the 45 minute challenge (https://songcrafters.org/community/index.php?topic=4320.0) came from.......


It is the longest I can get without getting in the Evil Mrs Osckilo's Bad books....


It is now down to twenty minutes.....See Here (https://songcrafters.org/community/index.php?topic=4520.0)

lOL I guess I am lucky Hubby doesn't care and when he sees me with my cans on he just exists the room or house or yard.  He has been yelled at to many times. lOL Don't have kids to interfere, but the next problem is the dogs, and the trains that go by!  I have had to retake vocals many times when the dogs bark or the train goes by.  And yes TonyW and Geir that little shed at the lake is the best.  Then hubby goes off to yak with friends and I have space all to myself.  Until dark anyway. Then everyone show's up. But all in all I seem to get enough time.  Just can't always think of things to do!!

Quote from: Tony W on October 01, 2009, 11:53:06 AMGeir and I are both fortunate enough to have cabins, which I too have not had a day to spend there in a while.

Ditto on the cabbin thing... must really get away soon.  Mebbe we should start a "post pics of your cabin/holiday house" thread.

To make time, when my TV died last year, I decided not to buy a new one so I wouldn't be tempted to waste time sitting in front of the box.  I went without a telly for over 10 months and played with my tele instead.

I have now had a TV for a week and probably watched 2 hours total.

not to go sideways, but here you go Migs  my cabin (https://songcrafters.org/forum/index.php?topic=3984.0)

I must try harder.  ::)

I don't think I have watch the tele in probably 4 months all my time was spent learning my lessons.!!!  No regrets TV is over stated!!

Tony we should put our cabins side by side OOOO what fun we would have.  And it's to bad cuthbert you are in Maine.   Way to far to come.   Maybe someday.???

For New Members that were having problems like I was 6 months ago...



I think that any "doodle" that you have one the MBR can become something more....


This is how the "Time of the month track" Started out..........


A three minute "Doodle"...........


Breath sounds included....Lol! ;D

And It ended up like this in the space of Three Hours..........

Between me and G on this forum...

Please excuse the subject matter..... :-\ ;D ;)

But don't through any recordings away.....

You never know what can be done with them.......



For all the new members joining......

You might think that what you recorded is the worst Cacophony that ever graced this good earth........

But you never know........


P.M someone........

Send them the track..........

It might be workable.....


You might think your recording is crap......

But thats just you.....


Get a second opinion......


I sent this one to Geir and Launched for a second opinion.......


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KR3HcNr-JOI


I'm Glad I did!!!!! ;D

I'm like ORH. I have to wait until everyone is out of the house. For some reason my house is "party central" for the neighbourhood kids so it isn't too often that I have the place to myself.

You can pretty much do a whole song with just an electric guitar plugged into the BR (and I'm sure many of us have done that into the wee hours), but singing is a different story.

I can't imagine what my neighbours think if they hear me belting out vocals (with no apparent music in the background). They haven't said anything yet, so maybe my walls are thick enough.  ;D

I know how you feel though Tymm, because there are definetly times when you have a great vocal idea, but you just can't get it out and that is frustrating.

I have an ice shanty, so maybe I'll set that up in the backyard this winter and use it as a vocal booth.  ;D.

Since you're in Cali, I doubt they sell too many ice shanties there, so maybe you could use a port-o-john.   :o

Good luck,

 - Vann

nothing like belting out lyrics in an out door shitter huh Vanncad? That is possibly the most novel concept I've heard yet.

Somebody on this site, and forgive me for forgetting, but they go to an empty parking lot and belt out lyrics. That kinda has to be a planned event, and I'm never inspired for a planned event.

Me and Jim (ORH) Have a CD called "Songs from the Bathroom".....

Same Sh*t............


This is how the osckilo sound came about...  Lol!

Quote from: Tony W on October 01, 2009, 08:27:53 PMSomebody on this site, and forgive me for forgetting, but they go to an empty parking lot and belt out lyrics. That kinda has to be a planned event, and I'm never inspired for a planned event.

Been there, .. done that .... not that planned tho' ... I had a some in the making and just couldn't wait 'til I got home from work ;D went out at lunchtime



"T.O.o.B.E.o.T.A (Raga)" *(original by Osckilo & Geir) (https://songcrafters.org/forum/index.php?topic=3132.0) (vox recorded at luchtime in parkinglot)

Re: I'm going doooooooown ! (https://songcrafters.org/forum/index.php?topic=2779.msg25123#msg25123)  (vox recorded at on the way to pick up aca after theater rehearsals at a bus-stop, in my car)

Noodle Soup in P-minor (https://songcrafters.org/forum/index.php?topic=2654) (recorded while driving !! extensive use of fx to make vox listenable8) )

LOL I have to admit I get laughed at a lot.  Especially when singing harmony to myself.!!  I get very strange looks if anyone hears.   ROFLMAO  And think about it!  sitting on a park bench with headphones on.  No one can hear but you and belting out a harmony line.  You do get some strange looks. LOL Actually someone should be standing off to the side filming peoples reactions to this.  Could win $10,000 on Americas funniest videos.

My dog is fine with singing, keyboard, and Guitar but when I play the harmonica she goes for me ......

Quote from: wiley on October 01, 2009, 04:03:40 PMlOL I guess I am lucky Hubby doesn't care and when he sees me with my cans on he just exists the room or house or yard.  He has been yelled at to many times. lOL Don't have kids to interfere, but the next problem is the dogs, and the trains that go by!  I have had to retake vocals many times when the dogs bark or the train goes by.  And yes TonyW and Geir that little shed at the lake is the best.  Then hubby goes off to yak with friends and I have space all to myself.  Until dark anyway. Then everyone show's up. But all in all I seem to get enough time.  Just can't always think of things to do!!

Quote from: groundy on October 02, 2009, 07:04:53 AMMy dog is fine with singing, keyboard, and Guitar but when I play the harmonica she goes for me

Makes cats go crazy too! As well as clarinet!
 To get back on this topic: moments of musical creativity are rare for me. When I'm less busy in Real Life it comes more easily. Also, when I constantly have music around me (radio at work/car, parties, TV) it is harder to "think up" new original tunes; when I listen back to the result, it usually turns out to be a sub-conscious cover of something I've recently heard. My music comes out of silence.
Fortunately for the 99% of the time I don't feel creative, I am satisfied "just" playing tunes, improving skills and knowledge and listening to the posts here on bossbr.net!

Come to think of it, I've recorded vox the following places:

* Living-room, bed-room (best place!) and bathroom at my cabin
* Living-room, bed-room and bathroom at home
* My son's bedroom at nigh when he was at a sleep-over at a friends
* Walking in the city
* Walking in the park
* Walking in the woods
* In car at parking-lot
* In car at bus-stop
* Driving my car
* In the archive room at work

all of these have been posted here !

pretty much the same as you geir but i think most of mine are done in the kitchen, you can hear the dishwasher and fridge in the background on lots of my stuff, also lots of my wife laughing in the background.

Losing your job frees up quite a lot of guitar time, lol.

When I'm working, it's about making every second I get with the BR productive. That means being clear on what I'm recording and getting it down as quickly and efficiently as possible. That doesn't mean I rush things - I've just learned to do things right quickly and instinctively. I still remember recording songs in one take on cassette recorders - it was good training.

I record in any room where nobody else is. Even the bathroom if necessary. I don't have a cabin, but wish I did.

Here's an idea - a $30 Vocal Booth:

http://www.5min.com/Video/How-to-build-a-30-vocal-booth-26029003 (http://www.5min.com/Video/How-to-build-a-30-vocal-booth-26029003)

Although, I think it would be better to convert a spare closet by lining it with sound-proofing materials and putting proper seals around the door.

Or, if you've got the time and money, and have some available space in a corner of your basement or garage, why not build a proper sound booth:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbc9sckFw4M

I'd love to have one that was big enough to put my guitar amp in so I could mic it without anyone hearing me.

Recording on the BR is like painting with Oils on a canvas.

You can Paint over mistakes with the next track.....

So Don't Delete that First recording for the sake of one F*ck up.....

Quote from: osckilo on October 02, 2009, 08:50:13 PMRecording on the BR is like painting with Oils on a canvas.

You can Paint over mistakes with the next track.....

So Don't Delete that First recording for the sake of one F*ck up.....

That's the wisest thing said here in a very long time ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Quote from: Geir on October 03, 2009, 08:18:05 AM

Quote from: osckilo on October 02, 2009, 08:50:13 PMRecording on the BR is like painting with Oils on a canvas.

You can Paint over mistakes with the next track.....

So Don't Delete that First recording for the sake of one F*ck up.....

That's the wisest thing said here in a very long time ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

This has been quite an interesting thread to follow - as usual, some of the threads get better by the numbers....

I am lucky - kids grown up - dog died - cat stayed in Nebraska - Have a multipurpose room were I sqeeze all my my music stuff plus assorted things.

My advice is - that in all the postings in here there are quite a few options -- I'll add => find a Church somewhere and ask them - the chances are they'll let you use a corner/room/basement/Sanctuary.

I spend a total of 2 hours driving back and forth from work every day, and I use that time to make up lyrics and record them on my cell phone's voice recorder. Sometimes a guitar lick will pop in my head and I'll hum that into the phone.

I've found that it's really helpful to have a spot where you can leave your gear out and hop on it really fast when you get an idea or an urge to play. I have a corner of a room with a small desk that holds my BR-600, some small speakers and a Roland Micro-Cube. I can plug into either of those with or without headphones. Both units can run on batteries, so if the room gets invaded I can move to another spot.  >:(  I almost never fire up my "real" amps and foot pedals unless I'm at a gig.

Once a basic song idea is in my head I start laying down tracks on my BR-600 with my headphones - maybe an hour at a time.  I agree with the earlier comments that laying down the vocals is the tricky thing. It's hard to find a window of opportunity when I am alone and my vocal chords are willing to cooperate. Final mixing can be a challenge as well.

I like the idea mentioned earlier about posting photos of our creative space. It would be fun to see where all the magic happens.

Quote from: Rickocaster on October 03, 2009, 06:53:31 PMI like the idea mentioned earlier about posting photos of our creative space. It would be fun to see where all the magic happens.

There's already a topic for that:

   https://songcrafters.org/community/index.php?topic=2782.msg24655#msg24655 (https://songcrafters.org/forum/index.php?topic=2782.msg24655#msg24655)

I record in the bathroom and closet.  The closet especially acts as a natural iso room, with ma clothes soaking up any reverb.

I keep my MBR ready next to my bed so I can get my ideas down quickly.

I haven't. The last 2-3 weeks have been so busy I have been working every minute that I haven't been doing something with the family (including weekends and evenings), so there has been no time at all for any music. Frustrating, but I'm not complaining (much).

The only time I have had time for any creativity is on long plane trips to the US. That's the beauty of the MBR and my other kit, the Roland PMA-5, they can go anywhere with me. So I have programmed some heavy drums for the upcoming Halloween-fest, just hope I get time to do some instruments!

For me, recording instruments is no problem, provided I have some time. I just go to a spare room in the house with a guitar and effects box and away I go. That's why the MBR is so good, you can take it anywhere. Vox are a pain so I sit in my car in the garage and record them there (so that no one can hear). Again, the portability of the MBR serves me well.

I just need a new button on the MBR - "Create some time for music" +/++ (no "-" button required)....

Cheers,

Nigel

as i predominantly sing and write lyrics, i have the good fortune of being able to put songs i'm working on, into my mp3 player or burn to cd so i can listen to the tune and get inside it, this is usually what i do when i recieve a song by email just before i leave for work, burn it to cd so i can listen in the car and put it on my mp3player and listen when i can, when i get back home i have a good idea of what i am going to do if after that i dont have an idea, its unlikely anything will come so i move onto the next one.

 mens/ladies imagination knows no bounds  8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8)

when I was a kid I started off with a tennis racket and four strings -yes you guessed it ---my sun studio -the bathroom --
the kitchen it is now -between 6.30pm-9pm -
hook the 600 up and pick up the guitar -and then see what happens --
most nights nothing
yeh vocals are a problem as is the washing machine and the click from the fridge --
osckilo wrote:

QuoteRecording on the BR is like painting with Oils on a canvas.

You can Paint over mistakes with the next track.....

So Don't Delete that First recording for the sake of one F*ck up.....

Im learning not to now :( :(

I'm struggling now to find time ... and inspiration !

Any new additions to this enlightening thread?

One of my most popular songs, Sunday Afternoon, I wrote the verses (in my head) on a Sunday afternoon at Morrisons Café (it's a cheapie supermarket in the UK) and typed them up when I got home. I then wrote the choruses (it's got individual choruses) on the Monday, whilst taking my father-in-law shopping at the Co-op (another supermarket). Then came home and set the thing to music.

I'm always typing/scribbling stuff at inopportune moments, unfortunately I've got a brain like a sieve and so will forget otherwise.

I've recorded, in the car
bathroom
kitchen
lounge
bedroom
wardrobe (it's my vocalbooth :D)
my daughter's bedroom (when she's out)
in a caravan (inbetween shots from an army shooting range)
a beer festival (twas a gig)

I need to get more adventurous . . . maybe Aldi or Asda (more supermarkets) :)

METs are fab for creativity, however the opportunity come along infrequently. Funny, when I'm in Morrisons cafe, all I can think of is the little bag of crisps that comes with the sandwiches :-) that said, collaboration really help, and sometimes a little pause or break can help. New gear inspires but that's costly and sometimes simply grinding it out works. No way answers. And as for time....

Quote from: bruno on August 15, 2013, 05:27:53 AMMETs are fab for creativity, however the opportunity come along infrequently. Funny, when I'm in Morrisons cafe, all I can think of is the little bag of crisps that comes with the sandwiches :-) that said, collaboration really help, and sometimes a little pause or break can help. New gear inspires but that's costly and sometimes simply grinding it out works. No way answers. And as for time....

Oh you've never been to Morrisons cafe Bruno!

I have. I like morrisons particularly the pies :-)

Quote from: bruno on August 15, 2013, 05:44:39 AMI have. I like morrisons particularly the pies :-)

I apologise, I hear their lobster paella is particularly good   :D

My recording stuff.
eBand JS-8, DR-880 drum machine, cordless headphones, Shure SM-58, two iPods and computer.

(https://songcrafters.org/community/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=4554.0;attach=20683)

That's Geir's smiley face gazing upon you from the computer screen.
Dang! I always thought he was larger than that.

Like Bruno mentioned, I find that some new gear is usually a songwriting motivator for me. Since my space is getting too cluttered with amps and guitars (also expensive) I've gone to purchasing smaller items like effects boxes. Here's a studio shot of a portion on my effects chair after a session, lol.

Farrell

(https://songcrafters.org/community/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=4554.0;attach=20685)

 ;D ;D ;D ;D
Now that is some arsenal  ;D ;D ;D

MindBender-FenderBender!

Farrell, what great collection you have there!

I think I need time, not so much because of TIME (minutes, hours), but more to take off all the pressure. I can't stand this "I'm alone at home for 2 hours, I got to play and be creative", so I usually tend to do more covers than originals.

My last proper original was "Love-Terror" I made 2 years during holidays, feeling extremely relaxed.

Farrell, I can empathize with your lack-of-space problem so in an effort to assist a fellow musician I am willing to store all your guitars at my home, where they will receive the very best of care. Really.

(https://songcrafters.org/community/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=4554.0;attach=20690)

Quote from: dasilvasings on August 15, 2013, 11:00:16 AMI think I need time, not so much because of TIME (minutes, hours), but more to take off all the pressure. I can't stand this "I'm alone at home for 2 hours, I got to play and be creative", so I usually tend to do more covers than originals.

I'm the same. I need unlimited time to work on a recording so that my mind is not distracted by something I need to do an hour or two later. I also find that I work best at night. So I often start a project just after supper and work on it all night. But I usually only do that if I know that the next day is free of commitments because I know that I probably won't finish the song that night and will need the next day to continue working on it. If I start a project and have to leave it to do something else, I find it hard to return to that project later. That's something I'm experiencing right now as I started a project for SuggestFest in June and haven't been able to return to it. I have a lot of unfinished projects like that (many of which were for festivals). I seem to need to stay with a project from start to end in a continuous, uninterrupted time span. Otherwise, it will most likely be abandoned. I just seem to lose my enthusiasm and start thinking about other songs I'd rather do instead. I find it really hard to return to old projects and finish them after an interruption. It doesn't take much. Just a day or two away from the project and I'll find it really hard to return to it.

I'm always trying to challenge my songwriting abilities, most recently with the drum track first method but time is always the problem. I've pretty much removed recording from the home and during the summer I don't have the consistent car time like I do during the school year so Nissan Studios closes down. However I should be back behind the wheel come September! New instruments always do it for me but sadly my last purchase was some broken bagpipes.
Record On!

Well for me I've had a number of weeks off from doing any recording eventhough I have some suggestions from other songcrafters to do, AND I do want to do them!

Been to Spain for a bit and am feeling a bit guilty for not commenting or participating on the site for a while, so I'm getting my head into starting something/listening in the next couple of days.

For the first time in a while I do not have any GAS if you know what I mean  ;), but the missus and I are considering buying an ipad to replace our laptop which is becoming unreliable. That will definately be opening some new recording opportunities but must get in to those suggestions first.................focus!!!!

My advice is to get some lessons.

My son and I have a guitar lesson every Sunday morning with a young guitar teacher.  Sometimes we learn to play a song, which always leads to learning something new about music theory or a technique. Or sometimes we do songwriting, or we might practice learning how to do inversions or explore a different position on the neck or a mode.  It keeps things fresh.  Practicing what I learn each week often leads to new songs. And I think that it will be a long time before we run out of things to learn.

cheers,

Ian

Working from home but busy enough most of the time. so not too much time really but when I get through a load of work and find i have nothing to do i often start a track in the middle of the afternoon when no one is about (wife works). Then I have to try and find time to finish it. this often happens when I have a day / day and a half free on a weekend which isn't often as other half normally has all our weekends planned and choc full of lovely chores.

So basically its not easy finding a window to do a song but somehow I am still able to steal a few hours here and there and manage at least a song a month normally

I work from home (still employed, unusual for someone in North America in my IT field),
and the kids have all moved away.

But somehow I seem to have less and less time to myself. It is all taken up by either work, or house maintenance tasks, or "she who must be obeyed", or fooling with getting a post retirement (getting way too close for comfort) business running.

I find now the only blocks of time I can get is if I stay up late at night around 1 or 2am, and then cranking the volume is not an option.

As for writing I find the best time for me is in the tub, always take a pad and pen with  me.
Used to take the old underwood but that went away when ribbons became unavailable for it.

Quote from: 64Guitars on August 15, 2013, 12:17:25 PM

Quote from: dasilvasings on August 15, 2013, 11:00:16 AMI think I need time, not so much because of TIME (minutes, hours), but more to take off all the pressure. I can't stand this "I'm alone at home for 2 hours, I got to play and be creative", so I usually tend to do more covers than originals.

I'm the same. I need unlimited time to work on a recording so that my mind is not distracted by something I need to do an hour or two later.

For me it is different writing than recording. But sometimes it isn't. (Is that clear as mud?) So if I'm doing a recording that is gonna be shared with others (that's rare) I try to separate that part of the creative process and focus on it exclusively. That doesn't mean that I won't tweak a song that is already written or being polished, but I try to divide up my time accordingly.

And that makes me wonder. If you are limited on time to record would it be better to separate the recording into smaller tasks? If you only have two hours at a time (or even one hour) wouldn't it be better to set up the click and record one part. Say the rhythm guitars in that two hours. Then in your next block of time you'll do the bass, or the bass and the second guitar part. Then in your next two hours you'll do the drum track or the organ track or both. And then the vox or whatever. Then spend time mixing, but break that down, too. You're gonna get drums/bass close in these two hours. You're gonna get all the guitars close in these two hours. You're gonna focus on the vox in these two hours.

And the best part, if you break it down like that and you get "done" (it's never really done, right?) in under two hours you can start on the next thing. And eventually you might have a system that gets a lot done in a shorter amount of time.

hmm, very cool banter here!!  I've kinda of had to shift gears... a life shift right?   So i've been playing more often absolutely 100% sober, and getting way to anal with all the guitar stuff lol   But as soon as i can relax with a few brewskies... voila....   creativity!   I think i just need to lay my engineering-brain down and pick up my creative half!   and a few beers (or wine for piano) seems to work wonderfully!!

Sometimes i just find a backingtrack or drum beat, and just start noodling... trying to create a melody or two,... and then bingo a song is born!

Quote from: wiley on October 01, 2009, 04:03:40 PMI guess I am lucky Hubby doesn't care and when he sees me with my cans

(snicker)

I'm afraid I am in a cycle where I come home from work and drop.  I have seen a few concerts, but if I pick up the guitar, it's for a quick noodle.  John and I only get together for gigs save for the odd practice.  I'm hoping school will settle down, but it never really does.  Have to focus on some time management one of these days.

I'm with Tony.  When I'm cutting the grass or doing other chores, I tend to find a little spark.

Peace.

Blooby

There's a sign on the door to my music room. It says:

"When the door is closed, trespassers will be cooked and eaten".

Works for me. And it cuts way down on the weekly grocery bill.

Now there's an idea, and I just got a new freezer too!  ;D

Quote from: Speed Demon on September 18, 2013, 07:29:23 AM"When the door is closed, trespassers will be cooked and eaten".

Hum seem to be seeing this lack of time issue frequently in this thread.
I suspect this is due to time itself shrinking,
all the minutes are much smaller now than they used to be so you can't fit as much "stuff" as you used to in them.

Or you are simply trying to do too much.
Maybe time to simplify.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqeSUAlI5uI

The baby's four months old now so I get hardly any time to pick up a real instrument, much less record.

But I got an iPhone a few months ago and some music apps which I can play with in lunchtime in work, so I now have a whole new workflow.  And the apps cost me a few quid as opposed to the £1k+ I spent three years ago on kitting up my man-cave (which is now called the Nick Cave).

When I know I'll have a couple of hours to record (usually a Saturday afternoon) I have to plan and plan and plan and plan.  Otherwise it all goes to shit.

I work better under pressure. Because I only get limited time (often between midnight-2am), I have to make the best of it. It helps focus the mind and makes me grateful for the time I do get, rather than resentful for the time I don't.

It helps (as I explained on another thread) that I'm recording fully planned and written songs when I finally do get the shiny brick of dreams out.

And like Nick, I make use of travel time and other spare moments by using Garageband and Thumbjam as other avenues to explore. Sometimes I'll do the basic track on the MBR with regular instruments, then add virtual ones on the bus / train.

I pretty much mix everything directly on the MBR, but I do sometimes tinker with Audacity on my work computer (at lunchtimes, of course!).

I write my songs in little bursts generally. Ten minutes here and there on my acoustic guitar. I'll come up with a chord progression and let it ferment for a bit, then I'll slowly shape the rest of the song over time.

I'm lucky - my girlfriend likes listening to me play and sing, so I can do my writing / practising anywhere I like.

Note: In the last few years, I've had periods of gardening leave where I've had 3 or 4 weeks of potentially uninterupted song time. It doesn't work for me at all, as I can't write enough good songs to make use of that time. Also, it's tempting to just lie on the sofa watching Jeremy Kyle or playing Grand Theft Auto! So sometimes, time isn't everything.

i write and record pretty quickly, so if i have a spare hour, i generally grab anything at hand and record something anything (i take my microbr everywhere). always under pressure,i am always busy and there is never enough time in the day for me, i have seen myself trying to finish a song 10 minutes before i leave for work.

generally i have no idea what i am going to do, occasionally i might have a riff or melody going round in my head. but i think the time between songs is just spent sucking in and experiencing life so when i do get some time, stuff just spills out of me.

i really wish tho that i had time to learn to play the guitar properly but i never have the time. hopefully i can get some lessons in norway.