non-musicians+non-singers+lyricists...beware

I was just making a comment on a songwriting board, about those scam demo companies that suck lyricists and non-musicians in... and take advantage of their dreams & lack of knowledge of the industry. I wanted to post my thoughts here because I think this is serious business. It's serious because folks with talent are getting ripped off and I don't think any of us can afford to get ripped off.

If you are an aspiring songwriter and you dont sing, play an instrument, and/or write music, youve got a tough hill to climb. But IMO *paying* someone to write music for your lyrics is a mistake. IMO *paying* someone to make a demo AND giving them a share in the royalties is a no-win for you, and a big win for them. They don't have to do anything-- they've already made their money off of you. And, the demos suck. Imagine what the other publishers, music supervisors, etc. think. In fact, when they see a demo from one of those scam companies they immediately file it... in the waste bin.

I believe you should find a local musican to co-write with. You should both invest in the songs, and you both take the risk of it not working oute.g., youve both made an equal investment in the song(s). Even better, you should take guitar lessons, learn how to read notation, and learn the skills of being a songwriter, over time. If the music is in you, all you need is the skills to bring it out. No one else can write for you what you could be inspired to write if you had the means.

I know we all think that we're the next best & brightest songwriters... but let's also be intelligent enough *not* to fall for the scams. And let's also be smart enough to understand life, and art, is a process, and that you grow over time into the artist you were meant to be. There are no shortcuts. Define success for yourself, set your goals, and work slowly and surely on achieving them.

I'm earnest about this cause 3 years ago I wasted $3,000 on making great demos of songs that sucked. I'm more sober now, and I won't spend a penny until I have a worktape that has passed muster with folks I trust.

I don't mean to be discouraging to the non-musicians among us. I'm only saying this cause I care.

Whew, I'm glad I got that off my chest.

workin' out 'work for hire'

Q: I registered a song through the copyright office about a year ago, submitting a recording of me singing the melody along with the lyrics. Two weeks ago I hired someone to put music to the song. This was a work for hire and I have receipts. Now my question is when do you acknowledge a work for hire or do you? I mean if someone has paid upfront and outright for the services, then doesn't that person own the work? All parties knew up front and accepted payment understanding that this was a work for hire. I am just trying to forsee any potential problems before I promote the song to a few people.

A: The song totally belongs to you. Keep your receipts and all your notes. You can also get each person who works on the recording (musician(s), singer(s) and producer/engineer) to sign a ‘work for hire agreement’.

What you’ve done is fine, I would have
- registered, as you did, the lyrics & melody using the PA form and stating “Author of Words & Music”
- registered the suund recording using the SR form and stating “Author of Words, Music & Sound Recording’

A Work for Hire agreement states the person acknowledges they were paid for their performance on the ‘master’, and that they have not contributed to the ‘writing’ of the song, but to the extent that their contribution could be considered ‘writing’ they hereby waive all rights in perpetuity. Make sure you note the names of everyone who participated in the recording on your file, and that you have receipts/cancelled cheques from each of them.

I always give credit to the performers in my liner notes, etc

John Braheny’s “The Craft & The Business of Songwriting” is a good resource.

Songwriting Blog: http://theshysinger-songwriter.blogspot.com/

Don't Fall for It

JPF is a great resource. Check out this thread on Scam tactics:
http://www.justplainfolks.org/ubb/Forum11/HTML/000648.html

Indie CD?

Great article - 10 Things to Do Before You Release Your Album
http://www.justplainfolks.org/ubb/Forum2/HTML/005337.html

web promo

Q: I am wondering what are some of the best sites on the internet, artists can use to promote their music..aside from myspace?

A: a great resource for this is Bob Baker... www.thebuzzfactor.com - he gives out many valuable tips on marketing, and has some great books on the topic as well. Other great resource is the Indie Bible - www.indiebible.com - which lists many places you can get your music listed/played/reviewed.

ugh, writer's block

Q: I've got writer's block. Everything I do seems ho-hum, and I can't think of anything to write about. How do I find ideas for songs? How do I get more creative?

A: I did the Artist's Way (Julia Cameron) with my girlfriend 4 years ago... and it wasn't always an easy thing to do, or stay motivated with, but I think it was one of the best things I've ever done. We did it as partners, so we could share the ups and downs... and we took 2 or 3 weeks to work through each chapter. I highly recommend morning pages even if you do nothing else in the book... it just gets the junk out and the flow going.

I aspire to live the most creative life possible, and I love what I do. The process that I experienced going through that book allowed to 'play' at painting. I started writing music again with a friend. I changed my priorities. I write music & play with music & teach music, now I'm experimenting with sonic textures and feels. I like to make new recipes with styles and genres and fusion... until I find something I feel expresses me. I think of my music like pictures... sensations... ideas... sonic poems. I feel like a kid with all the technology at my disposal!

My recommendation for a block is... do something really different. Find a Chinese pop percussion and a classical flute riff and an Indian Sitar and mix em up. Make up a song about lettuce in an Asian pop style. Make up a song about spaghetti in a seriously hip hop style. Just play for a bit, get away from form and structure and genre. Get excited about music again. 15 minutes of play a day and morning pages does wonders for the spirit.

I also listen to LOTS of indie music, signed and unsigned. I'll turn on muchmusic and listen to hiphop and rap, I'll turn on CBC and listen to opera and jazz, I'll turn on my local rock station and listen to that... I'll turn on CMT and listen to country. I have different music in every room of my house ....

There's that old saying... if you want things to change you need to do things differently, shake things up, open your mind to new possibilities. If you can't figure out what to write a song about, write a song about THAT. Just start!!! And don't stop until 5 minutes have gone by... no matter what!!

[...here I am writing my blog and typing away on my keyboard and I got to return that phone call and I gotta remember to ask my friend about dinner on Saturday... oh, if I connect those thoughts..... "Saturday, empty page, without you..."]

hey, now I have an idea for a song! LOL

basic rules for songwriting ? :o)

When I was a budding songwriter with dreams of glory I thought I could make the music industry listen to me.... but what I learned - from all the songwriting boards I frequent, and all the wonderful folks I've worked with - is that.... wait for it... I don't need the "commercial music industry" (read: record labels) to do music, or make money in music.

I think the basic rules for any songwriter should be:
a) be true to yourself (but open your mind),
b) study musical forms & songwriting structure,
c) network and collaborate with like-minded people,
d) yes! take lessons to better your skills,
e) wake up every day excited that you get to work on music,
f) copyright your work,
g) understand the biz but don't let it get you down,
h) experiment... think outside the box...
i) have a sense of humour & a sense of fun
j) always keep your word, be professional in attitude and deed
k) get out and listen to live music, from coffee shops to opera houses. Open your mind to the world of music... which extends far beyond North America.

songwriting contests - Yes or No?

No. Winning a songwriting contest will not help you get further in the music industry. Save your money.

the process of writing lyrics...

Q: "I've been writing music for awhile, and would like to write lyrics too. Does anyone know a hard and fast rule, that I could recite to myself that would encapsulate the process of writing?"

A: It's helpful to write every day, journal writing is a good creative 'starter'. Carry a notebook and jot down bits of ideas & phrases & conversations.

When writing:

- think of an image or a feeling or a story

- brainstorm it in a visual way without worrying about structure of any kind

- come up with a 'catch phrase' - 3 to 5 words, that captures the idea you want the song to express... as you write, continue to focus on this one idea
- tell the story of the song as visually as possible,
- avoid 'yoda speak'
- make your lines conversational
- check your grammer

think of a song like a story... we need a setting, characters, 'forward motion', things to 'happen'... try to answer the questions 'who, what, where, when, why'.

when re-writing:

-recognize cliches

- work to develop a consistent rhyme scheme & rythmatic meter in the verses, have a DIFFERENT rhyme scheme and meter in the chorus

- any lyric line should be able to 'stand on its own'

- everything in the song should lead to the 'conclusion' of the hook

Personally, I used to write by sitting down with the guitar and improvising over chord progressions and writing down what felt good. That's okay, but my songs lacked structure. So nowadays I tend to write the lyrics first, and, once they have a solid form/structure, then I start foolin' with music.

Also, know that ALL writers right LOTS of not-so-good stuff and then RE-WRITE... or put it in a drawer (I have a couple stuffed full) LOL

no matter what, keep writing!