LESSONS/TIPS
Writing Songs:
Americana songwriter/ recording artist Nikki O’Neill shares useful insights and tips By Nikki O’Neill
Songwriting is a talent that I think is entirely different from being a gifted singer, live performer, or instrumentalist. Lots of singers and soloists can blow you away with their chops...for a while. But if they don’t have good songs, the audience will tune out. Artists who’ve learned that songwriting isn’t their forte will let others write for them. Some make sure to join a band that has a really good songwriter.
70 Guitar Girl Magazine
Now, is ‘‘good’’ songwriting the same thing as ‘‘hit’’ songwriting? Not at all. There’s a time and a place for both. You’ll Put It to Good Use Can you learn to be a good songwriter? I think you can...to a certain degree. No songwriter starts off with a fully formed vision and artistic ‘‘voice.’’ But if songwriting doesn’t come easy to you, you can still develop
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an appreciation for the craft and an ability to recognize a great lyric, melody, hook, or chord progression when you hear it, even if you didn’t come up with it firsthand. This will make you a valuable collaborator, and it’s definitely worth your time and effort. You don’t need to take classes or buy books to learn songwriting. What you need is to engage your senses and become a great