What do you Have to Major in to be a Lyricist?

Question

I would like to go to College to become a Lyricist and I was wondering what it pays on average and the majors I need to achieve my goal. Thanks!

Answer 1

Really, you need to be very musical to begin with and hook up with those individuals who actually write music.  YOU also need to be able to read music too and have an ear for it. An understanding of music is an absolute must! It isn't necessary to go to college to do this (you can either do it or you can't, no one can really teach you to be a lyricist), but of course college helps in case your dreams don't work out. Naturally, you would take many music appreciation courses in college and other courses of that type. What it pays? To be honest, the scale varies so widely there is no point in quoting pay rates. It depends where you end up (whom you end up becoming a lyricist for). This is a very narrow field and again, you need to be quite musical and have a deep knowledge and appreciation for music. If this is just some whim you thought up on spur of the moment, skip it.

Answer 2

You could major in Underwater Basketweaving for all the good it will do you. Being a lyricist is a creative profession that does not REQUIRE a degree. The only instance in which you would need a music degree would be if you wanted to teach. You would do well to study music subjects, especially music theory and composition. English subjects like creative writing and poetry would also be helpful. I guess the pay would depend on who you're writing lyrics for. You could make pennies writing radio commercials or millions writing for top musicians. Good luck!

Answer 3

Depending your goals (where do you want to work, what styles are you interested in), your general skillset needs to include courses in MARKETING!!!, English, Communications, (possibly) Film Studies, Music Theory (if you are writing for musicians, it is a good idea to know how your words fit in with the structure of music), Music Management, and/or Theater.

Answer 4

Music would be a helpful major. My understanding is that you're paid by the gig, similar to a recording contract. It would probably depending on how the contract is written - you write it on commission, you get paid the commission. You write it for commercial sale and it sells, you get royalties.