Creative Ideas for Songs - Part 6

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If none of my other suggestions on creative ideas for songs helped you, then perhaps you need more inspiration. While reading this book, The Songwriter's Idea Book, I came across some key points she says writers have used to generate new song ideas:


1. To activate your right brain: Become more physically active:

• a. just doodle on the piano/guitar/drum machine or any instrument
• b. doodle on a pad
• c. verbally brainstorm

2. To activate your left brain: Start from a part and work outwards:

• a. in other words, start from a song concept and play around with that concept
• b. start with a title and build the song from there
• c. go from the end of the story line to the beginning or vice versa
• d. choose a motif or chord progression and follow it
  

3. Brainstorm:

• a. once you get a title, brainstorm for more titles
• b. once you get a song concept, brainstorm for more
• c. just write down any words that come to you and put the pieces together later. In other words write first, edit later!

4. Let it marinate!

• a. Once you get an idea, a concept, title, etc., move around, think about it, scribble, or just meditate
• b. Letting it marinate will help you come up with different ways to approach the same subject, title, concept, or idea.
• c. Imagine the words you want to use.
• d. Feel the emotion you want the singer to feel.
• e. Sleep on the idea.

Great ideas!!!!!!! Man, how many songs can you come up with if you don't allow your creativity to stop when you get ONE concept! Try using some of these methods and let me know how it works for you.

Thedy B, Attorney/Songwriter

Hits A Million, LLC

hitsamillion.blogspot.com

Songwriting Contests, Competitions & Awards

The following is a list of some upcoming songwriting contests:

Songwriting Contest #1 -Deadline May 30, 2008

2008 USA SONGWRITING COMPETITION
The 2008 USA Songwriting Competition deadline is fast approaching. Win a top prize of $50,000 worth of cash and merchandise such as cool gear from Sony, Ibanez Guitars, D'Addario Strings, Peavey, Audio-Technica and more. Also, have your winning songs played on radio! Enter in Pop, Rock/Alt, Folk, R&B, Hip-Hop, Jazz, Instrumental, etc.

Since 1995, USA Songwriting Competition has been honoring songwriters from all over the world. Winners came from Australia, Japan, Canada, UK, Germany, Brazil, South Africa, USA, etc. Past winners have gotten recording contracts, getting their songs on film, TV as well as getting cuts with major artists. The 2005 Winner of the country category had his winning song cut by Faith Hill. The 2005 winner of the pop category was signed by MySpace/Interscope records.

Entries must be entered by May 30 or earlier. The entry form can be found at:
http://www.songwriting.net/entryform.html

Songwriting Contest #2 - Deadline June 7, 2008

BLACKDOG MEDIA GROUP LAUNCHES UPSTATE NY SONGWRITING CONTEST!
The Upstate New York Songwriting Contest is open to all musicians of all music styles. Simply record a demo and submit either by mail (CD or Cassette) or online (mp3) – entries will not be judged by recording quality, but by the quality of the song. Entries are due no later than June 7, 2008 and can be submitted via the contest website or by mail. Contestants are eligible for over $10,000 in prizes. Visit http://www.songcontestny.com/Home.html for full details.

Songwriting Contest # 3 -Deadline is June 15, 2008

The John Lennon Songwriting Contest is an international songwriting contest that began in 1997. The Contest is open to amateur and professional songwriters who submit entries in any one of 12 categories. The JLSC is open year-round and features two Sessions -- with 72 Finalists, 24 Grand Prize Winners, 12 Lennon Award Winners and 1 Maxell Song of the Year.
You don't need a professional recording. Entries will be judged on originality, melody, composition, and lyrics (when applicable). Your songs may be entered in any of the following categories: Rock, Country, Jazz, Pop, World, Rhythm & Blues, Hip Hop, Gospel/Inspirational, Latin, Electronic, Folk, and Children's. Instrumental compositions are encouraged. For a complete list of prizes, go to http://www.jlsc.com/prizes.php. To see who the judges will be, go to: http://www.jlsc.com/judges.php. To enter the contest, go to: http://www.jlsc.com/enter.php

Songwriting Contest #4 - Deadline is June 30, 2008

BREAKING THE BAND 3

Breaking the Band from We Are Listening is every song contest, licensing, press, booking, touring and festival showcasing opportunity rolled into one. We've created an enormous independent artist campaign with a major label budget. This may be the single, largest investment in your career by an independent music company.

Details: http://www.wearelistening.org/contests.php
Fee: $40
Deadline: June 30th 2008

Songwriting Contest #5 - Deadline is June 30, 2008

INDIE INTERNATIONAL SONGWRITING CONTEST Now accepting song entries for its first 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. $16,000 value in prizes to be awarded and all genre winners 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/

Songwriting Contest #6 - Deadline is midnight August 1, 2008

The Independent Music Awards
Unlike any other music industry contest or competition, The Independent Music Awards delivers real career opportunities for Indie artists, labels and releases. The Independent Music Awards helps Indie artists & releases worldwide overcome mainstream obstacles by placing Winners & Finalists in front of more than 20 Million new fans via yearlong promotion, marketing & distribution programs. Winners are also promoted key industry players including: Commercial, Public & College Radio Programmers, Music Journalists , Film, TV & Gaming Music Supervisors, Club & Festival Talent Buyers, Ad Agencies, and National & Regional Promoters

Songwriting Contest #7 - Deadline is August 15, 2008

WORLD OF MUSIC AWARDS

The World of Music Awards from We Are Listening is the first international and multi-lingual contest for World music artists and songwriters. Armed with an expert panel of judges and a prize package that includes an all-inclusive trip to WOMEX in Spain, We Are Listening delivers an unparalleled opportunity to be seen, heard and signed!

Details: http://www.wearelistening.org/contests.php
Fee: $30
Deadline: Aug 15th 2008

Songwriting Contest # 8 - Deadlines varies

AMERICAN SONGWRITER MAGAZINE'S AMATEUR LYRIC CONTEST
Established 1984. One contest per issue, 6 issues each year.

Requirements: Send lyrics only. Lyrics must be typed and payment for $10 (per entry) must be enclosed. No limit per contest. Include an entry form with each lyric sheet submitted. Call for required official form (615-321-6096) or print it from our website. http://www.americansongwriter.com/ ~ Lyrics only, no cassettes or CDs.

Awards: A Martin guitar DX-1 with case, D'Addario strings to each contest winner. Top 4 winning lyrics for each contest reprinted in American Songwriter Magazine. Honorable Mentions are listed as well. Each issue features a Lyric Entrant Q&A as well. One overall winner per year receives airfare (from American Airlines) to Nashville and a demo session at Music City Music Productions.

Songwriting Contest #9 - Deadline is October 2008

THE BOSAs SONGWRITING AWARDS:
The BOSAs Songwriting Awards is a twice yearly global competition where the best songs and artists are showcased to Music Publishers and other Industry Professionals for review in addition to category prizes.

Site URL: http://www.thebosas.com/
Current Deadline to Enter: October and April of each year
Contact: info@thebosas.com

Songwriting Contest #10 - Deadline is October 10, 2008

The 10th Annual Great American Song Contest features:
Opportunities to win prestigious songwriting awards and valuable Prizes;
Opportunities to get your songs heard by qualified music industry professionals;
Opportunities to advance your songwriting, promote your songs & open doors in the music business. The 10th Annual Great American Song Contest offers 45 awards in nine different categories. ALL entries receive a thorough review from prominent music-industry professionals (see Judges); ALL submissions receive a written evaluation from the contest judges;
ALL entrants receive an entry confirmation and Judging Schedule to track the evaluation process. ALL ENTRANTS receive a free online Self-Paced Educational Course from SongU.com (a $39.95 value!) Easy to enter by mail or online.

Thedy B, Attorney/Songwriter
Hits A Million, LLC
myspace.com/hitsamillionllc
interviewed.blogspot.com - contains interviews of top producers, songwriters, & music execs
globalmusicbusiness.blogspot.com -helping you go global with your music
musicpanels.blogspot.com -missed a music conference, find some clips of it here
mobilemusicbusiness.blogspot.com -go mobile with your music, find ways to do mobile marketing
musiclabels.blogspot.com - find out information on new record labels recently launched
hitsamillion.ning.com - network with other producers, singers, songwriters, and beatmakers

ASCAP Writer's Roundtable - Part 2 (the Scoop)

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Here's why I say you need to get out the studio some and network. And yes you can network because I've given you over 40 tips on the do's and don'ts of networking at music conferences, the do's and don'ts of networking via email, upcoming music conferences where you can network , explaining why networking is important, how it's helped me, and gave you over 30 places where you can network.

In my last blog, I told you that I would reveal what was said during the songwriting panel at the ASCAP Writer's Roundtable, which was held on March 6, 2008 at the Robert Woodruff Library Exhibition Hall at Clark Atlanta University. Okay, so here it is:

1. Publishing - much was said about this subject, a subject that is near and dear to the hearts of all songwriters.

• If you can wait, wait. Most of the songwriters suggested that you wait before getting a publishing deal. In particular, wait until you have a single and wait until the publishers are coming to you asking you for a publishing deal. The reason behind this advice was so that you can get a better deal. Having a single will provide you better bargaining power. If you instead only have album sales, you still can get a publishing deal but the publisher will most likely not give you the best publishing deal because you don't have a single. By album sales, I mean you have a song on someone's album and you have sales only because people bought the entire album, but your song wasn't released as a single.

• If you need the money, then do the deal. Depending on how desperate you are in terms of money, you should decide on whether to sign a publishing deal or not. Again, if you can wait, then wait.

• Sign a publishing deal that requires the least amount of published songs. Johnta Austin, one of the panelists, mentioned that publishing 10 songs a year or even 4 songs a year is still a lot of songs. Why? Because most publishing contracts require that you publish a certain number of whole songs. If you collaborate on the song with other writers, then you only get credit for your portion of the song. So if you and a 3 other writers wrote a song, then you'd only get credit for writing 1/4 of a song. You still have 3 3/4 published songs to go. If you use samples of a song, you may also have to share a portion of your song with the original artist and that will again, cut into your credits. I say may because RL indicated that he refused in one instance not to give up part of his publishing to a producer who unilaterally chose to use a sample in his music to which RL wrote the lyrics and melody. Since RL didn't make the decision to use the sample, he refused to allow his portion of the publishing to be diminished because a sample was used. Plus, the publishing contracts require that the songs be published. Since the number of albums being put out are diminishing and the number of artists are too, then getting your required number of songs published is harder than it was previously. For these reasons, the panelists suggested songwriters sign a publishing deal which requires the least amount of songs.

• Be sensible about the amount of money you are requesting in your publishing deals. Why? Because first, you only get paid after recoupment. Publishing contracts are essentially loans that you must pay back. You only get paid after the publishing company recoups the money loaned. So with that in mind, the panelists recommended that you make sure you only get the amount you need and don't spend your advancement on frivolous things yet.

• Publishing contracts have bonuses in them. There are bonuses in some publishing contracts that will reward you if your song is ranked, and the length that it is ranked, and I think also if your song is placed with major artists. They all said they liked the bonuses.

• Artists may try to get a portion of your publishing. They indicated that some artists will attempt to get a portion of the songwriter's publishing. Artists will sometimes ask to get a writer's publishing because of the artist's reputation or because they want to be seen as part of the writing team, and/or because they want some of the publishing money even though they didn't write any of the song. So the panelists recommended that you consider the source of that request. If the artist is major and you know that your song will be a single, then perhaps giving up a portion of your publishing will be worth it. Johnta Austin and Manuel Seal both said that even if you gave away all your publishing to a major artist, you will still win because your name is on the song and your name on the song will now lead to other songwriting opportunities. However, they indicated that if the artist is just starting out, is not signed, etc, then there may be less of a reason to give up portions of your publishing.

• People get publishing deals because they are scared. Lyfe Jennings said that. He said people get publishing deals because you are scared of what to do with your success and the money. He suggested having a plan for what you are going to do with the money that you get from a publishing deal, such as investing it into real estate or a business.

• In addition to keeping your deals to the lowest number of songs, keep the number of years of the publishing deal low too. Lyfe Jennings said that he was in a three-year publishing deal which he liked because afterwards he can do his own thing. He doesn't need the publishing deal after that.

• Know why you need a publisher. New writers need publishers because they don't know anybody in the business. They don't have direct access to major artists. They need help with getting placement of their songs. They need better relationships. However, once you become a seasoned writer with some hits, you then have direct access to major artists. The artists themselves will call the writer asking to write with that writer. No in-between person is needed then. At that point, the writer needs a publisher just to exploit the copyright to its maximum by getting the song licensed to say film, ringtones, overseas, etc. So know what you need and why you need it.

2. Writing - the essence of what we do!

• Write real records! By that, each panelist meant that you as a writer should write songs that you can feel. (This goes back to my three key elements needed to write a hit, one of which was that the song had to be heart-felt).

• Write songs that are timeless. Don't "date" your record by simply writing songs that are going to be hits now. Johnta Austin noted that some songs, when they are timeless, may not be hits at the time the song comes out. But because the song is timeless, it still has the potential to become a hit. He gave examples of Lyfe Jennings' CD which during its first week sold only 3,000 copies but is now a platinum album. He also cited John Legend's album as another album that didn't have a lot of sales the first week out but because it was a good album, has sold millions of copies and go on to win various awards.

• Real, timeless records will always in the end win. Johnta Austin noted that because Clive Davis believed in Alicia Key's talent and sound, he kept her with just her piano and vocals without the use of rappers on the track. They said so don't succumb to writing songs that are dated or try to keep up with the times just to stay relevant.

• Hit records consists of: a great melody, great lyrics, a good song concept, great production, great performance of the song, believeability of the song, and a team who believes in, and works, the song, according to Manuel Seal. He said that a great performance of the song where an artist really believes what he's singing and the song is ringing true to the artist will make a good song a great song. He said that it used to be that artists were really worked in the studio on making the song believable and making sure the artist felt the songs they sung. I recently saw an example of this when Sean "P. Diddy" Combs refused to allow the men from the Making of the Band IV (or Day 26 as they are now known) to go into the studio and record until the men became passionate about what they were singing about. P. Diddy got the guys a vocal coach, Ankra, not because they were off key, or needed vocal training, but to help the fellas connect with the song and with their audience.

• Write simple words and hooks: Atozzio said that he had to simplify his lyrics to keep up with the times. He noted that at times he wrote a more catchy hook by simpling repeating a line. Lyfe Jennings said that his hardest problem with writing was saying more but saying it more concisely.

• Reseach your song concept idea: Cri$tyle said that she researches her song ideas before writing the song. She studies whatever she is writing on so that she can clearly and effectively write a song about say, water. For her, researching helps her creativity. And I agree. I recently wrote a song about a subject that I myself wasn't familiar with but always wanted to know. I researched the subject by going to Wikipedia. It helped my creativity.

• Spark your creativity: Cri$tyle indicated that she prays before writing every song. Atozzio and Johnta Austin related that their songs sometimes come from his experiences or from things they simply wanted to say but couldn't. Lyfe Jennings indicated that he tries to put himself in the song as well as think of other people who are also going through the same situation and how they must feel. RL said that sometimes because writing is so personal that sometimes its a writer's therapy so don't be afraid of what content comes out during difficult times. He indicated that the songs he wrote while going through a divorce were all related to those feelings. I laughed in agreement to this statement since I was recently looking at the slant that all my recent songs were taking and thinking they all dealt with one subject, love.

• Write and then move on. Cri$tyle indicated that she would mistakenly marry her songs. By that, she explained she meant that she couldn't write another song because she was still worried about the last song she wrote. She knew that the last song she wrote was great so she worry about its placement and what everyone else was doing with that song, instead of just writing. I could definitely relate to that as well! Write, give the song to your publisher, let them deal with the particulars, and just keep on writing!

3. Building business relationships - each person opened up the panel discussion by talking about how they got started in the business. Inevitably it all boiled down to meeting the right people.

4. Humility- All of the artists expected greatness from themselves but they were so humble. Cri$tyle was the most humble as she said several times that she felt so blessed to just be able to write for the people she has been able to write for. When asked does she get upset or feels it is unfair that a track is being given to her as well as to other more seasoned writers who have the ability to directly talk to the artists and find out exactly what the artist wants to talk about, she said no, she doesn't get upset. Instead she expressed her gratitude about even being considered in the same category as these writers to get the same tracks they get. She said that as a new writer, she understands paying her dues. She understood that she doesn't have the business relationship with an artist that say a Johnta Austin has since he's been in the business much longer and has written for so many different people and has some awards and hits under his belt. So the point is, be humble, stay humble.

Thanks for reading! And remember, if you like reading my blogs, subscribe today and tell a friend!

Thedy B

Hits A Million, LLC

myspace.com/hitsamillionllc - network with me!

hitsamillion.ning.com - network with others!

Upcoming Songwriting/Music Conferences and Seminars

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Well, here's your chance to get out of the studio, start networking more, and attend some upcoming music conferences. Here is another abbreviated list of upcoming 2008 Songwriting/Music Conferences and Seminars for March 2008 through May 2008. But before you go to these conferences, I suggest reading my blogs on the do's and don'ts of networking at music conferences, the do's and don'ts of networking via email, and purchasing some of the recommended books on networking. That way you can ensure you are getting the most out of networking at the following songwriting/music conferences and seminars:

#1 March Events

March 25 - 29

Winter Music Conference

Mar 31 2008
BMI’s 8 off 8th Showcase: Nashville

Mar 31 2008

Billboard Mobile Entertainment Live Spring- 2008

#2 April Events

April 1 - April 5

15th Annual Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival

April 2

ASCAP Song Source

April 2

ASCAP Straight Talk

Apr 2 2008

BMI Presents Noche Bohemia 2008: Los Angeles

Apr 2 2008

BMI Presents . . .The Art of Songwriting: Atlanta

BMI Presents. . .The Art of Songwriting featuring The Clutch. This event will take place from 3:00-5:00pm at Emory University. Admission is free. Space is limited. Please RSVP evangraafeiland@bmi.com by Friday, March 28th.

Apr 3 2008

SPONY Songwriter Pitch-A-Thon: New York

April 3 2008

I Do Music

Apr 3 2008

The BMI Sessions: London

Apr 6-10 2008

Billboard Latin Music Conference and Awards

April 7 - May 1

ASCAP Foundation/Disney Musical Theatre Workshop in Los Angeles, directed by Stephen Schwartz

Apr 7 2008

BMI’s 8 off 8th Showcase: Nashville

Apr 9 2008

BMI Songwriting Workshop: New York

April 9

ASCAP Pop Music Awards

April 9

ASCAP Song Source

April 9

ASCAP Straight Talk

April 9

ASCAP/Billboard Latin Showcase

April 10 - April 12

2008 ASCAP "I Create Music" EXPO

April 10

ASCAP's 2008 General Annual Membership Meeting

April 14

BMI’s 8 off 8th Showcase: Nashville

April 15

BMI Songwriters Workshop w/Jason Blume: Nashville

April 16

ASCAP Song Source

April 16

ASCAP Straight Talk

April 19 - April 23

2008 GMA Music Week

April 23

ASCAP Song Source

April 23

ASCAP Straight Talk

April 27 - April 30

2008 MUSEXPO

April 30 - May 4

2008 Key West Songwriters' Festival

April 30

ASCAP Song Source

April 30

ASCAP Straight Talk

#4 May Events:

May 14-17

Florida Music Festival

#3 I Got Soul Conference

June 13-15
http://www.igotsoulconference.com/

Again, if you like reading my blogs, subscribe today and tell a friend!

Here's a blog that I subscribe to which lists even more songwriting and music conferences: http://atlantashowcase.blogspot.com I suggest you subscribe too!

Thedy B, Attorney/Songwriter

Hits A Million, LLC

myspace.com/hitsamillionllc - network with me!

hitsamillion.ning.com - network online here!

Upcoming Songwriting Seminars & Conferences

Check out the following events for songwriters:

Event #1
The Southwest Georgia Radio and Music Conference is a one-day/one-night music conference and seminar with prominent music industry and business professionals. It is being held on Saturday, March 22, 2008 in Albany, GA at the Hilton Garden Inn, 101 S. Front Street, Albany, GA 31701. This music conference is anticipating a variety of tourists and fans to flood the streets of Downtown Albany, Georgia for this HISTORY making Radio Music Conference and How to Make Money Online Seminar!

Special invited guest, speakers, partners & presenters include Motivational Speaker/Author/Consultant (JaWar), Entertainment Attorney (John F. Christmas), Author/Associate Director-SESAC-Performing Rights Organization (Cappriccieo M. Scates), Music Business Consultant (Allen L. Johnston –The Music Specialist), Judge Law Radio (DJ Judge Mental), Publicists (Rovella Williams), Publicists/Writer/Public Speaker (Willie Hunter), Bar Red Entertainment (B. Brown), Come Claim the Mic Music Conference, Select-O-Hits Music Distribution, Recording Artists, Music Producers, Songwriters, Singers, S.I.R. Magazine, Photographers, Music Magazines, Media Outlets and more!

For details on registering, sponsorship & performing for the Southwest Georgia Radio & Music Conference Call 404-543-0675 or 229-255-4016.


Event # 2


The Entertainment and Marketing Summit returns to the Newport Beach Hyatt Regency
March 26th through March 29th 2008. For more info go to www.urbannetwork.com
or call 213.388.4155


Event #3

The ASCAP "I Create Music" EXPO is set to take place April 10-12, 2008 at the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel in Los Angeles.

The 2008 EXPO's unparalleled list of panelists has grown even more. Jackson Browne is confirmed as well as:
Glen Ballard | Marilyn Bergman | Bun B | Mary Chapin Carpenter | Chamillionaire | Desmond Child | Julio Reyes Copello | Jackie DeShannon | David Banner | Amaury Gutierrez | Keri Hilson | Mark Hudson | Johnny Mandel | David Paich (Toto) | Linda Perry | John Powell | John Rich | Rivers Rutherford | John Rzeznik (Goo Goo Dolls) | Stephen Schwartz | Darrell Scott | Billy Steinberg and many more...
More...

"The ASCAP EXPO was educational, exciting, entertaining, and just plain fun."
- Rick Martin, Attendee

Recommended songwriting books - Part 1

As promised in one of my earlier blogs on melody first or lyrics first, here's my list of some songwriting books that I use or bought to help me with songwriting issues that I come across as a songwriter. (I might also add here that in addition to the first blog I did on creative ways to use your music money and the second blog on the same subject where together I listed over 14different ways to be smart with investing your money in the music business, I am going to add investing in good books as creative way #15.) I have also included a one line opinion about the books if I have an opinion. My list is definitely not exhaustive and grows all the time as I am a complete bookworm! But my list will at least get you started in the right direction. So click on the links below and buy the books today to get started!

Lyric Writing Books:
1. The Craft of Lyric Writing by Sheila Davis - (a must have in my opinion! It will take your writing to a whole different level!)
2. Successful Lyric Writing- a workbook - (another must have! This is the companion book to the first book. Excellent!)
3. The Songwriter's Idea BookThe Songwriter's Idea Book by Sheila Davis - (a little hard to read at first but still very good. Shows you how your personality type helps or hinders your writing and how to overcome your bad writing habits, including writer's block)
4. The Songwriter's Handbook by Tom T. Hall - this was my first ever book on songwriting and I still have it. Good book as well.
5. How to write a hit songby Molly-Ann Leikin - (has a good section on overcoming writer's block and if you are wanting a shorter, easier read, it's a good book too)
6. Writing Better Lyrics by Pat Pattison (this book is okay)
7. 88 Songwriting Wrongs & How to Right Them - (a really good book to help you critique your songs yourself so you don't have to pay a song critiquing service and helping with getting your songs published)
8. The Complete Idiot's Guide to Songwriting by Joel Hirschhorn - (great because it covers broad subjects on songwriting and makes you think of more things you can do with your music)

Lyric Writing Resource Books:
1. Songwriter's Rhyming Dictionary by Jane Shaw Whitfield - (cool, but I like Random House's better)
2. Roger's International Thesaurus (Fifth Edition) edited by Robert T. Chapman - (really good book - helps you expand your vocabulary and thus your lyrics)
3. Word Menuby Stephen Glazier - (haven't quite figured out this book yet)
4. The Dictionary of Cliches by James Rogers - (good if you use cliche's as lyrics).
5. Random's Rhyming Dictionary by Random House - (I love this little book!)

Melody Writing Books:
1. Creating Melodies by Dick Weisman (this book includes lessons with the keyboards or guitar so get a piano or guitar to get full use of this book but it's still pretty good information on how to write melodies even if you don't play an instrument)
2. The Songwriter's Workshop Harmony by Jimmy Kachulis
3. The Songwriter's Workshop Melodyby Jimmy Kachulis
4. Melody in Songwriting by Jack Perricone
5. Melody: How to Write Great Tunes by Rikky Rooksby

Bryan-Michael Cox at PatchWerk Music University IV

I was so excited when I heard that Bryan-Michael Cox (or B. Cox) was going to be a panelist at Patchwerk's Music University IV! I'm such a fan of B. Cox's music. Since I consider myself a student of music and the music industry, I thought maybe going to Patchwerk's Music University IV just to hear B. Cox would be well worth the money for attending. Was I right?

I'll tell you in a minute. . .

B. Cox was on the Artist & Producers panel at Patchwerk's Music University IV along with Little Drumma Boy (Drum Squad) and L.T. Moe (Trey Songz, Bobby V). All three producers talked about:

1) insider tips on getting a good music publishing deal,

2) believing in your music regardless of what level you are on,

3) the power of networking - see my prior blog to see how I was convinced about networking

4) the advantages of having a manager working for you

5) having a game plan when you enter the music business

6) knowing and being honest about where you are in terms of your development

7) the power of music internships and understudying;

8) about the advantages of joining SESAC, BMI or ASCAP; and

9) how building your brand and making hits increases your earning potential.

Plus, again we got all of these producers' contact information!

So was going to see B. Cox worth my time and money? Let me answer it this way: If you are a songwriter or a producer trying to break into the music industry as such, whenever some of the superproducers such as B. Cox, J. Que from the Clutch, and others are participating as a panelist, GO! It will be well worth the money. Look for them at a music conference or seminar near you. If you wanna know about upcoming music conferences nationwide, check out JaWar's blog at atlantashowcase.blogspot.com or at http://mymusicconnection.blogspot.com/

Thedy B, Attorney/Songwriter

Hits A Million, LLC

http://myspace.com/hitsamillionllc

http://hitsamillion.ning.com

Creative Ideas for Songs - Part 1

Where does a songwriter get his/her ideas for songs? Song ideas come from all sorts of things, people and even places. If you open up your mind, heart, and ear to hear, you will find music and song ideas from all over. In much the same way that a comedian can look at a situation and find humor in it, songwriters too can look at situations and can find ideas of things to write about. I wrote the sex song, Cops n Robbers, after listening to one such person talk about it openly. To see my new video about the song, watch it here! Then discuss if you'd like!

Thedy B, Attorney/Songwriter
Hits A Million, LLC
myspace.com/hitsamillionllc
hitsamillionmusic.com
hitsamillionllc.com
hitsamillion.ning.com

Song Selection for Recording Artists - Tip #3

So in the last two tips on song selection for recording artists, I noted the significance of content and vocal range. Those two tips are good starting points to proper song selection. However, to be a hit recording artist, you must also have the next ingredient as noted below.

Tip #3 - the songs you choose should be heart-felt. Heart-felt songs are timeless. They touch us at the most sensitive times. They are universal in that they transcend gender, race, religion, genre, ethnicity, etc. They simply tell the story that we have all had to deal with at some point in our lives. When people hear a heart-felt song, they tend to react. Somehow that song becomes their favorite song and they want to hear it over and over again. Why? The song touched them.

To determine if a song that you are considering is heart-felt, ask yourselves some questions: Does the song move you? Does it make you laugh? Or cry? Does it make you think? Or does it make you remember, feel, hurt, reminisce, regret, or love? Does it help you express your anger? In other words, do you have an emotion after hearing the song? If so, then the song may be heart-felt.

If the song causes you to have an emotion, next ask yourself whether you can convey that feeling when you sing it? How do you know for sure if you can convey that emotion? Before you record the song, sing it for others and see if the song moves them when you sing it. Usually when a song moves the audience, they will come up to you and say, I like most of your songs but I really like that one song (unstated: the heart-felt one). The audience may not be able to fully explain why they like that song but they know that that song really said something to them. So if you get positive feedback, then there's a good chance that the song you selected was a hit song.

But if you get no response and no feedback, there is a possibility that the song was not right for you or right for your targeted audience. Ask yourself: Did your listeners really not "get" the meaning behind the song? Are there blank stares when you perform the song? Do people tend to listen to the song or treat your performance like it's background, i.e. elevator, music? If any of those latter things occur, the song may be good but it's probably not a hit song, not right for you, or not right for your targeted audience. Choose a different song to record.

Finally, if you are the songwriter, does your song really convey what you were feeling at the time you wrote the song? Did you as the songwriter really tell the story so that others can feel the way you felt when you wrote the song? If so, that's great! You have properly wrote and selected the right song(s) to record! But, if you really can't put into words what you were feeling , then consider using a hit songwriter to help you write the song. You can always come up with the concept for the song by telling the ghost writer what you want to sing about. Remember, concept is just as important. The ghost writer can then in turn, help you find the right words to convey the right emotion so that you can sing your song. But not just sing the right notes, but sing an original heart-felt, heart-inspired song with passion and conviction!

Thedy B, Esq., Hit Songwriter
Hits A Million, LLC
Hitsamillionmusic.com - for more information about Thedy B & Hits A Million, LLC
myspace.com/hitsamillionmusic.com - to hear, buy, and download current hits of Thedy B
hitsamillion.ning.com - to meet, find, locate, and network with other hit songwriters

Song selection for recording artists - Tip #1

As I mentioned in my previous post, song selection for recording artists is extremely important! As I mentioned in that blog, choosing the right songs is half the battle in becoming and remaining a top-selling hit-recording artist. In order for the recording artist to be a hit recording artist, one of the first tips is to realize content is key! As a renown author named Jawar, author of the Music Industry Connection book series, told me, content is key. In other words, pick a song with great lyrics!

That tip applies to all pieces of written work, such as books, poems, and spoken word, but it is ESPECIALLY true for songs! Too many recording artists forget to seriously consider the content of their songs, specifically their lyrics. Lazy lyrics and song titles have a much harder time becoming a hit. Hit songs that make millions of dollars are usually originals. Hit songs that span decades and genres are songs that touch the heart in some way. Artists looking for longevity in the music business - ones who don't want to be one-hit wonders - should carefully evaluate the content of the songs they sing before spending all their time and money in recording, mixing, mastering, distributing, marketing, advertising, and touring and then having their CD or single flop because they forgot: content is key.

ThedyB, Hit Songwriter
Hits A Million, LLC
Hitsamillionmusic.com - for more information about Thedy B & Hits A Million, LLC
myspace.com/hitsamillionmusic.com - to hear, buy, and download current hits of Thedy B
hitsamillion.ning.com - to meet, find, locate, and network with other hit songwriters

Song Selection for Recording Artists

Are you a recording artist wondering how to pick the right song to record? Ever wonder how some singers seem to just know how to choose the perfect song to match their voice? Are you bombarded with a lot of good songs to sing or record, but are not really sure which song to choose? Which song will be the hit song for you or your group? Perhaps this blog can help you. No matter how great a recording artist can sing, if the song is bad, naturally, the recording artist won't sound right singing it and definitely will not sell the targeted number of records he or she intends to sell. As any viewer of American Idol can tell you, song selection is one half the battle of being and remaining a top, hit-recording artist. So make sure that in choosing a song to record that you choose wisely. This simple rule seems obvious and one would think it's recognized and followed by all. Yet how many times have we heard someone with a great voice choose the wrong song and sound absolutely horrible? On the other hand, when the right vocalist chooses the right song, it's like magic. In this series of blogs, I want to offer tidbits for recording artists, vocalists, garage bands, groups, singers, songtresses, etc to pick the perfect song for you and/or your group, so continue reading my blogs for updates!

Thedy B,
Hit Songwriter,
Hits A Million, LLC
Hitsamillionmusic.com - for more information about Thedy B & Hits A Million, LLC
myspace.com/hitsamillionmusic.com - to hear, buy, and download current hits of Thedy B
hitsamillion.ning.com - to meet, find, locate, and network with other hit songwriters