Here’s a video clip from songwriting coach John Braheny discussing the “progression of attitudes and skills” of the typical songwriter.
The first stage is pure self-expression.
The fledgling songwriter vents her feelings in emotional bursts of song, and all that emotion comes through—but we listeners are left in the dark about what caused the feelings. The writer understands the context of everything that she sings, but we do not. It’s too vague, too cryptic.
We have trouble enjoying these songs as listeners because the writer hasn’t yet mastered the tools necessary for connecting their ideas to us: storytelling, characterization, sensory description, and so on.
The second stage of a songwriter is learning craft.
John points out that this is a huge transition to make. It takes courage to look at your own songs and say, “Maybe I can do better. Maybe this chorus isn’t the best it could be.”
In the second stage you begin to rewrite songs and read books on the craft and listen to critique of your work. And soon after, we’re rewarded—you’re writing songs that connect more closely with your listeners. Instead of just expressing your own feelings, you’re making others feel. You’re giving them an experience of their own.
What’s your path?
Looking back, do you notice these stages in your own progression as a songwriter? I’d love to hear your story in the comments below.
Please be sure to check out John’s website.
I started life as a fiction writer, so by the time I began to write songs I’d already had my work critiqued, and I’d already been studying the craft of writing for a long time.
I’ve always loved to read books about writing, and it was no different when I started writing songs. 🙂 I’ve always been happy to work hard at it.