Business:

• How to Make a Great CD - Demo - by Jaci Rae - A great CD / CD demo can mean the difference between getting the job and not working. Here are a few tips on how to make an excellent CD that will impress them.
  
  
• Networking that works - by Tim Ogle - The first five of what may become the "Ten Commandment's" of networking.
  
  
  
• HOW DID THAT SONG GET RECORDED?!?!?!?! - by Andrea Stolpe - Sometimes it's difficult to imagine how certain songs make it onto records and the radio.  As musicians and artists, we can spend quite a bit of time comparing our work with that of what's popular.  In many cases, craft has less to do with success than we think.  Choosing a viewpoint that enables us to stay inspired while working the business end is a must for anyone wanting to sustain a career in the industry.
  
  
  
• Money and Music: How to Make Both - by Jaci Rae - Indie / DIY musician and bands are beginning to have an advantage over major label artists. Why? Because they are forced to learn and have marketing savvy. Indie artists and bands who wish to start the process of making, distributing, and getting radio airplay for themselves, without the help of a major label contract, are starting their own record label.
  
  
• The Most Valuable Music Conference I've Ever Attended - by Andrea Stolpe - About Tim Sweeney's "Music Strategies" conference - and how to get the real-world information you need to further your career.
  
  
  
• Taking The Next Step: Moving your songs from the livingroom to the world - by Andrea Stolpe - Marketing your songs can take many approaches.  How do you get your songs out there once you're ready to play them for the world?  Here are some creative suggestions.
  
  
  
• "Respect" - by Bronson Herrmuth - My definition of the word Respect.
  
  
• Songwriting Commercially - by Bronson Herrmuth - I wrote this article in 2003 just a month or so after my book came out. Knowing most of you are songwriters, I thought you might enjoy this read and good luck with your songwriting!
  
  
• Consistency Is The Key - by Bronson Herrmuth - I'm adding this article for all of you "musers" who are performing songwriters and recording artists. Hope you enjoy!
  
  
• Cross-Marketing (Linking): Selling your music - by Jerry Flattum - New ways to sell your music online is exploding.  CD Baby is only one of them.  Of course you need your own website, but how does anyone know where it is--how to find it?  One way is to cross-link, particularly with other sites that feature your music. 
  
  

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Guitar:

• Fretboard Travels - by Alex Jasperse - A concise tried and tested travel guide to warm up exercises on the guitar.
  
  
• Crazy Little Word Called “Shred” - by Alex Jasperse - How the need for speed has somehow become how we define a good guitarist.
  
  
  
• Why Not Globalize the Guitar? - by Alex Jasperse - 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...
  
  
  
• What the Effects? - by Alex Jasperse - A quick look at the pros and cons of three types of guitar effects units that exist.
  
  
• Playing with Uncommon Arpeggios - by Alex Jasperse - The next step in stretching your fingers a little bit more.
  
  
  
• Blue Collar's Sneaky Little Tips For Ghee-tar And Bass, Vol. #1 - by Mick Polich - Looking for a few quick tips to head down another avenue with your guitar and bass playing? In this first installment, Mick pawns off what pithy knowledge he's learned over 30 years in regards to guitar and bass playing tips.....
  
  

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Lifestyle:

• The Importance of Childhood Experiences - by Trevor Krueger - Kids these days aren't experiencing the same things kids in earlier generations experienced.  How will this affect what they decide to write songs about as they grow older?
  
  
• Blue Collar Rockin' #3-LISTENING!!! - by Mick Polich - Hey,you - are you listening? Mick looks at the topic of listening as a musician and offers some hopefully helpful hints on how to improve your 'listening' habits for all your musical endeavors!
  
  
• Daily Activities of a Career Songwriter - by Andrea Stolpe - It’s true that no two songwriters' careers are alike.  Most of us start with no contacts, little experience, and a lot of inspiration.  Gradually we expand our network of contacts that will play key roles in opening doors to that publishing deal, artist deal, recording facility, producer, co-writer, event booker, agent, manager, or that one fan that becomes an unexpected loudspeaker to the world.
  
  
  

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Publishing:

• The Real World - Part 2 - by Guy Betar - This article continues the review of some real life problems of co-authorship, licenses and copyright in relation to compositions.
  
  
• Royalties and the Law - by Brian Corber - The informal resolution processes of the three domestic PRO's - A brief analysis.
  
  
• ASCAP Seeks To Destroy The Music Download Business By A Move In A New York Federal District Court - by Brian Corber - There is a major fight brewing between different segments of the music business: ASCAP and the RIAA and the record companies: ASCAP has filed a motion seeking an order from a New York Federal Court to declare all downloads of music as public performances, giving ASCAP, BMI and SESAC a piece of the action in private download transactions, such as from iTunes or Rhapsody (http://www.ascap.com/press/2007/030107_transmissions.html). The matter has been set for a trail to begin May 21, 2007.
  
  
• Briefly: Dispelling Some Myths About Copyrights In Music - by Brian Corber - Describing how one really protects a copyright and what PROs do with a slice of the copyright assigned to them for administration.  With some extra confusion about "mechanicals" and how they do it internationally.
  
  
• The myth about "the poor man's copyright" and other myths - by Brian Corber - Many songwriters believe they can establish and protect the copyrights in their songs by using "the poor man's copyright."  That is, mailing the song to yourself in a sealed envelope.  That is a really false urban legend and ought to be dispelled. There's also the myth about registering your song with a performance rights organization.  This article discusses and destroys those myths.
  
  
• On The Subject Of Cowriting - by Bronson Herrmuth - My thoughts and musings on the subject of cowriting for all of you songwriters here at musesmuse.com
  
  

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Vocal Tips:

• Songwriting Articles - Building a Successful Sound by Brett Manning - Tips on achieving commercial success as a singer, by Brett Manning.
  
  
  

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Creativity:

• Comfort Zone: Enter at Your Own Risk - by Mary Dawson - Most songwriters live in fear of the dreaded disease known as Writer's Block. But there is an even more dangerous condition that can attack the creative soul. It's called the Comfort Zone. Mary Dawson identifies the symptoms and offers some remedies.
  
  
• Blue Collar Rockin'#2 - by Mick Polich - Mick explores when we do our 'best work' as musicians. Can it happen more than once? Find out!
  
  
• The Theory of Appreciative Comparison *Part 1* - by Kole (Kyle Hicks) - A theory borrowed from the world of Psychology but adapted to Music. (Introduction to the Theory and it's purpose)
  
  
• Growls, Grunts and Moans - by Tim Ogle - Don't be afraid to be "uncool" while songwriting.
  
  
  
• The Importance of Musical Exploration - by Kole (Kyle Hicks) - In this article, I explain the importance of studying and learning from music styles different from your own.
  
  
• Chord Connections - by Kole (Kyle Hicks) - This article will focus on the movement of chords within a progression and the possible ways to phrase your melodies based off of this movement.
  
  
• Becoming A Fearless Lyric Writer - by Andrea Stolpe - Tips and strategies for taking your lyric writing to new levels.
  
  
  
• Songwriting Courses Online at Berkleemusic.com - by Andrea Stolpe - More information about Andrea's Songwriting Techniques classes online at BerkleeMusic.com.
  
  
  
• Horizontal and Vertical Thinking (Vertical Thinking Part 1) - by Kole (Kyle Hicks) - There are two main ways of thinking when it comes to Composition and Songwriting.  This article will explain the second and most familiar school of thought, Vertical Thinking.
  
  
• Quality Versus Quantity - by Mary Dawson - A reality check for those who love the songwriting process but have not identified their writing goals nor mastered the Language of Songwriting that produces Hits.
  
  
• 3 ways to get out of a Songwriting Rut - by Kole (Kyle Hicks) - This article lists 3 different things I did to get through the songwriting "ruts" I encountered while composing music for my debut album "Exile."
  
  
• Music Life: 1 - Creative and Everyday Can Co-Exist - by Brian Donovan - Want to devote your life to your music, but the selling of your soul has your personal life in shambles?  Here's how to make your creative life and your everyday life peacefully, and productively, co-exist.
  
  
  
• Interview with Reggie Young - Part 2 - by Bronson Herrmuth - Part 2 of my studio interview with Reggie Young.
  
  
• Songwriting Articles - Power to the Poet: Rhymes - by Bud Tower - We all think we know what rhymes are and what rhymes. But, the devil is in the details and the more we really know about what rhymes and why, the better and more efficiently we as writers can express ourselves.
  
  

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History:

• Interview with Grammy award winning engineer/producer Bil VornDick - by Bronson Herrmuth - Bil VornDick has recorded over 600 albums, had five number 1 hits in five different genres, 45 Grammy nominations with 8 Grammy winners. In so doing he has established himself as one of the top engineer/producers in the music business world wide.
  
  
• My interview with the legendary Steve Cropper - by Bronson Herrmuth - If playing the fire out of a guitar for over 50 years isn't enough for you, add recording artist, hit songwriter, award winning producer, arranger, engineer, actor, label head, and you start to get the picture of the many talents of Steve Cropper.
  
  

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On Other Sites:

• Songwriting Articles - James Lee Stanley's Blog - This talented performer, singer, songwriter and producer gives you the benefit of his 50 years experience by writing articles in his personal web space. There are all sorts of different topics you'll find interesting.  Well worth checking out!
  
  

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Recording:

• The Synthedit Revolution - by JJ Biener - Jef McClintock's Synthedit has brought the ability to produce VST instrument and effect plugins to the masses.
  
  
• Embrace Imperfection - by Andrew H - Do musical artists appreciate why they are going for this 'perfect sound'?
  
  
• Do You Need A Producer? - by Jerry Flattum - Couple of months back, I decided to use Bob Katz for mastering.  After a few email exchanges and wrestling with his amazing book, Mastering Audio, I told Bob I wanted to achieve the same high quality recording with my studio as that which I've been hearing on a slew of top commercial CDs (Celine Dion, as one example).   Bob Katz recommended using a producer.  Just exactly what does a producer do?  Do I need one?  Mick Polich, another Muse's Muse Columnist, has some answers.
  
  

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