Songwriting

There is no one thing, no magic bullet that will make you a better songwriter. You must do many different things. But the biggest single thing you can do is to write daily.

Yes, you can spend your time reading books, studying the masters, attending workshops and scouring the web. It's all helpful and I encourage you to do all of them. But you must also apply what you've learned when you sit down to write. That's where the rubber meets the road.

Writing is like playing an instrument. You get better with practice. And without practice, you can't really improve.

So write songs every day. That is your practice. Learn by doing.

Paul Reisler, one of the most respected songwriting teachers in the country, is a composer, songwriter, teacher, recording artist, and performer. He's the leader of Trapezoid, as well as Paul Reisler & A Thousand Questions and the founder of Kid Pan Alley.

Join Paul, Julie Portman and special guest songwriters for an intensive week of hands-on learning. Daily classes on all aspects of lyric and music writing, performance, directed writing and creativity.

You'll do a lot of writing & get individual instruction, including a one-on-one. Expanded advanced curriculum for returning students. Learn to live the musical life and build community through song.

The camp is a total immersion in the musical life and it is a blast. The next camp runs from June 18 to June 23, 2007.

More info at 6 Day.

It may seem obvious, but the most powerful songs are those written from deep in your heart. You can be clever and intellectual, but it won't reach people on a heart level.

If you want to make people feel something, you have to dig deep and reveal something about yourself. When you express yourself authentically, whether you're feeling love, hate, anger or joy, people will respond.

It's not always easy. You may have to stretch, get outside your comfort zone. You may have to take a risk. This tip is true for love songs, punk songs and even humorous songs.