131
Finding a collaborator
QUESTION:
I write lyrics. I live in Vancouver (B.C.) and am limited
(at least I think) to connections with collaboraters and
composers on a face to face basis. Can you give me a few
suggestions how to locate a collaborater and what to expect
to discuss with them? (p.s. I was told once to go to recording
studios and see from there).
ANSWER
(by Mary Dawson):
Please refer to the question above -- finding a collaborator
is limited only by your imagination. I do most of my co-writing
on a long distance basis.....by phone, email or letter.
You can meet potential co-writers at songwriting seminars,
conferences, and through the internet at websites just
like Lyrical Line. As mentioned above, finding a collaborator
is a lot like dating. You just have to pluck up courage
and do it. All "dates" won't be successful but you will
learn and mature in the process. When first getting to
know a new co-writer, get to know them as a person first.
Find out what makes them tick -- what kinds of movies,
music, books they enjoy. Be transparent and share from
your heart as well. If you begin to click as friends,
the next step is to try writing something together. It
may take several attempts at both short-distance and long-distance
collaborations before you find a co-writer where the "chemistry"
is right, but you will definitely know when it happens.
Keep stretching yourself out of your comfort zone......it's
kinda scary at first but definitely worth the effort.
Be sure to also read Nancy Moran's article, "In Search
of a Musical Co-writer" now on the Lyrical Line site.
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132
Where to begin getting my songs recorded
QUESTION:
I have been writing for approx. 17 years. I've been taken
advantage of, misslead, concerning my songwriting. I would
like to know more information on where to begin to try
to get my songs recorded.
ANSWER
(by Mary Dawson):
There are definitely pitfalls and unscrupulous people
in the Music Industry -- just like in every other industry
-- but the responsibility for not getting burned ultimately
returns to you. If you want to see your songs recorded
or heard on a larger scale, YOU are the one who must educate
yourself on the business as well as the craft of songwriting.
Many songwriters only want to do the creative part and
they do not want to take the time to read and become informed
about the very necessary business aspects of music. Those
kinds of songwriters are "sitting ducks" for shysters.
Think of it this way -- if you know absolutely NOTHING
about a car and you take your automobile to a mechanic,
they will know almost immediately that you are ignorant
and if they are unethical, they will gleefully realize
that they have a "live one" on the line. The more you
know about a car's engine, transmission, electrical system
etc. the less likely you are to be taken advantage of.
Start your educational program with a good basic book
such as John Braheny's "The Craft and Business of Songwriting."
Learn the terminology. Understand what happens when a
songwriter's agreement is signed. Read....read.....read.....read!
You will definitely discover that the more you learn....the
"luckier" you will get in seeing your songs recorded.
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133
Where can I get my songs critiqued?
QUESTION:
Is there a web site that I can submit my songs to for
inspection from my peers without audio?
ANSWER
(by Mary Dawson):
Absolutley -- you have already found it!! Lyrical Line's
"Write and Wrong" section is the place to be. You can
post your lyric with or without music and get critiques
from songwriters all over the world!!
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134
Should one consider "social climates?"
QUESTION:
Is it important to consider "social climates" in songwriting?
For example: pitching a song today that would have been
appropriate for line dancing (since the fad has faded
somewhat). The "broken-hearted" forsaken woman seems to
be a sign of the past. The current songs reflect more
independant, strong-willed, "who's needs you" type women.
ANSWER
(by Mary Dawson):
Great question -- and the answer is definitely YES! A
songwriter that hopes to see his songs exposed to millions
of people MUST be in touch with what those millions of
people are thinking, struggling with and doing every day.
Some themes remain universal and ageless -- like love,
letting go, being hurt etc. But the way we express those
feelings may change with society's shifts. One of my favorite
quotes by one of my favorite songwriters, Don Henley,
is this: "Before you can write songs you have to live
life!" Nothing could be any more true. Great songwriters
are in touch with life, sensitive to what is going on
around them and with the emotions they and others are
experiencing. They reflect what is happening in society
through their art. Staying current with the times is never
easy, but it is absolutely necessary if our songs are
to be relevant. I don't think we have to shift with every
new fad, but we definitely need to be aware of what those
fads and trends are so that we are not obviously dated
and out of touch. Keep your finger on the pulse of the
world around you and your songs will speak to millions
of hearts!
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135
I don't write or play, but can write to music. Is there
hope?
QUESTION:
I am 18 years old, and currently in last year of high
school. I have a spur of motivation to write songs (pop
- contemporary). I have written a few songs, however,
being a beginner, I don't think they are very good. However,
the MAIN PROBLEM is I know nothing of music. I do not
play any instruments, and can not even recognise a note
that's being played. However, I think, having given a
piece of music, I can write lyrics to it fairly confidently.
Is there still hope for me to enter the music world as
a lyricist?
ANSWER
(by Mary Dawson):
This is a very frequent question. The answer is that there
is definitely a future for you as a lyricist -- BUT only
if you team up with a good composer. To pitch yourself
to music companies as a lyricist only will probably not
be successful because music companies and artists are
looking for completed SONGS from new sources -- they are
not looking for lyrics alone. If they should want a lyric
to be written on a certain subject or idea, they have
a whole vast array of established, published, known songwriters
that they will contact to do the job they need. My suggestion
is that you join a local songwriters association and find
a good music collaborator. Once you have some great songs
completed, you can begin to pitch them to artists and/or
music publishers. Also, even if you don't know anything
about music, I think it is always an advantage for a lyricist
to understand the basic elements of music composition.
Do some reading -- like "The Craft and Busniness of Songwriting"
by John Braheny (Writers Digest) or "Songwriting and the
Creative Process" by Steve Gillette (Sing Out Press).
Good Luck!
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136
Preparing a lyric sheet.
QUESTION:
I need help preparing a lyric sheet. What are some tips
on how it should be written?
ANSWER
(by Mary Dawson):
Excellent Question and Very Important!! Any time you submit
a demo, you should always include a typed lyric sheet.
Here are some suggestions on how to do a professional
one:
1) Design a letterhead for yourself that includes all
your contact information. This can be done relatively
inexpensively if you or a friend has any design experience
with a computer. Make sure the letterhead includes your
name, address, phone, fax and email. Use the letterhead
to type your lyric sheet -- that way, all your information
is inseparable from your lyrics.
2) Use a clear and legible font -- about a 12 point is
a good size. Some fonts are very artistic, but can be
hard to read. The objective here is not art, but clarity.Bold
and underline the title at the top. Then double or triple
space before you start the first verse.
3) As you type the lines, of the verses and/or chorus,
be sure to show off your rhyme patterns. Many songwriters
write out their lyrics almost in paragraph style, so it
is not clear if there even is a rhyme scheme at all. You
worked hard at those rhymes -- show them off!
4) When you reach the chorus, label it CHORUS and indent
the chorus lyrics to set them apart. If the song has a
bridge, label it BRIDGE and again indent. By so doing,
the busy music executive can review the song lyrically
at a glance without having to struggle to find the various
elements of the song.
5) At the bottom of the page, type the name(s) of the
writer or writers of the song. Below the writers' names,
type...."Copyright" followed by the year. If you have
a publishing company or a publisher, type the name of
that publisher after the year. If your computer allows
it, you may also use the symbol of "c" in a circle, which
is the symbol for the copyright instead of typing the
actual word "copyright.
For further information on doing a professional lyric
sheet -- as well as assembling an entire demo package
-- please refer to my manual, "How to Get Somewhere in
the Music Business from Nowhere with Nothing," which is
listed under "products" on my website at http://www.cqkmusic.com.
Good luck!!
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137
What do you do when you are 13?
QUESTION:
What are some of the best contacts or the best things
do to if you are a very young (13) singer/songwriter looking
to go pro as a singer/songwriter or singer? Managers,
producers, websites, record labels, publishers, or any
other contacts?
ANSWER
(by Mary Dawson):
This is a very good question and one that needs lots of
careful thought. As we all know, there are horror stories
of young artists being exploited by unscrupulous music
opportunists with terrible results that permanently scar
the young person's life and future.
My experience and opinion lean toward the side of "taking
your time" to succeed. Don't forfeit the normal "growing
up experiences" to pursue that elusive bubble called Fame
and Fortune. You have your whole life ahead of you. Don't
be in too much of a hurry to grow up and "make it." There
will be plenty of opportunities for you to do your music
as you grow up. Become involved in your school music programs,
musicals, choir etc. -- or in your church. Take advantage
of all the opportunities that come your way to perform
locally. Every gig gives you experience and poise. If
things start moving fast in your career, you may need
someone to help manage you. If so, find someone you KNOW
-- perhaps someone you meet along the way in your Music
Community who has experience in the Music Business. Be
sure that you have something IN WRITING before you enter
into any sort of management agreement. When you are mature
in your performance and ready to do a CD, you may want
to contact a producer to help you do a record. But again
-- TAKE YOUR TIME. The more experience you gain....the
better your record will be when you finally do it. Also,
to make your recording profitable, you need to have enough
concerts to be able to sell your recording and recoup
your expenses. Learn the basic business aspects of music
BEFORE you end up making big, expensive decisions. As
I always say, it's far better to GROW into business than
to GO into business. Stay in touch and let us know how
you are doing......All the Best!!
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138
Marketing songs in Melbourne, Australia
QUESTION:
I live in Melbourne, Australia (hope this doesn't render
my question impossible to answer!), and have written about
20 songs, of which I've performed two to audiences (one
of about 25, one of about 300) who were impressed and
very encouraging. I would now like to start recording
and marketing my songs, but am not sure how to go about
making demo tapes, finding musicians and so on.... any
tips?
ANSWER
(by Mary Dawson):
I know I may run the risk of starting to sound like a
broken record, but this question again prompts me to urge
you to BECOME FAMILIAR WITH YOUR LOCAL MUSIC COMMUNITY.
Here in the US there are songwriting associations in almost
every mid-size to large city -- these are just groups
of aspiring songwriters and/or artists who meet once or
twice a month to network, share their "songs-in-progress"
with one another, and learn more about the craft and business
of songwriting. The best way to find out if there is such
a group in your area is to visit some local music stores...recording
studios...even music teachers....and ASK LOTS of QUESTIONS.
If there is no songwriting association near you, put an
ad in a local paper and say that you want to contact other
aspiring songwriters and artists with a view to starting
a monthly meeting. You may be surprised at how many responses
you get. Also, visit local college or university music
departments and speak to some of the staff and the students.
Or even a large church music department will have people
who will be familiar with the resources in your area.
These days with home recording equipment becoming more
and more affordable, there are probably music people right
in your community that have or have access to very good
studio systems that can be booked for very little money.
Ask around about producers in your area....then contact
them and ask to hear some samples of their work. When
you find someone you really like, make an appointment
to go in and talk to them about helping you do a recording.
Ask more questions about where to go to manufacture your
CD's or cassettes...you will probably find that the expense
is not as much as you would expect. Once you have a recording,
you will be able to sell it at your perfomances and also
use it for demo purposes as you "pitch" yourself to record
companies. I can't stress enough how imperative it is
that you become an EXPERT on the music community right
where you live. There are resources waiting to help you,
but you must find THEM. They will not come looking for
you. All the best! Keep us posted on your progress.
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139
I write songs in only one key. Is this right?
QUESTION:
In my inferiority, I tend to only write songs in one key.
This can't be right, can it?
ANSWER
(by Mary Dawson):
Well.....it's not WRONG to write only in one key, but
it indicates that you have a lot to learn about music
theory and the possibilities it can open up for your creativity.
I would suggest taking a basic music theory course --
or even doing some reading on the subject of melody writing.
There is a great book by Jai Josefs called "Writing Music
for Hit Songs" that is very readable and "user-friendly."
It is published by Schirmer Books. Also Dick Weissman's
book, "Creating Melodies...a Songwriter's Guide to Understanding
and Polishing Meloides" is a good book. It is published
by Writer's Digest Press. Don't let yourself get "overwhelmed"
by all there is to learn. Just take it slow and assimilate
one point at a time. Then try using what you learn in
creating your next song. The important thing is to keep
writing, but also to keep learning all the time....stretching
yourself to try new things. That attitude is an essential
even for very accomplished songwriters with many hits.Anyone
can get stuck in a rut....the only way out is more knowledge
and trying new things. It can be a little scary, but it
is also very exciting and fun! Good luck!
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140
I'd rather play than "play"
QUESTION:
I am currently 12 -- going to be 13 on the 20th of this
month.. I write my own songs on the piano and saxophone.
I've been to the recording studio a couple times. I also
go to many contests-example:MB Expo, StarSearch, Speck
films, etc. etc.. This takes a lot of time out of my schedule
that i would normally use to go play with friends and
other entertainment like that. Sometimes i feel like i
am being pressured into going places and playing my music.
Is it common for a 13 year old to be pressured like this?
Will it pay off in the big ending?
ANSWER
(by Mary Dawson):
You didn't say WHO is pressuring you. Are you putting
the pressure on yourself? Or do you feel that other people
(family and friends) are pressuring you? Sometimes "internal"
pressure -- where we discipline ourselves and develop
a spirit of excellence -- can be very helpful to keep
us motivated and focused. But if you feel that you are
under pressure to meet the expectations of others, that
can become very unhealthy and can eventually even destroy
your natural love of music. My counsel to young artists
like you is NOT to sacrifice your "growing up" experiences
to pursue a "career." You are only young once -- you only
have one time in your life to go to the prom, have sleepovers,
go to summer camp, be in the marching band etc. You may
think that you won't miss those things, but when you wake
up some day at age 35 and realize that you don't have
any of those great teenage memories, you will regret it.
Not only do you need to develop emotionally and socially
as a teenager -- but your music needs time to develop
as well. Your experiences in band, choir -- doing performances,
competitions etc. -- all help you to gain very necessary
experience and maturity as an artist. You have your whole
life ahead of you to "make it" as a musician or songwriter.
Bloom where you are planted. Use your internal self-pressure
to be the very best teenage musician you can be. The path
you are supposed to walk will unfold before you when it
is time. So just enjoy today -- do the absolute best you
can at what you are doing right now -- and then wait for
wonderful doors to open. Good Luck.
