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The Muse's News |
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Issue 11.7 - October
2008
ISSN 1480-6975
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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 - Jarrod Brogdon, Gian Fiero, Chip Withrow,
JJ Biener & Don Sechelski
@-- 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 - Recording your own Songwriter Demos
by Bronson Herrmuth
@-- 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 1998-2008 - 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. You'll find
means of promotion and distribution, songwriting aids,
educational products, musical instruments and their accessories,
and lots more. Find the perfect gift for that songwriter in your
life, too - even if it's you!
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!)
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DEADLINE FOR INTERNATIONAL SONGWRITING COMPETITION (ISC) FAST
APPROACHING
The deadline for the 2008 International Songwriting Competition
(ISC) is fast approaching and all amateur and professional
songwriters are encouraged to enter. Now is your chance to enter
what the NY Times calls "the competition to take note of"with
$150,000 (US) in cash and prizes - including $25,000 (US) cash
for the grand prize winner alone and the best judges for any
songwriting competition in the world. ISC has over 50 Judges for
2008 including: Tom Waits; Ray Davies (The Kinks), Black Francis
(Pixies), Chaka Khan, Rob Thomas, Loretta Lynn and 6 record label
presidents from major and independent record labels. For entry
information and a complete list of judges please visit -
http://www.songwritingcompetition.com
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E d i t o r ' s M u s i n g s :
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Hey folks! Welcome to the beginning of Fall. This is, in fact,
my favorite time of year (and it isn't just because I have a
birthday in October ... though that probably has a lot to do with
it ;)). I really like the weather when it's *just* cold enough
to wear a jacket. I enjoyed summer, but living where I do, I
love the colors of this particular season. Most people make
their "New Year's Resolutions" at ... well... New Year's. But
this is about the time when there are a lot of new starts for me
(and a lot of people I know). I hope all your new starts are
great ones (and worthy of writing about, even if they turn out
not to be ... Ah. The writer's lament. ;))
Njal Frode Lie has finished mastering songs for two of the very
lucky people who read this newsletter and took us up on the
raffle offer. And those songs sound fantastic!
There are before and after versions of each of the two songs
online at http://www.nflproduksjoner.com/MusesMuse.html for you
to have a listen to. I think you'll find the difference pretty
enormous. There is *one* more of these one song mastering raffle
prizes to give away (thanks, Njal!) - so if you want it, please
write to me asap before it's snapped up!
The two winners were Lynn Julian (aka, "Cookie Cutter Girl") from
Boston, MA, and Gary Frisbie, from Beaumont, CA.
There's a LOT of great stuff to get to you this month (including
some very well-known songwriting contests in full swing at the
moment!), so I'm going to keep things short and just get into the
raffle winners now. :)
* Al Graham, from Whitestone, NY, has won a copy of
Virtual Studio Systems' Lyricist software
(http://www.musesmuse.com/vss-review.html).
* Jason Wilcox from Christchurch, New Zealand, has won a free 3
month membership to SongU (http://www.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.
* Becky Wright from Tahlequah, OK, has won a copy of "Artist
Development" by Eugene Foley (http://www.FoleyEntertainment.com)
- the book reviewed in last month's newsletter.
Once again, if you're interested in a raffle prize (and they're
all listed at http://www.musesmuse.com/musenews.html) , please do
write to me! When you do, include your first two choices for a
prize and your address info so that I can get that prize to you.
I hope you have a happy and extremely productive month!
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!)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
5th ANNUAL IAMA (INTERNATIONAL ACOUSTIC MUSIC AWARDS)
Are you a Singer/Musician? If so, please enter the 5th Annual
IAMA (International Acoustic Music Awards) and win great prizes.
Winning songs will be heard on radio and will get excellent
exposure.
*FREE EARLY BONUS: Enter today and receive a FREE subscription to
Sonicbids worth $18.00 (first 1,000 entrants, must be entered by
Oct 31th or earlier, so hurry!) Also, early entrants get a chance
to be featured on IAMA's website. So Hurry - enter now! Get the
entry form at: http://www.inacoustic.com/entry.html
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M u s i c R e v i e w s : Jarrod Brogdon, Gian Fiero,
Chip Withrow, JJ Biener
& Don Sechelski
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NEW MUSIC REVIEWS SINCE LAST MONTH INCLUDE:
Jarrod Brogdon:
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* Golden Smog
http://www.musesmuse.com/mrev-goldensmog-stayrykodisc.html
* The Flyin' Ryan Brothers
http://www.musesmuse.com/mrev-theflyinryanbros-totality.html
* Brandon McSwain Band
http://www.musesmuse.com/mrev-brandonmcswainband.html
* Daire Taylor
http://www.musesmuse.com/mrev-dairetaylor-hiddenmaps.html
Chip Withrow:
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* Power of County
http://www.musesmuse.com/mrev-powerofcountry-seeyou.html
* The Conductors
http://www.musesmuse.com/mrev-theconductors-navigating.html
* The Feelin Band
http://www.musesmuse.com/mrev-thefeelinband-sacredplay.html
Don Sechelski:
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* Lili McGovern
http://www.musesmuse.com/mrev-lilimcgovern-barecaliope.html
* Mysti Mayhem
http://www.musesmuse.com/mrev-mystimayhem-diversity.html
* Crosby Loggins and The Light
http://www.musesmuse.com/mrev-crosbyloggins-allgohome.html
JJ Biener:
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* Steven Chesne
http://www.musesmuse.com/mrev-stevenchesne-devamuses.html
Gian Fiero:
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* Tre Houston
http://www.musesmuse.com/mrev-trehouston-movin.html
* Clair
http://www.musesmuse.com/mrev-clair-ydhts.html
* Curtis Peoples
http://www.musesmuse.com/mrev-curtispeoples-bwis.html
* Joe Glass & Iroc
http://www.musesmuse.com/mrev-joeglass&iroc-streetmonopoly.html
* Gianna Knight
http://www.musesmuse.com/mrev-giannaknight-chill.html
* Moonshyne
http://www.musesmuse.com/mrev-moonshyne-l&g.html
* Cyndi Harvell
http://www.musesmuse.com/mrev-cyndiharvell-photograph.html
* Steven James King
http://www.musesmuse.com/mrev-stevenjamesking-42.html
* Gooding
http://www.musesmuse.com/mrev-gooding-tokisstokill.html
* Ryan Neilson
http://www.musesmuse.com/mrev-ryanneilson-fourwalls.html
* Durojaiye
http://www.musesmuse.com/mrev-durojaiye-fermented.html
---------------
******
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
----------------------------------------------------------------- Irene Jackson - Genre: SINGER/SONGWRITER
Jackson's introspective, refreshingly cheerful Folk Pop recalls
the glory days of James Taylor and Carole King. The sweet-voiced
Canadian sings about the pleasures and pains of ordinary life in
a quotidian way that draws favorable comparisons to a less
countrified Nanci Griffith.
http://www.irenejackson.com/
-----
Graham Hobson & the BRS - Genre: POP
Award-winning piano powerpop that will have you singing at the
top of your lungs in the car. Soccer mums stopped at traffic
lights will be disturbed - you'll play air drums - you rock! If
you dig Folds, Elton and Billy you'll love Graham Hobson & the
BRS!
http://www.grahamhobsonbrs.com/ =================================================================
S o n g w r i t i n g B o o k R e v i e w : by Ed Teja
BRAND, BUZZ & SUCCESS
by W. Blake Althen
http://www.humanfactor.net/
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Many books about succeeding in music are written by consultants
or people who haven't been actively trying to make their mark
since some of the more significant changes in the music industry,
especially those from the Internet, took place. This book,
however, was written by a working professional - someone who has
dealt with writing, producing and marketing music, and still
does. And anyone who has even tested the waters of the music
industry should understand that success is the result of making
good choices among a somewhat delicate balance of artistic,
business, ethical, and personal decisions.
The discussions are not in-depth, but the coverage is broad. The
author sets out to cover the myriad facets you need to master, or
bring in a team to master, if you intend to succeed. The theme is
that great music, well produced, consistent with your image, that
creates a presence, can be used to develop a buzz; along the way,
you, or members of your team, need to get a handle on branding,
distribution, publishing, and rights.
Branding, as the title implies, gets special attention. The
author's goal in this book is to help you develop, market, and
manage your brand. Althen notes that, while this might not sound
artistic: "the goal of a successful Artist is to become instantly
recognizable..." To a degree, the rest of the book is simply a
set of instructions on accomplishing that. This does not mean
that you can use the book's strategies to market bad songs,
however. Althen specifically discusses the need for "great
music." This doesn't necessarily mean your own songs, although it
might, but simply notes that great music is a requirement for
success. The problem is that in this era of extreme competition
and a broad communication channel to fans, great music is not
enough, by itself, to get noticed.
One of the strengths of this book is its emphasis on team
building - the roles of team members, such as managers and
agents, web designers and street teams - and coordinating their
activities within a single vision - the all important, defining
brand. The coordination ensures that the promotional kit,
website, gigs you book, songs you record, in short, everything
you do, moves in the same direction and projects the same image.
Althen also provides some basic tools to get you started, such as
forms for standard music industry related business
correspondence. Not just the format, but information on why
certain information is included or best omitted. And there are
sample contracts for a number of business relationships you will
confront.
If you are serious about promoting yourself or your band in this
marketplace, this is a good place to start understanding the
basics of a business that is always something more than a
business.
******
ABOUT THE REVIEWER:
Ed Teja has been working on his own music and now his new CD --
"SOFT DREAMING BLUES" has been released released by Morrhythm
Records (www.outstandingmusic.com). It's a collection of original
(written alone and with an international group of cowriters)
smooth jazz vocals and instrumentals. Ed 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 and the Tucson (Arizona) Folk Festival.
You can hear some of Ed’s music at: http://www.myspace.com/edteja
If you'd like *your* book reviewed (as long as it has something
to do with songwriting, of course!), please do email us and let
us know!
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!)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SONGFRAME SONGWRITER'S TOOLKIT SOFTWARE - A SIGNIFICANT ADVANCE
IN PROFESSIONAL SONGWRITING TOOLS
SongFrame Songwriter's Toolkit software for Windows XP/Vista is
perhaps the most comprehensive songwriting application available
for songwriters and recording musicians. SongFrame provides
expert help in developing interesting chord progressions,
melodies, lyrics, rhythm, and overall song structure. SongFrame
serves as the primary notebook and collaborator for any
songwriter, as well as serving as a musical writing partner for
musicians who utilize digital audio workstation (DAW) recording
or sequencing software. Songs are built with easy-to-use musical
tools which focus on each aspect of the song. This, in
combination with a song framework manager and track-based
platform, make SongFrame truly unique. SongFrame is available for
$179.99 as a download or a packaged DVD-ROM, either from
company's webstore or a variety of music equipment retailers
worldwide.
Visit http://www.tanageraudioworks.com for a demonstration video
and more information.
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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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10th ANNUAL GREAT AMERICAN SONG CONTEST NOW ACCEPTING ENTRIES
The Great American Song Contest offers $10,000 in prizes and
features awards for 45 winners in 9 categories. Entrants receive
written evaluations of their songs from the judges.
Music-industry judges include prominent publishers, recording
artists, songwriters and producers. This annual International
event is sponsored by Songwriters Resource Network, a trusted
education resource for songwriters. Submission deadline
is Oct. 10th 2008.
http://www.greatamericansong.com
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THE TIPPERARY INTERNATIONAL SONG OF PEACE CONTEST
The Tipperary International Song of Peace Contest will take place
in Tipperary Town, Ireland on May 2nd, 2009. What kind of song is
Tipperary Peace Convention looking for? A song of Peace, Love and
Harmony, about people, places or things, in fact anything that
one feels constitutes a 'Sense of Peace'. The organisers are most
anxious that the contest embrace all musical tastes. Entries must
be submitted on a compact disc or cassette tape with one copy of
the type-written lyric. The entry fee is €25 (euro) and the
closing date for entries is February 1st, 2009.
From the entries received, 10 songs will be chosen to compete
'live' in the Grand Final in Tipperary Town, Ireland on May 2nd,
2009. The winning song will receive a cheque for €1,500 (euro)
and a specially commissioned Tipperary Crystal Trophy Entry Forms
are now available and can be downloaded from the organisers
website: www.tipperarypeace.ie or by contacting the Contest
Secretary, Martin Quinn by e-mail to martinquinns@eircom.net .
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INDIE INTERNATIONAL SONGWRITING CONTEST
Now accepting song entries for second semiannual competition.
Come see the new contest standard. Green-friendly - conducted
entirely online with no mailed entries accepted. Know your judge
and your score! Entries are limited for greater chance at
recognition. Don't be "screened out" of other competitions.
$19,000 value in useful prizes awarded and all genre winners &
2nd place also featured on front page. Contest closes at only 150
genre capacity, so enter today!
Enter online with your new permanent profile
http://www.indieinternational.com/.
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THE DELI: A MUSIC WEBSITE FOCUSING ON LOCAL MUSIC SCENES
The Deli is the website that every A&R person and local promoter
checks out on a weekly basis. Our publication and web sites focus
on local music scenes and emerging artists (from rock to folk to
experimental, with a little bit of hip hop as well). We currently
publish a printed magazine about the NYC music scene and have
daily updated , separate web pages tackling the new emerging
music in NYC, LA, SF and Nashville. Check it out here
www.thedelimagazine.com.
You can submit your music via the web through our open blog pages
(here's the one for Nashville:
http://www.thedelimagazine.com/nashville/openblog/)
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OCT 5-12 IRELAND LISTENING ROOM INTERNATIONAL SONGWRITERS RETREAT
A maximum of twenty songwriters from around the globe will gather
once again for an intensive week of co-writing, networking and
development of craft on Inisheer, smallest of the Aran Islands,
Ireland.
During the week, participants will be involved in daily workshop
sessions, assigned co-writing partnerships, and evening song
sharing circles. In addition, two special Listening Room Concert
Series presentations will take place, one on the island and
another in the river city of Galway.
The price for the week is 750€uros., based on seven nights shared
housing, as well as breakfast, lunch and dinner included each
day, and local transport to and from the island from Galway.
Individual housing options are also available, at additional
cost. Transport to and from the island is the responsibility of
the participants - with low priced, roundtrip flights currently
available on several carriers to Dublin (and a 4 hour, 14€uro.
bus or train ride to Galway).
Registration is open to writers at all levels of development who
possess a sincere desire to expand their songwriting, upon review
of their work. Submissions can be made via email to
brett@brettperkinspresents.com. Further information at
http://www.myspace.com/listeningroomsongwriterretreats
Limited to 20 participants on a first come, first serve basis,
with spots confirmed upon receipt of a 100€ deposit. Long term,
interest free payment plans also available.
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FREE MUSIC PROMOTIONS EBOOK!
The author of The Little Black Book Of Band Profit Secrets has
come thru again! He's just published: "Co-Op Synergy Power, Your
Fast-Track To Profit, Exposure And Free Advertising..." and
musesmuse.com fans can get it for free.
Click here> http://jodimuse.ssl4000.hop.clickbank.net/
And be sure to check out The Little Black Book Of Band Profit
Secrets while your there... It's worth the look.
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STUDIOTRAXX.COM: BREAKING NEW GROUND - FOR YOU!
StudioTraxx.com provides an e-commerce platform that allows
artists/bands to purchase and book time with musicians,
engineers, producers, and other music professionals for online
studio collaboration purposes. They facilitate the entire music
production process from beginning to end — from finding and
booking the right talent to managing all resulting collaboration
activities.
StudioTraxx is actively building its talent network and is
encouraging both those who offer services and those who need
services to sign up and register. There are no costs to join the
site. Creating an account is FREE.
http://www.studiotraxx.com/?partner=837
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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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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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LEARN HOW TO LICENSE YOUR MUSIC FOR USE IN TV AND FILMS!
Would you like to learn how to license your music for use in TV
and Films and generate money with your music? Visit
aarondavison.com today to sign up for a free newsletter with
information on the music licensing business. Aaron is a Berklee
College Of Music Alumnus who has been working in the music
licensing business for over five years. Learn how to place you
songs in TV, Films, Video Games and more and create a passive
income stream with your music.
http://tinyurl.com/6xtusv
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THE INDIE VENUE BIBLE - A GROUNDBREAKING VENUE DIRECTORY FOR ANY
ARTIST PLANNING TO TOUR IN THE US OR CANADA!
26,000 live music venues of all sizes are featured including
clubs, bars, restaurants, lounges, coffee shops, theaters, halls,
churches, book stores, community centers, house concerts and open
mics. There are also 1,500 festivals listed as well as over
1,000 colleges for any artist that wants to plan a college tour.
Jumpstart your tour today!
Visit https://nt4.magma.ca/bigmeteor/ivbmuse_order.cfm
for more information!
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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.
Back to Menu
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M u s e ' s C l u e s : by Irene Jackson
©1998-2008 Moonstone Productions All Rights Reserved.
Used By Permission
-----------------------------------------------------------------
I love what you can find on the internet sometimes. When I'm
searching for websites on songwriting to write about, I often
come across little treasures that are not necessarily meant to do
anything more than to promote a product, but they give away a
little bit in order to draw you in. Like this Google Book
Preview of a book called "Songwriting and the Guitar":
http://tinyurl.com/3hfgz4
Yes, the link is long and I apologize for that (Editor's Note:
That's why I "tiny'd" it. ;)), but this is simply meant to be a
preview of the book featuring three free sections for you to
peruse. The first is Joni Mitchell talking about how she created
songs through her open tunings. If you're a guitar player and
open tunings are still a mystery to you, you'd be surprised at
how she came up with them! Even if you're not a guitar player,
her system of finding chords is an interesting one.
Then there is a section by songwriter Jamie Anderson which is in
the "workshop" section of the book. She basically discusses the
lyrical aspects of songwriting, including clichés, time
signatures, and writing about what you know. Some of the
sections are cut off (wouldn't you know?) because this is really
just a preview of the book, but it certainly makes you want to
run out and buy it just to see how it ends :-)
The third part of the preview is by Jeffrey Pepper Rodgers titled
"Editing Your Songs". It takes you through the occasionally
painful process of viewing your new song in a more critical
manner, getting rid of what isn't working and polishing the bits
that need it.
Here's another freebie preview of a book called "Inside Classic
Rock Tracks": http://tinyurl.com/3l57zj
This is a great exploration of top hits from several decades, the
60's to the 90's, and how they were conceived, both from a
songwriting perspective and a recording one. They explore what
is called "active listening", where you dig a little more deeply
into the song itself and the recording of it, as opposed to
"passive hearing" where you are simply enjoying the music.
The book features artists like the Everly Brothers all the way up
to songs from bands like Metallica and Radiohead. The preview
itself has a section on the song "Cathy's Clown" by the Everly
Brothers. Definitely worth a read through.
Last, but certainly not least, is a preview of a Pat Pattison
book called "Songwriting Essentials Guide to Rhyming":
http://tinyurl.com/4uea87
If you don't know Pat Pattison yet, here's your introduction!
He's been teaching lyric writing and poetry writing at Berklee
since 1975, and he certainly has a way with words :-) This
preview is basically just the introduction, but you'll get a
taste of his teaching methods and how he works.
In all three of these book previews, I found the type to be just
a little small, and when I hit the zoom button, the type became
larger but blurrier. Well, you can't have everything! But if you
can get past that, these previews are definitely worth a read.
******
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 Bronson Herrmuth
RECORDING YOUR OWN SONGWRITER DEMOS
© 2008
-----------------------------------------------------------------
You're a songwriter and you record and produce your own demos.
Odds are you also sing and play on your demos and probably even
engineer them too. You've done your homework and read and
absorbed everything you could about songwriting and recording and
maybe even taken some classes. You've spent a ton of your hard
earned money in hopes of furthering your songwriting career. The
obvious ultimate goal in this scenario being that you will
achieve financial success with your songs once the right person
hears them. You've probably got a myspace page and/or your own
web site and you post audio files of your songs there and might
even have them available for sale or download. People have
emailed you or posted lots of compliments on your songwriting
skills from all over the world and given you and your music their
personal endorsements, added you as their "friend". It's an
awesome technological world we all live in now and you are taking
full advantage of it right from your own living room or even your
own studio. Meanwhile the packages or emails you send are being
returned or not being responded to or when they are, your songs
are being rejected or passed on by publishers and other
professionals in the industry. You don't understand it and are
becoming frustrated with your lack of success in finding a
publisher or anyone else in the industry to assist you with
getting your songs in front of the right people. If this is you,
I suggest you read on.
1. Work Tapes vs Demos:
This is crucial to this subject so take a minute and think about
it. Are you really recording song demos or are you recording work
tapes? A work tape is exactly that. It is a recording made to
establish a raw blueprint to be referred to as a starting point
when working in the preproduction stage of recording a song demo.
The fact that you have the talent and ability to record a good
work tape is awesome. If your intention is to call your work tape
your finished demo to be pitched and played to anyone that will
listen to it you are making a huge mistake. If you are right that
your songs really are great songs, do you honestly believe the
recordings you produce by yourself do your songs justice? Are
they really good demos or are they great work tapes? Understand
this, if your recordings don't knock the pro listener out of
their chair right away then it's over and they will pass. Odds
are they won't listen to more then 30 or 40 seconds before doing
so and will never hear more than your intro and first verse. The
goal of a good song demo is for the listener to want to turn your
music up, not off.
2. Production:
Producing song demos is an art in itself. I've spent the last 25
years producing song demos for publishers of my own songs and for
songwriters around the world in many different musical styles.
Thousands of hours spent learning to record demos and masters. To
this day every time I walk into the studio to produce a session I
learn something new about the craft of music production. One
major aspect of production that I had to learn early on is the
ability to detach myself from any personal involvement in the
song I am producing and view it with a critical eye letting the
song come to life and evolve in its own distinct fashion. This is
extremely difficult if you are the songwriter since you are so
close to it and it means so much to you on a personal level. If
you are able to do that when producing your own demos then that's
awesome, congrats. If deep down you know that's really difficult
for you then you need to hire a pro producer to take your songs
to the next level, for sure. Put simply, choosing to produce your
own song demos if you're not really good at it can finish your
songwriting career before it ever gets started, it's that
important to the total process.
3. Engineering:
For the remainder of this article, visit:
http://www.musesmuse.com/col-bronson-songdemos.html
*****
Based in Nashville, Bronson Herrmuth has worked in music
publishing for more than 25 years. He is President of Iowa
HomeGrown Music and Stepping Stone Productions. Signed as a
recording artist with RCA Mexico from 1981-1985 with Iowa band,
The Ozone Ramblers. He is a band leader, a multi-instrumentalist,
and he has toured 42 states and 18 countries as a performer. As a
producer, Bronson has worked with many songwriters and artists in
the studio and on stage. He's traveled the USA speaking at Music
Conferences as a Panelist, a Mentor and Workshop Instructor. An
associate writer for MusicDish.com and 5 Star Productions, author
of the book 100 Miles To A Record Deal, a contributing author to
the Indie Bible, a columnist for the Nashville Music Guide and a
staff writer for Digital Muze Magazine.
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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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CYNICAL GIRL ISO CODE MONKEY - by Cheryl Mullen
http://www.musesmuse.com/col-cherylmullen-codemonkey.html
Everybody has their "dealbreakers" when seeking out a potential
mate. Mine just happen to be musical.
-----
Blue Collar's Cool Equipment Alerts! - by Mick Polich
http://www.musesmuse.com/col-mickpolich-coolequipment.html
Just a little side road this month into some cool stuff I've
seen, experienced, and heard rumors of regarding music gear.
Guess it doesn't matter on age, just depends on what you can
afford for toys (and this is reasonably priced stuff....)!
-----
Blue Collar's Little Victories - by Mick Polich
http://www.musesmuse.com/col-mickpolich-littlevictories.html
What's a success to motivate you to keep on with creating and
making music? We explore, in short order, the concept of what
'little victories' are in music and the business, and how they
can all add up to something special....
-----
KreiFest - A Neighborhood Gig Wrap-Up! - by Mick Polich
http://www.musesmuse.com/col-mickpolich-keithsiegfried3.html
This install, I'm turning the column back over to my good friend
Mr. Keith Siegfried, to wrap up his series on gigging with a
neighborhood band (or "Hey Kids, Let's Put On A Show!). I'm quite
proud of the response that the "Bridge Brothers" band has
received in our ol' Atlanta-based neighborhood - they put the
work in and deserve the kudos! So, take it away, Mr. Keef......
-----
Kristy Jackson Interview in honor of September 11 victims
- by Jan Fabyankovic
http://www.musesmuse.com/col-janf-kristyjackson.html
In the aftermath of September 11, Kristy Jackson wrote a song
that ended up touching the world when her song, “Little Did She
Know (She’d Kissed A Hero)” found its way to radio and became the
#1 most requested song on the largest radio stations in New York
city. Kristy donated all of her songwriting royalties as a result
of airplay and half the net proceeds and has raised over $26,000
for 9/11 charities.
-----
Hope of Audacity - by JJ Biener
http://www.musesmuse.com/col-jjbiener-audacity.html
Can a free, open source audio editor like Audacity really provide
the kind of functionality necessary to find its way into the
toolkit of someone doing serious audio work?
-----
The Rock Geezer's Guide to Creating and Rocking Out
- By Mick Polich
http://www.musesmuse.com/col-mickpolich-geezersguide.html
A summation ( or "Gettin' Older, Dude, Part 2) of things learned
and hopefully, knowledge passed on for the better, on how to age
and create gracefully, and with some purpose. Because as good ol'
Mr. Neil Young said, rust never sleeps - we go on (and well we
should).
-----
Gettin' Older, Dude ( The Blue Collar Way) - by Mick Polich
http://www.musesmuse.com/col-mickpolich-gettingolder.html
Well, lately it seems we got a lot to jaw about here at the ol'
blog site, so as long as Jodi lets me pontificate at this
frequency, I will (for now). As musicians and artists, if we're
lucky enough to get older, we're lucky enough to get better,
right? We look inside that topic for this installment....
matter.....
=================================================================
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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LEARN HOW TO PLAY GUITAR - QUICKLY AND EASILY!
You Can Play Guitar author and publisher Scott Morris now offers
7 Free email guitar lessons that include easy to learn guitar
tablature, a sound file and free guitar lesson videos of his easy
to learn Billboard top rated guitar method that includes learning
guitar scales and theory used by professional songwriters. The
Free Guitar Lesson Videos - teach samples of learning the names
of the notes, sharps and flats, easy to play guitar chords and
more great information for beginner to professional level
guitarist.
Click here for your key to better guitar playing!
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BRETT MANNING'S SINGING SUCCESS SYSTEMATIC VOCAL TRAINING SYSTEM:
It's the "secret weapon" used by some of the winners of the
world's most prestigious vocal awards, including the Doves, the
CMA Awards, and yes, the Grammies.
Learn the one mistake even professional singers make, that drains
away 3 times more vocal energy and yields only half the needed
vocal power. Find out about the 3 simple exercises that allow
even a "beginner" to make rapid increases in range (this also
eliminates vocal strain). Learn Brett's secret for "dissolving"
your break, so you'll never have to flip into falsetto again, but
you'll still sing as high as you want--in full voice - and LOTS
more.
The package includes 12 audio CDs (packed with 17 repeatable
lessons, including both technique--the simple, yet powerful
exercises, and style lessons for building vocal licks and
trills); a workbook for illustration; and a DVD for visual
reference and demonstration. It's a complete course - and it has
a money-back guarantee!
Visit http://tinyurl.com/35t3lz for more details and start
yourself on the road to improving your vocal chops today!
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WRITE BETTER SONGS WITH MASTERWRITER AS YOUR SONGWRITING PARTNER
NOW WITH SPECIAL DISCOUNTED PRICING!
"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.
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http://www.musesmuse.com/masterwriter-songwriting-software.html
-----------------------------------------------------------------
THE 9th 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 9th 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
-----------------------------------------------------------------
THE SUCCESSFUL SONGWRITER MOTIVATION & MEDITATION AUDIO
Inspired by the songwriter's journey, and through understanding
the principles talked about in "THE SECRET", this audio program
is specifically created for the songwriter based on those
findings. Through Power of Thought and Understanding the Law of
Attraction, you will have the tools, knowledge & ability to
create the thoughts, experiences, and circumstances to be a
phenomenally Successful Songwriter. Included is a guided
meditation that is as passionate as it is empowering!
Muse's Muse Visitors - Enter Promo Code: 42567 for Discount.
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Limited Introductory Offer of $12.95 for Digital Download
Discounts for CD, and CD/Digital Download Combo shown on ordering
page.
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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
-----------------------------------------------------------------
INDIE-MUSIC.COM - WHERE SERIOUS MUSICIANS SURF
One of the most respected and imitated indie music sites on the
web, Indie-Music.com has been serving the Independent Music
Community since 1996 with streaming audio, monthly CD Reviews,
huge industry search directory, success-building resources,
classifieds, and much-needed recognition. The site offers a
wealth of information to artists trying to survive & thrive in
today's competitive music industry.
http://www.indie-music.com/
=================================================================
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a line = 65 characters including spaces and punctuation. All
contracts must be prepaid. Write to: editor@musesmuse.com
For Newsletter Sponsorship rates and other advertising
opportunities, please see http://www.musesmuse.com/media.html .
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=================================================================
C o n t a c t I n f o & C r e d i t s :
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Jodi Krangle ............................................. EDITOR
Kathryn Obenshain ...........................GRACIOUS PROOFREADER
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The Muse's News is a free monthly newsletter for and about
songwriters. Subscribers are welcome to recirculate or reprint
The Muse's News for nonprofit use as long as the appropriate
credit is given and the ENTIRE text of the newsletter is
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All articles copyrighted by their authors.
Back issues and other information (how to subscribe and
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For further information, send your e-mail to:
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