How does someone become a songwriter?

Question

I write a lot , poems, songs, ect. I love music and would like to write songs. I live in the Dallas area, how can i get started?

Answer 1

Look for songwriting groups, classes, seminars, etc. in your area for advice, feedback and support. I've attached a link for the Dallas Songwriters Association, which sounds like a good place to start (I found it on Google--figured a city the size of Dallas had to have at least one songwriters group). If you want to perform your own songs, try a local open mic once you're comfortable w/ your songs & see how the general public reacts to them.

If you are a student w/ summers free or just have some vacation time available, try a summer song camp. I've been going to the Swannanoa Gathering near Asheville, NC, (www.swangathering.org) for many years and can vouch for it as a great place to learn & be inspired. The Kerrville Folk Festival has a songwriters school too--and I hear the campfire song circles at Kerrville are fantastic. There are many good song camps available--most in the summer, but others throughout the year as well.

If you're more interested in learning the business end of songwriting, NSAI (Nashville Songwriters Association International--and no, it's not just for country music writers) is a good place for that, and they have some excellent songwriting seminars. I didn't find a Dallas chapter of NSAI on Google, but there may well be one--I've attached a link to NSAI's main office: they can direct you to the chapter nearest you.

Answer 2

I can't say much on that but it sure helps if you sing and appearance is helpful. Country of course is Branson and Nashville for close, but actually NY is probably better. And of course it's not easy so any talent you can bring. You can contact publishers and agents on the net and groups, would be song writers and maybe even find a collaborator near you to sing and.or someone to write the music. I don't envy your choice. I like the idea of singing and playing an instrument as you could at least make some money in the field while you starve.

Answer 3

well, u pick the best songs u think other ppl will like and show the songs to hollywood and stuff. then u will be rich maybe if ur album is a hit. if u like music then u can get insperation from other songwriters and journeys and stuff.
however for the poems... u could maybe show them to a publisher and ask if they look good.
i hope this helps!

Answer 4

There are books on how to write songs, and your public library may have some. Good luck.

Answer 5

Hey, i tried this and it worked quite well. You can get a dictaphone or a tape recorder or something and when you think of a good tune or chorus or something that might help, you could record yourself 'laaa-laaa-ing it' into the recorder and later you could play it over and over again and think up some lyrics.

hope it helps

ps. i hope you understand what i mean by 'laaa-laaa-ing'

Answer 6

going to poetry clubs and reading ur stuff there. finding contests online (there's tons of them). contests will not only give u money but they'll get sum1 to look at ur work. my brother writes poems too and his stuff got published in a book off one of those contests. so try it.

Answer 7

By writing them down!

Answer 8

It doesn't matter where you live.Create.Have dreams and have strength to reach them.Remember that practising makes perfect.And,believing is power.So give yourself a chance :)
Hope it helps :)