In the past month, I’ve probably seen a dozen local bands/performers and most of them pride themselves on writing their own material.

This is not always a good idea.

Consider your audience -- especially if I'm in it.

I’m the first one to encourage new talent and to urge budding songwriters to go for it.  But being in the same ballpark as writing poetry, songwriting can get a little self-indulgent sometimes.

There are plenty of good songs out there — people have been writing them since forever.  You can pick and choose among the best.  You could really put together a dynamite set or a whole show and not play a single original.

If you are intending to entertain the public, your first consideration should be to entertain — not bore them to sleep.  Or worse — annoy them.

If you are wanting to try some new material out to see how it’s going, by all means, sprinkle an original or two in your set.  But don’t think that everybody came to hear you (they probably came to drink or pick up a one-night-stand) and don’t think anybody gives the lower portion of a rodent about what you think, feel or have to say.

Most songwriters go about the process intuitively.  That means, they don’t study good songwriting structure, they aren’t concerned with a melody and sometimes don’t even have a reason for writing the song.

I mean, what’s the use of contributing one more “You left me and done me wrong” or “I’m feeling good, so let’s party” to the Great American Songbook?

When you get good enough to play only your own material, you will know it.  People will actually ask you to do so.  They might even pay you to do so.

Meanwhile — learn the craft and develop some artistic sense, and don’t forget to play songs people like when they come to hear you.

WADE