✓ First of all, you'll need some music skills. Do you read music? Do you play an instrument (especially piano or guitar)?Although these aren't absolutely essential for becoming a songwriter but they definitely help. If you don't have these skills yet, start learning them today! If you'd like to learn an instrument seriously, consider getting Learn and Master Guitar or Learn and Master Piano. They are amazing DVD + CD + book courses from Legacy Learning Systems taught by some of the greatest, Grammy winning musicians. I own Learn & Master Piano. It takes you from the complete beginner level to pretty advanced stuff. I love this course and have gone through it three times so far. I'm not a piano-playing genius YET! but sometimes I can do stuff with my piano I would have never imagined before! :) I don't have Learn & Master Guitar yet but I heard that it's even better the the piano course.
✓ How often do you write songs? The most successful songwriters spend a little time writing each day. I've heard that some spend many hours. Lady Gaga still writes songs daily. Another example is Diane Warren, who admittedly spends 10-12 hours with songwriting every day. But you don't have to do that to become a songwriter. Write for only 30 minutes a day and you finish a song in about two weeks. The main thing is that you should get into the habit of writing each day. If you do it occasionally only, it will lead to procrastination, worries, self-doubt, etc.✓ Do you co-write? Collaborating with another songwriter is one of the best things you can do for your songwriting. Almost all the songs at the top of the charts were written by two or more people. Co-writing is not only fun, it also increases your chances of succeeding. If you write a great song together with someone, both of you are going to pitch it. Also, the song will be much more special because the life experiences, creativity and talents of two or more people are present in the song. If you haven't collaborated with anyone, it's time to start it! There are some great songwriting forums where you can find co-writers online. You could also go to songwriting seminars and start looking there.
✓ Do you live near a major music center? If you live in the US, these are Los Angeles, New York and Nashville. If you want to become a songwriter, you'll have to network. And for that, you should live where other songwriters and music business professionals live. If you can't live in one of these cities (or other major music centers abroad), try to visit one of these places at least a couple of times a year. You could participate in seminars, writer's nights, etc. on these occasions.
✓ Have you written some songs that are ready to be pitched? If the answer is yes, there are a lot of things you can do. You can drop off your demos at music publishers, give it to some music business professionals you know, or use an independent A&R company. Obviously, the more people you get to listen to your songs, the better your chances they will get cut.
The most important thing is that you do something little for your songwriting career each and every day. That's the best way to become a songwriter. This is how all successful songwriters did it. This action doesn't always have to be actual songwriting only. You can look for co-writers, read music business articles, books, etc. These things add up pretty quickly and you'll become better and better in no time. Just imagine how far you could get in only one year!
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