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Let me begin by saying Happy Holidays!

As this year draws to an end I'd like you to reflect on 2003 as it pertains to your songwriting. Did you write the songs that you wanted to write, or are your ideas still scribbled on a notepad somewhere? Did you accomplish what you intended to accomplish when this year began? How many songs did you plan to write? How many songs did you write?

There are some writers that write only when they feel inspired to do so. That sounds very spiritual, but I think it portrays a lazy work ethic. If God has given you a talent to write songs, then write songs. Write when you feel like writing. Write when you don't feel like writing. Dedicate your talent to the Lord and then, get after it. It amazes me that some writers who desire to make a living writing songs may only write three or four songs a year. What this tells me is that they are banking on one of those songs hitting very big, and the income will then roll in enough to support themselves and a family. But I think people like that would have better luck playing the state lottery! After all, the concept is the same. If you buy a single lottery ticket at $1.00, there is a slim chance that you can become rich. If you write one song, the chances are even slimmer that you will become famous or financially better off for it.

Writers that only create a few songs a year don't write enough to really develop a style of writing that is their own. I once heard Reba Rambo McGuire say that you should consider the first 200 songs that you write to be practice songs. It takes most people a lot of time to develop the skill of songwriting. Now, I know that there are exceptions to this rule. Ronnie Hinson's classic song THE LIGHTHOUSE was only the third song he ever wrote, and God used it. But more often than not, I run into beginners who are ready for God to use all of their songs right now. And if he doesn't then they move on to some other form of expression and abandon songwriting altogether.

When I began playing the piano at the age of two, my mother decided that she would seek out a piano teacher for me. She was advised to wait until I was six years old. From the age of two to the age of six, my mother heard me at the piano everyday. I loved to play. Then when I turned six she started me on piano lessons. Now I had a lesson to learn, and I was told that I had to practice everyday. My mom didn't think that this would be a problem for a kid that banged on the keyboard for hours everyday. But for the first time in my young life, I began to avoid the piano. I didn't want to practice. I just wanted to play. But my mom knew that I had a God given desire to play the piano, so she made sure that I practiced. You see my mom had a desire at an early age to learn to play the piano, but her parents could not afford to give her lessons, so she never really learned anything more than the few chords that she knew when she started. She was not going to let that happen to me. She made sure that I learned how to read music. She made me practice and I hated it! But today I am very grateful for the fact that she did make me practice.

Most people accept the fact that in order to learn to play the piano, you have to practice. But when it comes to songwriting, we tend to adopt a different set of rules. We think we should just sit down and be able to write great songs because we want to or because we feel inspired to do so. But having a desire to write great songs will not make you any more of a songwriter than a desire to play the piano will make you a great musician. You have to practice. You have to make time in your day, everyday, to practice. Write a few lines everyday. Make them rhyme. Put different kinds of melodies to them. See what works and what doesn't work. Develop your skills as a writer. Many of these practice songs may never be sung by anyone but you. But that's OK. Each practice song you write will move you closer and closer to writing that first song that someone may be able use.

If you are serious about writing songs, then don't let next year just be a reflection of what you did this year. If you finished 5 songs this year, then make a goal to finish 25 next year. Set your goals high and work at achieving them everyday.

On a personal note: Due to the overwhelming number of songs that I am receiving in the mail, I can no longer offer free critiques for songs. If you wish to have a song critiqued, please email me and I will give the details of this service.

Until next time, keep on writing

Reader Comments

Daryl, another great article. Now I know what my new year's resolution will be!

Amy Marie

“If somebody makes me laugh, I’m his slave for life.”—Bette Midler

Daryl,

I think that this is one of those articles that I have to say "ouch" to. Thanks for a very good article, and that advice to songwriters can be used in many areas of life.

Deon Unthank
SoGospelNews.com
My Blog

Some people are like Slinkys… Not really good for anything, but they
still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs - Author Unknown

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