61
Lyric first, riff first, chords first, track first, melody
first?
QUESTION:
I don't know about you, but the way I write songs is by
coming up with a riff/progression on my guitar, then write
a melody with lyrics that fit over that. How do you do
it?
ANSWER
(by Paul Zollo):
Every way there is. Lyric first, riff first, chords first,
track first, melody first, music and words together, etc.
As time goes on, songwriters try every method there is.
And none of them are easier than others. If you have found
one method that works for you, then by all means keep
doing that as well as you can and write as many songs
as you can that way. Sometimes I find that when one method
does not work for me, it's beneficial to switch around
to spark some new ideas. Writing songs in different ways,
just like writing them on different instruments, can lead
you in new directions.
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62
Do I really need a publisher?
QUESTION:
I plan to simply write and sing my own songs and self-distribute
a professional, finished product (in other words, the
DIY route). But if another artist asks if he/she can record
a song of mine, it's no problem with me as long as the
song is copyrighted. Unless really necessary, I wouldn't
need a publisher. Am I correct?
ANSWER
(by Paul Zollo):
You can always self-publish your own material. There is
no obligation for any songwriter to have somebody else
publish your songs. However, there are also certain benefits
in having an outside publisher, if that publisher can
get your songs recorded more than you can by other artists.
If you do self-publish, you will of course retain all
publishing rights to the song and will ultimately earn
more money if the song is successful, either by yourself
or by a different artist.
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63
Small town songwriter.
QUESTION:
How can someone have a career as a songwriter (not performer)
while living in a small town?
ANSWER
(by Paul Zollo):
By writing songs, making demos of them (if you cannot
do this, you can use a demo service by mail) and sending
your demos to publishers. You can find out about publishers
by getting the Writers Digest Songwriters Market book
1999.
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64
Why not self-publish?
QUESTION:
I am interested in having my songs published. But how
can I retain the publishing rights? Is it possible for
me to be officially my own publisher (although I know
nothing of the publishing business) yet still have my
music presented effectively and efficiently by those who
know how to get to the appropriate people in the music
industry?
ANSWER
(by Paul Zollo):
If you want to publish your own material, which you have
every right to do, you will lose out on having that which
an outside publisher does offer -- the ability to get
your songs recorded. There are tradeoffs to consider.
You would probably be better off to try to get a publisher
interested in your work, and you will retain the writers
royalty and not the publishing. Doing it on your own --
if you have no experience or knowledge of music publishing
as you say -- while certainly viable, isn't easy.
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65
Tablature is not copyrightable.
QUESTION:
I need to find out how I would go about getting tablature
to my songs copyrighted. I have forms for the lyrics.
I write both the lyrics and music but I am not able to
do any professional recordings. Is there places to send
them?
ANSWER
(by Paul Zollo):
Tablature refers to guitar transcriptions of songs, and
these are not prosecutable by copyright. The song itself
can be registered with the Library of Congress by filling
out the PA form. This will register the copyright, which
protects authorship of the words and music of the song.
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66
Finding a composer.
QUESTION:
I understand that it is possible to write songs without
writing music, but how can I find a composer to work with?
ANSWER
(by Paul Zollo):
Through various songwriting organizations around the country
that have collaborator's networks. Get the Songwriters
Market 1999 book published by Writers Digest and look
under the Organizations chapter.
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67
What is a lyric sheet.
QUESTION:
When a publisher asks for a lyric sheet, does this mean
a sheet with the lyrics typed, or is anything else needed?
ANSWER
(by Paul Zollo):
Nothing else is needed. Type the lyrics cleanly with the
chorus -- if there is one -- always indented or in italics,
or set off in some way from the verses. Only one song
per page.
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68
I'm ready for the big time. What now?
QUESTION:
I play out around town at coffee shops, etc. whenever
I can, but I feel that I've just hit a wall. I want desperately
to "do" music as a career. I don't have much money (surprise,
surprise), but I have dedication and tons of love for
this. What next? Even if I do spend the money on a good
demo, what do I do with it? And if I am going to start
spending money I don't really have, should it be on a
demo?
ANSWER
(by Paul Zollo):
I think you would be much better off to record a CD of
your own material. CDs are more affordable then ever to
produce --cheaper often than cassettes. You can go to
a studio or do a live recording at one of those coffee
shops. Then you could sell this CD, and also use it as
a means of getting your songs out, and getting other gigs.
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69
Are satirical lyrics commercially viable.
QUESTION:
Are tunes that may be familiar to listeners (with new,
unfamiliar lyrics) be an avenue that may be of interest
to publishers, or should the lyrics be dressed-up with
new tunes? Generally speaking, are satirical lyrics at
all commercially viable?
ANSWER
(by Paul Zollo):
NO, they are not. Publishers are interested in songs that
have original words and music. If either the words or
the music are not original, it will be almost impossible
to market them. I would suggest finding a composer to
work with, and writing new words to new melodies, or having
melodies written to your lyrics. But understand that melodies
don't simply "dress up" a lyric, they are a vital counterpart
to the lyric, every bit as important as the words if not
more so.
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70
Co-written song - what to copyright?
QUESTION:
I'm writing the music and melody to words copywritten
in 1998 by another person. When I'm finished, do I have
to copyright the music before submitting the song back
to the lyricist? I never met this person, and we're working
together online.
ANSWER
(by Paul Zollo):
No. But together, if the song is finished to the satisfaction
of both of you, you should register a copyright for the
new song, words and music.
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