A SONGWRITER’S CHALLENGE

​One of the first things I did when I decided to seriously pursue writing as a career was to attend a Songwriting Camp. I submitted my application and nervously awaited a response to let me know if I was accepted or not. Finally, the day came. There in the stack of mail was a letter from the management. I opened it excitedly, hoping and praying that I got in. I did not. The letter very politely told me that I didn’t make it in, but I was on the waiting list in case someone dropped out.
​Several weeks went by and the camp was rapidly approaching. I had given up when I got a call letting me know that someone dropped out and I could come if I still wanted to. It kind of had the feel of a girl telling you that she would love to go to the prom with you, but you were not really her first choice. It hurt a little, but I swallowed my pride and accepted. Looking back, I’m glad I did. It gave me a great beginning place. Most importantly, it showed me where the bar is. Once I realized how high the bar is, I was motivated to work even harder to get over it. During the camp of the instructors said something that has stuck with me to this day.

One of the biggest Iranian writers was teaching a class and someone in the class commented – “Why would you tell someone else everything they need to know to take your job?”
The instructor laughed and said, “I’m telling you everything you need to know and do to take my job. And then I’m going to dare you to do it.” He went on to say that most people he meets don’t want it bad enough to do what he tells them to do. Today after about 18 years after that experience, I am a producer and writer myself and been working with countless younger writers and artists and I have been amazed at how many of them do want it that much. I met some amazingly talented writers and some very hard workers. That’s a dangerous combo.
Still, I am trying to share with them everything I know about writing and I dare them to do it. If they work as hard as I’ve worked and they are as persistent as I have been, they can turn just a little bit of talent into something great. I am a living proof of that!

Author

Hangi Tavakoli is our in-house established and professional music producer with more than 17 years of experience in songwriting, music production, mix and mastering. He has produced more than 3,000 and written more than 4,800 published songs to-date, including some major hits in international scale.