By Corey Stewart
Really, there is nothing to worry about. You can "break" the rules and still get heard
Rules are meant to be broken, aren't they?
In songwriting there are exceptions to every pretty much every rule you can think of. As soon as you have a formula happening with your own writing something else comes along that blows the theory out of the water.
When I was studying music theory and composition in high school I remember having a conversation with my teacher at the time about the fact that if, in music, anything goes why do we have to learn all of these rules and structures?
Being a very knowledgeable and insightful chap his answer was simple and to the point. He said to me that "in order to break all the rules you must first KNOW the rules".
I was blown away by that statement.
I experienced one of those penny dropping moments, it all made sense. My enthusiasm for music theory (which was high anyway) suddenly doubled overnight. I still remind myself of that statement every so often.
What I am outlining here is that even though the music industry seems to be only wanting young, good looking female singers (who can sing songs of little or no substance) something or someone will always come along and shatter that perception. Jeff Buckley was a great example of this.
The music industry is indeed a dynamic and ever changing beastie.
Always remember, the music industry would die a slow and horrible death if no more songs were written. Remember, it's the songs WE write that make the industry what it is.
When you are honing your craft, perfecting your process, increasing your activity, researching your art, you are doing this not to find the magic formula that will make you millions upon millions of dollars. No, you are doing the work to multiply the amount of sonic colours you can paint with.
It's the difference between looking at songwriting as a long term passion or as a short term hobby.
Don't use the rules and tips that you pick up on your songwriting journey as a way of stifling your creativity or to corral your output into a certain genre, use them as a point of reference so you know how to do things differently when you feel the need to.
You will discover that there are things that you feel comfortable doing but always be on the lookout for another way.
Change your direction, challenge yourself.
Don't be content with formula. Nurture your desire to keep learning. I hope that in some small way my songwriting channel is of great help to you.
There is always something or someone that breaks the mould, captures our attention and steers the industry into a different direction. That is how evolution and change takes place.
Nothing remains the same for long.
As the major labels find it harder and harder to sell product you are going to see more manufactured songs appear on the radio.
Their focus will be on more and more short term ventures. That doesn't mean that songwriting is dead. Far from it.
Are you the difference that will stand out in the world of similarity???
Corey Stewart is a published Singer/Songwriter from Australia who has his own songwriting blog and his own website.
http://www.coreystewartonline.com/
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