Enjoying Other's Success

Sure, it sucks when we don't win that song contest, that music contract, or lose a favorite band member to another band. This needn't be a bad thing, though. Here are a few ideas to turn a bad experience into a good one, with just a few changes in outlook.

LOSING CONTESTS SUCKS

Yes, it does. But who won? Look at their lyrics, look at the melody line and arrangement. How experienced are the people who placed in front of you as far as musicianship, years in competitions, and playing their instruments or writing poetry? Chances are you can find that they might have a bit more seasoning than you, and it's just a matter of time before you craft something that pleases the judges like their work did. If you swallow your pride, and get to know the winners, maybe you can get them to share what comments they received from the panelists, and try to get into the mind of the judges for that competition. You may find that you just weren't in the right category or contest, and still go away from this experience enlightened and ready for your next contest. You may also find that certain judges just favor certain kinds of arrangements or singing styles more than they do content, and may find that you don't want to enter a contest where certain people are jurists.

If you get too many comments that your compositions are band songs and non-commercial, perhaps you should do like many do-keep your band songs for performance, and write separate songs your band doesn't like for competitions-you might find that your contest earnings will keep your band in the black. Many artists started out as songwriters, and vice-versa. Don't let this dichotomy keep you from writing as you wish to write-just learn when which is appropriate, and put your songs where they will flourish best.

Meanwhile, get to know the winners. I know of several great writing teams that started out this way-perhaps you could start co writing with one of these people, even if you have to pay the person to do so-many are up for that. If they are an instrumentalist, you might try jamming with that person sometime or going with them to an open mic night and performing together, or, if either of you are far enough along, play on the same paying bill. This could be great if you are part of a performing band that does well, but you don't do so well at contests-this person may write well, but not be able to get much exposure as an artist, and the two of you can help each other out. Give it a try.

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