INDIE ARTIST INSIDER #003
Songwriting:  Fine Tuning Your Music

Welcome to a brand new feature here at SongCast, the Indie Artist Insider.  Every Monday, we will post a new video containing tips, tricks, and sound advice on how to succeed in the music business.  We will start off targeting those who are new to the music scene and progress into topics for the most seasoned and veteran musicians. 

If you have any topics you would like to see covered on the Indie Artist Insider, please email host Joe Kleon at promotions@songcastmusic.com

HELLO AND WELCOME TO THE INDIE ARTIST INSIDER.  TODAY WE WILL BE TALKING ABOUT SONGWRITING, FINE TUNING YOUR ORIGINAL MUSIC.

PLAYING COVERS IS CHALLENGING AND CAN BE A GREAT SOURCE OF INCOME AND A LOT OF FUN, BUT WRITING YOUR OWN MUSIC AND DOING IT SUCCESSFULLY IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE YOU WILL FACE AS A MUSICIAN.  COVER BANDS, TRIBUTE BANDS, DJ’S, SO MANY PEOPLE ARE PLAYING THE “BIG NAME” MAJOR LABEL MUSIC. WITH THE MOUNTAINS OF MATERIAL ON THE INTERNET, IT CAN BE VERY DIFFICULTY TO GET YOUR MUSIC HEARD, KNOWN, AND APPRECIATED.  TO DO THAT, YOU NEED TO WRITE SOME SONGS PEOPLE WILL COME BACK TO.  ANYONE CAN LISTEN TO A SONG ONCE, BUT WHEN THEY COME BACK AND LISTEN AGAIN, THAT IS WHAT YOU HAVE THEM IN YOUR CORNER.

WHETHER IT IS A 5 SECOND FREESTYLE YOU COME UP WITH, A GUITAR RIFF YOU NOODLED OUT AT HOME, A SONG TITLE YOU THOUGHT OF WHILE DRIVING, A DREAM YOU HAD, TAKE THESE BRIEF CREATIVE MOMENTS AND EXPAND UPON THEM.  TURN THEM INTO SONGS. LOG THESE MOMENTS, PHRASES, AND IDEAS, EITHER WRITE THEM DOWN, OR KEEP A NOTEPAD ON YOUR PHONE.  YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN INSPIRATION FOR A SONG WILL STRIKE YOU, BE READY WHEN IT DOES.

COME UP WITH A TITLE, SOMETHING UNIQUE AND MEMORABLE.   IF THE CHORUS IS CATCHY, USE PART OF IT FOR THE TITLE.  AVOID REALLY LONG TITLES, YOU WANT SOMETHING PEOPLE WILL REMEMBER – SOMETHING THAT WILL STAND OUT.

WORK OUT THE SONG’S ARRANGEMENT, THE VERSES, CHORUSES,  BRIDGES, AND RHYTHM INSTRUMENTS, SOLOS, AND LYRICS.  IF YOU ARE UNSURE WHAT ANY OF THESE ELEMENTS ARE, PLEASE LOOK THEM UP.

BOUNCE IDEAS AND RIFFS OFF YOUR COLLABORATORS AND BAND MATES.  OFTEN, SOMEONE ELSE CAN HELP ELEVATE YOUR IDEAS INTO COMPLETE SONGS AND THINK OF IDEAS THAT YOU HAVE NOT.  BOUNCING IDEAS OFF OF YOUR BAND MATES AND WRITING SONGS TOGETHER CAN BE A VERY FUN AND REWARDING EXPERIENCE.  ONCE THE SONG HAS BEEN FINE TUNED AND WELL REHEARSED IT CAN BE RECORDED, RELEASED, AND INTRODUCED INTO YOUR LIVE PERFORMANCES.