Most songwriters aspire to something greater than they are, no matter what “level” they are on.

For the “beginning” and “intermediate” songwriter, it’s to get to the level where you have the respect of your peers, and to create something as worthy as what they are writing. So you go about the business of songwriting. You go to critique sessions, take classes in songwriting, learn how to write and then produce your song, whether it be in your own studio or in a “demo” studio. You go to peer critiques, where you can get advice from people like you that are trying to hone their craft. You get suggestions on how to improve your song, and you give your opinion on how others can better theirs. Then you go to pro critiques, where, after you have made your song the best you think it can be, and professionally demo it, you get the opinion of a publisher or other industry pro about the quality of the work you’ve done. While you’re doing that, you may also be going to songwriting classes, lectures, panel discussions, etc, and reading as many books on the art of songwriting, as well as books on the business of songwriting. If you are a performing songwriter, you go to open mic nights and you audition at local clubs, trying to get booked to perform a set of your material.

“After a while, your next goal as a songwriter is to get a “cut”. So you go through pitch screens, pitch nights, sending your material in to publishers, trying to make connections to get your songs to the “proper” people. You try alternative methods….trying to get them placed in tv or films by going that route. Of course, your music is up on your MySpace page, and you try to increase your visibility on Facebook. And now you Twitter, even if you’re not quite sure what that is or what it can do for your career.

Sooner or later, after a considerable time of going through pitch pages, performing, hawking your songs, you finally get a “hold”. A hold doesn’t mean that you’ve actually got a cut, but it’s being considered by the artist, producer or A&R person to maybe get cut for the artists’ album. Right now, you don’t care that you haven’t ever heard of the artist. After all, who ever heard of the Dixie Chicks until they got their CD out? It has to start somewhere, so you’re happy for that “hold”.

Of course, that hold doesn’t pay the bills, so you’re still working at Target or Starbucks, waiting until that hold hopefully gets picked up and becomes a cut.

So, now you’ve reached that plateau, and you can finally consider yourself a “professional” songwriter. Does it end there? Can you quit serving lattes? Probably not. So your next aspiration is to get a cut that places on the Billboard charts. After that comes a top 20 hit, then top 10, and then of course you want a number one hit.

Finally, you have that number one cut and you are on “easy street”. You’re getting royalty checks, you can get your songs to the “right” people more easily, other professional writers now want to co-write with you. So you now look for your next cut, and one after that and so on until you are an established professional songwriter that artists seek out. Are you satisfied NOW? Well, to some, this is enough validation, and validation to them is what it’s all about. To others, this is just another plateau. Now you want your cuts in major motion pictures, or to be cut by the top selling artists on the charts. Or your favorite artist. Then there’s making it onto their “Greatest Hits” album, and then having it recut by the next generation of artists coming up. Every songwriter has their own goal, and some will never be satisfied. Nothing wrong to keep aspiring to a higher goal.

Just make sure you appreciate all that’s happened to you on the way. The friends you met at the critique sessions and the ones you played with at the open mics and performance nights. The great musicians you got to work with as you were making your demos and playing out. The producers and other artists you got to meet as you were gaining your professional status. The support of your family and friends at each step of the way, and eventually, your fans. Take time to enjoy the journey of songwriting and performing. You may only be “on top” for a short time, or you may never get there at all. So, to make this life as a songwriter or performing songwriter fulfilling, make sure that you are doing something that you love to do, and take the time to appreciate the people you encounter along the way. Your peers are not your “competition”, they are your allies. You all have a lot in common and it will make the journey a lot more fulfilling if you have company along the way.

The Songwriters Guild offers a lot of opportunities for songwriters to get together for workshops, critiques, etc. Many great friendships and collaborations have come as a result of people meeting at them. I encourage all of you to get involved in your community. I think you’ll find it worthwhile.

©2009, Further Communications