"You work on your craft by writing songs, and by trying to get them heard. That's it. You give em them best you've got--if that's not good enough, so be it. Can Ron Olesko give a songwriter a formula for determining which songs to push and which to throw out? And if he could, would he be right?
Nobody knows what's going to go over and what isn't--that's why you're "advice" is way off the mark. "

M.Ted, I think you are finally understanding what I have been saying.

Of course I could not give out a formula. If someone says that they have such a formula, don't trust it! There should be no "formula" for this type of music, but there are ways to push out ideas, turn phrases, capture a moment, etc. These are topics that can be discussed and worked on.   It is the same as any art form - individual style will determine the final form, but crafting the work to make it accessible and enjoyable to others is something that comes with practice and experience. As you said, you work on your craft by writing songs and trying to get them heard.   No one will know what is right and what is wrong, but you can learn how to improve to make a song that is listenable.


"The thing is, all those forgetable recordings are part of the process--even the best songwriters have a fairly high ratio of misses to hits--"

I agree that "misses" are part of the process, but I disagree with your idea about "forgetable recordings".   You can develop a track record and a perception that will turn off a potential audience for your "hits".   While no singer-songwriter will ever record a CD that is full of "hits", the better artists do weed out the misses.   Woody Guthrie wrote thousands of songs. When he recorded, he usually used his better material. Except when he was commissioned, no one told him what to record. He knew what worked. It was not as easy to record in his time. If he were around today, do you really think that he would be recording every song that came out of him and selling them? ALL of those songs were part of his craft.

Don't get me wrong. I don't think that music should be made ONLY for commercial interests. Not everyone has to work to become a professional. Music should be made for the joy of creating. I only offered my advice because this thread appeared to be asking for tips and advice.

Genie, you make a very good point about recording. I agree with you, it is important to listen to yourself in order to determine what you are doing right and wrong. I do that myself with my radio shows, and I usually cringe when I hear what I am doing. But it is a good way to make improvements.    What I was referring to is the artist who records their songs for commercial sales and radio airplay.   You would be amazed as some of the recordings I receive.

And yes, I do agree - do not be put off if someone tells you that you can't sing or can't play. If you wish to do this professionaly or semi-professionally, go for it! Take the critiques and learn from them, good or bad. Keep practing.