(This post was originally posted on the Songcraft blog.)
Photo (“black music”) by kyramas
One thing I really love about the sharing of original songs in the Songcraft Songwriting Circle is the fact that it is one of most “democratic” of experiences.
There’s something about songwriting that is so democratic. Let me explain…
I’ve always felt that songwriting is one of those fascinating things whereby anyone can be good at it, as long as you have enough passion and dedication for it.
Anyone can write a great song. You don’t necessarily need to be some accomplished musician/composer/arranger/producer in the industry to come up with great songs. You don’t necessarily need to have any formal training or qualifications or credentials to write great songs.
Some of the greatest songwriters in the history of music never went through formal musical training. Some of them couldn’t even read musical scores, but yet they wrote legendary songs.
All you need to do is pick up the pen, or pick up your guitar, or go to your piano…or do whatever it is you write best with, and just work at it. It’s hard work, believe me, but if you have the passion driving you, then you’d find it all worthwhile.
It doesn’t mean that if you carry with you a Martin acoustic guitar, then you write better songs.
It doesn’t mean that if you’re a concert pianist, then you write better songs.
It doesn’t mean that if you’ve got a “Julie Andrews” voice, then you write better songs.
It doesn’t mean that if you’re a GarageBand genius, then you write better songs.
It doesn’t mean that if you’ve got a gazillion dollars worth of recording equipment in your home studio, then you write better songs.
It doesn’t mean that if you’ve got the Sibelius notation software, then you write better songs.
All that doesn’t matter (although having certain valuable qualities certainly does contribute toward your songcraft).
At the end of the day, everyone has the ability to come up with a great song. All it takes is a bit of inspiration, and lots of passion.
That’s why I call it a “democratic” experience. Equality for all.
All the money and status in the world can’t write you a great song.
I’d gladly take being able to write a great song over money or status any day.
