The Jingle Writing Career

By: Arin Broderick

Summary

A jingle writer is someone who composes music and lyrics in a catchy tune, that grabs the audiences’ attention. They do this in order to sell their clients product or services through TV or radio commercials. They must portray the positive experience when using or their product or services.

They must follow their clients’ guidelines: Length of Time The Key words Style of music

Education

There is no specific degree requirements to be in this field, however most jingle writers attended multiple courses to develop their talent in music composing.

Courses Available: Music Theory Commercial song arrangement Business Law Songwriting

Song Arrangement Digital Music

Composition Ear Training

Skills Required

o There are many general skills needed to succeed in jingle writing such as Knowledge in different types of genres Ability to relate to your clients Ability to create new ideas for their clients Time management and Organization Skills Background knowledge of other careers (recording

& Scoring) Musically Inclined

Salary Range

o A jingle Writer Salary depends on certain variables How large/long the jingle project is How big the company/client is (determines their

budget) The amount of jingles they sell a year

o Most writers charge for a demo fee between $500- $1500, which covers the equipment, musicians and vocalist.

o In most cases jingle writers won’t get the job, and result in no pay

o Successful jingle writers make an average of $100,000 - $200,000 annually.

Salary Continued…

o The salary also depends on what type of jingle writer you are and who you are working for.

o Freelance Jingle Writers Their salaries tend to vary, because they don’t have

control over the incoming jobs. o Salaried Jingle Writers

They have a regularly salary which gives them stability within their earnings

Minimum Rates…

Screen Actor Guild (SAG)

American Federation of Television and Radio Arts (AFTAR)

DAY PERFORMERS $809 per day $171.35 - $1,493.55 per day

SINGERS $398- $875 per day $398 - $875 per day

Musician & Writer Unions Minimum Rates

Well Known Professionals

o One of the many famous jingle writers become song writers and full time musicians

o Barry Manilow is a great example of a past jingle writer, who’s jingles are still commonly used. o His successful career as a singer-songwriter led him

to 5 oh his albums on the best seller charts in n 1987 His many platinum albums made him Radio &

Records' No. 1 adult contemporary artist. Receiving 3 American Music Awards

Barry Manilow

o Lets see if you recognize any of his jingles!

http://windycitylive.com/video?id=8735249 Stop at 2:20

Opportunities

Jingle Writers are usually employed by: Advertising Agency Recording Studios Radio and Television stations Governments Large corporations Small business

Help Wanted Ad

New Jingle needed for Amy’s Boutique! Ability to compose music and sing! Minimum of 15 of your jingles from your

past clients! Deadline of 2 weeks to work on the jingle demoSalary of 2,000 for the melody

Dangers Of This Career

o Jingle Writers have to make sure that they create only their original work to use for the clients jingle.

o If the client is requesting an original rif and you infringe in another artists copyright, they could be sewed.

Elements In Jingle Writing

o The elements greatly affect the jingles Texture: Usually Homophonic, so its usual to follow Form: Can decide how catchy it is Timbre: They use certain instruments to show

different feelings Melody/Pitch: Can decide if the piece sound happy

or sad (Major & Minor)

o Jingle Writers must use the elements to find a way to capture the attention of the audience.

Bibliography

http://musiced.about.com/od/musiccareers/p/jinglewriter.htm

http://www.insidejobs.com/careers/jingle-writer

http://voices.yahoo.com/careers-music-jingle-writer-287475.html?cat=15

http://www.bls.gov/soc/2010/soc272041.htm

http://www.bestjobdescriptions.com/entertainment/jingle-writer-job-description

http://www.ehow.com/info_8348363_much-do-jingle-writers-paid.html

http://popdust.com/2013/06/17/barry-manilow-fanilow-jingles-state-farm-mcdonalds-band-aid/