You want to be a songwriter? Don't worry about writing great songs. Never mind about great songs not making it. Don't spend any money on demos. Don't worry about the "evil" music business that conspires to keep out good writers. Put away your checkbooks, take off your tinfoil hats, stop spending your time daydreaming and WRITE A GOOD SONG.

My basic rules for a good song are that it be understandable, interesting, memorable and convey feelings. It has to have all four. Being understandable does not mean you can't have nonsense lyrics or deep hidden lyrics. That is "undestandably" your intention. We all know that Don McLean's "American Pie" or many of Dylan's songs are deep and subject to interpretation, but if you're writing a basic story song, don't lose the listener. The rest of the rules should speak for themselves.

As for the mechanics? Read John Braneny's book, "The Craft and Business of Songwriting," read other books, read online. Learn about meter, learn about music theory, learn how to analyze songs, analyze songs you like and figure out why you like them.

Until then: STOP. Spend no money, have no arguments, don't try to analyze the music business. Go no further until you are writing good songs.

You've got to know your limitations. I don't know what your limitations are. I found out what mine were when I was twelve. I found out that there weren't too many limitations, if I did it my way. -Johnny Cash

It's only music.
-niteshift

Mike Dunbar Music