Creative sessions can start with excitement and still end in confusion. One person wants a punchy chorus, another wants a moody verse, and someone else is chasing a totally different vibe. Benjy Rostrum recommends a simple team exercise called the “Two Word Brief” to lock in direction before anyone gets lost.
What Is The Two Word Brief?
The Two Word Brief is exactly what it sounds like. Each team member describes the project in only two words. Those words become the creative target for the session.
This is not a branding slogan or a marketing tagline. It is a working tool that helps producers, artists, and engineers make faster decisions. When the brief is clear, the session moves more smoothly.
When To Use It In A Real Session
Use the Two Word Brief at the very beginning, before anyone starts auditioning sounds or recording takes. If you set the direction first, you avoid building a track in the wrong lane. It’s the same idea as checking your route before you start driving.
It’s also perfect for the moment a session starts to wander. If you feel the track getting pulled in five directions, pause and pull the brief back up. A quick reset can get everyone moving forward again.
Another great moment is after feedback. If the artist says the song feels off, the brief can help you identify what is missing. It turns vague frustration into a clear adjustment.
Step 1: Explain The Rules In Thirty Seconds
Kick it off with a quick explanation so everyone knows what’s happening. Each person will give two words that describe where the song should go, and nobody gets to turn them into a sentence. Save the explanations for later and keep the first round clean.
Push for words that actually mean something in a session. “Good” or “cool” won’t help you make decisions, but “tight,” “dreamy,” or “gritty” will. Specific words give the team something tangible to aim at.
Set the tone for respect. Nobody should laugh at someone’s words. The goal is to understand, not to judge.
Step 2: Everyone Writes Their Two Words Privately
Give everyone one minute to write their two words down. This keeps people from copying the first idea they hear. It also prevents groupthink from taking over.
Encourage honesty over strategy. If someone wants the song to feel raw, they should say it. If someone wants it to feel glossy, they should say that too.
The private moment matters. It makes the results more accurate. You want the honest opinions, not the polite ones.
Step 3: Share The Words Without Discussion
Go around the room and have each person read their two words. Write them on a whiteboard, a notes app, or a shared document. Keep it fast and keep it neutral.
Do not allow debate during this part. People can ask for a definition later, but not yet. The point is to collect the data.
You will start to see patterns immediately. Some words will cluster, and some will conflict. Both outcomes are beneficial.
Step 4: Group The Words Into Themes
Now look for overlaps and themes. You might see a group of words like “warm,” “organic,” and “intimate.” You might also see words like “huge,” “bright,” and “anthemic.”
This step turns a list into a map. It shows where the team agrees and where the team is split. It also helps you spot the core emotion everyone wants.
If the words are all over the place, do not panic. That is the point of the exercise. It reveals the problem before you waste hours.
Step 5: Choose The Final Two Word Brief Together
Once you see the themes, pick the final two words as a group. The producer or session leader should guide the choice, but the team should feel heard. The final brief should be simple and easy to remember.
Choose words that create direction, not confusion. “Dark” and “uplifting” might clash unless you define how they work together. “Dark” and “driving” might be easier to execute.
Write the final brief somewhere visible. Put it at the top of the session notes. Say it out loud before you start working.
Step 6: Use The Brief As A Filter For Decisions
This is where the brief starts paying for itself. Any time you’re about to make a call, run it through the two words first. If the brief is “tight” and “emotional,” a busy drum part might be fun, but it could be pulling you in the wrong direction.
You can still experiment, just do it with a reason. Try things that might serve the brief, then keep what works and move on from what doesn’t. That keeps the session creative without turning it into chaos.
The brief also helps with conflict. Instead of arguing, you ask one question. Does this support the brief or not?
Examples of Two Word Briefs that work
Some briefs focus on energy. “Fast” and “reckless” point toward tempo, drums, and attitude. “Slow” and “heavy” suggest space and weight.
Some briefs focus on emotion. “Hopeful” and “lonely” can guide chord choices and vocal delivery. “Confident” and “playful” can shape lyrics and rhythm.
Some briefs focus on texture. “Clean” and “wide” point toward production and mix choices. “Dirty” and “close” suggest grit and intimacy.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
The biggest mistake is choosing words that are too vague. If your brief is “nice” and “cool,” you will still be lost. Pick words that create clear sound decisions.
Another mistake is treating the brief as a rule that cannot be changed. Sometimes the song reveals a better direction halfway through. If that happens, update the brief and move on.
Do not skip the visibility part. If nobody can see the brief, nobody will use it. Keep it in front of the team.
Why Does This Exercise Build Better Teamwork
The Two-Word Brief creates shared ownership. Everyone contributes, so everyone feels invested. That improves the mood in the room.
It also reduces the pressure on the producer to guess what everyone wants. The team gives you the target up front. That makes leadership easier and the work faster.
It builds trust over time. When people feel heard early, they argue less later. The session becomes more about creating than defending opinions.
Final Thoughts
The best sessions feel focused, even when they are playful and experimental. Benjy Rostrum’s Two Word Brief helps teams quickly find focus without long meetings or complicated planning. It turns vague ideas into a shared target that guides every decision. When everyone is aligned, the music gets better, and the process feels easier.
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