Escape

Like others have said, it really depends on the song and style I'm playing. I definitely play more with a pick than with my fingers, but occasionally I will blend both or just fingerpick if the song calls for it. Then again, my tone and comfort level isn't as developed with fingerpicking as it is with flatpicking, so that also has an influence.

I haven't but only because I forget to try it when I actually sit down to write. I only write when I feel motivated and inspired and at that point I just go with the inspiration. But I often get ideas for a process on songwriting when listening to other songs I love, I just never remember to test out that process when it comes down to having an instrument or pen in hand.

Same for me. I enjoy playing other people's songs that move me just as much as my own, but like many people, I'm not a huge fan of my voice. If I could have a great voice or great songwriting talent but not both, I'd probably take the voice and do my best to make as many great songwriting contacts as possible. I have a good friend with one of the best voices I've ever heard (not just people I know personally but all around) and I die a little inside every time we do a gig together and I know I should just be sticking to strictly harmonies while we play because his voice puts mine to shame. And mine isn't even that bad, it's just not great like his. Oh well, guess I'll keep practicing guitar...

Always loved that song (and most Garth Brooks songs). Again, nice to hear the back story.

A good chunk of John Mayer's discography. Some very clever and smooth lyricism going on there, not to mention to extremely hooky melodies. I also agree with Hallelujah by Leanord Cohen, though I think I'd rather have Jeff Buckley's voice on his performance of that song if I had to choose. So many more...

Pretty funny. Thanks for the anecdote. Always nice to get a peak into successful songwriters' processes.

There are a lot of influencing factors, the vocalist's range being one of the primary ones. If the vocalist doesn't sound good on the song in that key, you've got an issue. At the same time, if the accompanying instrument - such as guitar or piano - doesn't sound right with the chord progression or riff in that key, you also might need to take that into consideration. A really solid singer with a big range might sound good in a variety of keys, especially ones that are close to each other. A half step difference on guitar can make a big difference in the overall sound because of different voicings available to the player. A capo doesn't always solve this problem, though many times it does. Something might also sound too low and muddy or too high and thin in certain keys on piano or guitar (just picking out those two examples). This doesn't always work out and help show off the song or singer. At the same time, you need to consider and accept the fact that not every song is going to sound great with every vocalist or accompanying instrument. Most songs seem to have a key (or maybe two) that sound "best" with the progression and melody. Many songwriters and composers feel strongly that every song has a "right" key and performing the song in a different key takes something away. This is subjective and sometimes I agree, sometimes I don't. Many times it has to do with the arrangement, etc. But if the vocalist doesn't sound "right" in that key, you either have to make a sacrifice somewhere, consider getting a different vocalist for the song, or consider rearranging the song to try and make it work. There are plenty of songs I would love to do as a solo acoustic singer/player but just can't pull off because of my vocal range, the phonetics not sounding right, the arrangement not sounding right in the key that works for my voice, or a combination of reasons. With all of the songs to be written and all of the songs already written, it's not worth fretting about (no pun intended). Just move on to the next, or if you really love the song, find another vocalist for it, rearrange it, etc. There are no limitations with music and collaborations.

It all depends on how many gigs I have or how much I'm practicing, but I'd say on average maybe once a month. I typically use Elixir Nanowebs which last a bit longer, though, so if I'm using regular non-coated strings, it will probably be quite a bit more often than that.

Standard shape medium picks are my go-to for acoustic guitar playing. If I need a darker sound for a song or I will be playing faster licks/riffs, I will up it to heavy picks. For electric, I use heavy picks almost exclusively. Never got into the different shapes, though I've tried many.