If you’re already a student, see if your school offers a music theory class that can help you pick up all of the basics, including how to read specific notes and decipher the beat. If you’re not in school, your local community college or continuing education program may offer an introductory music course. There are a variety of online programs that can help you learn to read music. Many are free, but you can also pay for courses that provide more personal instruction. Some singer songwriters receive a more formal education by attending an arts college or performing arts conservatory with dedicated music programs, such as The Juilliard School or the Berklee College of Music. It isn’t necessary, but a formal degree may open other career paths to you if songwriting doesn’t work out, such as teaching music.
If you have the opportunity to learn an instrument as part of your school’s band or orchestra program, go for it. It’s a chance to get hands on instruction without having to pay for it. You can take private lessons to learn how to play the guitar, piano, or another instrument. Visit your local music store to ask about learning – the store may offer classes or have a bulletin board where teachers can provide their contact details. It’s possible to learn an instrument without a teacher. There are online programs and videos that can provide effective instruction if you’re willing to make an effort.
Private vocal lessons can be fairly expensive, so it’s important to set a budget and shop around until you find a teacher who you can afford. If you want to be sure to find a qualified vocal teacher, visit the National Association of Teachers of Singing website. They provide a search engine that allows you to find vocal teachers in your area who meet the association’s standards. If you’re on a budget, your local music store is an ideal place to look for a vocal teacher. You may find graduate students and instructors who only teach part-time, so they don’t charge as much as full-time teachers.
If you don’t have any opportunities to join a singing group, find ways to perform on your own. Sign up for a local talent show or gather some friends and family that you can perform for. Even participating in karaoke night at your favorite restaurant or bar can help you become more comfortable in front of a crowd.
Pay close attention to the lyrics of the songs that you listen to. See which ones move you emotionally, so you can try to figure out how to create a similar effect with your own music.
Some songs contain a bridge in addition to the verses and chorus. A bridge is usually a section that helps take the song in a new direction. In many cases, it’s instrumental and may feature changes in key, tempo, chords, or instrumentation. The common layout for a song with a bridge is: verse, chorus, verse, chorus, bridge, chorus. [8] X Research source In some cases, a song may contain a pre-chorus, which serves a transition between the verses and the chorus. Some songs features intros and outros, which help establish and expand the song’s main theme. It can be comprised solely of instrumentals or feature a combination of vocals and instruments. It may help to print out the lyrics or purchase the sheet music for some songs. That way, you can diagram the songs and label each section as what it is.
Carry your journal with you all the time. You never know when an idea for a song or specific lyric will hit you. Sometimes, it’s easier to sing an idea that comes to you. Use a recording app on your phone to hum a chorus or melody line that you come up with suddenly.
If you have a specific story or idea that you want to convey in your song, it may be best to start with the lyrics. If you want to capture a certain mood, starting with the melody or chords may be a better approach. When you’re trying to figure out a chord progression for your song, just play chords that you think sound good together. In music theory, there are certain chords that are commonly played together, but you’ll never know if a progression will work until you play it. When you’re having trouble coming up with lyrics, it’s okay to hum nonsense words or syllables until you establish a basic melody for the song.
If you have the money to book a session at a professional recording studio, that is definitely the best option. Do an online search for studios in your area. If you don’t have the budget for a professional recording session or don’t have any studio nearby, don’t worry. You can make a strong recording with a good quality microphone and the right computer software at home.
You’ll also need a recorded version of the song. It doesn’t have to be a professional recording from a studio, though. You can use a rough demo version.
In addition to open mike nights, keep an eye out for talent shows and music festivals in your area that might allow you to perform your songs.
There are a variety of different contests for songwriting, such as the John Lennon Songwriting Contest and the International Songwriting Competition. Some may be geared toward specific genres, though, so be sure to find one that’s a good fit for your song(s). Do an online search to find songwriting competitions that you may want to enter. In some cases, you may be better off entering local contests because you won’t be competing against as many other songwriters.
You can also use social media to advertise performances. The more people that you help bring to an open mike night, festival, or other venue, the more of a commodity you’ll seem to booking agents and music industry executives. It’s also a good idea to create a website for yourself and your music. There are a variety of website building sites that make it easy to create a site even if you’re not a computer expert. A fee may be required, though.
Some online catalogs charge a fee to list your songs, so be sure to read the fine print to know what you’re in for.
If you’re going to be sending a demo to a record label, you should have a professional recording of your music. Wait until you have the money to buy studio time and produce a high quality demo before contacting a record company.
