5 Things Successful Songwriters Must Know To Be Successful
Nov0
1. Keep on top of your songwriting skills and abilities. Just like an athlete who practices to reach the peak of their performance, a songwriter should also practice regularly. Professional athletes do not reach the peak of their performance by accident. Professionalism takes dedication to a strong work ethic. You may be naturally talented when it comes to songwriting but just like a professional athlete, talent alone will not make you a professional. Make a 30 minute songwriting time per day and use it to experiment with chords, write themes or jingles, maybe rearrange something you have recently heard or are familiar with. This is a simple and easy start to what will become a good habit to practice.
2. Listen to music every day. Concentrate on the lyrics and melodies in the songs you hear. As you listen more you will unconsciously adapt more to music in general.
3. Don’t limit yourself to one style. Some of the hottest songs played on the radio today are crossovers that have been re-mastered to appeal to a different audience. Country songs are rearranged and played on pop stations. Jazz melodies are frequently worked into Hip Hop recordings. This type of creativity comes from song writers and producers listening and being influenced by various types and styles of music. Play the game the way everyone is playing it. Just because you think you have the perfect melody or tune doesn’t mean the world, or other song writers and performers, will think the same thing. There are no set in stone rules to songwriting, however, there are practices you need to become familiar with. Be open to advice and rewrites when required. A closed mind does not make for a good songwriter. As much as you can, learn music theory and the basics of lyrics and poetry writing. Learning is an ongoing process and it’s a fact that as you learn more about the rules of the game, you become more skillful bending those rules. And never forget that writing catchy melodies and smart rhyming lyrics needs lots of practice.
5. An outgoing personality will benefit you. Make everybody know about your songwriting skills. Show it to friends and family first, then to songwriting communities and finally, seek professional critiques. As your abilities are honed, you will become more confident and, consequently, will be open to advice and recommendations. Remember, it’s the people whom you are writing for, their thoughts do matter.
5 Recommendations That Can Get Your Song Dmos Listened To and Noticed by Recording Industry Professionals.
Sep0
Your song demo is your calling card to the music industry. A good demo could possibly result in getting those important gigs on weekend nights or possibly sparking some interest from an A&R rep. Good demos can open doors and introduce you and your work to professionals and opportunities that may not otherwise be available. A bad demo on the other hand may lead your band into gigging on weekdays in bad time slots were there usually is no audience in the club or worst yet being snubbed from many people in the music business. Below you will find some smart advice that will position you, your band and your songs in the best light possible. Also included are some important things that can stop your music business pursuit in it’s path.
If you have more than one song on your demo, the best song needs to be the first song. Just like everyone else, professionals in the music business are extremely busy and if the first song on your demo doesn’t get their attention it is highly unlikely that they will hear the rest of your CD.
Limit the number of songs you put on a demo. For the same reasons as above, music industry professionals can be very busy with limited time to hear and make decisions about your songs. Don’t overload them with all of your work. Pick the best three to six songs to be put on your demo. That should be more than enough to showcase what you and your band can do.
Make sure to put your contact info on both the CD as well as your CD jacket. Your disc can get separated from the jacket the listener may not go to the trouble of trying to locate the CD jacket to find your contact info. Prevent any possible problems by having your contact info in both places.
Quality recordings are noticed immediately. Make sure that the CD you are sending was decently recorded. It doesn’t have to be done in a 24 track full blown studio. Just make sure the recording is clean and sounding as best as it can.
Finally, don’t shotgun your demo CD. Shotgunning is mailing your CD to dozens of industry people without determining what types of music that they work with. When you check out the labels research other artist that are on that label and compare their music to yours. The best thing to do is to send a letter explaining your act and that you would like to submit a sample demo to their record company. Include a self addressed stamped post card for their reply. This will get you an answer as quick as anything would.
These 5 recommendations will pave the way toward having your songwriting, heard by those who need to know you and your music.
5 Recommendations That Can Get Your Song Dmos Heard and Recognised by Recording Industry Professionals.
Sep0
Song demos are your business card to music producers, song writers and other music industry insiders. A good demo may possibly result in getting those sought after gigs on weekend nights. Good demos can open doors and introduce you and your work to professionals and opportunities that may not otherwise be available. A bad demo on the other hand may lead your band into gigging on weekdays in bad time slots were there usually is little attendance into the wrong clubs at the wrong times or worst yet rejection from many people in the music business. Below you will find some smart advice that will position you, your band and your songs in the best light possible. Also included are some important things that can stop your music business pursuit in it’s path.
Your best song needs to be the first song on the demo. Many people in the music business are very busy and if the first song on your demo doesn’t catch them it is very unlikely that they will listen to the rest of your CD.
Limit the number of songs you put on a demo. Music industry professionals can be very busy with limited time to hear and make decisions about your songs. Pick the best three to six songs to be put on your demo. That should be more than enough to showcase what you and your band can do.
Be sure your contact info is on both the demo CD jacket and on the demo disc itself. Your disc could be separated from the jacket the listener may not dig through the paperwork of all the other bands that have submitted CD’s to find your info. Prevent any possible problems by having your contact info in both places.
Your recording quality is very important. Make sure the demo CD was recorded and copied with the greatest care for quality. It doesn’t have to be done in a 24 track full blown studio. Just make sure the recording is clean and sounding as best as it can.
Finally, don’t shotgun your demo CD. Shotgunning is distributing your CD to dozens of industry people without checking out what types of music that they work with. If you are sending to labels investigate other artist that are on that label and compare their music to yours. A label that puts out rock albums may not be interested in a country act. The best approach to take is to send a letter describing your act and that you would like to submit a CD to them. Include a self addressed stamped post card for their reply. This will get you an answer as quick as anything would.
These five recommendations will pave the way toward getting your songwriting, heard by those who need to know you and your music.
Five Things Every Songwriter Should Learn To Be A Success
Sep0
1. Keep on top of your songwriting skills and abilities. Just like an athlete who practices to reach the peak of their performance, a songwriter should also practice regularly. Professional athletes do not reach the peak of their performance by accident. It takes long hard work. You may be naturally talented when it comes to songwriting but just like a professional athlete, talent alone will not make you a professional. Make a 30 minute songwriting time per day and use it to experiment with chords, write themes or jingles, maybe rearrange something you have recently heard or are familiar with. This is a simple and easy start to what will become a good habit to practice.
2. Listen to music every day. Concentrate on the lyrics and melodies in the songs you hear. while discovering tips and techniques in the written words of a song that you may not have been aware of.
3. Don’t limit yourself to one style. Some of the hottest songs played on the radio today are crossovers that have been re-mastered to appeal to a different audience. Pop songs are remixes and re-mastered Country songs. Jazz melodies are frequently worked into Hip Hop recordings. This type of creativity comes from song writers and producers listening and being influenced by various types and styles of music. To become a successful song writer; you will need your song heard by everybody. Do not limit your success by limiting your creative influences.
4. Learn the rules of the game. Just because you think you have the perfect melody or tune doesn’t mean the world, or other song writers and performers, will think the same thing. There are no set in stone rules to songwriting, however, there are practices you need to become familiar with. Rewrites and edits are a part of that game, be open to this. A closed mind does not make for a good songwriter. As much as you can, learn the basics of lyrics and poetry writing. Learning is an ongoing process and it’s a fact that as you learn more about the rules of the game, you become more skillful bending those rules. Always remember that writing a smart melody or composing a catchy tune can only be done successfully by practice.
5. Don’t be shy. Make everybody know about your songwriting skills. Show it to friends and family first, then to songwriting communities and finally, seek professional critiques. As your abilities are honed, you will become more confident and, consequently, will be open to advice and recommendations. Remember, it’s the people whom you are writing for, their thoughts do matter.