How To Write A Hit Song Sitemap

1. Writing Song - Writing a song is, in many ways, like baking a cake. Almost anyone can do it. On the surface it appears to be merely a matter of selecting the proper ingredients and putting them together according to some prescribed recipe. Songwriting however is not quite as simple as all that. Just as two people can use the same materials, follow the same formula and yet obtain different results, so also in the songwriting field, the same melodic and lyric ideas may be combined to produce either a palatable hit, or a tasteless concoction.

2. Completed Song - So far we have discussed only the structural requirements of the popular song. Assuming that the new songwriter has mastered the initial technique of composing a lyric, melody, or both, there are still a few points that he should be acquainted with before he is ready to present his song to the publishers. Among the questions that may be in his mind are: "When starting a song, shall I begin with the lyric or with the melody?" "If I can only write lyrics, or if I can only write the melody, where shall I find a collaborator?" "Can I interest the publishers in an unfinished song; i.e., melody without lyrics, or lyrics without melody?" "In what form should the song be presented to the publishers?" "Should the composer have a knowledge of harmony?" These questions will be answered on the following pages. Starting the Song.

3. Protecting Song - Tin pan alley possesses a standard bugaboo for all new songwriters. This is the always-current rumor that publishers, professional songwriters, bandleaders- in fact, anyone and everyone in the music business-is intent upon stealing the ideas of new songwriters. Many new writers are hesitant about sending songs to publishers for this very reason.

4. Profit Publishing - It is sometimes difficult to realize that music, despite its nebulous distinction as "one of the arts" is actually regarded as a commodity and is bought, exploited, distributed and sold in much the same way as other commodities including soap, food, cosmetics, cigarettes and automobiles. Upon this fact is based the music industry which embraces hundreds of publishing firms, thousands of professional songwriters, wholesalers, dealers, orchestras, radio performers, recording companies and music associations, and which impinges upon the allied fields of motion pictures, drama and radio. This industry is constantly expanding both in size and importance.

5. Hit-Makers - Despite the restrictions of form, structure, pattern and range, songwriting is a highly individualistic profession. While it is a fairly simple matter to lay down definite rule^ and regulations, and to generalize about the best methods of writing successful songs, the truth of the matter is that it is almost impossible to say "do thus and thus and you will have a best-seller." The proper ingredients can be described, but it depends entirely upon the individual how these ingredients are to be mixed and used, and on what the end result will be.

6. Marketing Song - The principal difference between an amateur and professional songwriter is that the professional writer has at least one published song to his credit. It thus follows that if a new songwriter has a song accepted and successfully exploited by a recognized publishing firm, he will encounter little or no difficulty in obtaining serious audition and consideration of his future numbers.

7. Summary - In any creative field, and particularly that of songwriting there is always room for more talent. While the new songwriter may find that his progress to fame is not quite as smooth or swift as he had anticipated, he should not be discouraged or disheartened. If he has ability and persistence, he will find little difficulty in reaching his desired goal.

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