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Songwriting 101
By Keith Hipharp1
You say you would like to become a songwriter?
Rule one" Do not quit your day job!"
Rule two "Song Lyrics are not always a rhyme scheme or poems."
Rule three "Be leery of experts and the flattery of fools."
Rule four "Learn your craft be it lyrics or music composing."
Rule five " Join a songwriters group and attend seminars."
Rule six "Who you know does matter!"
Rule seven " Find your epiphany or passion and target your market."
Rule eight" Create something different!"
Rule nine "Write for a specific artist / group or better yet write and
perform yourself."
Rule ten NEVER! NEVER! NEVER! Pay to be published!"
Rule eleven " Read about the craft and learn from mistakes."
Rule twelve "It is alright to co-write when you first become a
songwriter."
Rule thirteen " There are a lot of starving songwriters."
Rule fourteen" Write from the Heart."
Rule fifteen " Use spell check frequently."
Rule sixteen " Exploit Life's experience."
Rule seventeen " Repetition works in songwriting."
Rule eighteen " Write for commercial possibilities and time
restraints."
Rule nineteen "KISS or Keep It Simple Stupid."
Rule twenty " Stay flexible if an artist or publisher wants to change your
work."
Rule twenty one "Before you sign a contract let an experienced attorney
review."
Rule twenty two "Edit your songs before you make your demos."
Rule twenty three "Keep writing and backup all your work with
copyrights."
Rule twenty four : It's just good business to ask for a publishers
credentials."
Rule twenty five "A good hook line can make or break a song."
For those who still want to become a songwriter, read onward.
Associations are somewhat good to start your career. I suggest NSAI-
Nashville Songwriters Association International. Subscriptions will give
you a jump start, i.e. American Songwriter Magazine. On line memberships
will also keep you in the know.
On line subscriptions too- justplainfolks@aol.com
Books are essential, May I suggest
Songwriters Market 2001 by Writers Digest. MelBay Publications "You
can teach yourself Song Writing." "Music Publishing" a
songwriters guide Written by Randy Poe. " The Craft and Business of
Songwriting" by John Braheny. There are many other songwriting books
on my shelf. However these I highly recommend.
If you would like to become a songwriter. Write, Learn, Create, Have Fun!
Sincerely,
Keith Hipharp1
Songwriter
E-mail: HipHarp1@aol.com
Lyrical
Line Songwriting Resource
Jeff
Mallett's Songwriter Site
Nashville
Songwriters Association
Just Plain
Folks Songwriting/Musician Networking Organization
ALL
SONGWRITERS NETWORK
©
2001 Keith HipHarp1
(Printed with permission)
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