Hey there Sidekicks, it’s great to have you here! I am so excited to have a space for like-minded creatives to learn and grow together. Firstly I wanted to say, if anyone ever has any songwriting topics that interest you, drop us a message and we can try our best to write a blog post to answer your questions.
Finding Your Voice
This blog's theme is all about your role as a songwriter. This is varied and unique to each person and can change throughout a career. It is important to identify your own strengths and nurture them without comparison to others. A challenging but vital part of successful songwriting is finding your voice. No one is going to say things the way you say them. No one is going to write a melody or create a song, the way you do. Truth shines through, with real authentic songs coming from a place of honesty and vulnerability.
Pick Your Mission
As well as the roles within a collaborative team, which I will get to later, your own personal roles will depend very much on your mission as an artist or composer. Defining your “reason,” “brand,” or “message,” will aid your writing process. Why not have a sit down with your favourite hot beverage, and write down the most important things you want to say through your songs. This can be as serious or as fun as you like. Anything from, expressing just how much Chinese food means to you, to the struggles of mental health and wellbeing. That is the beauty of music, it can capture pretty much any mood or season of life. Your role as a songwriter will depend on your genre or lifestyle. If you belong to an energetic dance music group, you may simply want to bring some joy and serious dance moves to people's lives. As a Christian artist, my role is to write songs that will encourage people, letting them know just how much they are loved by God. To create songs that lead people into a place of worship.
Practical Roles
As well as the purpose or personal intentions behind your songwriting, there are practical roles that we take on. If working alone, more skills, time, and attention may be required to complete a song. Although solo songwriting for me is often needed to reflect and recharge my creative juices (more on this topic another time.) That’s the beauty of collaboration, as so many talents and gifts can contribute to a project. Whether working alone or in a team, here are three main roles I have found crucial within collaboration.
1. Top liner - The top line of a song is that main melody you hum when you can’t get your favourite song out of your head. Often those with less music theory knowledge may find this approach the most natural. If you are just starting out, experimenting with fun melodies is a great way to test the waters. The top-line writer often has a preexisting chord structure to sing along to. Which brings us to our next role.
Key attributes of a Top Liner:
- A strong ear for melody
- Vocal ability is helpful in articulating ideas
- Confidence and leadership
- Communication skills
2. Bottom liner - The bottom line writer supports the top line writer by creating a structure of chords to enhance the main melody. Personally, this skill is not my top strength as I am drawn to hooks and harmonic melodies.
- Music theory knowledge or competence on an instrument
- Communication skills
- Adaptability, willingness to lead as well as follow guidance
3. The Enhancer - I love this role, I really feel it brings excitement to collaboration. Going into a session with no idea what to write about can cause writer's block or miscommunication within a song's purpose. However, as an enhancer, you will listen to a song or idea and be able to suggest ways of improvement. It's a great way to stretch ideas and support other songwriters in their journey.
Key attributes of an Enhancer:
- Unique mindset, thinking outside the box
- Listening well
- Critical analysis with a supportive approach
- Confidence to share new ideas
Don't be afraid to try
Staying true to your strengths, and using your gifts are important as a songwriter. Don't be afraid to go for things and be confident in your ideas. However, trying out new roles and experimenting with the craft can grow not only your skills but the skills of those around you. Building a community of people you trust can set you up for life when in need of a songwriting family. Step out and be brave, you've got this!
Jessy
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