How to collaborate on a song

While there is no shortage of successful songwriters who prefer to work alone, the caliber of music that's been created by collaboration suggests that two heads are better than one when it comes to songwriting.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Patience
• Guitar/Piano (or other instrument)
• Hooks

1. Find a writing partner who will expand your sound: Indie darling Liz Phair put this theory to task and caused a stir when she elected to write songs for her 2003 self-titled album with Top 40 production team The Matrix. Phair, who enjoyed a faithful following and critical praise from previously released material, told Filter magazine: "I wanted to get on the radio really badly. And I don't write those kinds of songs. I write stuff that's quirky or more personal. So collaborating was a way to get some people who kind of know what they're doing with chord structures, plus they're all so talented and really great people."

2. Look to the Internet: No surprise, the Internet has become a good source for finding people interested in collaborating on lyrics and music. In 1998, NME reported how legendary artist David Bowie recorded a song using lyrics "written by US fan Alex Grant, who entered a songwriting competition held by Bowie on his website."

3. Try YouTube: A Google search reveals a number of sites dedicated to encouraging and connecting songwriters, such as MusesMuse, Songwriters101 and SongWriterForums. Going one step further, musicians have taken to YouTube to share ideas and invite collaborations. Once such posting by "chuckadile" includes a full backing track--complete with lead and rhythm guitars, drums and bass--with an invitation for viewers to come up with the lyrics and melody.

Tips & Warnings

• With thousands of people turning to sites like Echoboost.com to share their music, you might just find somebody online right now with the same taste in music who's looking to collaborate with someone you.