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The Muse's News |
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Issue 10.7 - October 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 - Alex Jasperse, & Chip Withrow
@-- 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 - Co-Writing for Bags of Money (Or Not)
- Part 3 and Onward: by Alan P. MacLeod
@-- 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
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
S p o n s o r M e s s a g e :
(Many thanks to the sponsors that help support this newsletter!)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
NEW ONLINE MUSIC BUSINESS COURSES AND CERTIFICATE PROGRAM FROM
BERKEE COLLEGE OF MUSIC
A successful songwriter needs to not only have a firm handle on
the creative elements that contribute to a hit song, but also a
thorough understanding of the operations, income streams, and
marketing opportunities available to them within the music
business.
Berkleemusic.com, the online continuing education division of
Berklee College of Music, has just announced the release of
several instructor-led online music business courses that provide
invaluable management tools and marketing techniques that can be
immediately implanted into any band's promotional strategy.
Music Marketing 101, Artists Management, Music Marketing 201, and
the 9-course Master in Music Business certificate program are
enrolling now for the fall term, beginning October 1!
Learn more at: http://www.berkleemusic.com/?pid=1787
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E d i t o r ' s M u s i n g s :
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Hello again for another month and thanks for joining us! If
you're enjoying these newsletters, please do feel free to let
others know about it. The more, the merrier. ;)
Wanted to give you some updates on the site. We've moved to the
new dedicated server and things seem to be going quite well.
I've even noticed faster speeds on the site itself - and I hope
you have too! I'm very relieved. :)
Also, so that you know, we're VERY close to releasing Radio Muse
#17 - so please do keep your music coming in for #18! That'll be
in planning very soon. For more details on how you can get
airplay for your music, visit
http://www.musesmuse.com/radiomuse.html . I'd love to hear your
stuff. :)
Here are the raffle winners this month:
* Mike Littrell, from Salem, IL, has won a copy of
Virtual Studio Systems' Lyricist software
(http://www.musesmuse.com/vss-review.html).
* Tom Webster from Los Angeles, CA, 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.
* Jim Kail, from Brighton, TN, has won a copy of
Indie-Music.com's Musician's Toolkit CD
(http://www.musicianstoolkit.com/muse/)
And once again, if you're interested in receiving a raffle prize,
have a look at the list of available prizes at
http://www.musesmuse.com/musenews.html and write to me with your
contact information and the prize you'd prefer. I'll be happy to
put you in the queue! This is something we have to learn as
songwriters - a good life lesson, actually - you never get
anything if you don't ask for it! ;)
Even though the weather is turning colder, I love this time of
year. It probably has something to do with the fact that my
birthday is in October :) . Maybe I'm biased. But I love the
fall. The colors are my favorite. The weather that's just cool
enough that you need a sweater but not cold enough to make you
shiver and need heavier coats... I love it. :)
I hope you all enjoy your Autumn as much as I do!
In the meantime, Happy Writing and enjoy the newsletter. :)
--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!)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
9th ANNUAL GREAT AMERICAN SONG CONTEST DEADLINE IS COMING SOON
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. 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 Nov. 16, 2007.
http://www.greatamericansong.com/
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M u s i c R e v i e w s : Alex Jasperse & Chip Withrow
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NEW MUSIC REVIEWS SINCE LAST MONTH INCLUDE:
Alex Jasperse:
* Abigail's Ghost
http://www.musesmuse.com/mrev-abigailsghost-selling.html
* Eric Terdjman
http://www.musesmuse.com/mrev-ericterdjman-galactic.html
Chip Withrow:
* Benji Cossa
http://www.musesmuse.com/mrev-benjicossa-between.html
* Hippie Grenade
http://www.musesmuse.com/mrev-hippiegrenade-fix.html
* Erik Viel
http://www.musesmuse.com/mrev-erikviel-off.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
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I couldn't resist mentioning this one :) - and I'm sure that
those of you with young kids, needing to come up with
distractions for them in the car on the ride to and from school
or whatever after-school activities they go to, will find this
one useful. Raina's my sister and she's also a teacher (Grade 3
at the moment, I believe). She's been singing for kids for a
long time now and just came out with this CD:
Raina's Rainbow Party - Genre: FOR KIDS
Sing-A-Long fun for everyone. A mixture of original melodies with
traditional kids songs that even parents will enjoy singing along
with. Raina has been entertaining young children for over 8 years
at private birthday parties, schools, corporate events, and
childcare centres. Accompanied by her sticker-covered guitar,
children have delighted in her high energy shows while they sing
and jam along to songs they already know as well as Raina's
catchy original tunes.
http://www.rainasrainbowparty.com/
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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
The Little Black Book of Band Profit Secrets
By Sean Farrington
http://www.bandprofit.com/
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"Have a reason for every business choice you make," reads Sean
Farrington's Touchstone #4. This statement represents the core
truth of this book. Everything else, in one way or another, is a
result, or a corollary, of that simple statement. Plans lead to
targets, which lead to actions that accomplish what you set out
to do. If you have thought about your music business rationally,
rather than emotionally, and written down those targets, the
actions execute the plan. If the plan was to make money...well,
then that is what your band does. This doesn't mean that this
touchstone is all you need, and it certainly is not all the book
offers. It simply is the cornerstone of a philosophy, which
involves a lot of hard work. Well, who told you music was easy?
Since I have given you Farrington's summary statement, now I'll
give you mine concerning this book: If you have the slightest
intention of gigging for profit, you should read this book. The
premise is that the band is a business, and in 272 digital pages
(yes it is an e-book) it covers the business aspects of
music—bookings, promotion, marketing, merchandising, public
relations (quite different from marketing), and the principles of
websites as they specifically relate to bands. There is a lot to
do here, and for each area of effort you'll find both the "why"
and the "what" spelled out quite plainly.
What I like about the book is its gritty pragmatism. That
fundamental concept—that a band is a business (if it is a hobby,
you'll want to read other books)—means that you need a business
plan. To do anything else results in disillusionment, unhappiness
and probably the break up of the band. Thus, this book offers
specific business-like instructions that range from how to keep
track of your inventory to what to put on your tee shirts (to
make them sell, of course). An important aspect of this
pragmatism is that the author deals with the world as she is, and
not some idealistic situations. So he talks about how to handle
the simple reality that club owners don't really care how good
your band is (shocking, but true), or even care what nice people,
or how hungry, you are. Farrington presents an approach to club
owners that works with that reality. It is some great pitching
advice. Not easy, but rock solid.
The book isn't for the faint of heart. The harsh reality of the
music business is that succeeding requires a lot of
not-very-musical work to obtain those glorious moments on stage.
The benefit of the book is that is helps you understand what you
need to do to make your band profitable. He talks a lot about
growing the successes, building one on the last in a, well
businesslike fashion. And unless you are just playing for fun on
the weekends, you definitely will have to understand this stuff.
Just reading it will likely give you some ideas of your own, your
band's own spin. And isn't that what reading someone else's ideas
is all about, really?
******
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 (http://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!
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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!)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
VOCAL RELEASE SINGING SECRETS OF THE STARS - THE BEST SINGING
INSTRUCTION AVAILABLE - ONLINE OR OFFLINE
Learn how you can repair a damaged singing voice and greatly
improve your range, or keep the voice you currently have from
becoming strained. Learn techniques that will enable you to sing
in a commercial voice that can be applied to Rock, Pop, Rap, R&B,
and Country Music. A classical and or choir approach to singing
will not develop a commercial voice! Vocal Release is
specifically aimed at learning how to sing commercially. Learn
how anyone, even if they've never sang before, can develop a star
quality voice. The key is knowing the proper training techniques
from the start. Protect your voice in the long term and improve
its quality and power. Order Your Vocal Release System Today!
http://www.vocalrelease.com/?musesmuse
Now offering a download version that's only $47!
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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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2007 LYRIC WRITER AWARDS (ROUND 4)
The Lyric Writer Awards from We Are Listening is the ultimate
contest for writers seeking music publishing, co-writing and song
placement opportunities. If you long to work with professional
songwriters and dream of getting your songs cut by major label
artists, this could really be the chance of a lifetime!
Details: http://www.wearelistening.org/about_lwa.php
Deadline: November 15, 2007
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VOICES OF THE FUTURE COMPETITION FOR YOUNG SONGWRITERS
Songwriters Anonymous of Southeastern Michigan announces the
second annual "Voices of the Future Songwriting Competition.
Unlike many other competitions, this contest is specifically
designed for young aspiring songwriters between the ages of
13-17. Sponsored by Songwriters Anonymous, The NorEast'r Music
and Art Festival, Lamb's Retreat for Songwriters, Elderly Music,
and A3 Radio, the competition is free to enter and open to
current residents of the United States. Rules and application
forms may be found at http://www.noreastr.net/.
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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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BREAKING THE BAND
We Are Listening have rounded up all of our resources for the
definitive opportunity and all-encompassing experience for
independent artists – Breaking the Band!
Imagine every song contest, licensing, press, booking, touring
and festival showcasing opportunity rolled into one. Now, imagine
playing a prime-time slot at a major US music festival, licensing
your songs to at least 3 major television networks, enjoying
extensive radio play, working 100 media outlets and receiving
months of booking and tour support.
This may be the big break you've been waiting for.
http://www.wearelistening.org/about_btb.php
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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 in April 2008. 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, 2008. From the entries
received, 10 songs will be chosen to compete 'live' in the Grand
Final in Tipperary Town, Ireland on April 26th, 2008. The winning
song will receive a cheque for €1,500 (euro) and a specially
commissioned Waterford Crystal Trophy Entry Forms are now
available and can be downloaded from the organisers website:
http://www.tipperarypeace.ie/ or by contacting the Contest Secretary,
Martin Quinn by e-mail to martinquinns@eircom.net .
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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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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
©1998-2007 Moonstone Productions All Rights Reserved.
Used By Permission
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Lyrics, lyrics, lyrics. Can't live with 'em, and, especially if
you're a songwriter, you can't live without 'em. So I thought I
would point you to a few interesting websites that have all to do
with not just lyrics, but people's interpretations and
impressions of them. Some good, some interesting, some not so
good.
The first is a fascinating collection of Dead Teen Song lyrics.
Now why would I introduce you to something like that? Because I
often read questions about song topics, what are good topics to
write about and the most common? I think it's really amazing how
many dead teen song lyrics there are out there. Okay, I'll
admit, these are not all about tragic car crashes--a common theme
starting in the 50's--but outside of love, death seems to be a
topic that songwriters can't stop writing about, even in more
recent songs like the Dixie Chicks' "Goodbye Earl". If you
really have no idea how many of them there are, check this out:
http://www.nyx.net/~anon52ea/DeadTeenSongs.html. There may be a
few on there that you didn't even realize were about death!
I may have mentioned this next website before, but I still think
it's kind of fascinating and there have been a lot more songs and
references added to it since I was last there. It's called Song
Facts (http://www.songfacts.com/). You can look up just about
any popular song and get a little history behind the writing,
recording or performances of it. You can read comments from
others and leave your own if you like. What I most like is when
I find out that a song was recording or written by someone long
before the most recent artist or band performed it, such as the
Black Crowes "Hard To Handle". Did you know that Otis Redding
wrote that song? I hardly recognized it. Sometimes my young
guitar students like to think that their favourite new band wrote
something, and I get to tell them that the song is actually old
like me. :-) The comments section provides some real insight
as to what people think of particular songs and why.
Okay, here's another one for you. The 20 Worst Lyrics Ever
(http://www.spinner.com/2007/03/27/the-worst-lyrics-ever-no-20/).
Usually I don't like to read any "worst of" lists because they're
so subjective and often only give people a reason to complain.
But what is interesting to me is that there are lyrics on that
list that I can't believe anyone ever got away with recording,
AND lyrics I can't believe anyone thinks could be bad! "Your
Song"? Are you kidding me? The Spinner website
(http://www.spinner.com/) actually has quite a bit more to offer,
some of it trivial, some of it kind of insightful. Lately I've
been teaching a Plain White T's song called "Hey There Delilah"
which I quite like, and it was interesting to hear the story
behind the lyrics. You can even listen to the songs while you're
reading about them. The information is not in depth, but there
are lots of little tidbits in categories like "Best Opening
Lyrics", "Reader's Best Lyrics" and "The 25 Most Exquisitely Sad
Songs in the Whole World". All subjective, of course :-)
Sometimes it's a real eye-opener to read what the general public
is hearing in a song, or not hearing. Whereas one website put
'Your Song' at number 19 on the 20 Worst Lyrics Ever, a mass of
people listed it as their favourite song on SongFacts. Who'd a
thunk it?
******
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 Alan P. MacLeod © 2007
Co-Writing for Bags of Money (Or Not) - Part 3 and Onward
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Part Three - Co-Writing, Walls and Solo Efforts:
------------------------------------------------
At some point in a co-writing session, you'll hit a wall.
Nothing's working. If your method is to just keep at it, your
partner's method is likely to take a break. So take the break
(your mind can keep working if it wants to). Go out. Do
something else. Eat. Watch the clouds move. Whatever. Talk
about something else or stay silent but don't talk about the
song. Soon, someone will say "Well, you wanna' try again?" Then
you try again or go home. You should decide when and where the
next session will be before the current session ends. Also agree
if any work will be done on the song before the next session and
agree on who will do what.
I think it's best to try and get the song "done" in one session.
If not done, at least mapped out (Verse 1 = they meet; Verse 2 =
all is well; Bridge = they think about it; Verse 3 = it's over)
so that you walk away knowing what the song is about and humming
the hook. However, I suggest that you don't work "solo" on the
song. Save it until you get back together for another session.
One bad experience I had was in a workshop with two other writers
I had never met before where the session started quickly and
ended too soon. We did really well working together. We had the
title, a chorus and most of a verse in a short time. Then the
session ended and we went away, all agreeing we should try to
finish the song. We should have said "we'll meet at X o'clock
and finish the song together".
Instead, all of us worked solo to write the rest of the song.
Each of us came up with different story lines, themes, rhymes and
chord sequences. Each of us emailed the others "here's my
version". No one liked where the others had taken the song.
Each of us was now "married" to our own version. Each was
annoyed that the others didn't immediately say "Wow, that's the
best song ever." Each of us was annoyed that the others were
trying to push the song in a direction we hadn't agreed to when
we were together.
Because that co-writing session failed, the song died. We've
never worked together again and likely never will. No bags of
money were delivered to any of our houses. Sadness all around.
But I learned good lessons about what not to do.
You may find that you come up with a great idea that's been
thrown to the boneyard or a riff that doesn't make it into that
song. That's ok. At the end of the session, the right thing to
do is say "Well, I'd like to keep working on this idea/riff that
we tossed". You should discuss and decide right there and then,
if you'll work on it alone or together.
To avoid future lawsuits, if you work on an idea or riff that was
born during the session, you should credit your co-writer(s),
even if you develop the idea into a song on your own.
Conventional thinking holds that it was the co-writing session
and the combination of people in the room that allowed that idea
or riff to be born, so everyone there should share in the result.
Part Four - Co-Writing ("Oops, we missed "Step #3"):
----------------------------------------------------
There are times when a co-writing session fails long after it's
finished because of what wasn't agreed to at the start. It's like
when you're assembling a 1,500-piece BBQ and you get to step #60
only to learn that you have to go back to "Step #3" and start
again.
Suppose it was a great co-writing session. The song is done and
you love it! Now what? If you're like me, you're going to try
to get the song out into the world so that bags of money will be
delivered to your home. Maybe you'll record the song and play it
on your world tour? Maybe Britney will make it a hit? Maybe
you'll put it on your website and sell a gazillion copies? Maybe
the song will find a home within a TV show, Hollywood movie or an
international television commercial?
Or, maybe, rather than making money, you'll be spending money in
court for years fighting with your co-writers because now you
hate each other. Now you disagree about whose song it is, who
contributed more, what percentage should go to whom, and who has
the right to sign contracts with publishers and music placement
folks.
The smart choice is when you first meet for your co-writing
session, talk about the deal and agree on "Step #3": The
Co-Writers Agreement. Some like to just shake hands and say
"let's do a fifty-fifty on this one". This is a verbal contract.
Verbal contracts make for longer court cases if people disagree,
but work fine when people do agree.
With two writers, they'd share equally in the song. Both are
allowed to register, publish, record, release and exploit the
song on their own, however they want. Credit is shared, profits
are split, ownership is shared, no matter what.
You want to spend $50,000 on the demo? Go ahead. It's your
money. The other wants to record it for $50 - that's ok too.
They get their recording placed in a Pro-Life ad and you get your
pricy recording placed in an Abortion Rights ad, you'll share
equally in the writers share of all profits.
Now, surely you can see that the one who spends $50,000 on the
demo and places the song in a Pro-Life ad may not be all that
happy about the $50 demo sweeping the web and may be furious that
the song is being used in the Abortion Rights ad. (But what a
great song that it could find a home in both these houses, eh?)
The smart alternative is "Step #3": to sign a Co-Writing
Agreement at the top of each co-writing session. It's usually
one or two pages that lists who's involved, the percentages of
ownership in the song for each person, their legal names,
addresses and two contact phone numbers for them, their agents,
managers, publishers and even their relatives,
The Co-Writing Agreement may also note who will register the song
with SOCAN, who may or is allowed to, who pays for the
recording, who gets copies of the recording, who / how / where
the song will be "shopped" and if all or only part of the
recording may be posted on web sites, etc. Sometimes everyone
puts $5 into the hat for the one who'll be handling postage,
photocopies and dubs.
Some Co-Writing Agreements now include a waiver of "Moral Rights"
so that there aren't any restrictions on the use of the song
later. The Agreement may also mention Assignments, stating who
has the authority to sign contracts on behalf of the group, so
that one person's signature is all that's needed for contracts
that exploit (opps, pardon my language) do something with the
song.
This additional info (relatives' names and #'s, Moral Rights
Waver, Assignments, etc.) is very important to publishers and
music placement folks hoping to use the song in a film or
commercial years from now. Tracking down all the owners of the
song's copyright and getting contracts signed can be a huge
problem years after the song was written unless you have this
information.
This month I was told about two instances where songs couldn't be
used in big films because they couldn't find the cousin of the
friend who was in the studio that day and was given a 2.5%
ownership of that song as a favor.
Here's the worst case: the song had the potential to be a
massive hit. But, there is no Co-Writer's contract; the
co-writers now hate each other; they refuse to agree how or even
if the song may be used; OR they've died and the surviving
relatives hate each other. In these instances, the publishers
and song placement folks will likely try only once and then
they'll pass on the song forever. No bags of money will be
delivered to any home and the song "wilts away" in silence.
So, don't use your fear of the legal stuff as an excuse not to
become a better songwriter. If you're a solo songwriter you
should want to try co-writing too. Co-writing helps you hone
your craft and write better songs. 'Cuz ya' know, writing songs
is actually not about bags of money - it's about creating
something from nothing.
*****
Alan Recommends:
Anything written by Pat Pattison or John Capek
Joining Songwriters Association of Canada
The Craft and Business of Songwriting by John Braheny
© 2007 Alan P. MacLeod ~ http://www.sparklingroad.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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Why Not Globalize the Guitar? - by Alex Jasperse
http://www.musesmuse.com/alex-global.html
Ever thought about making music with someone from a different end
of the globe? Why not? If you have some basic recording gear, and
a willingness to learn, maybe it's time to explore the range of
options you have...
----
The Importance of Musical Exploration - by Kole (Kyle Hicks)
http://www.musesmuse.com/kole-musicalexploration.html
In this article, he explains the importance of studying and
learning from music styles different from your own.
----
Blue Collar #7.5 -Grind Me A Bass Pound, Pappy!!!
- by Mick Polich
http://www.musesmuse.com/mickpolick-basspower.html
Bass players got the power!!! This article is an intro to playing
the bass, and its role in modern music (too much to cover in one
measly space, so more to come down the road!).
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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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WRITE BETTER SONGS WITH MASTERWRITER AS YOUR SONGWRITING PARTNER
"This remarkable piece of software turns your Mac or PC into a
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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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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.
http://www.songwritermeditation.com/
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
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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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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/
=================================================================
ADVERTISING RATES: For Classifieds: US$50 Max. 8 lines, where
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 .
Back to Menu
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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
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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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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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