171
Promoting
material through my own label
QUESTION:
I wanted to know if you could tell me how I can promote
my material when I make my own record company.
ANSWER
(by Mary Dawson):
Mike, your question would literally require several volumes
to answer. Creating your own record company is one subject
that requires LOTS of study and insight to accomplish.
Beyond that, promoting a recording well is yet another
whole "course" in Music University! In a nutshell, however,
my advice is that you "grow into business" instead of
"go into business." Start by becoming the absolute best
songwriter you can become. Educate yourself by reading
LOTS of great books on the subject. Your email indicated
that you have only read one book on songwriting -- the
title of which you can't remember. I would suggest as
a first step that you take a leisurely afternoon and go
down to your local bookseller. Buy a cup of coffee and
browse through the section on songwriting. You'll find
some great books that will get you started in your education
-- like John Braheny's "The Craft and Business of Songwriting"
from Writers Digest or Jason Blume's book, "Six Steps
to Songwriting Success" (Billboard Books). Then, find
where your local songwriters association meets and go
join up.Go to lots of seminars and workshops and keep
learning all the time. Learn the vocabulary of a professional,
business-savvy songwriter. Start networking and getting
your songs recorded and performed on a local level. As
you become known and respected in one circle, you will
find that other circles will learn about you and your
credibility and professionalism will increase.When and
if the next step for you involves starting your own company,
you will know it and you will have the expertise necessary
to do it right. Please visit my website for further resources
for songwriters at http://www.cqkmusic.com/resources
.
Back
to top
172
Do I have to know the title before I write the
song?
QUESTION:
I am a lyricist. My question is: should I know my title
first before I start writing lyrics or can I start writing
lyrics and add the title later.
ANSWER
(by Mary Dawson):
The absolutely most important ingredient in writing a
song is a GREAT IDEA! The next most important thing is
to find a "HOOK" to hang the idea on. The hook is the
thesis statement of the song and summarizes the great
idea in one phrase. The hook is usually also the title
of the song. Of course, you CAN write a song by adding
the title AFTER the lyrics are written, but -- in my opinion
-- that is sort of like walking backward. You CAN get
to where you are going, but it is a lot more awkward and
you may fall in a hole! The hook or the title should shine
out like a diamond on the velvet background of the verses.
EVERYTHING in the song should point toward the hook and
help to bring it into focus for the listener. I would
suggest that you try to discipline yourself to write your
song around the title or hook rather than the other way
around. Of course, there are always exceptions to every
rule, but it is best to train yourself to instinctively
focus on the core idea -- that is what you are trying
to communicate to the listener and what you want them
to remember above everything else.
Back
to top
173
You have know good grammar
QUESTION:
I am a lyricist. I am reading books about this and feel
they are helpful. However, I am confused when they tell
me to use a noun or pronoun or verb or whatever. Should
I just write what I feel on a rough draft and worry about
the verb stuff for rewriting?
ANSWER
(by Mary Dawson):
I realize that when you begin writing, sometimes you should
just let your mind "freeflow" and creatively write down
everything that comes to mind on the subject of your song.
In the freeflow phase, it is not essential to be completely
grammatically correct -- it is just a brainstorming exercise
and is designed to stimulate your creativity. HOWEVER...
If you are a lyricist, your major commodity is language!!
If you want to be considered a "professional" lyricist,
you MUST learn the proper use of the parts of speech!
You need to be as adept and proficient with words as any
other professional is with his/her tools. Imagine a doctor
saying to his staff, "I am sort of confused about what
all these surgical instruments are for. Should I just
use what I feel is right and worry about which instrument
it is later?" Would you want that doctor operating on
you? I think not! A true lyricist LOVES words and is interested
in learning to use them well! Discipline yourself to learn
good grammar and parts of speech and you will only expand
your creativity and credibility as a professional songwriter.
Back
to top
174
Finding a music collaborator
QUESTION:
How do I go about finding a music collaborator for the
lyrics I have written?
ANSWER
(by Mary Dawson):
This question is THE MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION of
any I receive. I know I have answered it many times, but
here goes again! If we as songwriters are supposed to
be "creative" individuals, I think we need to be just
as creative in finding answers to questions like this
one as we are in writing our songs in the first place.
If you needed to find a reputable mechanic, how would
you find one? You would know that there are good mechanics
all over the country so you would probably look in the
phone book for one near you -- not on the other side of
the country. If you still needed some help, you would
probably ask around....ask your neighbors and friends....especially
those people who have lived in your area for a while and
who know something about automobiles.
The same logic applies n finding a co-writer. There are
great musicians and lyricists living in every city and
town in the country. The first thing to do is get the
phone book and look up your local songwriter's association.
I can't stress the importance of that too much! Great
songwriters tend to find each other and get together from
time to time to share their common interests. Somewhere
near you there is a group of such people. If you can't
find them in the phone book, ask around like you would
do for a mechanic. Ask people who are knowledgeable about
music -- the staff at a music store, in a college music
department or even in a church music department. Let it
be known that you are a songwriter and that you are looking
for a collaborator. If you have not collaborated before,
it will be so much better to work with someone in your
area rather than to try to find someone in a distant location.
You will learn volumes and make long-lasting friends.
Once you have some completed songs -- with both words
and music -- you will have something that you can pitch
to artists or take to the next level. Don't overlook the
obvious. There are opportunities for collaboration everywhere!!
Best of Luck!
Back
to top
175
Australia songwriter sending music to Nashville
QUESTION:
I'm a part of a song writing team in Australia. We write
country music. Could you please tell me how you find out
what artists are looking for material so we know where
to submit them to. We are looking to send material into
Nashville. We have no problem writing the material but
are banging our heads against the wall not knowing where
to send them to.
ANSWER
(by Mary Dawson):
It is extremely hard to gain a hearing for your material
in Nashville without having some personal contacts there.
My first suggestion would be to watch for Country Music
artists who are on tour in Australia. Contact the venue
where they will be appearing and try to get the name of
someone in the artist's entourage. Make an appointment
(be sure to make it brief) and introduce yourself. Bring
a professional looking package containing your best songs
and leave it with the person. Try to get an address and
email address for that individual. One personal contact
is worth 1000 unsolicited packets since the Music Business
is largely built on "who you know." Another thing to consider
is actually making a trip to Nashville. Watch for cheap
tickets and make the investment. But before you do, be
sure you have set up appointments by mail or email with
publishers, so that someone will see you when you get
there. And before you make that costly investment of flying
half-way around the world, BE SURE your songs are up to
Nashville standards and are extremely well-crafted. You
only have one chance to make a first impression. Don't
blow it before your songs have become as great as they
can be!! If you are not sure as to whether or not your
songs are up to standard, find a consultant or song critique
service that will give you an objective and unbiased evaluation
of your song. There are also several publications that
can help you make contacts and know who is recording at
the moment and who is looking for material. One of the
best of these is Song Link (just go to www.songlink.com
for information on how to subscribe). Song Link is quite
pricey, but you have to make a financial investment if
you want to get anywhere. I also have a manual that will
give you more information and tips on the process of getting
your song into the right hands. Please visit my website
at http://www.cqkmusic.com
and click on Songwriter's Resource. The manual, "How to
Get Somewhere in the Music Business from Nowhere with
Nothing" will be of special help to you. Good Luck!!
Back
to top
176
First steps after writing a song
QUESTION:
I enjoy writing and have recently written a few songs
that I was told I should market.
The problem is that although I am interested in marketing
these songs; I am not so musically inclined and do not
know anyone who can help.
Also; I do not have the money or the resources to even
begin to make a demo. Any advice?
ANSWER
(by Mary Dawson):
I think that the first thing you need to decide is how
seriously you want to pursue songwriting. There is nothing
wrong with simply writing as a hobby or for your own enjoyment.
But if you hope to see your writing go to a new level
and you want to start marketing your songs, you will need
to do the corresponding work and make the necessary investments
to make that goal become a reality. Many aspiring songwriters
and artists have what I like to call the "Destiny Fantasy"
-- in other words...
"If
it is my karma or my destiny to make it in music, I will
not have to do anything more than just be talented. Somewhere,
somehow I will be discovered."
Somehow many people think that because the goal is "music"
(which is an entertainment medium), it will not require
the effort and education that other professions and businesses
require. Nothing could be further from the truth! Music
-- as any other field of expertise -- requires education,
networking, practical business savvy and plenty of effort!
As the old saying goes, "The harder I work, the luckier
I get!"
If you want to be a songwriter, but are not "musically
inclined"... then you either need to start educating yourself
in music or you need to find people who can help you with
the music part of the craft. Again... I can't stress too
strongly the importance of joining your local songwriters'
association. There you will meet fellow writers with all
kinds of talent and local connections who will be able
to help you with the next step in your journey -- whether
that is co-writing, finding out about seminars and workshops
to help you learn, or doing the necessary demos of your
songs. You may need to take some courses... and surely,
you will need to do some reading on the subject of songwriting
-- both the craft and the business aspects.
You will also need to make some financial investments
in your goal. If you want a college degree, you can't
expect to get one for "free." You will have to pay the
tuition, buy the books and do the study necessary to get
your diploma. The same logic applies to songwriting...
if you need demos to accomplish your songwriting goals,
you will need to start making some money that you can
invest in that part of the process. You may need to purchase
and learn how to use some computer software or home recording
equipment yourself. You don't have to necessarily make
a huge expenditure all at once, but you MUST be willing
to "put your money where your mouth is" and actually make
the financial commitment necessary to accomplish what
you say you hope to do.
Again, it all goes back to determining what you REALLY
want out of your songwriting.If you are serious about
marketing or promoting your songs, you must be serious
enough to do the work and make the financial commitments
that it will require!
Back
to top
177
Puttings lyrics to music
QUESTION:
I write the words and I can put the words in a song order
but I can't figure out how to write the notes. I know
how to read notes, but I can't figure out how to put notes
with my songs.
ANSWER
(by Mary Dawson):
I'm not sure exactly what you are asking in this question.
My guess is that you are able to compose the melody and
lyrics to your song, but are not able to actually write
the song down on music paper. If this is what you are
asking, I have good news. Most publishers or music industry
professionals do not need you to submit your songs in
written fashion. Most expect a neat, typed lyric sheet
and a clear clean demo of the song being performed --
either on cassette or CD. In fact, most music professionals
would prefer that you NOT send in a "lead" sheet (melody
written on music paper with chords notated above).
However, if your question is that you cannot write the
music for your lyrics, then you have a problem. You either
need to do some study of music and music theory that will
help you with composition...or you need to find a musician
who can collaborate with you and set your lyrics to music.
One great book to help you learn to write great music
is "Writing Music for Hit Songs" by Jai Josefs. Jai explores
the craft of writing hit melodies and gives actual exercises
for helping you to apply the principles he teaches.
Keep stretching yourself. Keep learning. Keep writing!!
Back
to top
178
I'm
published and looking for a publishing deal
QUESTION:
I
am a published singer/songwriter. I have had several top
40 hits on the Billboard charts as an artist as well as
songwriter. I am interested in procuring a publishing
deal and would like your advice on how to approach it.
ANSWER
(by Mary Dawson):
I'm afraid that to answer your question in the most helpful
manner I would have to find out more background on you
and your music. For instance, what styles of songs do
you write? Which publishers have published your songs
up to this point? What KIND of "publishing deal" are you
looking to obtain?
One thing that your question illustrates is the fact that
just because a songwriter may have some success with several
hit songs, it doesn't necessarily mean that you become
a "household name" overnight or that all your problems
are solved in relationship to the publishing issue. My
first advice to you would be to become extremely knowledgeable
about music publishing yourself. Do lots of reading on
the subject. There are a couple of great books from Writers
Digest Books that would be excellent for you to have as
reference books. The first is "The Craft and Business
of Songwriting" by John Braheny. The second is called
"Music Publishing, A Songwriter's Guide, Revised" by Randy
Poe. If you have had some hits on the Top 40, you should
be at a fairly strong advantage in negotiating a very
good publishing agreement -- perhaps even to start your
own publishing company and then co-publish with a larger
publisher. The most important thing is to become educated
on the various possibilities that exist for you and then
to determine what it is that you want.
After you have educated yourself, you need to start networking
-- making a list of all the contacts you already have
in the business and then beginning to establish relationships
that will lead you to the companies that you wish to work
with. If you do not live in one of the major music cities,
I would highly suggest that you be making regular trips
to LA, New York and Nashville to visit your contacts and
to make new ones.
Also, I would suggest that you put together a resume and
portfolio of your work that is extremely sharp and professional.
You have achieved some remarkable successes. You need
to make people aware of them and spotlight them. As my
husband says, "It's a pretty poor dog that won't wag his
own tail."
I hope some of these suggestions will be of help. Please
stay in touch and let us know how things go.
Back
to top
179
Songwriting is a mind-racking experience!
QUESTION:
Is writing lyrics meant to be such a painful, mind racking
experience. Should I try harder, or just let the thoughts
come to me instead of trying to find them?
ANSWER
(by Mary Dawson):
Songwriting should never be a "painful, mind racking experience."
It should be something you LOVE to do -- in fact, most
true songwriters love the process so much they CAN'T stop
writing even if they try. There is a difference, however,
between "painful and mind racking" and simply "challenging."
Writing either lyrics or music should always be challenging.
We should always be pushing ourselves to write a little
better and more creatively than our last best effort.
But the "challenge" should not be painful -- it should
be part of the fun.
I would suggest that you do some study of great lyrics
and lyricists... writers like Jimmy Webb, Don Henley,
James Taylor, Marilyn Bergman etc. Stimulate your creativity
by studying the "masters at work." Read lots of great
books on lyric writing like all the Sheila Davis books
from Writers Digest ("The Craft of Lyric Writing," "Successful
Lyric Writing" and "The Songwriter's Idea Book"). Also,
Pat Pattison's book "Writing Better Lyrics" also fromWriters
Digest. Work through some of the exercises that these
authors and instructors give for aspiring lyricists. The
better you know the tools of the trade -- rhyme, cadence,
song form, assonance, alliteration, prosody etc. -- the
more fun lyric writing will be.
There is one other possibility and that is that writing
lyrics is just not your strength. You may be much stronger
as a musician and composer. In that case, consider collaborating
with someone for whom lyrics may come much easier and
who has a natural gift for lyric crafting. I hope you
are a member of your local songwriters' association since
that is such a wonderful resource for introducing you
to other writers with varying gifts and skills.
When writing ceases to be a passion and something you
love to do, it is time to do some serious stock-taking
and find out what is wrong. Creating a song should be
one of the greatest experiences of your life!
Back
to top
180
Looking
for a listing of song publishers
QUESTION:
Where can I find a listing (names & address) of song Publishers
to submit my songs to?
ANSWER
(by Mary Dawson):
There are several great resources to help you locate the
names and addresses of publishers and music professionals
who can make something happen with your song. The first
is The Songwriter's Market which is published each year
by Writers Digest. It is available in any book retailer.
There are also several very good registries that you may
purchase that will give the information you are looking
for:
The Musicians Atlas -- a more general directory giving
contact information for many major and independent record
labels, publishers and distributors. You can find out
the details at http://www.musiciansatlas.com
.
The Pollstar Record Company Roster -- published twice
a year and quite complete. Visit their website for details
at http://www.pollstar.com
.
Publisher Registry -- Published by The Music Business
Registry, Inc. This is the most complete of the registries
and the one used by Music Professionals. Visit their website
for full details at http://www.musicregistry.com
.
The above registries vary in price from $19.95 to $75.00
per issue. They are a bit pricey, but well worth the investment.
