Tips on Songwriting - Avoid Those Pitfalls

Even without meaning to, sometimes you sabotage your progress as a songwriter, either consciously or subconsciously. Until a well-meaning person points them out, these self-defeating behaviours tend to stay under the radar. Should you recognize the signs and symptoms below, it's best to read up on some tips on songwriting to get you back on track.

Yes, the best defense against these so-called songwriting pitfalls is to arm yourself with great tips on songwriting and to be conscious of the common avoidance tactics. If you recognize them right away and see them for what they are, it will be easier to avoid and resist them.

1. Procrastinating. Yes, waiting until you have more time is at the top of my list. There will never be a good time to sit down and write songs. Always, there will be 20 or so distractions - all of them easier, sexier or more pressing than writing. I don't want to bear the obvious news, but if you aim to write great songs, you have to make time for songwriting. "I'll focus on songwriting when I'm retired." "when I'm out of school." "off tour." No you won't. Get going. Allot at least 10 minutes each day to write.

2. You might read every book available about honing your craft - and yes, that's necessary and terrific - however, you neglect songwriting. Be sure to apply that knowledge. It's very easy to fall into the trap of reading a bunch of tips on songwriting instead of actually composing songs. Remember, if this goes on for too long, then you won't be a songwriter, but a reader. This is good, but not quite what you are aiming to achieve.

3. Writing song after song, but never getting better at the craft. This is exactly the opposite - knowing almost nothing about writing songs while composing one song after the next. It is equally important to learn new techniques, receive critique, read about your favourite songwriters to improve. Seek to maintain a healthy balance between doing and learning.

4. Perfectionism. Hey, you shouldn't expect your first few drafts to be perfect! Remember that composing a song from scratch will take some time. When writing, just jot down the best lines that you can come up with to finish the song. You can always rewrite and judge later. This way, you will always have the advantage of having a foundation, and you can build upon that.

Jim Byrne is a musician and recording artist who has been writing songs for over 30 years. As well as writing songs for his own Folk and Country Blues albums he has written songs with other people including the pop star Marti Pellow of Wet Wet Wet and Jazz singer Carol Kidd MBE.

Visit Jim's website for more tips and to download two of Jim's latest songs for free: http://www.songsbyjimbyrne.com/freemp3music/index.html

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How to Become a Songwriter - Break Those Bad Habits

Do you consider yourself a real songwriter? If yes, then you should learn how to become a songwriter by breaking your bad habits that hinder songwriting. Real songwriters write songs as often as they can. Although they are aware that most don't make the grade; they keep on keeping on.

Why?

It is because of the basic fact that songwriting is a craft. Any craft should not only be practiced, but perfected. Let me ask you a question: Can you expect to become a great golfer, pianist, painter or novelist if you don't take the time to practice everyday?

Learning how to become a songwriter involves avoiding some of the most common pitfalls on songwriting.

1. Never rely on your memory. Don't ever assume that you can hold an idea in your memory for 5 minutes - keep in mind that a hundred distractions may come your way within that 5 minutes. If you have a new song idea, capture it immediately on a recording or in writing; and don't forget to collect those scraps together in place for future reference.

2. Perfectionism. Remember; no first draft is perfect! It will take time for you to write a great song from scratch, so be gentle to yourself. Just jot down the best lines you can think of to finish your song - you can always rewrite and judge later. Doing this will still give you the advantage of having a foundation to build upon.

3. Don't just wait for inspiration to strike. Learning how to become a songwriter won't be fruitful if you don't take action. If your writing strategy involves waiting then I am telling you now: expect to wait a long time in between songs. We're talking about a couple of weeks, months - some songwriters wait for years! Fifteen minutes of writing songs might turn up an idea. One writing prompt could set of a domino effect that leads to a finished song by midnight! Actively pursue inspiration instead of waiting for it. If you are a procrastinator; then here's a good mantra for you: "any words on a page is better than none."

Remember how I told you to jot everything down? This would be effective only if you consistently go back to reading all your song ideas and fragments from time to time. Reviewing your ideas encourages you to think about them - to build on them. Keep a pen handy at all times; encircle any lines that seem promising. Take pleasure in going through the pages of your drafts to discover the diamonds!

Jim A. Byrne is a musician and recording artist who has been writing songs for over 30 years. As well as writing songs for his own Folk and Country Blues albums he has written songs with other people including the pop star Marti Pellow of Wet Wet Wet and Jazz singer Carol Kidd MBE.

Visit Jim's website for more tips and to download two of Jim's latest songs for free: http://www.songsbyjimbyrne.com/freemp3music/index.html

View the original article here