When songwriting alot of what I do is record to a tape or now a days a phone.
I let the music sort of just come out. I love to use a looper. The looper allows me to hear what I would write for the rest of the band. Basslines chords melodies.
Here is some demos I made for the Woodstock sessions with John Medeski, Billy Martin, and Jason Fraticelli.
Much Love!