Tools of Songwriting is a website and podcast geared towards giving people the tools that they need to express themselves through writing their own music. It's for beginner to advanced musicians and has simple, understandable, and practical tips for everyone.Today I'm talking with Jay Patton. Jay just released an album back in December called Roots. It's a 7 song EP with some really cool songwriting on it and as usual some really great guitar playing. Jay taught me a lot about guitar when I w...

Today's songwriting tips come from one of my favorite books of all time by Austin Kleon called "Steal Like an Artist"I grew up thinking that artists were just completely original and if you borrowed anything from anyone you weren't a real artist. This book argues that there's a correct way to do it. Austin says that if you borrow from many different places then you can really stumble upon something brand new. Setting up these parameters can really lead you to some great ideas that are unique ...