Ed Sheeran Dirty Tap Writing Sprint

Ed Sheeran's songwriting routine treats creativity like opening a dirty tap. Writing multiple quick songs back to back flushes out bad ideas so great melodies can flow.

6 time blocks, 80 minutes in total.

Time blocks

Setup and Instrument Tuning: 10 min
Grab a primary instrument and set up a basic recording phone or mic
First Draft Song: 15 min
Write a complete rough song fast without correcting any lyrics
Second Draft Song: 15 min
Switch to a new chord progression immediately and keep writing
Third Draft Song: 15 min
Flush out remaining weak lyrics and melodies without pausing
Clean Water Songwriting: 20 min
Focus on the emerging strong idea now that early clutter is cleared
Audio Voice Memo Capture: 5 min
Record a clean acoustic phone memo of the best hooks and chorus

About this routine

Ed Sheeran's songwriting routine relies on a simple metaphor. He compares writing songs to opening an old water faucet in an unused cabin. When you turn on a tap that has sat idle, dirty water full of rust and mud comes out first. You have to let that dirty water flow for a while before clean water starts running.

In practice, Sheeran applies this by sitting down to write several complete songs in rapid succession during a single block. He does not stop to edit lyrics, tweak chords, or judge the quality of the early material. The goal of the first three songs is simply to clear out clunky ideas and predictable rhymes.

Once those early drafts are out of his system, the quality of the ideas naturally improves. The remaining time in the session is spent developing the clean stream of music that follows. Recording a quick voice memo at the end captures the best hooks before stepping away.

Why this routine works

Overcomes writer block by removing the pressure of immediate perfection
Speeds up creative output through rapid idea iteration
Captures genuine musical inspiration once inner critical filters relax

FAQ

What is Ed Sheeran's dirty tap songwriting method?

It is a creative process where you write several quick, imperfect songs back to back to flush out bad ideas until strong melodies start flowing naturally.

How long does Ed Sheeran's dirty tap sprint take?

This structured sprint lasts 80 minutes, covering initial instrument setup, three rapid draft songs, and one focused session on a polished track.

Why does Ed Sheeran write bad songs on purpose during a sprint?

Writing bad songs removes self criticism and clears mental clutter, making room for better lyrics and melodies later in the session.

Sources

Ed Sheeran on Songwriting and Creative Process, Apple Music Interview
Ed Sheeran Explains His Dirty Faucet Songwriting Technique, The Howard Stern Show

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