Originally Posted By: David Snyder
This is a great idea, and I tell you why.

I am a regional coordinator for the Nashville Songwriter's Association (NSAI is not just country, but all genres) and the #1 thing that the organization stresses above and beyond anything else is:

THE POWER OF COLLABORATION.

In brief, most pros believe you simply will not grow and get better and stretch your limitations if you do not collaborate. Collaborators force you to get real, to work harder to make your song stronger. They bring honesty, fresh ideas, novel approaches, and things you never would have thought of. In fact, I have often heard it said that there are three rules to growing better as a songwriter:

1. Collaborate.

2. Collaborate.

3. Collaborate.

Since Band-in-a-Box is the world's most awesome tool for songwriters, in my opinion at least (I couldn't live without it, seriously) it makes all the sense in the world to have a collaboration forum with some process behind it.

There are SO MANY opportunities out there for film, sync licensing and on and on where some people on the forum would have a much better shot if they collaborated.

As but one example, look at all the postings where they ask for a gentle song with soaring female vocals.

You have the pretty song idea but you sound like a 4-pack a day Marlboro smoker. Or whatever. So many different nuances to this.

Great idea.

Somebody start this.

smile

(It needs some process thinking though, almost like a billboard--"I got....but I need...gonna pitch it to..interested??? P.M. me etc.)

* P.S. Behind the scenes, I am right now working with Noel Adams who is a scholar when it comes to lyrics. He is coaching me and teaching me some stuff about how to up my game with lyrics to make them, stronger, more accessible and more commercial. A really great and smart guy. I am learning all kinds of things.

BUT, it is HARD. You can't have much of an ego when you get down to the nitty gritty. I have re-written one thing like 20 times and keep tearing it up and starting over.

Collaborators and coaches here on this forum are the greatest thing ever, but when you decide to get better it is like "no pain no gain."

It hurts. Those growing exercises can bring the aches and pains. But you gotta do it.




THIS^^^^^^

You can find my music at:
www.herbhartley.com
Add nothing that adds nothing to the music.
You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.

The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.