Songwriter

Songwriters write songs for particular events, artists or media (for example, musical theatre, radio advertising, film or television). They may be lyricists or librettists:

• Lyricists write only the words to a tune or melody that someone else has composed. They may write songs in all musical styles including rock, jazz, pop and country.
• Librettists write the words sung in musical dramas, operas, oratorios and other dramatic classical song literature. With words, they create the scenes and characters that tell the story.

Songwriting is a very personal process; there are as many ways to write a song as there are people who write them. However, in general, songwriters:

• write the lyrics first and the melody later, or compose the melody first and the words later
• rework both lyrics and melody many times to produce a marketable product.

To market their work, songwriters may:

• ask record company representatives and music publishers to come out to live performances at clubs and concerts
• make demonstration tapes (demos) that present songs in a professional manner
• distribute demos by publishing them on the Internet, mailing them or delivering them in person to performers, record company representatives and music publishers.

Songwriters may record demos on home sound recording systems or in professional studios. Many songwriters are musicians and singers themselves, and record their own demos by accompanying themselves on the piano or guitar. They may hire side musicians or singers to perform as well.

The ultimate goal for many songwriters is to have their songs chosen by record companies, music publishers or recording artists, and have them turn it into a hit single.

Songwriters often work alone, although they sometimes work together as collaborators. Their hours of work and working environments vary considerably. Those who write advertising jingles for radio and television commercials must be able to work under the pressure of tight deadlines.

Songwriters need the following characteristics:

• creativity and talent
• the flexibility required to work with other people's ideas and suggestions
• the self-motivation and self-discipline required to keep writing
• the perseverance and determination required to handle rejection from publishers and recording artists because it may take years before a songwriter has a successful song on the music charts.

Songwriters should enjoy the creative process and expression involved in their craft.

Many people can write songs but relatively few can write songs that have commercial value. For some songwriters, writing advertising jingles is a stepping stone to becoming a lyricist or songwriter. These songwriters may work under contract with advertising agencies or radio and television stations.

Most songwriters send copies of their demo tapes to:

• music publishers
• recording artists
• music producers.

Publishers, singers and producers always are on the lookout for good material and listen to hundreds of new songs each year. However, they often are overwhelmed with requests to listen to new material so novice songwriters need to develop contacts to get their music heard.

Songwriters are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 5132: Conductors, Composers and Arrangers. In Alberta, 89% of people employed in this classification work in the following industries:

• Information, Culture and Recreation (PDF)
• Other Services (PDF)
• Educational Services (PDF)

The employment outlook in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

• trends and events affecting overall employment (especially in the industries listed above)
• location in Alberta
• employment turnover (work opportunities generated by people leaving existing positions)
• occupational growth (work opportunities resulting from the creation of new positions that never existed before)
• size of the occupation.

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.

Alberta Music Industry Association website: www.amia.ca

Cultural Human Resources Council website: www.culturalhrc.ca

Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada website: www.socan.ca

For more information on career planning, education and jobs, visit the Alberta Learning Information Service (ALIS) website, call the Alberta Career Information Hotline toll-free at 1-800-661-3753 or 780-422-4266 in Edmonton, or visit an Alberta Works Centre near you.