5 Ways to Improve and Enjoy Songwriting

Here are 5 helpful hints to make your tune appeal to more people. We all want the largest number of  listeners and often what attracts one listener is lost on another.  Even more often listeners are drawn to a tune simply because they enjoy it without knowing or caring  why.

You need to offer that potential to you audience. A little forethought can go a long way towards sharing your art with others.

1. Be open to helpful suggestions and criticism from people whose opinions or experience you value.
Your friends are often the first place to seek advice and approval. Listen to them and evaluate their input based on your opinions but allowing opinions of others. You may be praised or rejected based on your relationship rather than your work. Only you can make that call. Still, their input is valuable.

2. Know your listener. 
Make sure the grammar and rhyme schemes are correct and in place for your intended listener. If you are reaching out to an older population, they won't be familiar with modern slang. Remembering "the way it was" should be expressed in terms that were common to the era referred.  Just the opposite for a younger listener. You should speak in the now, being aware of what they want to hear.  Imagine yourself as the end user even if it isn't who you are.

3. Seek musical and lyrical input from others with that experience. 
Is the musical content of your tune acceptable? Are you writing what you want melodically and harmonically? Could the tune be made better by changing chord progressions or altering the melody to emphasize a sentiment in the lyrics? There is a long and proven success rate for co-writers making things better. Maybe your are a word person or are more melody driven.

4. Write and rewrite! 
The tales of people writing a hit while driving to work or mowing the lawn are likely to be more creative storytelling than fact. While the inspiration may start there, be willing to change things to make the best product you can. If you are satisfied in your heart that the first thoughts and ideas were the best and should be the final version, then cool for you! Just saying sometimes a closer look at the details could help.

5. Join a Songwriters club or group either online or in your community. 
Meet new people with similar interests and Enjoy the Experience!! Whatever you receive from the songwriting process is the most important thing. If you are enjoying what you are creating and the act of creating it, you are doing it right!