Singer Looking for collaborator/Songwriter

[jemusix]

I am a singer/dancer, and i am attempting to begin work on my first recorded album. My experience ranges from years in church choirs and leading praise and worship teams, then goes to impressioning Michael Jackson(both singing and dancing), so i thought it was about time i tried my hand at my own original album. But the thing is my songwriting skills are fairly limited, and i could really use some help, i have a few ideas but really can't ever put anything together. If anyone is interested in helping and becoming a "permanent" partner, i would really like to hear from you.

[shorty]

When I first started thinking about writing songs for others to enjoy, my first instinct was to pick up a book about songwriting and music business. I did some research, bought Donald S Passman's Everything You Need to Know about the Music Business, Moses Avalon's Confessions of a Record Producer, and found a little book called Inside Songwriting by Jason Blume. The first two books really helped me understand most of the music business and gave me a gist of how things work on the business side, the last book enabled me to be an artist and hone my craft inside the confines of business. Inside Songwriting by Jason Blume is my favorite songwriting book. There are many other books as well, written by songwriters who know what they're doing and how to do it, but Jason Blume speaks to me more than any other author does when it comes to songwriting. I highly suggest picking up either that or 6 Steps to Songwriting Success and reading it before collaborating with someone, if you haven't yet. The reason I highly suggest this, is because you'll be able to communicate with your songwriting partner much more effectively, and also be able to understand what the industry expects from songs lyrically and melodically, and ultimately what can happen in the songwriting process.I also suggest being open to not just one other co-writer but a few co-writers. It's my opinion that a songwriting 'partner' is built on the relationship you build with that person. Be open to working with several people, not everyone finds that Lennon/McCarthy E.John/B.Taupin relationship with writing. Read the album credits of every album you own and see who's listed as the writer of the songs. Very rarely do you find one or two people listed as the sole songwriter. Some of my favorite songs have been written by 3 or more listed writers and others have only one person credited as the writer.You being a beginning songwriter, I'd focus working outside the studio and honing that craft, write and write and write and write... until you get 5 or more songs that you feel your potential audience will love. Play acoustic versions of your songs to people who are barely acquainted with you and ask for their honest opinion, or better yet, ask the people here in the forums. They will be honest with you. When creating for others and creating a product, I apologize if I offend you by refering to your art as a product but that is how the industry sees it, you need people to be honest. I don't know how to stress the importance of need for honesty over stroking your own ego. If you get a positive review with little need for improvement, dig deeper. Assume they are being nice, obsess about making your song better, but don't spend too much time over obsessing about it. There will be a point where you will have to move on and apply what you learned to the next song. Make each song the best you can make it, before you go to record. Even after recording my first album, I go back and listen to some of my songs and there's things I can change, and probably will for submitting to Taxi listings. But I've learned tons since then, and when I recorded my songs, those were the best I could do at that time. I had been writing songs (with the intent of commercial consumption) for about 7 years before I recorded my first album, I've been writing ditties and silly little songs in my head since I was 8. What I think is great, is you are able to identify your weaknesses and realize the need for strengthening that. I hope that you are able to find a great songwriting partner(s) here on the forums, and wish you the best of luck!

[glender]

So your saying your range is Gospel to Michael Jackson? That pretty much covers it all! . You should post some samples of your voice maybe do a variety of cover tunes in the style you like singing. Consider an American Idol audition too. I'm sure that would look good on a resume. Just some ideas, gl

[devin]

I've found it's best to approach collaboration with an (initially) low expectation: try to just get one song or project completed with your partner. If that goes really well, then build on that. If it doesn't turn out the way both partners can support, then discuss what's missing. Rebekah's advice is awesome: keep developing yourself as you reach out and build external relationships. Glender is also right on target: give us a link to a few samples, so folks here can say "yes, I see where this could go!".Personally, every one of my songs is a collaboration with other people...it's the best way to get quality stuff done on time when you can't do it all yourself. A good number of my partners are "longer term" collaborators, but I'm not locked in (or dependant on) any one of them. It's all good!

[jemusix]

Yes all of you guys advice is great, and i am constantly learning new things. I am currently working on putting up some cover songs as vocal samples, so that i can be more legitinate and let everyone here know that i am not joking about how i sound, or how serious i am.

[cardell]

I'd be interested in hearing them. All the best, Stuart

[jemusix]

Stuart,I am working in the studio as i speak now i should have something of good quality by the end of the week.