Mark Cawley’s ‘8 things to know about co-writing’ in Songwriting Magazine Autumn 2019
Nashville-based songwriting coach Mark Cawley supplies some very important co-writing recommendation, with an prolonged extract from his best-selling e book ‘Tune Journey’
For many, songwriting is seen as a solitary journey. However what in the event you had assist? What if as a substitute of searching for that muse, you had one within the room with you? Flesh and blood, residing, respiratory – a like-minded fellow traveller? In different phrases, a co-writer.
Co-writing is such part of the brand new regular for songwriters that in the event you’re severe about making this your career, you want to be prepared to work with a co-writer.
I’ve been there, so I perceive the apprehension and worry this concept conjures up. Reality is, nice co-writing must be unselfish, open, enjoyable, and uninhibited.
If you need that form of expertise, listed below are eight things to know about co-writing.
1. MEET YOUR CO-WRITER
Earlier than you begin to work, meet your potential co-writer. Have a cup of espresso or a drink. It’s rather a lot like relationship – see you probably have something in widespread earlier than you spend an extended day in a room collectively. It’s not foolproof.
I’ve made some nice associates this fashion who didn’t end up to be nice co-writers, and I’ve additionally written a few of my favorite songs with writers who didn’t appear to be a match.
You need to be appropriate, however you don’t need somebody who solely does what you do. With co-writing, you’re every searching for the opposite to carry one thing to the desk.
2. KNOW THE CREDIT WILL BE SPLIT
That is necessary: know entering into that the credit score will likely be break up evenly between the folks within the room, irrespective of who does what in the long run. That’s a tough one for brand spanking new writers to swallow, however hey, do it lengthy sufficient and it evens out, I promise.
Some days, you’re feeling such as you wrote a track by yourself and the opposite writers watched. Different days, you’re shopping for lunch and inspiring them to “preserve at it; you’re on hearth!”
If no publishers are concerned, it’s greatest to work it out in that dialog earlier than you write. You may also use a easy break up settlement the day of your
writing session.
3. BRING AN OPEN MIND, NOT AN AGENDA
On the day of the co-write, it by no means hurts to come ready with a few titles, ideas, or a little bit of a melody, however be sure to additionally carry an open thoughts.
Co-writing is absolutely about listening to one another and creating one thing new and thrilling collectively. An enormous no-no for me can be the co-writer who is available in intent on engaged on their concept proper from the beginning or, even worse, desires me to assist them end one thing they already had began. That’s not what co-writing is about.
4. YOU CAN’T REWRITE WITH SOMEONE ELSE
What occurs in the event you throw out that million-dollar title or melody you’ve been saving, and your co-writer turns it into small change? Are you able to go rewrite it with another person?
No. I know it hurts however…NO!
You would name them and ask, however the actuality is, your popularity is constructed round your integrity and creativity. In case your co-writer thinks you’re going to write the identical concept with three different writers, it received’t be lengthy earlier than you’re one lonely author. This is the reason you’ve a espresso assembly; you attempt your greatest to put your concepts in the correct palms.
5. GET TO KNOW YOUR CO-WRITER
Do your homework on co-writers, don’t be too treasured, belief your intestine, and hope for a little bit magic. Find out how your co-writer tends to course of info. Simply ask them.
Do they want quiet intervals to collect their ideas, or are they the form of author who wants fixed stimulus? You’ll be able to set your self up for an ungainly co-writing expertise by not being in tune along with your new pal. Be sure to can chortle with them.
Decide up the tab infrequently and present up on time. Writers like that.
6. BE PREPARED FOR BAD SESSIONS
When you write lengthy sufficient, you’re going to have a co-writing session the place you each give an trustworthy effort… and nothing occurs. I’ve had loads of days like that.
The co-writes which have been magic for me have all the time been with somebody with a special strategy, and we find yourself complementing one another. We give you some magic that neither of us may have finished on our personal. It’s going to occur.
Discover extra nice concepts, e book extra co-writes, and considered one of these periods will likely be magic.
7. YOU’RE BOTH BRINGING FEARS TO THE TABLE
After I coach songwriters about co-writing, I hear these fears on a regular basis: “My concept is crap!” “They’ll take my concept and switch it into one thing I’ll hate.” “They’ll chortle at me.” “Nobody else may presumably perceive me.” “Nobody will ever need to co-write with me once more!” After I began writing with writers I admired, I found they suffered from these co-writing from time to time, which helped me see I wasn’t alone in feeling that method.
8. TRUST THE PROCESS
How do you up the percentages of an important track popping out of your co-write? Firstly, search out good folks to work with. Discover ones who’re on the identical degree, identical path. Becoming a member of songwriting teams is a good way to lose your worry of sharing. By listening to different writers speak about their course of, you achieve perception into your self.
Sharing your track concepts would possibly nonetheless be a leap of religion, however attempt it. When you keep open and provides your greatest each time, you’ll have extra nice days co-writing than unhealthy ones. I promise.
Mark Cawley is a success U.S. songwriter and musician who coaches different writers and artists to attain their artistic {and professional} targets by iDoCoach.com. Mark has written a e book titled Tune journey, based mostly on his teaching and adventures in songwriting, which is accessible to purchase now.
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