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Learn How to Write Songs
Learn How to Write Songs

More Secrets to Songwriting Success

By songwriter | Published January 30, 2013

Develop these attributes of a successful songwriter, and you will find yourself moving quickly toward songwriting success!

Thick Skin

The music business is a tough business. You cannot be easily hurt or upset if you want to be a successful songwriter.  There will always be situations where your work will be under scrutiny or critiqued. You need to develop a way to see past that and let it roll off your back, like “water off a duck’s back.”

Duck in WaterDucks have feathers that are tight and their density act like oil. It keeps the duck dry and warm.  So when water, cold or otherwise, lands on the back of a duck, it simply rolls off. Let critiques roll off your back in a similar manner. If you are going to be successful, you need to take these situations as opportunities to become a better songwriter.

Courage

Courage IndividualityBravery is not courage, but you cannot have courage without being brave.  Courage is the moral fortitude to stand up for your character and to do the right thing, even in the face of adversity.   When you have courage, you follow through on your songwriting vision. It’s on display every day and only the courageous have the capability to get the most out of life.  When you have the power of your passion, find the courage to put it in to action.

Fanatic

Not exactly what you might expect to find in a lesson about songwriting success. But you need to be fanatical of number of things.  You need to be a fanatic when it comes to your love of music, the desire to create and the disciple to write songs. If there’s anything in this world you should be a fanatical, those are some of them.  When I come right down to it, it is doing what you really love all the time. Of course you need to be a fanatic, in the right way.

Resolve

If you don’t have resolve, you will fall flat on your face and never be someone who succeeds.  A good portion of the road we walk to success is filled with blockades and potholes.  If you come up against one and go down, you must have the ability to stick with it.  If you don’t, you may become angry and bitter about your misfortune and never move past it.  Stand up for yourself and what you run up against and you’ll find your climb to the top is quicker and more enjoyable than you thought it would be.

Reflection

Take a look at your current situation.  Where do you find yourself in relation to the items discussed here?   What trait do you need the most improvement?

Action

Now that you have taken a moment to examine where your are in regards to your current situation, write a list of tasks you can do today to help you develop the character traits.

Related Reading:

The Songwriter's Journal: 52 Weeks of Songwriting Ideas and InspirationThe Songwriter's Journal: 52 Weeks of Songwriting Ideas and InspirationWhether you are new to songwriting or have written hundreds of songs, "The Songwriter's Journal" should be within arm's reach whenever the mood to wri... Read More >
Inspirations: Original Lyrics And the Stories Behind The Greatest Songs Ever WrittenInspirations: Original Lyrics And the Stories Behind The Greatest Songs Ever WrittenMadonna, Michael Jackson, ABBA, REM, Texas, U2, Aerosmith, Oasis and Spice Girls...these are just some of the artists who have contributed to the 200 original lyrics in Inspirations .
Behind The Muse: Pop and Rock's Greatest Songwriters Talk About Their Work and InspirationBehind The Muse: Pop and Rock's Greatest Songwriters Talk About Their Work and Inspiration"Behind The Muse" features interviews with over 40 successful and respected songwriters. Billy Joel, Burt Bacharach, Brian Wilson, Smokey Robinson, Jo... Read More >
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Songwriting, 2nd EditionThe Complete Idiot's Guide to Songwriting, 2nd EditionThe most thorough guide to songwriting for the amateur musician. Written by an Oscar-winning and Grammy and Tony award nominated author, this is the m... Read More >
How To Write Songs On Guitar - RevisedHow To Write Songs On Guitar - RevisedSo you want to write songs, and you want to write them on guitar. This is the book that shows you exactly how. Taking tips and tricks from classic son... Read More >
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Posted in Songwriting Inspiration and tagged courage, fanatic, music, music business, resolve, songwriting, Thick Skin. Bookmark the permalink. RSS feed for this post. Leave a trackback.
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One Response to More Secrets to Songwriting Success

  1. Pingback: Some Secrets to Songwriting Success Revealed | John Pape Online Blog

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