Careers: Songwriter

Despite a lack of formal educational requirements, prospective songwriters are encouraged to continue their education through high school and preferably towards a college degree. Much of the musical training a songwriter needs, however, can also be learned informally. In general, you should have a background in music theory, and in arrangement and orchestration for multiple instruments. You should be able to read music, and be able to write it in the proper musical notation. You should have a good sense of the sounds each type of musical instrument produces, alone and in combination.

Understanding harmony is important, as well as a proficiency in or understanding of a variety of styles of music. Studies in music history will also help develop this understanding. On the technical side, you should understand the various features, capabilities, and requirements of modern recording techniques. You should be familiar with MIDI and computer technology, as these play important roles in composing, playing, and recording music today.

There are several organizations that help lyricists, songwriters, and composers. The Songwriters Guild of America offers weekly song evaluation workshops in select cities. The Nashville Songwriters Association offers workshops, seminars, and other services, as well as giving annual awards to songwriters. The Songwriters and Lyricists Club P. Box , Brooklyn, N. These, and other organizations, offer songwriting workshops and other training seminars. Many elements of songwriting cannot really be learned but are a matter of inborn talent. A creative imagination and the ability to invent melodies and combine melodies into a song are essential parts of a songwriting career.

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I enjoy the process of finding that perfect turn of phrase. I really love language and words. The simplest way to gain experience in songwriting is to learn to play a musical instrument, especially the piano or guitar, and to invent your own songs. Joining a rock group is a way to gain experience writing music for several musicians. Most schools and communities have orchestras, bands, and choruses that are open to performers.

Working on a student-written musical show is ideal training if you want to be a songwriter. If you have your own computer, consider investing in software, a keyboard, and other devices that will allow you to experiment with sounds, recording, and writing and composing your own songs. While much of this equipment is expensive, there are plenty of affordable keyboards, drum machines, and software programs available today. Most songwriters work freelance, competing for contracts to write songs for a particular artist, television show, video program, or for contracts with musical publishers and advertising agencies.

They meet with clients to determine the nature of the project and to get an idea of what kind of music the client seeks, the budget for the project, the time in which the project is expected to be completed, and in what form the work is to be submitted. Many songwriters work under contract with one or more music publishing houses.

Usually, they must fulfill a certain quota of new songs each year. These songwriters receive a salary, called an advance or draw, that is often paid by the week. A percentage of the money earned by the song over and above the amount of the draw goes to the songwriter as a royalty.

Film, television, and video production studios may also employ songwriters on their staff. Songwriting is a very competitive career and difficult to break into for a beginner. The number of high-paying projects is limited. Beginning songwriters often start their careers writing music for themselves or as part of a musical group. They may also offer their services to student films, student and local theater productions, church groups, and other religious and nonprofit organizations, often for free or for a low fee.

Many songwriters get their start while performing their own music in clubs and other venues; they may be approached by a music publisher, who contracts them for a number of songs. Other songwriters record demos of their songs and try to interest record companies and music publishers. Some songwriters organize showcase performances, renting a local club or hall and inviting music industry people to hear their work.

Songwriters may have to approach many companies and publishers before they find one willing to buy their songs.

Songwriter Career

A great deal of making a success in songwriting is in developing contacts with people active in the music industry. Some songwriters get their start in one of the few entry-level positions available. Songwriters aspiring to become composers for film and television can find work as orchestrators or copyists in film houses. Other songwriters may find work for music agents and publishers, which will give them an understanding of the industry and increase their contacts in the business, as they develop their songwriting skills. Those interested in specializing in advertising jingles may find entry-level work as music production assistants with a jingle house.

At first, such jobs may involve making coffee, doing paperwork, and completing other clerical tasks. As you gain more exposure to the process of creating music, you may begin in basic areas of music production, or assist experienced songwriters. It is important for a songwriter to develop a strong portfolio of work and a reputation for professionalism.

Songwriters who establish a reputation for producing quality work will receive larger and higher-paying projects as their careers progress. Songwriting is as much a business as it is an art. The successful Writers I know work incredibly long hours.

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The extremely rare exceptions are when someone might be hired and paid a salary to create songs for a TV show, an advertising agency, or a theme park. Everything you write during the term of your contract is published by that company. You just have to deliver a quota of songs each year—and in many instances especially outside of Nashville only songs that are commercially released by artists on major labels count toward your quota.

But regardless of how many songs you write, you will only remain under contract if your songs are earning money, or the company believes you are delivering potential hits. When you sign a staff-writing deal you are advanced money—as if they are lending you your own future royalties. In most instances, unless you already have a track record of hits, your advance will be just enough to survive.

The big advantage of being a staff-writer is that your publisher has a vested interest in promoting you and your songs in ways that few developing Songwriters could ever do on their own. In many instances, this is how Songwriters get their work recorded. One typically gets a staff-writing deal by networking, collaborating with staff-writers, and meeting publishers at music industry events. It rarely works to send unsolicited material to companies.

Become a Songwriter | Song Writer Job Description & Salary

Blume is a big believer in networking opportunities for Songwriters. New England to Nashville NETN has excellent events for those in New England who are focused on the Nashville music market, and the West Coast Songwriters organization provides opportunities for those in that part of the country. Taxi also provides pitching opportunities for writers who are writing material that is competitive. An extensive listing of songwriting organizations can be found in my book This Business of Songwriting , Revised 2nd Edition.

Blume shares the story of how he got started as a Songwriter and provides some tips for aspiring Songwriters. I performed in coffee houses and nightclubs, mixing my original songs with well-known songs. After college, I moved from Philadelphia to Los Angeles to pursue my songwriting dream. I knew there would be more classes, serious collaborators, and opportunities to make business connections in a major music center.

But as I studied my craft and the market, received professional feedback from teachers, and rewrote my songs to make them as strong as possible, my songs improved and became more geared to the commercial market—meaning the songs that were on the radio. I met with a music publisher who suggested I rewrite a country song I played for him.

After seven rewrites—and seven new demos—he sent the song to his Nashville office. It was recorded by a new artist and became a single. Although it earned very little money, it opened up doors that led to my collaborating with professionals who were signed to a publishing company. Intern salaries in Austin, TX Related forums: Austin, Texas - Enemies Or Lovers.

Songwriter Career History

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