Ed Sheeran Rapid Songwriting Method
Explore how Ed Sheeran songwriting routine clears creative blocks through rapid iteration. This practice focuses on quantity over immediate perfection to build momentum.
5 time blocks, 70 minutes in total.
Time blocks
- Guitar or Keyboard Loop Setup: 10 min
Set a simple chord progression on guitar or keyboard - Dirty Tap Melodic Improvisation: 15 min
Sing freestyle melodies or placeholder words over the loop - Vowel and Lyric Stacking: 20 min
Replace gibberish with real words matching the vocal cadence - Full Song Structure Assembly: 15 min
Lock in verse, chorus, and bridge without editing mid-stream - Rapid Completion Commitment: 10 min
Finish the entire draft completely before making any judgment
About this routine
The Ed Sheeran songwriting routine relies on a concept known as the dirty tap metaphor. When an unused faucet is turned on, muddy water runs out first. You must let the dirty water flow until the stream clears up. Songwriting works the exact same way. Writing a series of mediocre or flawed songs gets bad ideas out of your system, opening space for strong melodies to emerge.
Instead of agonizing over a single stanza, the goal is to complete songs rapidly without stopping to critique your work mid-process. By laying down a loop, improvising melodies with vocal sounds, and fitting words to the cadence, you remove the friction of self-doubt. Completing every track you start builds momentum and sharpens creative instincts over time.
Why this routine works
- Overcomes blank page paralysis by prioritizing momentum over perfection
- Helps bypass internal judgment during the initial creative phase
- Increases overall song output by finishing drafts rapidly
FAQ
What is Ed Sheeran's dirty tap method?
It is a creative concept where you let bad ideas flow out first without judgment, like dirty water from a faucet, until good ideas start coming through.
How long does Ed Sheeran take to write a song?
He often writes multiple song drafts in a single day, spending roughly an hour on a draft before finishing it or moving to the next idea.
Does Ed Sheeran complete every song he starts?
Yes. He recommends finishing every draft you begin so you build the habit of completing work rather than abandoning ideas halfway.
Sources
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Updated July 2026 · Compiled from public sources and reviewed before publishing.