Are you as good a songwriter as the pros ?

**rpm61** · 01-21-2013

There will alwys be formula songs written for good-lookin bands or bands aimed at current fads and trends, it's not unusual to have better material than them. I think I have written some fantastic material but it amounts to a small percentage of my total output. Some of the pros have unbelievable ability to write lyrics that are clever and connect with incredible insight to a large nymber of people, while putting those lyrics to a tune and the perfect accompaniment and arrangement and that really impresses me. I think a lot of us could have approached this if we had hit on something and some point and been afforded the resources the pros have to work with othertalented peopleand develop our ideas. Raw songs? Yeh, there are a lot of people with germs of great songs out there that are just as good as what the pros start out with.

**Mike.C** · 01-25-2013

I have no trouble creating original music, but agonise over lyrics and song structure. The result has been some stuff people really like and others less popular. The big key for me is arrangement. An arrangement can make an OK song sound really great or a great song lose its sparkle. I have so much to learn in this field.

**ido1957** · 01-25-2013

My songs are amazing - that's what my mama said. Then she gave me a cookie.

**Xaaron1377** · 01-29-2013

It seems like all the songs I write that I don't like, are the most well-recieved by others and vice-versa. Besides, I don't really care too much about what other people think of my music. I don't write songs to please other people, I write them because it's something I love to do and it keeps me sane.
I wouldn't compare my songs to the pros, because what makes a song "good" is what it means to you. I've written songs that I think are better than commercial ones, and same the other way around.

**Dogbreath** · 01-31-2013

Originally Posted by ido1957

My songs are amazing - that's what my mama said. Then she gave me a cookie.

TEH WIN!!!

**Zebeto** · 02-01-2013

Originally Posted by Chili

All pro songwriters start out as amatuers. When their amatuer song finally got picked up, they were no longer an amatuer.

Very wise words

**Jawombkamagubi** · 02-05-2013

Its all a matter of perspective. Funny?-I'll write a song and be real impressed with myself-and everyone hates it-or, is disinterested at best. Then, I'll slop some stupid ditty together and get a surprisingly positive reaction (go figure). Bob Costas asked Paul Simon what his favorite lyrical line was and Simon responded-"Oooooohhhhhhh-baby, baby......"(Smoky Robinson)-Go figure.

https://soundcloud.com/jawombkamagubi/giteem

**Jawombkamagubi** · 02-05-2013

I like 'Bubble Baths'-pretty cool-reminds me (a little) of Primus-and, maybe a bit of Zappa.-Hey can you tell me how to link my music on to a thread?-Keep it up-thanx.

**Chili** · 02-05-2013

Originally Posted by Jawombkamagubi

Hey can you tell me how to link my music on to a thread?-Keep it up-thanx.

Under the Go Advanced menu, you'll see an icon for soundcloud. You almost had it right, just a typo was all.

**SEDstar** · 02-06-2013

I think, and its a personal opinion...

everyones first attempt at playing an instrument, writing music/lyrics/both, what have you... is gawd-awful.

some progress quicker than others, due to hard work, natural abilities, talent... and the RIGHT mentoring.

that mentoring can be anything, from studying on your own, somone helpign you or working wth you, whatEVER...

=============================================================

THAT said?

the "pros", when you hear a track played commercially?

you are hearing the final polished product. Even the PROS song you just heard on the top 40 or wherever... had a beginning... say, a acoustic with lyrics demo version...

THAT early version of their "hit song"???

if you are telented and gifted, AND work hard, yeah, i think the amateurs can aspire to THAT. with luck and hard work and ability.

BUT, that finished polished product you heard on the radio? THATS the result of a TEAM. An experienced producer, mixer, mastering, hired guns maybe... a LOT MORE than what the "pro actually made" is what your hearing.

example: a local rock station a few months ago? They played an "early version" of pink floyds "money". It was just acoustic guitar and the "bare" singing...

sort of thing any talented "amateur" with hard work and ability could have made...

i *think* a highly talented and hardworking "amateur" and a "pro" are one and the same... the PRO just has a TEAM behind him.