One of the most important things to know about yourself is what kind of writer you are. You need to be aware of what you bring to the table as a co-writer. You also need to know your weaknesses, so that you know what to work on and what kinds of co-writers to seek out. For the same reasons, it's important to learn what kind of writer your co-writer is. There are many types of songwriters and most writers combine two or more of these types.

Lyricists

Lyricists are people who write words for songs. Famous lyricists include Hal David, Charles John Quarto, and Bernie Taupin. Lyric writing is, in part, a highly stylized form of poetry, with many sub-genres and schools of thought in practice. A lyricist should not only know how to write a lyric that lends itself to being put to music, but also how to write a lyric to an existing melody.

Most beginning songwriters, lacking musical prowess and having had at least some experience with language, mistakenly regard themselves as lyricists by default. These writers forget that most of the other songwriters in the world grew up reading, writing, and talking as well. If you really want to call yourself a lyricist, expect to spend years studying and perfecting your craft, just as you would to be a composer of music. To be a true lyricist requires poetic and storytelling skills surpassing those of most English professors. Plus, there are several times as many would-be lyricists as there are melodicists and songwriters who can do both put together. If you want to be a professional songwriter, it's worth your while to learn something about music.

Melodicists

Melodicists write the melodies for the song lyrics. As with a lyricist, a good melodicist can either write his or her part first or add it to an existing work. Some music theory and experience with an instrument are recommended for those who wish to specialize in melody writing. Arranging and producing skills also come in handy for a melodicist, as lyricists aren't usually much help in these areas.

Additionally, you should spend at least some time learning how to write lyrics. Remember that you're in competition with a lot of songwriters who can write melodies and lyrics. Even if you never become proficient at writing lyrics, a bit of study can help you to understand your co-writers.

Other Forms of Contribution

In addition to lyrics and melodies, there are many other contributions a writer can make to a session. Some people are good at starting songs and coming up with ideas; others are great at finishing them.

“Song doctors” or “fixers” are natural-born troubleshooters. “Groove” writers specialize in grooves. Vibe writers, much like a potted plant or Border Collie, have the unique ability to make a song better just by being present for its creation. They just put off a vibe that makes other writers work better.