The next is customized from my guide “Tune Journey”.

For a lot of, songwriting is seen as a solitary journey. However what when you had assist?

What if as an alternative of on the lookout for that muse, you had one within the room with you? Flesh and blood, residing, respiration—a like-minded fellow traveler? In different phrases, a co-writer.

Co-writing is such a a part of the brand new regular for songwriters that when you’re critical about making this your career, you want to be prepared to work with a co-writer.

I’ve been there, so I perceive the apprehension and worry this concept conjures up. Fact is, nice co-writing ought to be unselfish, open, enjoyable, and uninhibited.

If you need that form of expertise, listed here are eight issues to learn about co-writing.

#1: Meet Your Co-Writer

Before you begin to work, meet your potential co-writer.

Have a cup of espresso or a drink. It’s a lot like courting—see when you have something in widespread earlier than you spend a lengthy day in a room collectively. It’s not foolproof.

I’ve made some nice pals this manner who didn’t end up to be nice co-writers, and I’ve additionally written a few of my favourite songs with writers who didn’t appear to be a match.

You need to be appropriate, however you don’t need somebody who solely does what you do. With co-writing, you’re every on the lookout for the opposite to deliver one thing to the desk.

#2: Know the Credit score Will Be Break up

That is necessary: know moving into that the credit score will likely be break up evenly between the individuals within the room, regardless of who does what ultimately. That’s a arduous one for brand spanking new writers to swallow, however hey, do it lengthy sufficient and it evens out, I promise.

Some days, you are feeling such as you wrote a music by yourself and the opposite writers watched.

Different days, you’re shopping for lunch and inspiring them to “maintain at it; you’re on hearth!”

If no publishers are concerned, it’s greatest to work it out in that dialog earlier than you write. You also can use a easy break up settlement the day of your writing session.

#3: Convey an Open Thoughts, Not an Agenda

On the day of the co-write, it by no means hurts to come ready with a couple of titles, ideas, or a little bit of a melody, however be sure you additionally deliver an open thoughts.

Co-writing is actually about listening to one another and creating one thing new and thrilling collectively. A giant no-no for me could be the co-writer who is available in intent on engaged on their concept proper from the beginning or, even worse, desires me to assist them end one thing they already had began. That’s not what co-writing is about.

#4: You Can’t Rewrite with Somebody Else

What occurs when you throw out that million-dollar title or melody you’ve been saving, and your co-writer turns it into small change? Are you able to go rewrite it with another person?

No. I do know it’s hurts however…NO.

You may name them and ask, however the actuality is, your status is constructed round your integrity and creativity. In case your co-writer thinks you’re going to write the identical concept with three different writers, it gained’t be lengthy earlier than you’re one lonely author. Because of this you may have a espresso assembly; you attempt your greatest to put your concepts in the best arms.

#5: Get to Know Your Co-Writer

Do your homework on co-writers, don’t be too valuable, belief your intestine, and hope for a little magic. Find out how your co-writer tends to course of data. Simply ask them.

Do they want quiet intervals to collect their ideas, or are they the form of author who wants fixed stimulus? You can set your self up for a clumsy co-writing expertise by not being in tune with your new buddy. Be sure to can snort with them.

Choose up the tab as soon as in a whereas and present up on time. Writers like that.

#6: Be Ready for Dangerous Co-Writing Classes

In case you write lengthy sufficient, you’re going to have a co-writing session the place you each give an sincere effort… and nothing occurs. I’ve had loads of days like that.

The co-writes which were magic for me have at all times been with somebody with a completely different strategy, and we find yourself complementing one another. We come up with some magic that neither of us may have accomplished on our personal. It should occur. You could have to endure by means of pace date hell to discover the love of your life.

Discover extra nice concepts, guide extra co-writes, and certainly one of these periods will likely be magic.

#7: You’re Each Bringing Fears to the Desk

Once I coach songwriters about co-writing, I hear these fears on a regular basis:

My concept is crap!

They’ll take my concept and switch it into one thing I’ll hate.

They’ll snort at me.

Nobody else may probably perceive me.

Nobody will ever need to co-write with me once more!

Once I began writing with writers I admired, I found they suffered from these co-writing from time to time, which helped me see I wasn’t alone in feeling that manner.

#8: Belief the Co-Writing Course of

How do you up the chances of a nice music popping out of your co-write?

In the beginning, search out good individuals to work with. Discover ones who’re in your identical stage, identical path. Becoming a member of songwriting teams is a smart way to lose your worry of sharing. By listening to different writers speak about their course of, you achieve perception into your self.

Sharing your music concepts would possibly nonetheless be a leap of religion, however attempt it. In case you keep open and provides your greatest each time, you’ll have extra nice days co-writing than unhealthy ones. Promise.

For extra recommendation on working with co-writers, yow will discover Tune Journey on Amazon.