How to Stand Out: Find Your Unique Songwriting Style & Voice

[@SongTownUSA]

0:00 / 16:35 How Songwriters Can Crush 2024. kzbin.info/www/bejne/fJrLq3SDib2ppaM

[@MatthewChambersMusic]

Maybe for some, who wrote three poems or lyrics and maybe had three chords behind it and thought, "Hey, I'm a songwriter!", however, in my experience, it has taken years, decades even, writing through, developing consistency to even begin to "find my voice." When we are born we tend to mimic the voices of those around us. Natural enough. As we grow, become experienced, learn to speak, more and more each develops their own voice. It's like aging wine or whiskey. Just write, reflect, edit, repeat. Put in the time.

[@mysticmarval]

Thank you both for taking the time to share this. Have a wonderful day!

[@claymillsmusic]

YOu're very welcome!

[@shepherdlenthall3951]

The distinction that Clay made about using the tools and not having to stick to a formula is a key and Marty's comments about experience ('write from real' I was thinking) is so valid. A songwriter I admire (but don't want/couldn't copy) is Roy Orbison - he wrote from the heart and the songs, for the most part, don't follow a formula and this works well for the message and emotion he gets across- brilliantly. I love the candor and insight you guys share with us. Thank you

[@claymillsmusic]

I wrote for his publishing company. His widow, Barbara, ran the company. Orbison was always a big role model for me. Glad you brought that up!

[@dandtintennessee7675]

I recently discovered this channel and I very much appreciate it. I was told 30 years ago by my teachers that I should consider a career in writing but I chose a career in retail management and alcoholism instead. I don't recommend that career path. After 15 years sober I have a lot to say. Will I ever be rich and famous? It's not likely, but maybe someone will eventually hear one of my songs and realize that they can do better and don't have to continue to live in misery... Plus I enjoy the process of writing and recording.

[@SongTownUSA]

Congrats on the 15! Write on! CM

[@dandtintennessee7675]

@SongTownUSA Thank you. Life's much better on this side of the bottle.. hey.. that's a pretty cool line 🙂.

[@SongTownUSA]

Write that! CM

[@jayburd1875]

Authenticity is the key to the realm.. Strangely its a challenge as you're up against who everybody else says you are.

[@zvw444x3zefa]

Amen!

[@daveandthebox8119]

Great stuff here. Thank you so much

[@SongTownUSA]

Glad you enjoyed it. Write on! CM

[@guberdance]

U guys are an invaluable wellspring of knowledge and experience. Thanks soooo much from this low level amateur for being accessible .

[@SongTownUSA]

Thank you! But, Amateur ain’t lower, just different. I was an amateur for 40 years, then I had my first hit. But I always tried to conduct myself professionally. Write on CM

[@jimmystuckeysongs3859]

Awesome episode guys...thanks for another killer lesson for those of us like me that couldn't get arrested in Nashvegas. Cheers

[@briansmyth5625]

Very helpful ideas and thoughts for songwriters ... thank you for your insight.

[@SongTownUSA]

You're welcome buddy!

[@mommysavta2069]

Loved this! Thanks, guys I learned a lot!

[@SongTownUSA]

You're Welcome!

[@michaelgolden4938]

Great topic, thanks fellas

[@SongTownUSA]

You're welcome! ~CM

[@TerryStephensonmusic]

I have a voice for easy listening songs and for blues, but country I don't like my voice and I've worked at it forever, and I still end up copying someone's voice...and I do a lot of Elvis type songs and they have worked on youtube

[@SongTownUSA]

We can't change who we are. All we can do is embrace it. Sounds like you've found what you are good at Terry. ~CM

[@TerryStephensonmusic]

found something that works for sure....but again you never know what works until you put it out there, and it's surprising what song/s are more popular...it started as comedy, but I found out I was going to lose my listeners if I kept that going....but now with enough followers, I can start putting more songs of different genres out there for a test drive...thanks for your input@@SongTownUSA

[@HeatherDMorris]

Question. Is it too old school to modulate say from a verse that starts on C chord and modulate up if you are using the same chord, so it is a higher pitch, modulate back down and back up again ?

[@SongTownUSA]

The last time I heard a commercial song do that was Keith Urban's John Cougar, John Deere, John 3:16 about 8 years ago. Doesn't mean it won't come back in fashion again tomorrow. You never know!

[@HeatherDMorris]

I heard it! It definitely gave it a lift . I have an inspirational country song with a uplifting message so I may try it !. I really want to keep the notes in chorus bc they fit so good but I want it stand out more than verses . Thank you for answering.

[@MyFlyingEyes]

OMG Ai... I've been in sessions where one of the writers pull up an Ai and try to come out with something. Now that you mentioned Ai it would be great if you can say something about those companies using all of our works to "train" Ai without asking for a license. To me there is not such a thing as "Training" Ai, to me it is just getting your song into a software database in order to use it to operate. Anyhow It would be nice to hear your take on that controversial topic.

[@acvmurray]

Word association… I think I’ve seen that channel! 😂

[@SongTownUSA]

Maybe more than one :)

[@Thelastsong96]

How do you not quit when it seems like there’s nothing to say

[@SongTownUSA]

Good question! I believe there's always something to say. Part of the songwriting journey is to lern how to find the ideas around you that mean something to you and that you want to say. We teach how at SongTown in our lesson videos. Write On! ~CM

[@John-Lorraine]

It seems to me that writers wish to be successful and the desire drives them to copy what others have done to become successful. This notion drives the stereotypical pickup/whiskey cliches that writers cling to from time to time, or every time, in order to please the country brand. If you are going to write something great, you must ignore the notion to say what has already been said at the same tempo and at least turn the object around to look at it or speak to it in a different way. Not that it's easy but if you think about all of your favorite tunes, most of them raised the bar or shifted thinking in their time.

[@SongTownUSA]

Good advice!

[@John-Lorraine]

@@SongTownUSA Thanks brother! I enjoy your videos. I have recently jumped back into music and finally enjoy the process without the angst that I used to feel. Your knowledge and experience does help. Clay and Marty kick butt!!!

[@SongTownUSA]

@@John-Lorraine Glad to hear you're enjoying the process. Always hang on to that no matter what! ~Clay

[@rexchiquine6049]

I'm calling the song police,,,that's illegal,,,

[@SongTownUSA]

haha

[@zvw444x3zefa]

You could say AI has a voice. It's a computer voice. I hope it remains so obvious.

[@SongTownUSA]

Yes1 We're only intrigued by the human voice :)