The 10 Most Frequently Asked Questions I Get About Songwriting
I get asked a lot of questions about being a songwriter. They cover just about everything: the craft, the marketing, the selling, the lifestyle... and everything in between.
I thought it would be fun to share some of those questions - and my answers to them - in this blog. So without further ado, here are the ten most frequently asked questions I get about songwriting.
1. Which comes first, the words or the music?
The songwriting process varies depending on the situation. Sometimes, I begin with fully written lyrics or just a section like a chorus, and then I craft a melody around it. On other occasions, I collaborate with co-writers who provide the music, and my task is to create the lyrics afterwards.
There are also instances, particularly when I work alone, where the lyrics and melody come to me simultaneously. During these moments, I engage in a dynamic interchange between the two elements, experimenting with how words and sounds blend harmoniously. In some cases, I initiate the song by starting with a drum loop, rhythm, or guitar riff, and gradually build the concept around an infectious groove or riff, which adds an element of excitement.
However, in the majority of cases, about eight times out of ten, I begin the songwriting process with a title that serves as my inspiration. This particular approach happens to be my personal favorite when it comes to initiating a song. Ultimately, each day and every song present unique characteristics, and all these approaches prove effective in their own way.
2. Do you ever perform your songs?
I haven’t been performing out these days, as so much of my work happens in the studio. BUT I do perform my songs when I’m recording my material. That’s a performance too and I always try to sing like I would be to an audience. But never say never.
3. What instruments do you play?
I play guitar, some keyboards and I sing.
4. Do you sell your songs... and how does that work?
A songwriter doesn’t really sell his/her songs per se... I mean, you do if you sell recordings of those songs, I suppose, but the writer still OWNs the copyright (intellectual property). What actually happens is that you license the rights to your song for people to consume your music, buy records, publish, record, use on television, in films and ads etc. Basically, wherever music is used. So, it’s probably more exact to say that you sell (license) usage rights to your songs to artists, companies, and other entities that might want to use you song.
5. How do you make money?
A songwriter gets paid when:
they or someone else records their song and that record gets sold through digital retailers, off stage, in stores, through artist websites etc… places where you would can buy the recording of that song.
they get their music heard on film , t.v. or advertising or on the internet.
they get their music streamed on streaming services such as Spotify, Apple Music and Pandora, among others.
they get their song played by a consumer that is connected to a video on YouTube, Vimeo etc.
their music gets used by someone who creates a video for Youtube, Vimeo etc. There are a few other ways too, but these are the main ways a songwriter can potentially generate income.
When I get into the minutia about royalties, getting paid, copyrights, and so on, I usually get a glazed over look in response. I can understand why. It’s very complicated, even for people who are working in the industry itself.
Trust me - you’ll thank me. But if you ARE interested in learning more, check out my FREE downloadable: 10 HUGE Tips for Licensing Your Music.
6. What artists do you like to listen to?
I listen to EVERYTHING… most every genre and style, new and old.I’m a huge Spotify listener. The songs which resonate the most with me are vibey, bluesy, have a hooky groove or some other compelling element, a great melody and an interesting and substantive lyric. Personally, I get pretty bored with fluffy, repetitive pop. (My current favorites are in Spotify).
7. What’s it like living in San Diego?
It’s great! I love it. There’s such an amazing energy and inspiration for creating here. I moved from Nashville several years ago and respect the differences each location provides!
That said, San Diego has become a very popular place to visit and live, so the traffic and other unattractive things about an exploding population come with the territory.
8. You must write country music, right?
Nope. And neither do a TON of other writers and artists that have lived in Nashville. There’s a lot of diversity in music there… from blues to Christian to rap. I write a lot for film and t.v., and I tend to write songs in the rootsy, bluesy, soulful rock and pop vein.
9. Aren’t most country songs out today just pop/rock music?
Yes - they are. I think what you’re hearing these days is a hybrid of the rock/pop bands of the seventies combined with hip-hop elements like the beats and word phrasing.
But there are other sub-genres of country music too, which are more like the retro style from previous decades. They just don’t get spins on modern country terrestrial type stations.
10. Have you written anything I would know?
Yes and no.
If you watch t.v. you may have heard one of my songs, or if you’ve watched an ad on YouTube or been on the internet or Spotify. If you've watched certain films - yes. If you’ve followed certain indie artists, perhaps.
But no, nothing on terrestrial radio. (By the way, "terrestrial" refers to the physical AM/FM radio stations, as opposed to the strictly digital stations that have cropped up on the internet in this decade).
Well that’s it: the 10 most frequently asked questions I get about songwriting.And here's a bonus one for you. Although it’s not really about songwriting, people ask me this all the time!
11. Do you ever see any country music stars?
Yes, when I lived in Nashville - occasionally. I saw them at airports, grocery stores, Starbucks, the gym... basically wherever people hang. But most of us in Nashville don't pester them. The paparazzi thing is fairly minimal in Nashville, which is why artists like to reside here.
If you have questions about songwriting that I haven't covered, post them in the comments section below.