A Songwriter is a professional who is responsible for creating musical pieces for a variety of uses including advertising, television, film, video games, plays, operas, ballets and recording artists. They also write music for their own personal use and performance.
Songwriters often specialize in writing and composing music for one specific instrument or part of a song. Some of the Songwriters work only for specific artists or companies, while others work freelance and pitch their music compositions to whoever they can find. Some work simply by writing lyrics and depending on someone else to create the music and rhythm behind it, while others create each detail to a song without the help of other artists.
Songwriter Eligibility
Eligibility Conditions
Although no formal qualification is required to become a Songwriter. Yet a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism, Communication or virtually any music related field will be quite helpful to become a successful Songwriter.
Songwriter Required Skills
- Songwriters need to be creative and talented with knowledge of the music business to help them market and sell songs.
- They should be known of playing an instrument can also be helpful in songwriting. Due to the unpredictable nature of the profession, songwriters need to be persistent and patient.
- They should be known that how to write lyrics, creating a melody, writing chords and how to write a song as a lead sheet.
- They should also know how to choose the song to demo as well as how to record a compelling demo.
How to become a Songwriter?
One has to follow the given steps for becoming a Songwriter
Step 1
After passing their schooling candidates have to go for a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism or Communication or music related courses from a recognised college/university in the country. Candidates have to appear in entrance test in some of the reputed institutions for getting admission.
Degree Courses for Songwriter are:
Step 2
Candidates can have a Master’s Degree after their graduation as at some of the places employers prefer it for offering jobs to them. This postgraduate course teaches them about all sounds of music in very details and other related aspects of it.
Institutes offering Courses for Songwriter
- University of Delhi (DU), Delhi
- University of Mumbai, Mumbai
- Goa University, Goa
- Visva Bharati University, Birbhum
Songwriter Job Description
- Songwriter job description includes writing and composing music for one specific instrument or a particular part of a song or composition.
- Songwriter work alone or with a team of professionals having a varying talent to compile a piece of work for a music recording company or a producer.
- Besides writing lyrics a songwriter job also included creating music and rhythm behind it.
Songwriter Career Prospects
There are many career options after completing courses in the very subjects. Songwriters usually gain exposure in the music industry by freelance writing for various music companies. They use these writing opportunities to gain contacts and connections in the industry and write music on the side.
Once they have written pieces they pitch it to producers, artists or record labels they have become familiar with to see what they think and if they are willing to purchase the song from them.
Songwriter Salary
The average salary of a Songwriter is ranging from Rs.6,00,000 to Rs.8,00,000 per year. Salaries are extremely variable in this field, as someone who works freelance will often make much less than someone who works exclusively for a record label.
As Freelance they also have the potential to make an excellent income, as they may have several artists they create music for who pay them a substantial amount of money per song. Here their earning depends on popularity and fame in the film industry.
