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The Muse's News |
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Issue 10.3 - June 2007
ISSN 1480-6975
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This issue sponsored by:
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I n T h i s I s s u e :
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@-- Editor's Musings
@-- Music Reviews - Gian Fiero
@-- New Artist Spotlight Additions
@-- Songwriting Book Review - by Ed Teja
@-- Musical Notes - Songwriting Contests & Market Info.
@-- Muse's Clues - Songwriting Web sites that inspire - brought
to you by singer/songwriter & teacher, Irene Jackson.
@-- Featured Article - Get the Word 'No You Can't' Out of Your
Vocabulary! - by Jaci Rae
@-- On Site Featured Article - An article already online for your
viewing pleasure.
@-- Classifieds & Useful Services
@-- Contact information
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ISSN 1480-6975. Copyright 1998-2007 - Jodi Krangle.
For more contact information, see end of issue.
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FIND WHAT YOU NEED AT THE SONGWRITING STORE ON THE MUSE'S MUSE
All sorts of products and services especially for songwriters,
negotiated so that you get the best price possible. Find means
of promotion and distribution, songwriting aids, educational
products, musical instruments and their accessories, and lots
more!
http://www.musesmuse.com/songwriting-store.html
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S p o n s o r M e s s a g e :
(Many thanks to the sponsors that help support this newsletter!)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
LAST CHANCE TO ENTER THIS YEAR - USA SONGWRITING COMPETITION
Win $50,000 Grand Prize worth of cash, cool music gear from Sony,
Ibanez Guitars, D'Addario Strings, Audio-Techica, Ik Multimedia
and more! Not to mention radio ariplay for winning songs. Judges
include A&R from Universal, SONY/BMG, Capitol Records and Warner.
Hurry, Last Few Days left to enter! Get entry from here:
http://www.songwriting.net/mm.html
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E d i t o r ' s M u s i n g s :
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Here we are at the next newsletter and the new site still isn't
up. :-/ I'm sure it's no surprise to many of you that
development has a way of taking a lot longer than you hope it
will. The Muse's Muse is a complicated site and making it into a
more manageable format (even if all of that is completely in the
background) isn't an easy task. I'm hugely grateful for all the
hard work the developers have already put into the new
incarnation ... but as you can tell, the new site isn't ready
yet.
That means that there are a lot of new things waiting to be
introduced on the new site (like new reviews and reviewers, new
articles and columnists, a new (#16) radio show, etc.) that you
can't see yet. I'm really *really* sorry about this, folks.
I *can* tell you that we're getting close. Another couple of
weeks to a month and we'll be there. There will still be further
development required, but that can happen in the background while
the site functions. You'll definitely see announcements about
this on the main page of the site so keep an eye out, ok?
In the meantime, I wanted to ask you guys a question, if that's
alright.
The new development of the site has got me thinking about what
else I can offer *you*. So tell me - I'd love to hear from you.
What would make you more interested in dropping by The Muse's
Muse more often? What services have you always wanted a
songwriting website to be able to offer you, but you just
couldn't find them anywhere? Or simply, what more can The Muse's
Muse offer you that you actually wouldn't mind paying a small fee
for. (No fees around here will ever be large, I can promise you
that.) I'd love to know what more you'd want in a site like this
one, and what you think would be reasonable to pay for it.
And here are the raffle winners for this month:
* Stevie Mann from Belfast, Ireland, has won a copy of
Virtual Studio Systems' Lyricist software
(http://www.musesmuse.com/vss-review.html).
* Allison Lynn from Nashville, TN has won a free 3 month
membership to SongU.com, an Internet-based learning environment
providing online coaching, co-writing and pitching opportunities,
in addition to over 70 multi-level courses developed by
award-winning songwriters.
* James LaForte from Encinitas, Ca, has won a copy of
Bronson Herrmuth's "100 Miles To A Record Deal"
(http://www.songrepair.com/bookforweb2.htm).
* Dale Matthies from Goderich ON, Canada, has won a copy of
"How To Get Somewhere In The Music Business" by Mary Dawson
(reviewed below)
* Gary Frisbie from Beaumont, CA, has won a copy of
Indie-Music.com's Musician's Toolkit CD
(http://www.musicianstoolkit.com/muse/)
* Sifu Stephen Doe from Manchester, NH, has won a 6 month
subscription to the Onlinegigs (http://www.onlinegigs.com/)
service. This valuable service is a powerful tool for musicians,
agents, record companies and managers designed to virtually
automate the administration of booking and promoting a band or
bands.
And as I've already mentioned, if you'd like to be considered for
a raffle prize in the future and you haven't yet received one,
please do contact me and let me know what raffle prize you're
interested in receiving. They're all listed at
http://www.musesmuse.com/musenews.html . I'll also need your
contact info in order to get the prize to you.
And oh! - before I go, I had a really helpful email from Dale
Matthies of Goderich ON, Canada, who mentions that, in case
you're looking for the copyright character in your word processor
and are having a hard time finding it or want a quick, keystroke
way of adding it to your documents, try holding down the "Alt"
key and typing in 0169. This should work in most word
processors. Thanks for the tip, Dale!
Thanks again for your patience, folks! I hope you find this
newsletter useful and inspirational. :)
All the best,
--Jodi
Back to Menu
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S p o n s o r M e s s a g e :
(Many thanks to the sponsors that help support this newsletter!)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
WRITE BETTER SONGS WITH MASTERWRITER AS YOUR SONGWRITING PARTNER
"This remarkable piece of software turns your Mac or PC into a
valuable songwriter partner"
-- Richard Leiter, Keyboard Magazine
If you have a high speed connection, you can download a 30-Day
demo. If not, we will send you a copy for $9.95 which will be
deducted from the purchase price if you decide to buy.
Receive a special $70.00 discount off the $289.00 list price when
purchasing through the Muse's Muse!
Please use discount coupon # 3004.
Endorsed by: BMI, ASCAP, NSAI, PRS and Taxi.
Winner Best of Show Macworld 2003
http://www.musesmuse.com/masterwriter-songwriting-software.html
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M u s i c R e v i e w s : Gian Fiero
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NEW MUSIC REVIEWS SINCE LAST MONTH INCLUDE:
Gian Fiero
* Bigg Chaly featuring YT
http://musesmuse.com/columnistsgreylogs/archives/00001293.html
* Gordon Chambers
http://musesmuse.com/columnistsgreylogs/archives/00001290.html
* Matthew Jordan
http://musesmuse.com/columnistsgreylogs/archives/00001291.html
* Justin King
http://musesmuse.com/columnistsgreylogs/archives/00001292.html
There are more reviews on the new site, but as mentioned above,
I'm waiting to introduce that new site until the development is a
little more completed. It will be soon, I promise! Your
patience is hugely appreciated.
---------------
******
For bios on each of the reviewers, see
http://www.musesmuse.com/musicreviews.html . If you're considering
sending in your own CD for review, you can also view that page to
find out which reviewer reviews your genre. Thanks!
Back to Menu
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N e w A r t i s t S p o t l i g h t A d d i t i o n s :
Great music is only a click away!
Here are just some of the great CDs highlighted in the
Artist Spotlight section of The Muse's Muse at
http://www.musesmuse.com/artistspotlights.html
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The Welcome Matt - Genre: ALTERNATIVE
The Welcome Matt produces an intriguing thing of pure emotion
with his second release, Empire Days. Drifting somewhere between
Wilco's Jeff Tweedy and Bob Dylan. His gliding vocals not only
slide easily off the tongue but also have something to say. A
record daring you to pass it by.
http://www.welcomemattmusic.com/
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John Amen - Genre: SINGER/SONGWRITER
Ranging from stripped-down Americana ballads to fully
instrumented rock pieces, All I'll Never Need showcases John
Amen's gift for melody, unique voice, and powerful lyrics.
Sometimes stark and haunting, other times triumphantly
celebratory, these songs offer proof that Amen is an invaluable
addition to the current musical landscape.
http://www.johnamen.com/
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Gene Keller - Genre: FOLK
In Every Song the Mockingbird Knows, Gene Keller cooks up a feast
of folk & blues, mixing elemental rhythms, vivid lyrics, &
articulated vocals. He adds the pepper of intelligence & the sage
of insight, with a dash of humor & a pinch of humility. Savor the
flavors.
http://www.genekeller.com/
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Mark Evans - Genre: COUNTRY
Mark Evans is a truly gifted songwriter in the mold of Billy Joe
Shaver and Kris Kristofferson. He nailed a publishing deal on his
first trip to Nashville and completed his forthcoming CD on his
second trip. Titled I Crawl Out, Mark Evans' debut disc will be
released in England and America.
http://www.markevansmusic.co.uk/
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S o n g w r i t i n g B o o k R e v i e w : by Ed Teja
HOW TO GET SOMEWHERE IN THE MUSIC BUSINESS
By Mary Dawson
http://www.fromnowherewithnothing.com/
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This book's subtitle (and the name of the author's web site) is
"From Nowhere With Nothing." Of course, "nothing" turns out to
include a lot of hard work. In fact, a pivotal statement, which
comes late in the book, characterizes Dawson's philosophy:
"...the harder you work, the more you innovate…the luckier you
get." That should come as no surprise to those who have benefited
from Mary Dawson's advice over the years. A columnist for this
site (http://www.musesmuse.com/marydawson.html), as well as a
music publisher and songwriter, she well understands getting from
nowhere to somewhere.
This is a music business book with a difference. The difference,
and the fun, of Dawson's approach is that she does not spend a
lot of time worrying about showing you how to grab the brass
ring. Instead of simply offering the tried and true advice about
how you might, conceivably, in a good week, when the moon is
right, get a major label A&R person to listen to 30 seconds of
your masterpiece, she focuses on the steps you need to take,
right where you are, right now. (Oh yes, the other stuff IS in
the book, but isn't the heart of it.) It wouldn't be giving away
anything to let you know that the first step is simply to start,
including taking full responsibility for your own musical career.
A good chunk the book explains exactly what that entails, and
Dawson provides a healthy dose of easily digestible music
business information that you can start with. She also recommends
other sources should you be motivated enough to learn more.
As with any good and useful book, Dawson offers a fair amount of
inspiration along with the information. It starts with the author
herself. Successful in many aspects of the music business, she
lives a full life in her own nowhere. Just to keep you believing,
she provides a few anecdotal success stories—people who did
precisely what she advocates—created a music career for
themselves. One that suited their temperament and situation.
It is refreshing (and appropriate) that the bulk of these stories
do not involve major label or publishing deals. They involve
songwriters who created niches in the music world that let them
do what they love—make their own music. There are hints of
guerrilla marketing and all those great buzzwords in these
stories, but they truly are much closer to Joseph Campbell's
ideal of people following their bliss. Rather than conforming to
the rather dull music industry or confronting it, they found ways
to express themselves and make a living at it. This wonderful
approach frees you from the tyranny of second guessing. Asking:
"What is Nashville looking for?" probably won't give you any
useful information, unless you are willing to go to Nashville and
find out. After all, the records coming out of Nashville (or LA,
or New York) are not what they want now, but what they wanted a
few months or even years ago. So, for the songwriter in "Nowhere"
who wants to get "Somewhere" it is important to find other, more
proactive, more high-quality, ways of viewing the problem.
Songwriting, after all, is not just something you do, but a way
of living, of being. As Dawson writes in the introduction to her
Muse’s Muse column: "I can no more stop writing songs than I can
stop breathing."
******
ABOUT THE REVIEWER:
Ed Teja lives in New Mexico, USA, writing songs and
instrumentals, and trying to find them loving homes. Performing
since the early 60s, he has appeared at strange venues in Hong
Kong, Canada, St. Martin, Bequia, Venezuela, Grenada and
Trinidad, as well as the Silver City (New Mexico) Blues festival
in 2003, and the Tucson (Arizona) Folk Festival in 2006. Working
as a magazine editor and freelance writer, his articles appeared
in magazines ranging from Pro Sound News, BYTE magazine, to
Import/Export, and with book reviews in THE SOUTH CHINA MORNING
POST, and The Midwest Review of Books.
Find out more about Ed at: http://www.geocities.com/edtejaBack to Menu
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S p o n s o r M e s s a g e :
(Many thanks to the sponsors that help support this newsletter!)
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LYRICIST VERSION 3: THE SONGWRITER'S BEST FRIEND
Lyricist is the first-of-its-kind word processor designed
specifically for musicians, songwriters, and poets. The software
includes a Rhyming Dictionary, Thesaurus, Album Categorization,
Chord Charting, Chord Generator, Song Arrangement, and On-Line
Copyright Link.
The new version 3 release adds support for "Piano Style" chord
symbols, Nashville Number System, and Transposition features -
all in one easy-to-use package - and all for only $44.95! (That's
$5.00 off to all Muse's News readers who purchase from the review
link at www.musesmuse.com/vss-review.html!)
This tool will revolutionize the way you write and organize your
writing. Be the best songwriter you can be and purchase Lyricist
today! http://www.musesmuse.com/vss-review.html.
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M u s i c a l N o t e s : Songwriting Contests & Market Info.
In the interest of conserving space, I will only be including
changes to this listing in this newsletter. All other contests
and market information that have already been listed here, are
displayed at http://www.musesmuse.com/contests.html &
http://www.musesmuse.com/markets.html . Please check there
regularly for updates!
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1st ANNUAL How Songwriting Really Works Retreat, Vancouver BC
Canada
August 12-17, 2007 with Wayne Chase, author of How Music Really
Works
How Songwriting Really Works: Techniques & Secrets of the World’s
Greatest Songwriters is designed for songwriters committed to
writing songs that will stand the test of time. Retreat leader
Wayne Chase is the author of How Music Really Works, a
comprehensive presentation of the music and lyrical techniques of
writing classic songs. This retreat will be unlike anything else
available anywhere in the world. Wayne is a music scholar and has
studied music and language for over 25 years from the perspective
of how our brain processes words and music and the emotional
value of words. Wayne holds 5 patents in connotative analysis and
is one of the worlds leading experts on the emotional meaning in
language. Wayne is also the creator of the Gold Standard Song
List, a compilation of 5,000 of the greatest songs of all time in
11 genres. Details on Wayne’s work at
http://www.howmusicreallyworks.com/Index.html. The all-inclusive
cost for the 6-day/5-night event including 14 meals, beverages,
snack, full use of resort amenities, adventure activity and all
workshop sessions starts at just $620 US per person (camping
option) with advance registration.
Event Organizers: Bryan Fogelman: bryan@reorafting.com and Amber
Kendall: amber@reorafting.com
Phone: 800-736-7238 (9-5 PM PST)
Visit:
www.reorafting.com/site/retreats/muse--s_muse_prize_draw.html for
a free $50 gift certificate for this retreat and a chance to win
a $200 Scholarship Prize to attend!
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ENTER THE FAMECAST ONLINE COMPETITION FOR A CHANCE TO WIN $10,000
- FREE TO ENTER!
FameCast is the first online artist discovery and entertainment
community providing a nationwide, seasonal competition whereby an
online audience determines tomorrow’s big stars. FameCast was
founded to showcase legitimate artists who have yet to be
discovered and whom the audience deems to be worthy of stardom.
Entering its Second Season, the FameCast online competition and
community provides contestants the ability to connect with and
grow a national audience and compete to become a FameCast Fenom
and win the grand prize worth $10,000 and global exposure.
FameCast is taking submission for both country and
singer-songwriter.
The process is really simple. You can submit your professional
video or a video recorded on basic Web cam. Go to
http://www.famecast.com/, register for the competition, and submit your
video performance as part of the registration process and then
you are all set to compete. IT'S COMPLETELY FREE TO ENTER!
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THE NATIONAL HEALTHY MARRIAGE (NHMI) SONGWRITING CONTEST
The NHMI invites songwriters to use their talents to help
strengthen marriages by entering this years songwriting contest.
The NHMI is looking for original songs that also teach a
relationship skill or insight the listener can use to strengthen
their marriage. Songwriters can win up to $500 in cash and may be
included in a CD release. There is no fee to enter and the
deadline is August 1st 2007.
Go to http://www.HealthyMarriageTips.com/songwriting.htm for more
details.
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THE INDIE GUIDE IS ON SALE FOR $10.95 AND INCLUDES THE INDIE
CONTACT GUIDE!
For a limited time only, North Shore Records, Inc, in celebration
of tour season and music success has put The Indie Guide on sale
for $10.95 plus shipping. The normal cost is $25.95 plus
shipping. In addition to the 190-page book, The Indie Contact
Guide, which contains thousands of contact names, address, email
addresses, phone numbers and contact names will be included.
To Your Music Success! http://www.theindieguide.com/
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JUNE 25 DEADLINE FOR THE GENERAL ROUND OF THE SIXTH ANNUAL
MOUNTAIN STAGE NEWSONG CONTEST -
The Mountain Stage NewSong Contest is one of North America's
premier showcases of performing songwriters across ALL genres of
music. If you missed the deadline to submit to the Canadian
Regional Round, you have until June 25 to enter the General
Round. Submission is online through sonicbids:
www.sonicbids.com/newsong. ALL CANADIANS GET A $10 DISCOUNT OFF
ON SUBMISSION BY USING THE FOLLOWING DISCOUNT CODE: NS07Canada
General round finalists will be announced on August 16. Finalists
will be invited to perform in the international contest finals in
New York City in the fall. Included in the suite of prizes is a
chance to perform on an internationally broadcast Mountain Stage
Show (http://www.mountainstage.org/), as well as a 'Feature Showcase' at
the February 2008 North American Folk Alliance Conference in
Memphis (http://www.folk.org/).
For more information, please visit
mountainstagenewsongcontest.com.
NewSong – Where Great Artists Are Discovered
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DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE COPYRIGHT KIT
Download Indie-Music.com's free and easy Copyright Kit. Print
Copyright forms, Copyright submission process, handy tips &
tricks, choosing the right form, and more.
http://www.indie-music.com/freemuse.php
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YELLOWSTONE AND TETON SONGWRITING CONTEST
A contest for the best songs inspired by the greater Yellowstone
and Teton area. The contest runs through July 31, 2007. The grand
prize is $1,000 with a second prize of $500. The contest will
also include an online audience award with a prize of a new
Gibson Songwriter Deluxe guitar. A CD and launch concerts around
the Park will also take place. There is a $10 per song entrance
fee. Rules and online application at http://www.westernfolklife.org/. We
are the folks who put on the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering
though we are interested in music of any genre for this contest.
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FREE SONGWRITING, FILM, TV, AND VIDEO GAME SUBMISSIONS AT
MUSICGORILLA.COM!
MusicGorilla.com works with Songwriters, Bands, Musicians, and
Artists to get their original material into the eyes and ears of
industry members who have the ability to take their careers to
the next level. We work with Reps from all facets of the Music
Industry. Our artists have the opportunity to submit their songs
to established artists looking for new material. In addition, our
clients get access to submissions for film, TV and video games,
all of our submissions are FREE. MG Artists are eligible for free
live label showcases, digital distribution with MSN and Loudeye
and more. We don't take any piece of any deals made on our site,
and have had many successes including placement, songwriting and
publishing deals.
Muse's Muse artists get 10% off of memberships!
Just enter the promotional code "muse" during registration.
http://www.musicgorilla.com/
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THE 2007 SINGER/SONGWRITER AWARDS (ROUND 3)
We Are Listening has brought together an exceptional panel of
judges for the third year of The Singer/Songwriter Awards. Six
gifted artists will be flown to London for a luxurious weekend
stay at myHotel Bloomsbury and an exclusive recording session
with producer Steve Williams (Sting, Eric Clapton, Seal) at
Sphere Studios. Selected songs will also be non-exclusively
represented by We Are Listening and supported through global
digital distribution, sync. licensing administration and radio
promotion. Details: http://www.wearelistening.org/singer.php
Deadline: 2nd July 2007
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SONGWRITING CONSULTATION SPECIAL OFFER:
Pete & Pat Luboff will pay for the phone call for Muse's Muse
songwriters who use the Luboffs' songwriting consultation
service. The service provides detailed, constructive song
analysis, answers to all your creative and business questions and
references to contacts when appropriate. Visit
http://www.writesongs.com/consults.htm for more information.
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2007 LYRIC WRITER AWARDS (ROUND 2)
We Are Listening has teamed up with Combustion Music Nashville
for an awesome opportunity for aspiring lyricists – The Lyric
Writer Awards! Each year, four writers will be selected by our
expert panel for exclusive co-writing and publishing
opportunities. Combustion Music will identify a Nashville staff
writer to set music to the winners' lyrics and shop the song to
their extensive network of major label artists, managers and
publishers. Details: http://www.wearelistening.org/about_lwa.php
Deadline: 11th July 2007
Back to Menu
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M u s e ' s C l u e s : by Irene Jackson
©1998-2007 Moonstone Productions All Rights Reserved.
Used By Permission
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A number of months ago, I wrote a column on the Music Genome
Project and Pandora, which is a service (both free and
subscription) where you can pick favourite artists/bands, and
have the service find new and similar music for you to peruse,
based on similar attributes. Sounds sort of scientific, and it
is to some extent. Unfortunately, those of us outside of the
U.S. can no longer check out this website because of copyright
restrictions.
However, I've come across another offspring of those websites,
something called the Pandora Podcast
(http://blog.pandora.com/podcast/). These podcasts explore
elements of recording, lyric writing, instrumentation, and
different styles of music; you may even discover things you've
never heard of (I've never heard of something called pedal point,
but you'll have to go to the website to find out what it is .
You can read the articles, listen to the podcasts, which each
last approximately 10 minutes, and add your comments if you like.
The second page of each article goes a little deeper into the
subject and includes a list of musical terms used and either
audio clips of examples or relevant photos. For instance in the
"Mixing Vocals" section, there are small audio clips of songs
that use various techniques on vocals such as self-doubling,
examples of "dry" vocals, plus it has a list of all of the terms
used in the podcast. The "Song Lyrics" section has audio clips
of songs with certain aspects mention in the podcast, such as
songs with vivid imagery, surreal subjects and character studies.
It's a thorough, but not too overwhelming, study of each area
covered, and it looks like they'll be adding a new podcast about
every two weeks or so which means you should probably bookmark it
and check back every now and then to see what else they've got to
teach you!
******
Irene Jackson is a performing songwriter from Victoria, BC in
Canada. Aside from writing, recording and performing, she also
maintains a website for songwriters that includes tips, articles
and a songwriter's messageboard.
Songwriting Tips: http://www.irenejackson.com/tips.html
Homepage: http://www.irenejackson.com/
Songs: http://www.soundclick.com/irenejackson
Back to Menu
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F e a t u r e d A r t i c l e : by Jaci Rae © 2006
Get the Word 'No You Can't' Out of Your Vocabulary!
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No. It's a two letter word that can instantly send chills down
the spine of the strongest "strong man - woman" and knocks the
wind out of anyone's sails. In the entertainment industry it's a
word you may hear a million times..."No." Even if you hear the
word "No" one million and one times, never give up! I know it
takes a lot of determination and motivation to get passed that
little word, but you can do it!
"No" seems to have a million different feelings attached to it,
depending on how 'no' is interpreted. It also depends on the
person's perceptions when he or she hears the word. Sometimes it
can stop you in your tracks especially when it pertains to your
music, which is part of who you are.
No seems to mean or be interpreted as:
1. They don't like what I have to say or sell.
2. They don't like me.
3. What's wrong with me?
4. What did I do differently than the other person who got the
yes?
6. I must not be as talented or knowledgeable as the person who
got the yes.
7. What haven't I got that the person who got the yes does?
8. Did my talent just not measure up?
There are many more thoughts that we can go through in our minds
when we are rejected for whatever reason. Too often we
personalize the rejection as opposed to simply realizing it's not
really personal, it's just a business decision for them.
We all try to rationalize it and say "It's just a word! It's not
the first time I've heard it and it won’t be the last time I hear
it in this business." But what we feel inside is so different.
We feel total rejection and we can feel absolutely demoralized.
When the word "no" comes out of someone's mouth regarding our
work, it's as if we were rejected and it can bring back
subconscious memories of our childhood.
The Random House Dictionary defines no as:
"no, adv., n, pl. 1. word used to express dissent, denial, or
refusal - n 2. negative vote - adj. 3. not any."
As children we are told "no, don't touch that or you'll get
burned." Although we hear our parents tell us that, we still want
to touch that fire. After all, 'what does burn actually mean?
And it's so pretty...I just want to touch it.' When we do...Ouch!
Then our parents say, "I told you no, don't touch that! Now do
you see why?" Our minds then equate "no" to the word 'ouch,
you're going to get hurt!' That would take on the first meaning
in the Random House Dictionary of "no," which is dissent, meaning
"difference of opinion." The parent's opinion was that the fire
would hurt. The child's opinion was that fire was so pretty how
could it hurt?
When we get older and go to school, on the playground we may
hear, "No, you can't play with me." The word "no" then invokes an
entirely different feeling then our first experiences with the
word "no." It now means rejection! So "no" takes on the second
part of the Random House Dictionary's meaning of the word, and
that is a "negative vote."
Another child on the playground has cast a "negative vote" in our
direction saying they don't want to play with us. We weren't
given an explanation as to why they didn't want to play with us,
we were just told "no" and our minds equated that to rejection.
And so our lives continue in this pattern of association. The
word "no" seems to always be associated with something bad and
seems to stick in our memory far more times than we've heard yes.
Hurtful memories last the longest.
So how can we change this? I can only speculate. Maybe we should
go back to our childhood memories and re-program them so that the
word "no" doesn't have such a great impact. Or maybe we just have
to start right now and truly believe in our minds, what our
mouths speak to our family and friends, and that is...that "no"
is just a word.
But I believe that we should take the third meaning in the Random
House Dictionary and apply it in a slightly revised, personal
manner anytime we hear the word "no."
For example, if I hear the word "no" now, when it's directly
associated to anything that has to do with my art, I say to
myself, "They have 'not any' taste." "They have 'not any' impact
on my life." "They have 'not any' clue as to what they are
talking about." Then that phrase seems to have so much less
impact, and feels a lot less like a "negative vote" towards my
personal being.
And when I say these things to myself and relate them directly to
the word "no," it will no longer be a rejection of me, but a
rejection of the other person's belief system. After all, they
are just individuals whose belief systems are different then
mine. From now on, when someone says 'no' to me, the negative
impact is gone, and 'not any' anymore will I let it affect me.
*****
Jaci Rae's grit and determination have brought her from an
impoverished childhood to a career as an award-winning singer,
No. 1 best-selling author, keynote speaker, radio show host and
entrepreneur who has toured around the world. Jaci is the author
of 'The Indie Guide to Music, Marketing and Money' as well as
'Winning Points With The Woman In Your Life One Touchdown At A
Time'. http://www.jacirae.com/Back to Menu
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" O N S I T E " F E A T U R E D A R T I C L E :
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Sing Now Or Forever Hold Your Peace by Cheryl Mullen
http://musesmuse.com/columnistsgreylogs/archives/00001294.html
What the heck is a film review doing on a music website?? Read on
and find out!
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C l a s s i f i e d s & U s e f u l S e r v i c e s :
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THE 8th EDITION OF THE INDIE BIBLE IS NOW AVAILABLE!
The Indie Bible shows you where to get your music reviewed, your
songs played, and your CDs sold. Now in its Seventh Edition, The
Indie Bible has 330 pages of valuable contacts and music-related
articles.
The 8th Edition of the Indie Bible contains:
4200 publications around the world that will REVIEW your CD!
3400 radio stations around the world that will PLAY your songs!
500 vendors and services that will help you to SELL your music!
200 sites where you can UPLOAD your band's MP3 files!
500 helpful resources and sites where you can PROMOTE your band!
52 articles that will help your career to MOVE forward rapidly!
Listings include web, e-mail and physical address, as well as
phone and fax numbers.
For details and to order online visit:
http://www.bigmeteor.com/muse
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REAL ANSWERS TO REAL QUESTIONS,
An eBook About Copyright & Publishing
If you want to know how to protect yourself as a songwriter in
this digital age, you need this book - EXCLUSIVELY offered
through The Muse's Muse. And it's now on sale for half price!
Visit http://www.musesmuse.com/realarealq.html to learn more!
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BUILD A BUZZ AT INDIE-MUSIC.COM FOR ONLY $5/MONTH
Artists: Why join Indie-Music.com? I-M has been spotlighting the
best in independent music since 1996, featuring Articles,
Interviews, Reviews, Charts, & Streaming Audio in all musical
styles. Member Artists receive generous promotion on the I-M
website (2.5 million+ hits per month) plus access to our famous
original DIY resources, which have helped numerous musicians book
thousands of dollars worth of work over the years. For a limited
time, new annual Members receive free Lyricist and TrackNotes
software value $69.95). There's never been a better time to join
I-M!
http://www.indie-music.com/join2.php
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Jodi Krangle ............................................. EDITOR
Kathryn Obenshain ...........................GRACIOUS PROOFREADER
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