Write every day, even if it’s terrible | Think Like A Musician
TED-Ed · 2026-04-23
💡 Quick Take
1. Embrace rejection as a catalyst for growth and improvement.
2. Commit to daily practice and consistent output to hone your craft.
3. Actively seek feedback from industry professionals to refine your work.
4. Understand that writer's block is normal and it's okay to step away from a song.
5. Approach production with humility, allowing the song to dictate its needs.
6. Gain perspective on a song by stepping back, letting it sit, or listening to others' input.
7. Recognize that the creative process isn't a rigid science; it varies from song to song.
8. Don't fear "dud songs"; they are essential learning experiences that inform future successes.
9. Persistence and continued effort are key to eventually creating the songs you envision.
📊 Detailed Explanation
1. Embrace rejection as a catalyst for growth and improvement. The transcript highlights a pivotal moment where the artist, Breland, met with Lyor Cohen, a major industry figure. Despite playing his music, Cohen dismissed him, stating he wasn't ready and wasting his time. This rejection, though devastating at 19, became a turning point. Instead of giving up, Breland used it as motivation to significantly improve his skills. This shows that early setbacks aren't endpoints but powerful motivators if you choose to learn from them.
2. Commit to daily practice and consistent output to hone your craft. Following the rejection, Breland decided to write and record a song *every day* for a year, resulting in about 365 songs. The next year, he doubled down, writing and recording *two songs a day*, accumulating over 700 more. This intense, daily dedication was crucial for his development, leading to a noticeable improvement in his songwriting and production quality. The sheer volume of practice was the engine for his growth.
3. Actively seek feedback from industry professionals to refine your work. After building a substantial catalog of songs, Breland started "cold-calling" and reaching out to various industry contacts – songwriters, producers, A&Rs, artists, and friends. He sent emails, DMs, tweets, and even handwritten letters, all in pursuit of feedback. This proactive approach to getting external input was instrumental in his development, as he began receiving insights on how songs are truly written and where he was falling short.
4. Understand that writer's block is normal and it's okay to step away from a song. Breland acknowledges that writer's block is a real phenomenon and that inspiration can be fleeting. Because he had dedicated so much time to writing, he learned to accept that not every song will be a hit, and some might never be heard. This acceptance allows him to be unafraid to abandon a song if it's not working on a particular day, understanding that forcing it can be counterproductive.
5. Approach production with humility, allowing the song to dictate its needs. The core of Breland's production philosophy is "giving the song what it needs." This requires humility, meaning he doesn't impose his preconceived notions or past successes onto a new track. He recognizes that what a song requires might be something entirely new or unexpected, and he must be open to discovering it, even if it goes against his initial instincts.
6. Gain perspective on a song by stepping back, letting it sit, or listening to others' input. Breland employs several strategies to gain fresh perspective. This includes listening to a song repeatedly, but also, crucially, *not* listening to it at all for a period, letting it "sit" for days or weeks while working on other projects. He also values playing the song for other people to gauge their reactions and insights. These methods help break creative ruts and reveal new possibilities.
7. Recognize that the creative process isn't a rigid science; it varies from song to song. There's no single "right way" to finish a song. Breland points out that some songs might be completed the same day they're written, while others can take months or even years. This variability is natural and depends on the song's own journey and where inspiration strikes. The key is to be receptive to this inherent unpredictability.
8. Don't fear "dud songs"; they are essential learning experiences that inform future successes. Breland views even the "dud songs" – those that don't get finished or don't turn out well – as incredibly valuable. These unfinished or imperfect pieces still contribute to his growth and inform his future songwriting. He believes that the great songs we eventually create are often a direct result of the lessons learned from the songs that didn't quite make it.
9. Persistence and continued effort are key to eventually creating the songs you envision. The overarching message is one of perseverance. Breland encourages artists not to get discouraged when a song isn't coming together as quickly or as perfectly as they'd hoped. He emphasizes that by continuing to work on the music, you will eventually arrive at the songs you truly want to create. It's about the long game and consistent dedication.
🎯 Expert Opinion
This transcript offers a masterclass in resilience and the iterative nature of creative development, particularly within the music industry. Breland's journey from a harsh rejection by Lyor Cohen to becoming a successful artist and producer is a powerful testament to the importance of a growth mindset. The core message here isn't just about talent, but about the relentless pursuit of improvement through consistent, disciplined practice and a willingness to learn from every experience, positive or negative.
From an industry perspective, Breland's experience underscores a critical truth: the "gatekeepers" of the music world, while influential, are not infallible. Cohen's assessment, while blunt, served as the catalyst for Breland's self-directed education. This highlights a broader trend where artists are increasingly empowered to bypass traditional routes through self-production and direct-to-fan engagement. However, the need for mentorship and industry insight remains vital, which is why Breland's subsequent active pursuit of feedback is so crucial. It’s not enough to just create; you need to understand how your creations measure up against professional standards.
The emphasis on humility and "serving the song" is particularly insightful. In an era saturated with trends and sonic fads, the ability to prioritize the artistic integrity of a piece over personal ego or adherence to a formula is what separates enduring artists from fleeting ones. This requires a deep understanding of musicality, arrangement, and emotional resonance, which can only be developed through the kind of extensive practice Breland describes. The sheer volume of songs he produced – 365 in a year, then 700+ – is staggering. This isn't just about putting in hours; it's about deliberate practice, where each song is an experiment, a learning opportunity. This level of output is what allows for rapid skill acquisition and the development of an intuitive understanding of what makes a song work.
Furthermore, Breland's acceptance of "dud songs" as essential stepping stones is a profound insight. Many aspiring creatives get bogged down by perfectionism, discarding anything that isn't immediately brilliant. This approach stifles growth. The reality is that creative breakthroughs often emerge from the ashes of failed attempts. Each imperfect song teaches you something about what *not* to do, or reveals a new technique, or simply builds muscle memory for songwriting. This perspective is vital for long-term career sustainability in a field that demands constant innovation and adaptation. The industry is always evolving, and artists who can learn from every output, rather than just celebrating the hits, are the ones who will consistently adapt and thrive.
Looking ahead, Breland's philosophy is incredibly relevant. The rise of AI in music creation presents both opportunities and challenges. An artist who understands the core principles of songwriting, production, and emotional connection – as Breland clearly does – will be better equipped to leverage AI as a tool rather than be replaced by it. The ability to "serve the song" and bring genuine human perspective and humility to the creative process will become even more valuable. His journey is a powerful reminder that in music, as in life, the most significant growth often comes from facing adversity head-on and committing to the long, arduous, but ultimately rewarding, process of creation.
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