Alison's New App is now available on iOS and Android! Download Now

How to become A Performing Songwriter

Arts, Audio/Video Technology, and Communications

Performing Songwriters are whizzes who have the know-how to write, record, and present their visions. Continue Reading

Skills a career as a Performing Songwriter requires: Music Music Theory Singing Goal Setting Performance Management View more skills
Performing Songwriter salary
$51,826
USAUSA
£37,196
UKUK
Explore Career
  • Introduction - Performing Songwriter
  • What does a Performing Songwriter do?
  • Performing Songwriter Work Environment
  • Skills for a Performing Songwriter
  • Work Experience for a Performing Songwriter
  • Recommended Qualifications for a Performing Songwriter
  • Performing Songwriter Career Path
  • Performing Songwriter Professional Development
  • Learn More
  • Conclusion

Introduction - Performing Songwriter

Performing Songwriters are whizzes who have the know-how to write, record, and present their visions.

Similar Job Titles Job Description
  • Singer-Songwriter
  • Artist Songwriter

What does a Performing Songwriter do?

What are the typical responsibilities of a Performing Songwriter?

A Performing Songwriter would typically need to:

  • Have an exclusive point of view, use of genre, or way of putting rhymes together
  • Have a more distinctive sound than artists who perform songs by other writers; work within a singer-songwriter tradition
  • Apply knowledge of harmony, melody, rhythm, and voice production to individualize presentations and maintain audience interest
  • Practice singing and playing instruments to improve their technique or hire backing musicians to support their compositions; rehearse to prepare for performances
  • Use unconventional methods like crowdfunding to raise enough funds to make music on their own terms
  • Register a song for copywriting purposes as soon as the final version is written and recorded alongside releasing and promoting their records
  • Join a Performing Rights Organization (free or for a fee) to collect and disburse all monetary royalties in a fair and organized manner
  • Perform before live audiences, or in television, radio, or movie productions; find locations for performances or concerts and tour to raise publicity and support
  • Collaborate and write with other musicians; network with singers, publishers, record label producers and managers in the industry who might be interested in their work
  • Submit their music online to a music catalog (free or for a fee) which may be accessed by commercial companies and TV shows
  • Pitch their music in person to music companies at major networking events
  • Continuously write, record and perform as artists while also using outreach to grow the audience for their music

Performing Songwriter Work Environment

Performing songwriters often juggle between writing, recording, releasing, and promoting songs. Their work environment varies drastically depending on the phase of the production they are in. During the writing phase, they can usually work from their home. The next stage happens in recording rooms. They then perform in settings such as concert halls, arenas, and clubs. They travel to different places, touring nationally and internationally, to promote the album. It includes networking with singers, publishers, and producers in the industry who might be interested in their songs. The dress code ought to be appropriate, clean, professional, and in sync with your music.

Work Schedule

Performing songwriters spend hours writing and revising, while simultaneously brainstorming. They will spend long hours in front of their computer compiling music, using technology to blend pieces and play the music on the instruments themselves to get a feel for how it is supposed to sound.

Rehearsals and recording sessions are commonly held during business hours but may go on hours at a stretch, trying to get a perfect final product. Live performances are most often at night and on weekends.

Sometimes the work schedule of a Performing Songwriter is flexible. At other times—like the weeks Performing Songwriters spend on the road promoting their albums, or the recording studio sessions—the schedule is incredibly tight and demanding.

Performing Songwriters generally enjoy breaks in between albums, when they spend some time gathering new material before returning to the studio and the road.

Employers

Performing Songwriters are usually self-employed. Sometimes, they collaborate with record labels that manage the artist’s entire production. They may also work with other artists.

Performing Songwriters may be generally employed by:

  • Religious Organizations
  • Grantmaking Organizations
  • Civic Organizations
  • Professional Organizations
  • Performing Arts Companies
  • Educational Services
Unions / Professional Organizations

Performing Songwriters may belong to one or more performance rights organizations or music unions or professional organizations. Professional associations and organizations are a crucial resource for Professional Songwriters interested in pursuing professional development or connecting with like-minded professionals in their industry or occupation. Membership in one or more looks excellent on your resume to bolster your credentials and qualifications as Performing Songwriter.

Workplace Challenges
  • A highly competitive field with part-time or intermittent work and inconsistent and insufficient pay in the early stages
  • Stressful due to constant exposure to crowds who scrutinize every artist
  • Repetitive strain injuries
  • Highly taxing work requiring frequent travel both within and outside the country

Work Experience for a Performing Songwriter

You must have extensive training in singing and knowledge of music to interpret music at a professional level. Performing songwriters typically begin singing or learning to play an instrument by taking lessons and classes when they are children. They must often practice to develop their talent and technique.

Individuals interested in classical music may seek additional training through music camps and fellowships. These programs provide participants with classes, lessons, and performance opportunities.

Recommended Qualifications for a Performing Songwriter

Performing songwriters do not require a particular set of academic qualifications to be successful. Thorough knowledge of musical theory and fluency in the language they write and sing in would be essential.

Many who want to pursue classical music and opera have a bachelor’s degree in music theory or performance. Many colleges and universities offer bachelor's degrees in music with a specialization in vocal performance. Some singers may choose to continue their education and seek a master's degree in music.

Aspiring Performing Songwriters might take private singing lessons from professional vocal coaches and superior classes/workshops to provide the requisite tools, techniques, and inspiration instead of a formal degree.

Certifications, Licenses and Registration

Voluntary certification from an objective, credible, and reputed organization is evidence of a Performing Songwriter’s drive and motivation. It demonstrates competency in skills, typically through work experience, training, the passage of an examination, or some combination of the three.

Performing Songwriter Career Path

You will usually start small, writing songs and performing them wherever you can, including music venues, cafes, parks, house parties, and community events. Some develop their Songwriting talents as members or leaders of a band, while others work within a singer-songwriter tradition, or hire backing musicians to support their compositions. Signing to a record label is an ideal path for many. The label will often take care of bookings, promotion, marketing, and merchandising while the artist focuses on the creative aspects.

Many Performing Songwriters prefer to maintain their creative independence and continue to pursue careers as “indie” artists. It may mean releasing and promoting their records, touring to support them, and using unconventional methods like crowdfunding to raise enough money to make music on their terms. Some Performing Songwriters move to other aspects of the business, such as founding and managing their record label, working in Artists and Repertoire (A&R), writing for other artists, and teaching Songwriting to the next generation.

Job Prospects

Performing Songwriters who have exceptional musical talent and dedication and can perform in various ranges and styles are usually most successful in obtaining work. There will be fierce competition for jobs because of the large number of workers who are interested in becoming musicians and singers.

Performing Songwriter Professional Development

While talent, skills, knowledge, experience, dedication, and time help a Performing Songwriter go a long way in this industry, luck also plays a small role. Networking creates integral industry connections that could help one sustain and advance their career.

Social media, YouTube videos, smart branding, and local gigs help self-promotion that is very important to increase the fan base. Beginning Songwriters should seek out local opportunities for collaboration and cross-promotion (e.g., local films, plays, and community events). Learning must happen in your own time.

To pay the bills, fledgling Performing Songwriters might utilize their music industry connections to work as touring musicians, session musicians, backup singers, and staff writers. Compared with the ongoing and often unprofitable task of writing, recording, releasing, touring, and promoting their compositions, gigs like these provide Performing Songwriters with immediate income.

Learn More

Solo or Duet Performing

Songwriters may be solo artists who primarily release and perform under their given name. They may mainly write and perform with their bands or be part of a duo that writes, records, and performs together. Performing Songwriters might work mostly on their own, or collaborate with managers, bandmates, engineers, producers, and touring and session musicians.

Keys to Success

The stress of always looking for work leads many to accept permanent full-time jobs in other occupations while working part-time as musicians or singers. Most Performing Songwriters are open to composing for other artists. Versatility is a crucial differentiator between successful and unsuccessful Performing Songwriters. Performing can be stressful for some musicians, and performance-related psychology can be helpful.

Conclusion

Find your muse, listen to other artists and different genres, but stay true to yourself and be original; create your songs, and bring them to life for yourself and others to hear. If, as a Performing Songwriter, you can touch people and make them feel less alone in the world, you’ve done your job.

Advice from the Wise

It is only natural to pattern yourself after someone… But you can’t just copy someone. If you like someone’s work, the important thing is to be exposed to everything that person has been exposed to.

Did you know?

The royalty of the ‘The Wedding Song,’ written by Paul Stookey of Peter, Paul and Mary, has grown to nearly US $2 million, all of which go to charity via the Public Domain Foundation.

Introduction - Performing Songwriter
What does a Performing Songwriter do?

What do Performing Songwriters do?

A Performing Songwriter would typically need to:

  • Have an exclusive point of view, use of genre, or way of putting rhymes together
  • Have a more distinctive sound than artists who perform songs by other writers; work within a singer-songwriter tradition
  • Apply knowledge of harmony, melody, rhythm, and voice production to individualize presentations and maintain audience interest
  • Practice singing and playing instruments to improve their technique or hire backing musicians to support their compositions; rehearse to prepare for performances
  • Use unconventional methods like crowdfunding to raise enough funds to make music on their own terms
  • Register a song for copywriting purposes as soon as the final version is written and recorded alongside releasing and promoting their records
  • Join a Performing Rights Organization (free or for a fee) to collect and disburse all monetary royalties in a fair and organized manner
  • Perform before live audiences, or in television, radio, or movie productions; find locations for performances or concerts and tour to raise publicity and support
  • Collaborate and write with other musicians; network with singers, publishers, record label producers and managers in the industry who might be interested in their work
  • Submit their music online to a music catalog (free or for a fee) which may be accessed by commercial companies and TV shows
  • Pitch their music in person to music companies at major networking events
  • Continuously write, record and perform as artists while also using outreach to grow the audience for their music
Performing Songwriter Work Environment
Work Experience for a Performing Songwriter
Recommended Qualifications for a Performing Songwriter
Performing Songwriter Career Path
Performing Songwriter Professional Development
Learn More
Did you know?
Conclusion

Holland Codes, people in this career generally possess the following traits
  • R Realistic
  • I Investigative
  • A Artistic
  • S Social
  • E Enterprising
  • C Conventional
United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals that this career profile addresses
Good Health and Well-being Decent Work and Economic Growth Reducing Inequality