Music Industry Jobs

This article has been written to give you a better understanding of the different music industry jobs a songwriter can have. When you write a song you have a couple of options available to you with regards to what you do with your songs.

You can either perform them yourself or you can sell them. This will mean selling the rights of the songs to other artists, producers etc...

We will look at the options available in more detail below but firstly, let's take a look at what skills are required to be a songwriter.

Music Industry Jobs Skills Required

• Instrument
  You need to be able to play an instrument of some sort. Piano and guitar are by far the most popular choices. You don't have to be a whiz on your instrument of choice, just being able to string a few chords together will be sufficient.
• Vocal ability
  Being able to sing your melodies is essential. Once again this doesn't have to be to a high standard, especially if you're writing songs for other artists to sing.
• Music Theory
  A very basic understanding of music theory will go a long way. Understanding scales and what chords to use will only make your writing better. A lot of people shy away from music theory but if you want to take your songwriting to the next level its extremely important. If you feel like your lacking a bit in the music theory department why not check out some of the song writing tips in the craft section of this site.
• Determination
  To succeed as a professional song writer you need to never give up. You will face a lot of rejection but that doesn't necessarily mean your songs are bad - well maybe they are - but you have to keep pushing.

Pay and Reward

There is no set pay in songwriting. Every songwriter wants to make money writing songs but it all depends on how successful your songs are. If you're selling them you will get paid on a royalty basis, this usually means receiving a royalty check once a year.

There are other rewards such as hearing a song you wrote being played on the radio, winning songwriting competitions, getting to attend music award ceremonies and rubbing shoulders with the stars.

Music Industry Jobs

• Performers
  Performing songwriters create and perform their own music. They write both lyrics and music. They are strong on their instrument and have good vocal ability. Performing writers may work as a solo act or as a member of a band.
  
• Staff Writer
  Staff songwriters are hired by record companies, music publishers, producers and other production groups. As a staff writer all music that they create is owned by who they're working for, they automatically sign over all copyright. Staff writers may receive a weekly wage, or contracted to write "work for hire" pieces.
  
• Freelance
  Freelance writers work for themselves or may work under a part time contract with various companies. Generally, securing single song agreements.
  
• Jingle Writer
  Jingle writers specialize in writing music for TV and radio commercials. They must be able to write to their clients directions.
  
• Producer
  Producers develop their own material from start to finish. They write the material and develop the concept for how the song will be arranged and recorded, hire musicians and engineers, and oversee the production of the material.
  
• Lyricist
  Lyricists only write lyrics. They usually co-write with someone who composes music.
  
• Composer
  Composers create instrumental pieces, either to stand alone or to be combined with lyrics. They may compose scores for film, TV or radio.

As you can see there are a lot of different music industry jobs for the songwriter, hopefully this article opened your a eyes a little in helping you choose the correct path for your future.