Do you have songwriting support?

February 28, 2012 by


When I first started writing songs, I didn’t know any songwriters. None — not even one. I remember the first time I went to an open mike night in Manhattan back in 1999 and I was astonished that there were so many other songwriters there doing the same thing I was trying to do….perform my own material that I had written.

Today, I know hundreds of songwriters, through a wide variety of intertwining music groups, communities, networks, retreats, venues and, of course, blogs like this one. The support, inspiration and shared power I’ve received from those folks over the past 12 years has been immeasurable. It’s been like an extended support group for songwriters — a tribal hug that has kept me going through songwriting’s inevitable trials and tribulations.

Tips on finding songwriting support

1. Start local. You’d be surprised — even the tiniest towns and villages might have folks already getting together because of songwriting, whether it’s an open mic, a local jam, or a feedback group. Check Meetup.com for local options or you’ll find a great list of open mikes around the country at Openmikes.org 

2. Go to songwriting camp. Nothing makes you feel more like you’re part of a songwriting tribe than huddling with fellow song-sters at a weekend or week-long reatreat. SummerSongs, held in New York State and California, and Song School, out of Colorado, are two can’t-miss choices.

3. Make it happen yourself. Let your social networks know you’re looking to start a songwriting group or open mic in your area, if you don’t have something going locally already. Perhaps there’s a songwriter in your area that could serve as a mentor or do an occasional workshop, or a local business that would be willing to host your meetings.

4. Connect online. Whether it’s through songwriting-focused blogs like this one, Facebook groups or website discussion boards, there are so many resources on the Web to connect with other songwriters. A little Googling will go a long way towards getting connected with other song scribes.

What are some other ways you find your own songwriting support group?

Filed Under: Thoughts

  • Roziet

    Definitely, it is a great idea. I am a songwriter and I have no connections with any songwriting group. I will consider the idea of starting a group here in Worcester, MA

  • http://www.facebook.com/jeffshattuck Jeff Shattuck

    For me, it’s really been about online stuff. There’s nobody around me at the moment who I can hang with and talk about songwriting, I wish there were. Plus, I’ve always been a bit of a loner, a person who lives in his head.

  • http://www.beatlessongwriting.blogspot.com/ Matt Blick

    Hey thanks to your encouragement, Jack Hardy’s example and my wife’s awesome cooking I achieved a longstanding dream of starting a songwriting group in my home tonight. The two frieds who’d badgered me to start one for the last year couldn’t make it but three other people did – two I’d never met before, and a former pupil I haven’t seen in over 10 years. It was great. I think we all really benefitted – thank you so much.

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