Gospel Industry Tip Of The Week 8/15/11
3 Tips To Develop As A Songwriter
This week we’re turning our attention toward one of the most important and least addressed segments of our creative community—-songwriters.
As core Gospel songwriters, because so much of our music is meant to be performed within the context of local church services, there is a tendency to focus on singable hooks and vamps, often at the expense of theme and song structure. We can truly fill a song service with an inspired collection of hooks and vamps alone; however, it’s important for those who intend to make their living from songwriting and to leave a mark on this marketplace with more than a single hit, to challenge themselves to develop their craft.
With those things in mind, I wanted to give you three quick tips for plotting a more effective course of development for yourself as a songwriter.
Tip #1: Study the masters.
In almost every creative discipline, an early and ongoing part of developing both knowledge and skill is to study the significant works of the past. It’s the reason writers of books read classic literature, artists study art history, and music majors study classical composers.
Gospel songwriting should be no different. If you want to develop into a serious songwriter, you must challenge yourself to listen long and hard to those who have already excelled in this marketplace.
Go out of your way to find older recordings. Don’t just listen to the music, write down the lyrics and study the elements of the song structure. Are there notable themes and use of figurative language? How are those lyrical elements complimented by and married to the music?
Part of being taken seriously as an artist is to first understand the value of your particular genre of art. If you’re aspiring to be a successful songwriter, begin to recognize those who’ve already succeeded.
Tip #2: Embrace Collaboration.
One of the fastest ways to increase your skill as a songwriter is to spend time around and at work with other songwriters. In the current indie climate, that has never been easier. Not only are more people than ever beginning to pursue careers in music, more resources are being created to assist aspiring and indie songwriters and artists. Make it your goal to become aware of those resources and to take advantage of as many of them as possible.
The major Performing Rights Organizations—-BMI, ASCAP, and SESAC——have chapters in most major cities and sponsor events and workshops for songwriters. Visit their web sites to learn about upcoming events. If you don’t see any in your city, send them an email to ask about plans in your region. Don’t forget to join their mailing lists so that you can remain informed.
In major music cities like New York, LA, and Nashville, there are lots of additional writers groups and independently operated workshops. You may be able to attend a specific conference or seminar, or become a regular member of a writer’s roundtable targeted toward celebrating and developing local songwriters.
Always remember this: While competition has a way of strengthening athletic skill, it has an odd way of stifling creative development. Rather than to see your fellow aspiring songwriters as threats or hindrances to your progress, learn to value them as resources. Be ready to offer input and remain open to receiving it.
Tip #3: Don’t run from indie projects.
Every songwriter has a dream of that big song placement on the hit album of a major artist. That’s totally understandable.
As an aspiring songwriter, it’s vital to understand that while those major placements may not come immediately, you can build a strong, meaningful foundation for yourself by taking advantage of all of the smaller opportunities along the way.
Are there indies in your area looking for material? You should be trying to write it. Are there regionally successful producers and composers looking for lyricists? You need to be pitching your material to them.
Your goal as a songwriter should never be to become a one-hit-wonder. Your focus must always be on your full body of work—-your songwriter catalogue. Your catalogue is what determines your commercial and critical value as a songwriter. And keep this in mind: The most commercially and critically significant songwriter catalogues are the ones full of hundreds of smaller-scale successes as well as big hits.
So, while you’re working toward your dream song placement, take advantage of indie projects that are available to you right now. Begin where you are and build your catalogue.
Published: August 15, 2011 | 1 Comments
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Lenny Harris
August 15, 2011
Thanks Monica. I love your insight on the industry and what’s relevant today. God Bless.