Songwriters are in great demand throughout the music industry today. Whether they belong to a major record label or are independently-made, many songwriters are needed to provide music for movies, commercials, television and video games. Music is the heartbeat of these entertainment industries, whether they are a small two-man operation or a major corporation. While the standard of singing talent needed to craft his music has not changed, the types of talent needed to craft quality music have.
The creation of songs requires songwriters to use their entire toolbox: writing skills, vocal ability, beat writing skills, instrumental skill, ability to play with different instruments well, etc.
Today, there are a large number of songwriters who have written hit songs for top-selling artists. These songwriters typically belong to the non-pros side of the music industry, where the main goal is to sell songs instead of create them. As such, their job duties revolve around marketing, promoting, and advertising the songs they have written for the artists. As a songwriter, your focus should be on what it is you do best: writing songs.
When writing a song, it is important: that you understand your target audience well. This will help you tailor your lyrics and instrumental according to their needs. For instance, if you are working with an artist who is recording their debut album and you feel that the songs need something more, then by all means, add that certain something to the song. On the other hand, if the band wants a more stripped down sound, then it is perfectly acceptable to leave out those extra features in favor of a more stripped down and melodic sound.
In addition to knowing: who your audience is and what kind of music they want, you must also learn how to compose a solid musical composition. In addition, the composition itself should be something that appeals to the artist as well. For example, if you are working with an independent artist whose style is very underground, then your music should reflect that particular style and not conform to mainstream tastes. Even if you work with an artist who is well known, there are still many genres and styles of music that are not represented in today’s music industry. An artist who has written a song that is well received but has been lost in the mainstream music world because it doesn’t conform to what is expected of it, may find it refreshing to write and record a song that falls into the line of contemporary styles. Many of these songs have been proven to sell extremely well.
The Internet provides many tools for songwriters and composers: This is one of the reasons why so many people are now self-employed songwriters. With the Internet, a songwriter can easily submit their songs to national and even global chart topping radio stations. Of course, not every song will be a hit, but there is no way to know what will be until it is written and recorded. The songwriter is solely responsible for the success of his or her song. Today, many songwriters earn their bread by writing songs for radio.
Independent songwriters should take a moment: to check out online music sites and national music outlets to get the attention of national talent managers and agents. With all the great potential in today’s music industry, it is easy to be lost in the shuffle when the world of radio is in such turmoil. When an artist is signed to a record label, they sometimes feel lost without their own manager.
In most cases, the independent songwriter must continue to market themselves via radio, television, and movie appearances to keep the artist’s career alive.