Tips for songwriting that help you set the right GOALS!
Do you have dreams of writing music and songs for Movies, Musicals, Games, Television, etc.? The following perspective might just help you develop the necessary skills and strategies for success in today's marketplace. These tips for songwriting will help you establish a realistic path for your future. If your efforts and desires aren't based in reality, you may be living somewhere known as "la-la-land". Suppose I want to write orchestral scores for movies, but am not willing to learn about Strings and Woodwinds. I have a problem. Likewise, if I'm going to be the next Sting, (solo artist and singer for the Police), but my bass playing and songwriting stink... who am I kidding? Too often, our dreams don't match our skills. (Watch "American Idol" auditions for a huge dose of that.) To make matters worse, We often don't know what skills we lack... or... what skills we need! A music career is not like other professions with clear paths for success! I can tell you! There are no guarantees of a paycheck for your efforts. (You won't read that on the music school advertisements, will you?) My high school guidance counselor didn't offer "Making Money with Your Songwriting Ideas" in his bag of tricks. He was disturbed enough by the fact that I wanted to go to college to major in music. That means we have to navigate this songwriting journey without much help from the educational system. College programs have improved...some. At least Berklee and a handful of others offer programs with an emphasis in songwriting. But the truth remains that a career in music writing has unique hardships to overcome. Let's imagine for a second that you are sitting down with your very own guidance counselor. (Even if you are long-past the days of school, just go with me...) She likes you and wants to help you achieve your dreams. She doesn't care what profession you choose as long as you can make a living doing it. Believe it or not, she'll probably go back to the basics: 1. What do you want to be when you grow up? 2. What skills will you need? 3. Do you have the musical gifts required? (Yes, I know it isn't politically correct to imply that you might not... but we're not all songwriters. Some are doctors, electricians and bankers. Thank God we're not all wired the same way!) 4. Are you thick-skinned and motivated enough to succeed?
Then you must be willing to develop the skills required. And you must possess both the basic abilities AND work ethic for success. Nobody ever handed me a clearly defined road map for a career in music. Even after a Master's Degree in Music from a respected institution... I learned most things the hard way. One of the most important things I developed was the ability to meet a deadline. It is easy as an artist to just enjoy the creative process and not the business aspects. This tends to breed many unfinished projects, songs, plays, etc... that COULD be quite good if completed, edited and produced. I also found that "artistic types" are fun and exciting to be around, but somebody less creative usually gets the job done. The brilliant composer may not get the job simply because he can't deliver the music on time. People who possess time management skills tend to break a big idea down into small steps. These little steps get books written, commercials scored and CDs recorded one-piece-at-a-time. This is what goal setting is about. Clearly defining what the problem is and then taking the right steps to solve it. Listed below are some tips for songwriting that I have found most beneficial. They are listed as goals. I would encourage you to not only read them... but chew on them awhile.
Great composers, songwriters, musicians, actors, singers, etc... can get paid VERY well sometimes. But, it comes after the fact. Your first motivation must be excellence at your craft. The goal is the product, not the paycheck. Deliver the product, and the money will often follow.
We live in a time when information is readily available for anything you need to learn. There are more opportunities for practical music education than ever before. Online studies, Videos & DVDs, books and private teachers are everywhere. Don't laugh at the fact that you don't know what a G chord is... Learn it!
Writing music still requires skill in 3 areas: Rhythm, Melody & Harmony. From Ragtime to Rap...those 3 areas are your playing field. Find out what your weaknesses are and be honest enough to admit it. Then, you can get the musical help you need.
Knowledge is not enough. You must learn when and where to apply it. (another name for this is experience) I recently met a young man who manages one of his father's restaurants. His dad didn't start him in a management position. He started at minimum wage as an entry-level employee. Now, he has done every job available to truly understand and appreciate the importance of all aspects of the franchise. After 2 years of college studies for a degree in Business, he has decided not to go back. When we asked him why... his response was not likely to be quoted on his college website. He said, "The business teachers don't know what they're talking about. If you ran a business the way they say you should, you'd lose your ass!" Likewise, If you are always reading and learning about music but never actually writing and recording.. you can easily become another educated idiot. Get busy writing and recording your songs.
Since a wise person generally gives good counsel, learn from those who are successfully doing what you hope to do. If they've made a living at it, they probably have some wisdom to share! This can be a little tricky with music... and here's why. Great musicians aren't necessarily great teachers. In fact, they usually are not. Likewise, great songwriters aren't always good at explaining what they do... they just have a gift for doing it. Your job is to learn from their music. You may not learn much from what they tell you... but what you learn studying their songs is invaluable. Along the way, you will discover your own methods and tips for songwriting that are personal and effective.
A great song magically takes you somewhere. Great music bypasses the brain and touches our emotions in ways we don't fully understand. It's a Vibe. That's why you can hear a song you knew 20 years ago and in an instant... you are there. You feel the same feelings you had when you were singing along with that song. Of all the essential tips for songwriting and composing I can share, this is primo. Great songs go way beyond notes and rhythms... They capture a vibe, a feeling that you couldn't express any other way. Close your eyes, listen to great music and let it take you somewhere. What are they doing that you need to learn?
This is related to #6, and is something that you'll be able to take to the bank if you get it.Watch movies. No kidding... watch great movies produced by Steven Spielberg, Disney, etc., and listen to their soundtracks. See what genre is used for the emotional impact needed on the screen. I finally realized that music I personally enjoy means something totally different to a new listener. I may think it's beautiful and melodic, while my wife finds it sad and weepy. Musicians tend to get into the music... not what it does to you. Perfect example is how most of us musicians grew up playing for the dance, and never actually danced . We never thought in terms of what it makes your body do. A great song has the music that perfectly fits the meaning of the lyrics. A funny lyric probably doesn't need minor chords and Goliath-sized drum sounds that make you want to smack somebody. The hit, "We Will Rock You", (by Queen), doesn't need violins or flutes. Listen to how they achieve a musical emotion to fit/marry the lyric. Music has an amazing vocabulary of sounds that can lead us into most any feeling desired. If you learn the skills required to touch people with music... you just might make a living as a composer or songwriter. These suggestions are what I consider to be fundamental Techniques & Tips for Songwriting... and talk is cheap. But I'm convinced that if you learn to set the right goals, recognize your strengths & weaknesses, then honestly work to improve... you can reach your dreams.
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Go for it! 