Songwriter Training
If you’ve arrived at this page then you are likely already on your way to becoming a refined songwriter. You have likely penned songs, co-written others, and are working towards a career in the music industry. At the end of the day, your success rests on your ability to craft a great song. To do so, YOU must be a great songwriter. Let’s discuss a few ways that you can train yourself into greatness.
Firstly, you need to make writing songs a priority. Though everyone’s artistic output is different, most great songwriters make the act of writing a song a practice for at least a part of their artistic lives. You’ve heard the theory that it takes 10,000 hours of practice to master something - that same thing can said of songwriting. Prioritize the practice of writing songs. Carve out time in your schedule each week in order to do so. As you add more songs under your belt, you’ll notice your craft get better.
In order to be a great songwriter, you need a deep understanding of how songs tick. One great way to do that is to rewrite songs you already love. Take one song and re-write a lyric for the melody that already exists. Take another song and re-write a melody for the lyrics that already exist. As you do that, try to analyze what the lyrics, melodies, and song structure are doing. Understand the ins and outs of the mechanics of your favorite songs so that you can take what you learn back into your own writing.
Once you have a few dozen songs under your belt, seek out critique from someone better than you. I offer critiquing sessions that you can book on this very website! You can also talk to other songwriters, music publishers, or representatives at your PRO. Ask them to listen to your songs and critique the penmanship. What did they like? What could be better? Do they think you’ve improved? Take everyone’s advice with a grain of salt and reapply it to your work when you write again. See what works for you and what doesn’t.
These are just a few things that you can do to train yourself into greatness: write regularly, rewrite your favorite songs, and seek advice from a trusted guide. As you repeat these tasks you’ll feel your skills sharpen and end up writing more good songs than bad ones. Don’t be discouraged as you progress on your path. Remember that it takes work to get better and that everyone, especially you, is capable of it.