Ways to Become a Wonderful SongWriter
One of the best ways to become a great songwriter is to write. Songwriting requires the ability to put together various elements of a song and to push the boundaries of your creativity. Inspiration can strike when you least expect it, and you must be able to seize the moment and build upon it. There are several ways to become a great songwriter like Dan Avidan for example, including practicing, studying the guitar and keyboards, and creating an EPK for your song.
Keeping Yourself Limited
There are a few options for getting a formal education in composition. There are plenty of community colleges that offer grand theory and composition programs, and there are many high schools that focus on the arts. If you want to work on soundtracks, you could also take the traditional route by attending a college with a music composition program.
Studying Guitar or Keyboards
Whether you’d like to write your songs or cover others’, learning to play the guitar or keyboards will help you get started. Reading music notation and chords will improve your ability to compose music faster and better. By studying music theory, you’ll also be able to quickly analyze a song’s key and transpose it in your head. A grasp of the principles of music theory will also enhance your ability to write arrangements, orchestrations, and basslines.
When learning how to play guitar, you need to focus on the smallest amount of pressure you should use. This will allow you to play longer without getting sore. When you practice this technique, you should listen to a song with guitar chords, either G Major or D Major, without the capo.
Creating an EPK for Your Song
One of the most important things to do when creating an EPK for your song is to be consistent. First, ensure your EPK has all the basic information about your song, including genre, sound, and production quality. Then, focus on telling your story in the best possible way. Try not to worry about formatting, leading quotes, or other elements that can be distracting. Instead, focus on the story you’re trying to tell and the accomplishment you’re trying to achieve.
The EPK is a press release. It is designed to attract the media’s attention to your new music release. Therefore, including album artwork and links to high-resolution versions of the painting is also essential. This artwork should be at least 300 dpi and should be multiple megabytes in size. You can also include a brief music biography. It doesn’t have to be long, but it should tell the reader everything they need to know about you and your music.
Practicing
When it comes to songwriting, practice is essential. Many successful artists say that writing great songs consistently is not impossible, and they attribute their success to training and hard work. You can improve your craft whether you’re a beginning songwriter or a seasoned one. Practice can free up your time to write music and improve your songs.
To improve your writing, you’ll need a quiet place to work. Distractions are the enemy of good writing, so creating a space where you can concentrate solely on your songwriting is vital.
Learning from Others
Learning from others is a powerful way to improve your songwriting skills. Not only can it save you time, but it can also help you develop a consistent style. The following tips will help you become a better songwriter: 1. Ask for constructive criticism. You may be overly critical of your work at times, but don’t let this discourage you from continuing to write. A great songwriter never stops creating, even after receiving critical feedback. 2. Join Songwriting Organizations
Write every day. Although many feel inspired only when writing a song, inspiration can come from anywhere. Therefore, carrying a notebook and jotting down anything that sparks your creativity is essential. Writing down these ideas will force the creative part of your mind to work overtime.
Getting Feedback
As a songwriter, you should seek feedback from others, including experienced professionals. You may also want to ask non-musicians to give you feedback, primarily if the song is aimed at a general audience. However, avoid asking your family members for their opinions on your music. They may not be as unbiased as seasoned musicians.
While there are several ways to get feedback, one way to become a great songwriter is to use feedback loops. Feedback loops are not unidirectional, and they emphasize the idea of ongoing renewal. By developing a pre-release feedback loop, you can support your progress while limiting input from unwanted or irrelevant sources.