In my prior posts, I listed some popular hitmaking songwriting and production teams. I also gave you the benefits of writing with a songwriting/production team. Now, I want to give some advice to new songwriting/production teams to help you work together effectively. Don't simply read these tips, apply them. Discuss them with your songwriting and production team. If you think it's necessary, print out these tips and have everybody sign these tips at the bottom as a sign that each member is committed to the songwriting/production team and will endeavor to make it another hitmaking songwriting/production team.
So here's the first set of tips and this first set of tips all revolve around one word: R.E.S.P.E.C.T. Without respect, no team can function! So follow these rules of respect:
1. respect each other - there has to be respect for each other in order for any team to work. There is a reason why you selected who you selected to join your songwriting team. Remember why you chose that person and why they chose to join the team. That will help you remember to respect each other.
2. respect each other's feelings - recognize that each person is different and may have to be approached or critiqued differently.
3. respect each other's opinion - you're a songwriting or production team. Because you're a team, give your teammate(s) the opportunity to critique your music and your lyrics. If you obey the first rule of respect, and that is, respect each other, then you should have no problems receiving and respecting that person's opinion, even if you disagree with it.
4. respect the session - turn off the cell phone! One, the cell phone transmit signals into the recording whether you are currently on the phone or not and two, it's disruptive when it does actually vibrate or ring and it messes up the flow of the session. Respect the session by working! Work hard, sing your best, play your best, write your best. Treat your session like the job you say you want! And have fun doing it!
5. respect each other's time - when you set a time to write, honor it! When you set a day to write, honor that day and do it. Be a woman or man of your word because your team is counting on you to show up. Sure things come up, emergencies and such, but repeated times of no-shows, repeated times of just giving excuses of why you can't show up, shouldn't be allowed. Why? That brings me to my next point on respect:
6. respect the group - it's a collaborative effort. If you respect the group, then you will show up because you know your team is depending on you. You know that they have to have your input, your presence, your strengths, and your skills to make things work. Also respect the group by not acting like you ARE the group! Sometimes one person thinks that they are the end all be all of the group and if it weren't for that one person, there wouldn't be a group. That type person has lost respect for the group. Sure there are leaders in a group. But just remember, a leader without followers is a person who walks alone! So respect the fact that you are a part of a group because there is no "I" in team!
7. respect each other's strengths - if you know that your strengh is lyrics, do lyrics. If your teammate's strength is composing music, let them compose music. When teammates stay in their lane, there are no crashes. It doesn't mean you can't state your opinion or suggest to the producer what music you may hear in your head if you're the lyricist and vice versa. It just means respect each other's talents, gifts, and skill level.
8. respect each other's contributions - that means get a split sheet and write down what percentage each person contributed to the song while still in the session! Don't leave without doing one! Have an understanding with your teammate(s) on whether everyone in the room regardless of whether they hummed or played a note or wrote a word will get a percentage or not AT THE BEGINNING! Don't assume everyone understands. Write it out.
9. respect your business - remember that you are a part of the business of music. You must respect your business. Take it seriously. Handle your business as a team. Do your paperwork. Hire who you need to hire. Remember that you can't just simply produce and write songs unless you have a business team (which I will talk about in later blogs).
10. respect your craft - work on your craft as often as you can. Show your teammates and yourself that you respect what you do by one: doing it! Two, study! Three, turn your weaknesses into strengths - learn how to do what your other teammates are doing. Four, learn what's hot right now and what's not. You show it by being humble enough to learn from people , from books, from courses, etc. In fact, I have mentioned several books and classes that can and will help you learn the craft of songwriting and producing. Have you purchased those yet? Have you followed through?
11. respect your intellectual property - in other words, copyright your songs! Don't do all this hard work and then not protect it!
12. respect others - stop hating on other songwriting teams and production teams! Stop being mad that somebody else got there before you did. Or some other team was able to work with someone you wanted to work with. Stop being mad at what equipment some producer used. Stop being mad, period. Show respect to other songwriting/production teams for being on their grind, for using what they got, for creating music that SOMEBODY ELSE liked or else it wouldn't have been recorded, respect the fact that they understand the business., etc Show some respect!
13. respect yourself - now if you find that your thoughts, opinions, suggestions, ideas, contributions, etc. are not being respected, then perhaps it may be time for you to respect yourself, leave the group, and start your own songwriting and production team!
Follow these rules of respect and your songwriting/production team will be a force to be reckon with!
Thedy B, Attorney/Songwriter
Hits A Million, LLC
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