Each month, we’ll include several exclusive full-length premium VIDEO, audio/visual or written FEATURES which you will learn from and be inspired by, as well as a bundle of FREE VIDEO items, and other songwriter-related offers.

Each week, we’ll feature our SONGWRITER SPOTLIGHT, “Associate” profiles, and there will be MUSETEAM UPDATES a number of times per week, keeping you informed and motivated – all to EXPAND YOUR SONGWRITING UNIVERSE!

We want you to have the ever-present Vantage point of a professional songwriter so that you’ll always be in that elusive creative space, as well

as the adVantage of getting the inside scoop on the latest music business opportunities.

We believe that anyone can become a fairly good songwriter, and that any fairly good songwriter can become a great one, and that any great songwriter can become a HIT songwriter.

The Hit Song Puzzle

We believe that YOU are a serious songwriter – one who wants to write better and better songs and get those songs further and further up the ladder  - that is a given, or you wouldn’t have found your way to this site.

But you don’t want to spend the rest of your life searching for all of the hit song puzzle pieces and fumbling with trying to fit them together to finally get there, and you certainly don’t want to make fatal music business mistakes that you may never recover from!

There are boatloads of pieces to the hit song puzzle that most songwriters haven’t even imagined. 

You might be a beginner, and the whole puzzle feels impossibly difficult for you to ever figure out, so you don’t even try . . . but you want to – because the passion to create music is inside of you! 

Or you might be halfway there, or maybe even closer to the top, but still can’t find those elusive last few pieces, or figure out where they should fit.

Well – here’s the good news:

We’re here to help all songwriters to improve.  Every level of songwriter, beginners and professionals, pure songwriters and writer/artists alike!  You can all benefit from what we offer. 

It’s as simple as this: If you are serious about improving your songwriting and music business know-how, you will . . . with our help!

Any one of the things pointed out in INSIDE THE HITS, or the hints suggested in 21 WAYS, or a single comment from one of our EXPERT INTERVIEWS or quotes in SONGWRITER’S MIND, could the missing puzzle piece that you’ve been looking for.  Maybe you didn’t even realize that you needed it until you saw or heard it here.  So discovering any one of these hundreds of pieces might be worth it for you to become an SV member – helping you to reach that next step. And our features will continue to enlighten you and expand your songwriting knowledge and connectivity with the music business.

And any one of these insights might trigger a new song, or new thought for the missing piece you need.

We want to raise the level of your songs, so that they will sound like a HIT every time you write one!  We’d like nothing more than to make you a successful writer, one who consistently comes up with powerful songs that make every other songwriter say, “Wow!  I wish I’d written that!” 

How would you like to write great songs like that every time?

The members of our staff all come from songwriting backgrounds.   And most of us have been writing for decades, finding each little incremental piece of that puzzle by making painful, often embarrassing mistakes, and studying every bit of songwriting knowledge where we could.  Just like you, we’ve all been frustrated in the past, trying to get solid songwriting info wherever we could find it. 

Together, we’ve taken dozens of college courses in every aspect of music, songwriting, lyrics, recording, music business, copyright law, etc.  We’ve also studied privately with the most respected songwriting teachers and read every book available on those subjects, eventually becoming teachers ourselves.

Over that time we’ve also increasingly honed our street savvy, keeping our songwriting GPS aimed at where the music business meets reality.

But now, for you, getting that info will be easier than ever.  We’ve done these things the hard way, removed the land mines and simplified the essential information, so that you won’t have to!

It’s taken us (and our associates) decades to gather together the diverse bits of songwriting knowledge, insight, and tips that we will be offering you each MONTH!        And we’ll be throwing in tons of inspiration and encouragement while doing it in an entertaining and fun way to boot. 

All you’ll have to do is to watch, listen or read, whenever you wish, from wherever you wish – right from your computer screen, laptop, iPhone, iPad, or tablet!  This is truly the most effortless way to improve your skills, hone your songwriting craft and your music business acumen.  And we do it all in a simple to understand, fun atmosphere. 

What is our SONGWRITER SPOTLIGHT?

Each week, we’ll feature a different songwriter – A songwriter who has an exemplary song - in any genre.  Our selected songwriter’s bio, picture and song, will be shown and heard and of course, viewers will have immediate access to everything offered on his/her site.

Please keep in mind that every one of the producers, publishers, film and TV placement people and major music business names whom we have interviewed are automatically a SongwritersVantage member!  That means that they will all be seeing these SPOTLIGHTed songwriters and listening to their songs, and . . it could be you!  

Not only that, but all of the above will remain in our ARCHIVES, indefinitely. 

That means that everyone who ever comes to our site will see that you were a spotlighted songwriter!

Again, since you’ve found your way here, we already know that you have the insight to recognize a great opportunity when the door opens.  This is it!

What is the SongwritersVantage Muse Team?

Our MUSE TEAM is a professional squad of reporters and videographers who interview the top people in every facet of the songwriting field, from exceptional musicians and writers to producers, publishers, film & TV placement agents, recording experts and more!  Our team travels to where they are, and videos our interviews with them (usually in a Question & Answer format) on subjects that will enlighten every songwriter!  You’ll learn about our industry from the INSIDE!

From our headquarters in Hollywood, California (arguably the most vital music capitol) and with our long-standing collective position in the music business, we have access to the most well-respected, top movers and shakers in the  industry.  Since last year, each week our team has been video-recording several hours worth of exclusive, full-length in-depth interviews with HIT songwriters, major music business experts, name artists, etc. – and editing them to be presented in the most informative manner – just for you, our members.  We are expanding this to New York, Nashville, Chicago and Atlanta as we speak!  

Here’s a preview of just a small sample of what we have coming up:

Jason Blume, Multi-platinum hit songwriter (has written monster HITS for Britney Spears, the Backstreet Boys, Collin Ray, the Oak Ridge Boys, etc).

Michael Laskow; founder and CEO of TAXI  - Find out how that exceptional song placement organization works best for you.

Dan Kimpel (author of music industry books) in an extensive Q & A on his book “Networking Strategies for the New Music Industry”.  Don’t miss this!

Matt Forger (with Michael Jackson’s recording team, etc.).

LaRombe (Grammy winning songwriter with Keb Mo and founder of the “Philly-Fornia Sound”)

Ritch Esra (the Music Business Registry – Helping songwriters find target recipients for their songs - Get hooked up with film & TV!)

Debra Russell (Artist’s Edge – Certified business success coach for the arts and entertainment industry)

Fett (Azalea Music Group) Audio/Studio wizard, Fett speaks on the subject.

All speaking about working with the greats and giving their latest advice to songwriters.

We also have celebrity interviews and shout-outs from:

Bootsy Collins (Parliament/Funkadelic, Bootsy’s Rubber Band)

Lawrence Juber (Paul McCartney/Wings and a fantastic composer/player)

Steve Lukather (Toto, others)

Jackson Browne (exceptional hit singer/songwriter)

Jeff “Skunk” Baxter (Steely Dan, Doobie Brothers)

Prescott Niles (The Knack)

Shavo Odadjian (System Of A Down)                                                                                                                

Richie Zito (Elton John’s band, Giorgio Moroder, award winning production work for Cheap Trick, Bad English, Heart and Eddie Money)                                      

Monte Montgomery (Amazing singer, songwriter and astounding guitarist)

Ricky Skaggs (Country music great!)                                                    ,

Johnny Hiland (mind-blowing guitar-slinger)                                                   

PLUS: We’ll have Q & A sessions videotaped at our ongoing songwriting workshops in Hollywood – Have a look:

Over the last few years, we’ve been videotaping a number of our L. A. Songwriter’s Co-Op industry guests.  Every one of these videos will also be available on our site for you (as a signed member) to review, for as long and as many times as you wish - and they will all remain there indefinitely in our ARCHIVES. 

These unique, wonderfully informative and insightful Q & A sessions (in a live, songwriting workshop environment in Hollywood, CA) are one-of-a-kind, close-up experiences, each with its own aspect of the music business, captured on these videos. Although, we will continue to produce this series, the ones already videotaped and edited include:

Arthur Hamilton, hit classic songwriter (wrote the standard “Cry Me A River” and too many others to list) His award-winning songs have been performed by nearly every major recording and performing artist.                                           

Tess Taylor (founder and CEO of NARIP: National Association of Record Industry Professionals) speaking on how to get your songs placed in this new music business.

Freebo (Bonnie Raitt, Ringo Starr, John Mayall, Crosby, Stills and Nash, Maria Muldaur, Dr. John and the legendary Spinal Tap) teaching some great songwriting tips, while playing and singing his songs as examples.

Paul Zollo (author of fantastic, informative songwriting books: (“Songwriters on Songwriting” with Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, Brian Wilson, Leonard Cohen and “Conversations with Tom Petty”) Speaking of his favorite remembrances of interviewing these songwriting giants!

Harriet Schock (Hit songwriter: “Ain’t No Way To Treat A Lady”, others, film composer and superb songwriting teacher)

Don Peake (Award-winning composer; played in Ray Charles band 10 yrs.; Recorded with Phil Spector’s famous “Wrecking Crew”, Marvin Gaye, Barry White, The Beach Boys, Roy Orbison, Sonny and Cher, ... multiple Motown hits. Having played on dozens of HITs, this interview with one of the most prolific studio musicians of the golden era of rock, R & B & pop is astounding and inspiring.  Simply check out his amazing discography at www.donpeakemusic.com

K. A. Parker (Exceptional songwriting educator and songwriter, pro lyricist, a five-time American Song Festival winner, Motown staff writer) speaking on refining your song lyrics.

Mike Rofe (Host of “West Coast Songwriter’s Association” Los Angeles chapter, unique songwriter and recording artist) giving his ample, learned insight on songwriting.

Each month we’ll have SEVERAL new, exclusive, multi-media information features added to our site, and some weekly as well as our video Muse Reports nearly every other day – all to help you to never forget who you are: a songwriter! 

And we didn’t choose our name lightly: We want you to have the ever-present Vantage point of a professional songwriter so that you’ll always be in that elusive creative space, as well as the adVantage of getting the inside scoop on the latest music business opportunities. 

What is “21 Ways To Make Your Song Even Better”?

This month’s text feature is just part of an ongoing series of exclusive written tutorials that we will be presenting each month covering all aspects of song craft.  Professionals and beginners, outside songwriters and writer/artists alike will all benefit from the information presented in each piece in this series.  For new relative songwriters, there will be revelations – and for seasoned ones, this series will be like a ”tune-up” – keeping their songwriting mind working at its full potential!

“21 Ways” . . . is over 30 pages of written advice that we’ve compiled In our effort to make ALL songwriters BETTER songwriters.  We’ve aggregated a great number of pointers in all facets of songwriting.  Together, they cover some of the most important, but often overlooked things songwriters should know about creating WINNING songs. 

Check it out, we’re sure that you’ll find it an easy, informative read, and one you can always return to, since it (and every other feature) will remain in our ARCHIVE indefinitely!

What is “INSIDE The HITS” ?

This is an ongoing series where we examine a HIT song, looking at all of the elements that make it a HIT. 

It is a full-length examination of a top song (some recent, some classic) – looking for the qualities which make it memorable.  There are comparisons to similar elements of other HIT songs in the process, allowing everyone to fully understand the process.  We use various methods of presenting the song de-construction, so that all angles are observed and covered.

This sort of exercise has been extremely important in the careers of most successful songwriters!  They commonly use the things they learn in this process as guidelines to create and produce their HITs!

One hit songwriter quipped, “It’s like taking a songwriting lesson from the writers of those HIT songs - while having fun!”

Why sign up as a GOLD SongwritersVantage member?

Here are the many benefits of having a GOLD membership:

One Custom Critique included every month!  Full, comprehensive, professionally written critique covering every facet of your song, telling you what works well, and what parts need help, in a logical, straight forward, well laid-out format. 
VIEW CUSTOM CRITIQUE SAMPLE

Deadline to work toward (in conjunction with critique) makes you come up with new, better songs every month.

Increases your song quality and output (bottom line: You will write at least one solid song each month – a full CDs worth in a year, and all increasingly better songs.)

Why are critiques important? 

Creative people need to feel free to pour their hearts out, saying what they feel, and use their own emotional experiences to conjure up the right words and music in an attempt to convey that same feeling to others.  The most common mistake songwriters make is to automatically imagine that every other person who hears their song will feel the way they feel when hearing that song.

In the midst of these creative episodes, they are blinded by their own emotional momentum, and often overlook how it actually seems to others.  They are simply too close to “their own baby” and cannot see its flaws.  After all, no one thinks that their baby is not perfect – just the way it is.        It is simply human nature. 

This is the very reason that virtually every successful company thoroughly tests its products before the general public ever sees it!  Think of the process of having your songs critiqued as test-marketing . . . before you send it in to a publisher, placement person, song competition, or even before you play it in public in front of your peers.  We’re sure you’ll want to impress every single person who hears each new song that you come up with.

And remember, you’ll never get a second chance to make a good first impression.

Why is having a deadline important?

Most amateur songwriters (and some professionals) create songs “when the inspiration strikes”.  In any given period, they may come up with a decent song every great once in a while, or none at all.  However, when they have a real deadline (a reason to come up with a new song at a given time) he/she will be thinking of that date and will imagine the different parts of that song (and how they all fit together) increasingly as the deadline grows closer.  This, also - is simply human nature. 

Professional songwriters may also become inspired at odd times and places - just like the amateurs, but they will log these ideas in a journal (or recorder) and save them for their next assignment.  They’re always thinking about songs, titles and song concepts, songs they’ve started and new ones they haven’t even begun yet, especially if they’ve been given an assignment.  We would like you to be in that “state of creativity” as often and for as long as you wish. 

When you have something to work toward, you’ll have a greater chance of get it done, and will do a better job too. We’ll help you get there.

A deadline is much like an assignment – having to produce a song on a given date or interval forces us come up with a new song at each deadline, exactly the way all successful professionals work.

In general, working toward a deadline is a good habit to get into so that you’ll feel comfortable working in the real world, where deadlines exist every day. This is true for any occupation, but pro songwriters often get a call at 9 a.m.to come up with a song on a particular theme (or subject) by that same afternoon!  This is particularly so in the world of TV & Film placement.  So, getting used to working toward a deadline is extremely useful in today’s competitive music business.  A SongwritersVantage GOLD membership gives you that deadline to work toward each month.

Opting for a GOLD membership automatically includes a full, comprehensive, written critique covering every facet of your song, telling you what works well, and what parts need help. 

These are world-class critiques, the kind you’d pay several times our price for, but offered here at a bargain. 

We’re able to offer this because of the volume of song critique requests we get with our memberships.  As you grow into being a professional songwriter, you will learn that re-writing is more common than simply popping out a song and never amending it. 

The vast majority of HIT songs were not written by your favorite writers . . . the truth is: They were RE-written, by those same songwriters.  You will also find that with each critiqued song, you’ll write increasingly better songs, ones that are closer to perfect in their first draft. 

One of the hidden benefits here is: it is also a deadline that will make you come up with new, better songs every month. 

Most of our staff have spent years in pro songwriting workshops that made us come up with a new song each month, and indeed: these songs all grew increasingly better as time went on.  And the result is that we each now have a great number of very strong songs, simply because of the deadline, and the internal desire to IMPROVE with each song! 

The overall benefit of this combination to your songwriting career cannot be stressed strongly enough.

And if you are unsure of being able to keep up with that challenge (or want MORE of them each month) these same critiques are available on a one-by-one basis for a nominal fee.

If you are as serious about your songwriting career as we think you are, you won’t want to miss out on this opportunity, especially at these introductory savings!

We hope you'll join us in this new, exciting, entertaining and fun way to learn while expanding your universe in the songwriting/music scene.  Come on - Be a part of the future of the music business!