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Get Started in Songwriting: Collaboration

by Sam Inglis

Lennon and McCartney; Rodgers and Hart; Bacharach and David; Lamont: duos and songwriting teams have been responsible for some of the most memorable hit songs of the 20th century. Are two brains always better than one? And how do you find a working method that allows you to fuse your talent with other people’s?

The classic approach is for one person to write the music, while another contributes the lyrics. Many musicians struggle to come up with words to match their tunes, and if you're one, it's well worth searching out a budding poet who can help. And now that we have the Internet, you may not even need to work in the same room, city, or country as your partner.

The other method of collaboration is for two or more songwriters to contribute the different sections of a song. Your verse might inspire a co-writer to come up with a brilliant chorus; or someone else might have the perfect chord sequence to complement your vocal melody.

Where can you find your ideal partner? Try asking around at your local music venues, music shops and folk clubs; or track down Internet forums devoted to bands you like. Chances are you'll soon track down other people who share your tastes and ambitions.


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Get Started In Songwriting: Teach Yourself

Get Started In Songwriting: Teach Yourself
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