Andrew Walker The Music Info Man

Musi Music Music

2011-02-11T02:27:00.000-08:00

We all find peace, happiness and joy from music ......can you leave me your emotions on music below

It won't change the world.....but it will help me find what makes everyone tick

Top 10 Tips For Independent Music Artists to Promote Their Music

2010-03-22T14:41:00.000-07:00

If you're an independent music artist, any genre, and have desires to one day become famous and make tons of money and inherit the fame and popularity that comes with being a successful musician, take note:

1) Make a very good song. Many artists have built careers off of one hit song. It's a realistic possibility. To be safe, make many songs in hopes that one catches on somewhere and gets you noticed.

2) Get your songs heard. You can submit your music to record labels, put them on MySpace pages, burn them on CD's and sell them to the public, or solicit them to radio stations. Radio is very good because an audience of 1000's can hear your masterpiece and maybe somehow influence the radio programmer to continue to spin your music.

3) Create a Facebook Fan Page. This is great for so many reasons because not only is Facebook the most popular social networking site but it puts you direct contact with your fans and has the ability to grow those fans at an enormous clip.

4) Create a static HTML page (personal webpage). This only needs to include a photo, a biography, and information about your music including sample mp3s and videos.

5) Create videos and post them on YouTube. You can easily lip sync or create some sort of slideshow with your audio behind it and place it on YouTube. This is also a great way to be seen in a performance point of view and a great way to gain more fans and subscribers.

6) Obviously create a MySpace page and upload your songs so that they play in a playlist as soon as a visitor comes across your page. This is a also a great tool because not only are you able to gain fans but there are good music business contacts residing on MySpace.

7) Get music websites, forums and blogs to post your music and provide reviews to their visitors. This is a good tactic because the sites have already created a following and trust with their visitors who are more likely to read whatever it is they suggest.

8) Create a Twitter account. Keep fans updated on what you're doing and working on and invite their input.

9) Perform at as many clubs as you possibly can. Get your face and name out there. Interact with your fans, network with other musicians and industry heads, and possibly sell cd's while you're at it.

10) Use a Music Submission Service which will provide a bundle package which will hopefully provide all of the major services; web presence, airplay, social networking, and visibility. Urban Music 2000 Music Submission Service comes highly recommended.

Urban Music 2000 Blog
http://www.urbanmusic2000.com/wordpress

Words for Inspiration for the New Year

2010-01-12T13:42:00.000-08:00

Sometimes when you think you can't go on ........you have to go and things will get better if you have the right mindset. I take mine from this

How to Get Free Music CDs

2010-01-06T04:16:00.000-08:00

By the time you subtract all of your living expenses you may not have extra room in your budget for things like CDs. However, this can cost you a lot more in the long run if you try to illegally download music. Instead, clean out all of those discs that are lying around and trade them for items you actually want to listen to.

If your car can't play mp3's then getting music for free through trading might be the right choice for you. This is a chance to get all different kinds of music to expand your collection. Through this process you may form relationships and get new music.

The most stressful part of trading is how to ship your discs in a way that they arrive in one piece. If your item arrives in an unplayable form then you'll either have to risk getting negative reviews or replace the item at your own expense; you may lose the item and the money it took you to send it. You can put your disc between cardboard or use a padded envelope for extra security.

You want to make sure that you trade cds for free with a site that you can trust so that you don't end up getting scammed. A common way that these websites are run is through the use of credits; whenever you send an item you get to choose a new disc to be sent to you. Some sites use a computer to match users who both want discs that the other person has but this probably won't happen as often as credit systems.

It doesn't require a lot of technical knowledge to swap cds. You can take up a new hobby even if you don't have a lot of time. Most of your time will be spent listing books and then choosing items that you want. You might choose a site where you can pick the items and then get in line for when it's your turn, this is popular on sites that run on credits. Some trading sites will automatically match you with users who have items that you want and you'll have items that they want.

Want to find out more about paperback book swapping, then visit Sara Gilmore's site on how to choose the best paperback trading sites for your needs.

Music Moves Us

2009-12-30T14:38:00.000-08:00

Music has been listened for thousands of years because in every decade, people had enjoyed different kind of music. But one thing which everybody will accept that old age music has been transformed into various forms. Music, which had been played and listened in the past, is not in original form nowadays. When we will access about which kind of music is in trend now, we will get to know that hip hop, Jazz and rap music are very much demanding. People like to listen to this kind of music because it provides magical effect to the mind of every listener.

It's a true fact that when you listen to your favorite music, you like to listen to it for long period. Many famous singers of this world have made their names among their fans because they write those kinds of lyrics with unique music, which directly touches to the heart. Music is not an ignorable thing. Everyone likes to buy the CD's of their favorite singer because musical beats are very fascinating and make positive environment around every one. When we talk about the origination of music, it has been extracted from Hinduism.

In the past, Hindus people liked to play music in order to make their several Gods happy. They liked to dance on their favorite music numbers as well as they had written those lyrics in which they especially added the name of their Gods. When Hindus were kept listening and dancing on different kind of music, several other religions had been influenced. For example, in Western culture; Christianity, the trend of listening to the music was also being emerged. Transformation of this culture from Hinduism to Western Countries had made the whole world crazy about making and listening to different type of music.

If you are also one of those people who like to listen to the music a lot then you would definitely want to make dance on fast numbers. Music is in many variations and types. There is a music which provides soft beats. On the other hand, there are some songs which are fast and provide energetic feelings to many people. It's a very natural fact that when you get those numbers which are fast and rapid, you like to dance and want to do hip hop and twist your body. This kind of music is being liked by thousands of youngsters nowadays.

When you develop musical atmosphere around you, often you want to do dancing on each and every of your favorite numbers. But it's useless to dance on those numbers in which you need a company of a friend. Many people in this world don't have sincere and caring friends.

If you are also living your life without any friend then you should check out exciting website called http://www.rentafriend.com. When you will view the website, you will come to know that you are not far away from having that kind of friend, which would support you in fulfilling your desire of dancing.

RentAfriend.com is an online Friendship matchmaking service that allows people to hire the services of friends. Our online database of friends consists of all races, ages, genders, interests and more. Free zip code search available to locate local friends. http://www.rentafriend.com

Great Time to Be Alive For Musicians

2009-12-27T16:29:00.000-08:00

It's a great time to be alive if you are a musician.

Gone are the old ways and the old paradigm of major record labels, major retailers, and major radio stations controlling the music and the money. Here are the new ways of the modern musician: affordable home studios, self-produced and managed artists, and unlimited distribution via the internet.

The internet changed the music business overnight with the concept of file sharing and downloading. With the advent of iTunes and a legal way of downloading music a la carte, consumers were immediately given more choice and value, and artists were given their first glimpse at financial freedom.

These days with companies like Tunecore an artist can create their own CD and pay a low flat fee to get their CD on iTunes and receive 100% of the profits from sales. This is excellent for musicians. It motivates musicians to be prolific and to produce works regularly, and encourages musicians to continue to work on their music to improve it as well, as with the purchaser's recently acquired power to download individual songs artists can now no longer afford to release an album with only one or two good songs. This is good for everyone!

With social media like Twitter and Facebook musicians can now create their own fan base, go out into the virtual world and search for like-minded people who would most likely fall into their listening demographic. Then musicians can work on forging a good relationship with their new contacts and start giving away promotional music and post updates to their album releases.

The keys to the kingdom are dangling out in front of the aspiring independent musician. It's time to grab them and drive!

My 2nd independent CD release: P.A.T. on iTunes.

Read more from me at Patrick Warren.com.

Songwriting Tip - Structure of a Pop Song

2009-12-25T07:20:00.000-08:00

When it comes to writing pop songs, there is a general formula that is used for the song structure. But before we even approach the specific structure of a pop song, it is important to know the purpose of a pop song because it helps in making the most of the structure.

Purpose of a pop song

The purpose of the pop song is to get the song hooked to listeners as soon as possible and to keep the listener stay interested as long as possible in a span of about 3 to four minutes. This is the age of consumerism where people buy, then get bored, then buy again, then get bored again, and so on and so forth. it's a cycle. The same goes for pop music today. People listen from finding highly ear grabbing music, then get bored, so they listen to new songs, then they get bored again. So the pop song basically needs three things: familiarity, variety, and a hook.

Structure

So with knowing that we want the song we write to hook onto listeners, how does that translate in the structure of a pop song? We have to figure out what doesn't work first, then lead up to what works and what works well.

Here's a question. Would a song that was all verses work as a pop song? I don't think so. Why wouldn't it work? It wouldn't work because you would get bored of the song quickly. The verses could be catchy, but if there isn't anything to change it up, it will get old quick. So what do we do? Add another section.

So the lesson here is to bring variety to the song and stray away from having the song too mundane. But on the flip side, having too much variety wouldn't work either. For example, if you introduced a new section every time without repeating a section, it would be hard to take in the song. Let's say I had a song that had the structure A - B - C - D (each letter represents an individual section. In order for the listener to gain some sense of familiarity, he or she will have to hear the song again probably for a couple times even if each section was catchy. But if you had a song that reintroduced sections like A - B - A - B, the listener can gain familiarity within one or two listens. But remember that the song has to keep the listener interested with the hook.

The general structure of a pop song is A - B - A - B - C - B aka verse - chorus - verse - chorus - bridge - chorus. This works so well because not only does it add a sense of familiarity by repeating sections A and B, there is a sense of variety with the addition of section C. Then familiarity is reinforced with keeping a sense of freshness by ending the section with B. This structure of a pop song is effective when the hook is carried in the chorus section where lyrics stay the same each time the section is sung.

You can use A - B - A - B - C - B as the base for your song and add sections to it to add the effects of familiarity and variety. Here are some examples.

A - A - B - A - B - C - B

A - B - C - A - B - C - D - C (This is known as verse - prechorus - chorus - verse - prechorus - chorus - bridge - chorus)

A - B - A - B - C - A - B

There are many options when it comes to the structure of a pop song. Remember that having just the structure of a pop song isn't what makes a song popular. It needs a hook which is usually in the chorus section of the song. Have fun coming up with your structure!

Want to learn more songwriting tips and techniques through a few of the best online songwriting programs? You can also visit my blog at http://www.songwriters123.com for more free tips and interviews with songwriters.

Apple iPod Nano With Video Camera Now Available

2009-12-24T15:26:00.000-08:00

The iPod Nano is a marvellous strain of the famous media players which has really come into its own during the past year or so. Where once it seemed like a poor relation of the larger iPod Classic, now the Nano is a superb device in its own right. In fact, that seems to have been the remit with Apple products in recent times- make each one unique instead of a lesser or greater copy of the original.

Things improved initially when Apple added the accelerometer to the iPod Nano, just as is featured in the iPhone and iPod Touch. This allowed for widescreen viewing of videos and greater functionality. The Nano finally seemed to be catching up with the rest of the range, and released in a number of colours, it was a huge seller for the company.

Now, the latest upgrade to these marvellously versatile little players is the advent of an in-built camera and mic. You can now shoot video in both portrait and landscape formats and easily sync the files to your computer via iTunes, and then share them online at YouTube or elsewhere.

As ever, the interface is simple and clean, making it very easy indeed to capture those random moments that life continues to fling at you. The genius function is there too, which is a personal favourite of all the software upgrades Apple have made lately.

The new Nano also features a built-in FM tuner and has the capability to pause live broadcasts. The radio feature also includes a cool function where your iPod will show you the information on each track you are listening to via the radio broadcast. The new Nano is just one of the great ways in which Apple have been making their products more accessible to people who want something truly useful and fun in their pocket, and you can easily find the brand new iPod Nano online in whichever colour you prefer!

Andrew is a widely read pop culture blogger, music journalist and SF author. You can easily find more of the best geek gadgets online!

Comparison of Popular Audio Production Software

2009-12-23T13:15:00.000-08:00

Making music is fun and many people are taking into this new hobby. Many of the hardware that you use to make your own music come with certain software for its use on the computer. However, you can download other free software from the Internet or purchase them separately. Sometimes it deems necessary to have a little guidance to compare the audio production software to get the best value for your money.

If you are a music producer and you record music for a profession then you need to get the best audio production software that is available. You may have a hard time because there are so many to choose from in the market. The truth is that there are a lot of lousy music producing software out there as well as really good ones.

Before you begin to choose the music software, you first need to consider your budget for it. This is because the software can be quite cheap or rather expensive. Some of the software is available for free while others may cost up to $600. So, if you have a low budget there is no need for worry because you can get some rather good deals. On the other hand, if you have a large budget you obviously have a lot more options.

The bottom line in all of this is whether the audio production software is able to produce good quality music for you. Well, experience has taught me that you do not need to have a large budget to produce the best music. Some of the cheapest software out there is capable of producing some great quality sounds. Some of them are capable of doing most of the work that the overly priced ones are capable of. Mostly it all depends on your own creativity and skill with the instruments.

It is highly recommended that you try out different types of the software to get the feel and the certain workflows that you are comfortable with. Most of the downloadable versions have free demo software that you can use so try it out and figure whether you are comfortable using them. Once you choose one, get to master it and get to know how to make it produce the best music you are capable of.

Here are some of the popular audio production softwares that you can begin with. They are all capable of producing professional music.

Cubase by Steinberg ($500) - highly recommended software packed with a lot of functions found in today's music.

Cakewalk by Sonar ($500) - another popular alternative that packs a lot of punch, with its easy to use interface it is extremely popular with today's "bedroom" producers.

Sonic Producer ($50) - a cheap web based alternative that can produce surprisingly amazing sounds.

Reason ($400) - popular with the electronic music crowd this software packs a lot of sounds and different effects. However it does not allow live sound to be recorded into the software

FL Studio ($300) - a cheaper but just as powerful alternative to many of the industry "standards". Popularized by many YouTube bedroom producer sensations, FL studio can be highly versatile.

If you are interested on information regarding other different types of software then you should conduct further research on the Internet or attend forums on them. Consider purchasing a software that is easy to use for you and allows you to create whatever music your mind is capable of creating.

Will C has been creating music for a few years now, in his free time he always is food fanatic! Be sure to check out his website on coffee makers reviews and his favorite thermal coffee makers

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Will_C

Record Deals: How You Are Not Going To Get Signed To A Record Label

2009-12-22T13:40:00.000-08:00

I have seen so many articles on how to get signed to a record label that are full of so much wrong information that I thought I would write an article on how NOT to go about getting signed to a record label to try to debunk some of this awful advise.

You are not going to get signed to a record label by:

* Buying somebody's 'step by step guide to getting signed in 30 days for only $29.99.'
* Buying an A&R contact listing publication.
* Sending unsolicited material to every contact in said A&R contact listing publication.
* Sending solicited material to a company that charges a submission fee.
* Paying a recording studio, with professional producer included, a large sum of money to record your demo.
* Paying to play at a venue that promises that many top A&R reps are usually in attendance.

I could go on and on all day listing ways that will never get you signed to a record label. I hear it all the time, 'I can't believe I never got signed. I did all of this and I did all of that.' Well, unfortunately they didn't do the right 'all of this and all of that.'

First of all, please don't ever pay someone $29.99 promising to get you signed to a record label or giving you the secrets that only a lucky few know on how to get a record labels attention. This is just ridiculous. Everyone is entitled to sell you an ebook but it's up to you to not be a fool. This is just a total waste of money. This is the same thing as buying an ebook or joining a program promising riches from working at home with just your computer. It just doesn't happen, ever.

You could buy an A&R contact listing publication, but don't count on it being very accurate. Most of these publications are quickly outdated because I cannot think of any other industry with a higher turnover rate than the A&R department at music companies. Unless they produce the hits, they hit the road. If you purchase one of these publications, don't think either that by spending hundreds or even thousands of dollars sending material out to every contact in the book, that you are going to get lucky and someone is going to recognize your talent and you will be the next top selling artist in the country. This won't happen either. Okay, well maybe it will happen and maybe you'll win the lottery too. Most, if not all of these companies DO NOT accept unsolicited material. That means, 'we will throw your package in the trash or deny delivering and return to sender.' This does NOT mean 'well, your material is just so great that we will not care about our policy and we will be banging down your door with a record contract anyway.' No matter how good you are, it does not matter, they will not listen to it. How are they going to know that you are so great if they will not listen to it in the first place; and there are some good reasons for it.

First, they might be and probably are lazy. Second, they don't have the time to listen to hundreds of demos every day; not possible. Third, and the main reason, they don't want to get sued. Record labels started getting sued by people claiming that they sent in a song that the label ripped off and released commercially. That is the main reason labels stopped accepting unsolicited material. They now get all of their material from trusted sources like managers and attorneys who they already do business with. Don't waste your time and money sending unsolicited material to labels and start spending your time trying to find a trusted source to the labels.

Now, there are some companies that will accept unsolicited material, and by all means, go ahead and send them your package. These are usually new companies without much success yet but might be willing to give you a chance if you give them one. Just don't send them a package if they charge a listening fee or a submission fee for doing so. This more than likely means they are just going to take your money and not listen to your material anyway. Anytime there is a company asking for money from you before listening to any of your music, you should run the other way quickly. I have even seen some reputable companies that have started doing this and it is just ethically wrong for many reasons.

Now, you DO need a good product. Paying a good producer and/or recording engineer to record your demo is not a bad idea as long as you are not totally getting ripped off and as long as they actually give you a good end product. Compare their prices first before making your decision. If you do decide to pay top dollar to get a reputable producer to produce your demo or album, don't expect them to do much after you're done recording. If they are asking for money up front for their work, they are not going to be interested in helping you get signed to a record label because they already got paid; not much motive after that. If they ask for points on the song or album, then they might have an incentive to try to get you a deal because they have an monetary interest in doing so. Most of the time though, if you pay them, even if you are god awful, they will accept your money and produce your record, but they will not put their reputation behind it by shopping it to their contacts. This happens all the time. These guys may have had something to do with a hit ten years ago, but they need to pay their bills today, so they are willing to work for money up front for pretty much anyone willing to pay. You should expect a good sounding record but don't expect them to do much for you as far as exposure is concerned. And, a good sounding record doesn't mean much without a good song.

Last, but not least, don't pay a venue to be able to play there, especially if they are promising you good exposure to A&R reps by doing so. They can't guarantee that record label reps will be there when you're on stage. You want a venue to WANT you to play at their place because you can draw a crowd and they can sell liquor. If you can't draw a crowd and you pay them to play there, what's the point? You are just going to play to an empty venue with no A&R reps (even if they promised) and you will have ended up paying a lot of money for a nice rehearsal.

To find out more about how to get a real shot at being heard by real A&R reps, you can visit zanetobin.com.

Zane Tobin is a prominent music executive and founder of Zane Tobin Independent A&R. He has been the head of A&R departments at both indie and major record labels since the early 1990's, where he has worked with such artists as Tiffany, PC Quest, Chad Petree from Shiny Toy Guns, and Kicking Harold. He has been responsible for countless recent signings in the music industry since working on his own as an independent A&R representative.

You can visit his website at http://www.zanetobin.com

Top 52 Tips Fot Guitar Practice

2009-12-22T06:59:00.000-08:00

Hey I have been here and I have taken some good tips on guitar playing even though I am not a complete begginer.

Are you a guitar beginner? Are you an experienced guitarist that's just lost that motivation to play? Do you want some structure to your practising? Or maybe you just want to improve as a guitarist? Then this simple guide is for you. This guide contains 52 simple tips for you to try out so that you can:

Improve technique
Finger Ability
Theory knowledge
Motivation
Timing
Rhythm
Many More

Now please remember that these are just simple tips that you can do, and you will need to read into them further to boost your techniques. But this is the groundwork for this.

Motivation

1) Make a list of songs that you can already play - If you aren't feeling that motivated about the guitar, then this tip can be extremely useful and give you a great sense of pride.
2) Make a list of songs that you would like to be able to play within the next; Week
3) Month
4) 6 Months
5) And Year
6) Make a list of what you would like to achieve by playing guitar? Job? Band? Degree? Songwriting? Just for fun?
7) Set yourself a target. Like a weekly song that you are going to learn.
8) Go to your local library and get a tabulature book of your favourite band to learn. This is free and it is also a timed target, because you have to return the book at a specific date.
9) Go to your local Guitar shop, pick up a guitar and play. Or just stay in the shop long enough to see some other cool dude play. It will Inspire.
10) Watch some Youtube videos of your favourite guitarists.
11) Listen to some songs of your favourite guitarists.
12) Write down why they are your favourite guitarsists and analyse their style, and how you can mimic this.
13) Go to see a local band in your area. It will make you feel good that there are guitarists out there that are doing it, who aren't a bigtime band.

Finger Exercises

14) Practice finger exercises as often as possible. If you feel any pain or discomfort the stop immediately.
15) Try the bottle neck technique for longer stretch. Get old Pepsi bottle caps and place them between your fretting fingers whilst not playing guitar. i.e. Whilst watching the T.V.
16) Practice different variations of scales, alternating between fingers. Try to start with the pentatonic as it is the easiest and most widely used.
17) Try to learn a new Barre chord shape every week. This is not only a great test and workout for the fingers but its a great way to learn a new chord a week:-)
18) If you can afford one, buy a Gripmaster.
19) Learn Alternate picking
20) Learn Economy picking
21) Check Steve Vai's workout (although its fucking long) There are some pretty good variations of this workout on the web which aren't as long.

Theory

22) Learn the guitar notes along the top string, then move on to the other string.
23) Try to learn a new chord a week
24) Try to learn a new scale a week, until you have mastered them
25) Buy a chord dictionary. This will be your Bible.
26) Learn the five positions of the pentatonic, as this is the most used scale around and a lot of riffs/solos are based on this.
27) Analyse different guitar keys by using the Roman Numeral System.
28) Look at some of your favourite songs and work out what key they are in.
29) Experiment with unusual Time Signatures.
30) Experiment with unusual tunings.
31) Learn Suspended chords
32) Make chord progressions
33) Mess around with different variations of them
34) Go into a guitar shop and try a Left -handed guitar. This should give you a great feel for the guitar and the notes. It should also show you how far you've come with your normal hand.
35) Try writing a basic chord progression
36) Then try to add Time Signature
37) And Melody
38) Key
39) Rhythm
40) Arrangement
41) Lyrics
42) Record your song if you can and revisit it at a later date to see what you could add to it.

Miscellaneous

43) Buy a metronome.
44) start practising with it at different speeds.
45) If you can afford one, buy a drum machine, if not some free one's can be found on the internet
46) Practice with different drum beats and at different tempo's. This will greatly improve your time and your ear for music.
47) Again if you can afford it buy some backing tracks, if not visit here it has a few decent backing tracks.
48) Play with some slower tracks at first and build up to faster, more challenging songs.
49) Find another guitarist to jam with.
50) Try to start rehearsing with a band even if all you do is rehearse. This will improve your improvisation, timing and rhythm.
51) Record yourself playing every 1-3 months and see how much you've improved.
52) The most important tip ever! ENJOY YOURSELF!

So there it is. My 52 tips on Guitar Practice. These were just a basis to get you going and hopefully even if you do one or two of these a week your guitar playing will be improved.

http://www.lickthatriff.com
http://www.lickthatriff.com/top-52-tips-for-guitar-practice

How To Get An Agent - 5 Tips For Musicians

2009-12-14T02:07:00.000-08:00

For most professional musicians, the worst part of the business...is the business. Yes, they want to have a career that earns enough money to live on. But the wheeling and dealing necessary for that to happen can be tedious and time consuming. That's where an agent comes in: they find you work and handle your deals so you can concentrate on making music.

Prepare. There's no "best way" to get an agent. So the more avenues you try, the quicker you can find one that you feel is the best to handle your career. But whatever road you choose, it will be a smoother journey if you present yourself in a professional manner. That means having a good quality demo. Consider it a business card. It may not be absolutely necessary but it's always good to have one in case someone requests it.

Promote. Agents are always looking for talent and regularly check out performers and bands playing at local clubs and open mike nights. If you have a gig planned, send invitations to a select list of agents.

Research. Check music trade publications for workshops on how to get an agent. Also check for any industry mixers in your area. Like every creative field, the music business is very social and it's perfectly fine to approach and agent and strike up a conversation. Never be pushy; always be polite. Ask if it's okay to send them a demo.

Investigate. Word of mouth is a great strategy for finding an agent. Friends and peers will be honest with you and give you the cons as well as the pros. You can also go on Facebook or Twitter to ask for suggestions. Once you have a list of a few prospective agents, check them out. Do a search in the local newspaper and Google them. If nothing worrisome pops up, call and request a meeting.

Listen. Your agent doesn't have to be your best friend. You don't even need to particularly like them. But you need to believe they will work hard for you and understand the direction you want your career to take. So trust your gut. If something seems off, pass. It's better to take more time to find an agent you are comfortable with.

And you can get more great tips and tools like these just about everyday when you visit the http://www.TheIndustryYellowPages.com

Top Paying Careers in the Music Biz

2009-12-13T14:42:00.000-08:00

If it's not in the stars to be the next Jennifer Lopez, or perhaps you are just waiting for your chance to step into P. Diddy's shoes, there are several alternatives to being in the musical spotlight. Music is an ever-growing business, not only in that spotlight, but in other arenas surrounding it. From CD graphic designers, to sound check technicians and grade school music teachers, music career opportunities are everywhere. Here are the top paying music careers, for the year ending 2009:

1.) Music Director - Average Pay: $49,289/Year

A music director generally works with a musical group; orchestra, symphony choir, or otherwise. They develop and/or coordinate concerts, rehearsals and programming. This position often works with outreach programs, directing fundraising projects, activities and lectures. A musical director career requires a Bachelors of Arts in music, initially, and most likely will also require a Master's degree in the field. If the fit is right between the musical director and the company he/she is working with, this is a long-term position in most cases.

2.) Sound Engineer for Live Events - Average Pay: $46,550/Year

These sound wizards normally have a mixed background in electrical engineering, music/fine arts and/or audio production. Who wouldn't want to operate the microphone when a top artist hits the stage, ready to sing? Some of the best sound engineers have Bachelors degrees in Audio Production or Audio Engineering, but there are the few that get behind the scenes with their simple charm, connections and electrical know-how.

3.) College/University Professor of Music - Average Pay: $50,280/Year

Summers off aren't the only perk of this high paying music career. These accomplished musicians have the opportunity to learn and talk about their craft all day! Professors of music are responsibly for developing solid curriculums, grading performance and assisting students in their musical goals. Music professors also attend several seminars, performances and other learning programs, themselves, to always be up on the music scene, new and old.

4.) Artist/Band Managers - Average Pay: $54,070/Year

The witty business persons take their own creativity and connections to market their particular artists. In charge of contract negotiations, scheduling, planning tours and building relationships with music's heavyweights, this is a full-time job! Most managers have a degree in Business Administration, Business or Marketing. Although, there are several well-paid managers that have been successful without these credentials. It seems that an artist's manager is always filling the gaps where they cannot. But the rewards and opportunities are endless.

5.) Film-Making Sound Editor - Average Pay: $68,620/Year

This may not be one of the most glamorous careers in Hollywood, but once a sound editor has proven his/her self in the film industry, the work is quite steady. A sound editor can spend hours in front of a computer monitor, scraping seconds of sounds varying from the waves of the ocean to screams of horror. Every movie, cartoon and television commercial requires a sound editor; and for anyone who has sat in front of the television long enough - opportunity is out there. The highest paying sound editors work with just as high-paid actors in movies seen internationally. Although, building a resume off of small gigs, temporarily, is a great start.

So if being a musician isn't in the stars for you and yet you love music, at least you do have alternatives.

Jeff Bachmeier is owner of 977music.com, an online music and online radio station network providing live streaming Internet Radio channels with music from the 50's thru Today. Users can also choose to create their own customized on demand playlist through their own social media profile. For more information please visit http://www.977music.com.

Copying Audio CDs to Your Mp3 Players

2009-11-27T16:28:00.000-08:00

Everyone enjoys listening to music as part of their daily life, whether it be pop, rock, alternative, or other types of genre. With increasing technology, the way people enjoy music has also greatly evolved. MP3 players has now enabled anyone to enjoy music in a portable format such that the MP3 format is now the most common one used in digital music files.

Aside from MP3 players though, there are other sources of music files such as CD players, audio components, and computers. In the older times, you probably have bought lots of audio CDs in your local music store. If you want to transfer them into your digital audio players, it can be quite a dilemma since the audio format is not often compatible with those in mp3 players.

Thankfully though, there are now lots of softwares available that will enable you to copy music from your CD into your mp3 players. Some of these softwares are not for free though but you can get converter programs that will enable you to rip music files from your audio CDs into your digital music player.

To learn about how to go about this process, read more below:

1. Begin by installing the program. You will need a software or program that requires you to reboot your computer upon installation to ensure that all applications work. Then, you need an audio codec to either compress or decompress your music files, which could then affect the quality of the audio file.

2. Copy the songs to the CD. Once the CD ripping application's installation is complete, you can open it to automatically add information or files from the audio CD. In some cases though, you have to manually locate the songs you want to rip. You can also use the media library tab to locate the songs you want to rip into your MP3 players, but this aplies for those who have the Microsoft Windows OS system.

3. From the ripping software, you can convert those audio files into the MPEG format and "copy" or "rip" it so you can transfer it into your MP3 players to enjoy portable music on the go.

Come visit the author latest websites on Pink Mp3 Players and Saltwater Fishing Tackle

Why eMusic is Better Than Other Music Websites For Cheap Mp3 Downloads

2009-11-12T11:55:00.001-08:00

The Internet has seen a host of music download portals recently, but one of them which is really making news right now is eMusic. One of the main reasons for the fame of this website is that you can get some cheap MP3 downloads here. This is a membership website with three different suites. However, the best package if you are an amateur is to go for their 14-day free trial. This free trial allows you to download 50 songs and you don't have to pay for them. The payment packages cost $9.99 and $14.99 monthly. The difference is in the number of songs that you can download, which are 40 and 90 in order. But even with these costs, this website surely becomes one of the best places to get cheap MP3 downloads currently.

There are some specific benefits in deciding upon eMusic over other music sites apart from the low cost. If you are a fan of independent music, this is where you can get your cheap MP3 downloads for these labels. The collection is large and you can find whatever style of music you enjoy hearing. You will also find a lot of old-age music here, some of which isn't easy to find elsewhere. For all of you who want to know more about what they hear, you can get a long description on artist information, articles about the track and the artist and even critiques on the songs. This makes it an event to hear songs downloaded with eMusic, and not just a workout.

You get the songs with all proper rights. You aren't doing anything against the law by downloading these songs. You can even distribute the songs with others or use them for yourself. The songs are compatible with any music player that is suited with MP3, including iPods.

At just 25 cents per track, this is definitely a very cheap MP3 download website. Added to that, it makes you part of a whole music fraternity of people who have like tastes in music. Check this trial offer for cheap mp3 downloads now!

Lucien Brennan is an online writer and loves to write about health issues.

Record Label Ownership

2009-11-07T16:35:00.000-08:00

Since roughly 2000, the creative destruction of technological advance has done a serious number on the record labels - and dropped the barrier to entry in being a record label to something that nearly any band with computer savvy can get into.

Being your own record label will be the legal entity that owns the rights to distribute music. It offers you legal protections for retaining your rights and greatly helps when it comes to tax management. Being your own record label means you have to be a grown up and pay attention to the business side of being a music publisher. Taking an accounting class is worth the hassle - the payoff is much greater.

The job of a record label is to promote your music and to drive sales. It doesn't matter if it's driving sales of single track bits or of ten track platters sold as compilations, if it's promoting music and selling it, and taking in proceeds, it's doing its primary business function.

Now, in setting up and being your own record label, you're going to need to do some legwork. First and foremost, hire an attorney, and then go talk to the Small Business Administration about classes on setting up a business plan. These classes are free, and there are usually consultations you can get from retired professionals on how to set up and run a business without getting overwhelmed.

Next, look at venues for you to distribute your music. By far and away, the five most important are MySpace, FaceBook, Napster, Rhapsody and the Apple iTunes store. Fortunately, these are all easy to get listings in - and all of them are free. You want to build up word of mouth to drive sales of songs. One of the best tricks is to load up the middle 40 seconds of one of your tracks - something that shows your distinctive sound - but not enough to give the entire song away. The aim is to build a hook, and to build a brand.

If you can get a couple of other artists together, you can meet the next requirement of a record label: A regular release schedule. It's one of the truisms of business, but if you make a product people like, people will want more of it. Be prepared to give them more.

My advice for being your own record label right now is to focus on the digital download markets, and then press CDs when they're needed. Fortunately, the price of pressing CDs is coming down - indeed, for a fairly small investment, you can get a professional CD duplicator that will get you over the hump. You won't be able to handle a million copy run, but for handling direct mail orders, you'll be set. Start small and let the business grow naturally, and manage your capital carefully.

Marc King is the Founder of Music Cleveland and has helped support music industry professionals and musicians for more than 20 years. Visit Music Cleveland for more tips, tricks, and topics on local music industry information and resources. Sign-up for a Free Subscription to The Music Cleveland Newsletter.
Copyright © Marc King - All Rights Reserved. http://www.musiccleveland.com

Record Label Attraction

2009-11-06T13:28:00.000-08:00

As a musical artist, you are probably well aware of the fact that it is really hard to get signed by a record label, at least at first. Very few musicians just hit the stage to find instant success and land an immediate record deal and get signed. Those bands lucky enough to find that kind of success are more often than not a one-hit wonder. It is possible to grab the attention of record labels have them come to you. Attracting their attention is desirable for more than one reason.

While many people want to get signed to a record label in hopes of making it big, there are those who may be interested in the advance checks that some of the major labels hand out, and while that is certainly something that would be enticing, that check will only last so long. It is long-term success that you should be dreaming about and shooting for, if at all possible. To give you a bit of a head start in your efforts to attract a record label and show them what you have to offer, here are some tips to help you out in getting started in the right direction. Keep in mind they won't guarantee your success, but if you have what it takes and you use the exposure and element of attraction, then you may find these tips will work for you.

Another great way of attracting record label attention is to get out there and play, play, play and play! The important message here is PLAY! If you have talent and believe in yourself...performing free shows and concerts and engagements to the like can make you a local celebrity, and moves you one step closer to success and grabbing record label attention. The more fans who love you and your songs, also represent the possible numbers in album sales to a label. If you can prove that people love you, love your music and show that you have a large following (fan base), then a record label would be much less hesitant to bring you on board.

Some up and coming artists may be hesitant to look into a real production team because they don't want the hassle of having to work with them or for that matter...pay them. However, if you want to be successful with live venues and be in a position of securing a record deal, you will have to have a good management and/or a production team right behind you for the ride and in support of. The decision to try and make it without these folks can make you or break you.

If you have a goal and the talent to match...go for your dreams and don't let anything stand in your way-especially when it comes to the music industry. The odds are against everyone, not just you, when it comes to making it, but artist and bands do. Hard work, a dedication and belief in yourself can get you there. Sometimes it takes a little more, sometimes a little less, and at times the road tends to be paved with bumps (potholes) but you can do it! Frequently take some time to evaluate your own worth and decide if you are ready to invest in yourself. If you can not do so in good faith, maybe re-evaluate whether or not you are worth record label attention. Be original but most of all...Be Yourself!

Marc King is the Founder of Music Cleveland and has helped support music industry professionals and musicians for more than 20 years. Visit Music Cleveland for more tips, tricks, and topics on local music industry information and resources. Sign-up for a Free Subscription to The Music Cleveland Newsletter. Copyright © Marc King - All Rights Reserved. http://www.musiccleveland.com

How to Make Money in the Music Business

2009-11-05T00:42:00.000-08:00

Unfortunately, if you are entering the music business with the sole purpose of getting rich, you have come to the wrong place. It is not that you can't make money in the music business, it is just that there are so many easier ways to do it.

However, if you are willing to put in a lot of hard work, how to make money in the music business can be a skill you will acquire.

There are many ways how to create money in the music business; they can be utilized separately or work in tandem. The first way is through royalties. If you write a song or publish a song, you are entitled to mechanical royalties every time an album with your song on it is sold. If you are a performing artist and record a song, you are also entitled to royalties for every CD sold. The great thing about royalties is that you will continue to make money off your work long after it has been completed on your end.

Another way how to make money in the music business is by being a manager or agent for a performing artist. You will do everything you can to ensure the success of the bands with which you are working because as their manager you are entitled to a percentage of their profits. Therefore, it is in your interest to sell their albums and get them gigs.

You can make your money with a standard nine to five job as well. If you work for a major record label, you will report to an office and do the work for which you were hired. How to make money in the music business comes in many different forms.

Calvin Hill is the author of Amazing Music Formula which is a successful music system that helps artist and producers sell music online and make money effortlessly.

For All You Budding Drummers Out There Or If You Want To See An Amazing Drummer Watch This

2009-11-04T01:13:00.000-08:00

The Professional Musician - Getting and Staying Successful

2009-11-03T14:25:00.000-08:00

It's one thing to be in a band, but it's another thing entirely to make money doing it. You have to be focused and know what you want first. Not only that, you need to have at least some idea of what works and what doesn't.

A while back, I attended Musicians Institute in Hollywood, Ca. One of the many things they told us there was that there was no excuse for not making money. If making money is your aim, you need to be prepared to do things that maybe you don't want to do.

The instructors at M.I. would tell us stories about past and present students who would complain that their "original" bands were not being hired to play in clubs. They were unwilling to do "copy" music even though that's what the average club goer wants to hear. They stuck by their so-called principles. The point that the instructors wanted to make was simple: Play copy music and make money (which is certainly better than waiting tables), or starve on your principles.This was rule number 1.

This does not mean that you shouldn't write or even play any of your original songs, but it means make money first -- then figure out ways to get your original stuff heard or recorded.

Rule number 2 goes hand in hand with rule number 1 -- Keep your head glued on straight -- especially when dealing with success.

Success is a good thing, but in the entertainment industry it is all too often abused. Yes, you want to enjoy it while it lasts, but do you want it to last for a short time, or a long time? Don't get caught up in the trappings of your success, stay professional. This is your career. Understand the difference between your stage persona (if one exists) and your personal life. The successful bands, the ones that have stayed around the longest understand this clearly for the most part.

I was honored to meet many backup musicians that played for famous people while I was in L.A. What I learned was that you could pass these people on the street and not know who they were (unless they wanted you to). These people who were famous for doing what they did, did not get caught up in what they did. They acted just like "normal" people. They may have a stage personality, but once they left the stage, they were more concerned about their stock quotes, and sharing family photos than with getting drunk or doing drugs.

In this business, you can die financially, as well as physically from your lack of ability to cope with success. That's why it's important to stay level-headed. What you do on stage is your act. It's your business. What you do off stage is your life. Know the difference.

James Emery Vigh is an author of guitar method books for adults and children. His current project uses a combination of animation and live action to teach the guitar to kids. For more information, visit http://www.profbruno.com

Building an Army of Fans Every Time You Perform

2009-11-02T17:36:00.000-08:00

How do you want your band remembered?
Have you ever noticed how some concerts are just that, a "concert," and some are an all-out PARTY, where you feel you are as much a part as the guys on stage? You may have walked away from some concerts wishing you would have just listened to their CD at home and saved a few bucks. The CD was actually better. So how can you create that amazing concert every time you play, and begin to build an army of followers?

Obviously you don't want an army of mindless, robot zombies for an audience. But what about an ever growing number of active fans who can't stop talking about you? How can you walk off stage having added a room full of raving fans to your mailing list, and increased the number of people spreading the word about who you are?

What is it that makes the difference between "just an average show" and a concert experience your audience can't stop raving about? The key word in that last sentence is "experience." Not experience as in skill or knowledge, but experience as in surrounding your audience with sights and sounds that amplify and intensify your music and message. Unforgettable concerts immerse you in a concert experience where you cannot help but be filled with the energy of the music.

"So how can I do that?"
Seeing your band from the perspective of the audience can help you create an amazing concert experience. You can be the best dressed, have awesome visuals, even the best sound, but if the audience's only response to your show is a hand clap, how many of your shows do you think they will attend? Will they even remember who you are? What will they say to their friends about the show? "It was okay," "They were alright; I kind of liked the music"? But how do you get your audience to say, "It was the best concert EVER!!"

Van Halen made me feel like I was standing right beside him, indulging in his every wild gesture, moved to tears from the excitement and letting go with abandonment at the same time. He was playing to ME. The crowd went wild when he stepped off the stage to look me in the face as he played a few lines. I was every person in that audience. The whole band's energy was contagious. Others also had their two seconds of fame when they were handed the microphone to sing a few lines. Everyone was stoked. There was nothing else going on in the world at that moment but the life in that room. The entire stadium was hanging by a thread for three hours straight. To say it was an incredible night would be a major understatement. Let's talk about how you can create that same type of unforgettable concert...

Mind control made easy
Of course I'm not actually talking about "mind control." But just like Van Halen in the story above, you want a level of influence and connection with your audience that they will never forget.

Don't let the stage separate you from your audience! Being above the ocean of people allows you to better capture your crowd. All eyes are on YOU watching your every move. Your rapport with your audience will get you anything you want. Your connection with your fans should start long before the concert. Join the crowd before the show, talk to your fans, sign autographs, and even stay after the concert to continue the party and connect with your fans even more. This may seem like common sense to you, but are you really doing it? It's one thing for a band to be there before and after their time on stage to watch the other bands and perhaps talk to a few people, but it's much more powerful when a band makes it a point to make friends with everyone they can in the audience.

One thing to realize is that your fans are your family. Talk to your fans; tell them what you expect them to do at your shows. Ask and they will follow. Lead and they will imitate. Just like an ocean wave, the energy you put out there will ripple across the audience and back to you.

Red Hot Chili Peppers has the knack of getting the whole crowd to jump up and down. How? By jumping themselves. Have you ever been in a concert where the lead singer moshes across the audience and back? He joined in, became one of them, and the crowd went nuts. Do you want your audience to sing along, wave their hands, jump, yell, dance and scream? Whether through your words or through your actions, ASK and it's yours. For that moment in time, your band is the center of their world.

Janis Joplin described her concerts as making love to 25,000 people. She said it's like the incredible connection usually only felt by falling in love the first time, yet multiplied by the entire audience. Can you capture that same passion for your audience? Show them you actually care about them more than the money they put in your pocket. Give them more than they expect and get more in return. If big-name bands can do it, so can you. Watch them, learn from them.

Getting your audience involved is a matter of action, A LOT of playful action. From connecting with your audience before and after your concerts, to surrounding them with things that amplify and reinforce your band's energy, to asking your fans to get involved exactly the way you want them to, truly connect with your audience and you will grow an army of loyal fans.

But it doesn't stop there
If you can move the emotions of the audience with participation, what do you think would turn them from fans into fanatics? Think about how to appeal to all of their senses. Surround them with every part of your unique self. What imagery could you put with your music? What lighting, clothing, sounds, and more will pull them into knowing and being a part of who you are? Everything about the show should scream your message and the response you expect from your audience. The show is more about the full concert experience than the music. Take some time to talk with your band about different ways you can truly connect with your audience. Then write those things down and start doing them! Lead your army where you want it to go and they will follow.

Find the mentors and coaches you need, those that can help you create amazing and unforgettable concerts. You don't have to walk the road to success alone. Get this free 12 day mini course on how to turn your rock band into a success. In addition, test yourself in this free rock band success test. If nothing else, I hope you have taken this article to heart.

On the ridged and often dangerous path to "making it" in the music industry, Draven Grey has been described as a friend, guide, and schoolmaster. Draven is a professional musician, producer, artist development specialist for Rockstar Mindset, and rock band success coach with Tom Hess and Alex Staropoli.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Draven_Grey

Jimi Hendrix 40 Years Later

2009-11-02T06:43:00.000-08:00

Forty years ago the flower power movement was in full swing and nearing its end as we are about to enter the 1970's.

Pink Floyd were entertaining crowds with their new breed of LCD inspired rock music with their incredible (even in the early days) light show Britannia Row.

Eric Clapton is God and Jimi Hendrix is wowing audiences with his incredible fret board acrobatics.

So what were the ingredients Hendrix's success. Before becoming an overnight sensation in London Hendrix played guitar in backing bands where he was hardly allowed to play his axe at all compared to what was about to happen.

Chas Chandler recognized his talent and offered to take him to London where he was teamed up with bassist Noel Redding and drummer Mitch Mitchell to form The Jimi Hendrix Experience.

Hendrix revolutionised the way guitar was played and perceived. His turn everything up full on blazing technique was his trademark.

Hendrix played left handed using mostly Fender Stratocaster guitars upside down because he never had a left handed one made. His techniques involved a big sound and lots of feedback. Many people who have seen Hendrix live more than once will tell you that One night he would be just amazing, that they had never seen anything like it and another night he would be terrible.

Like his track Manic Depression, he was very unpredictable.

On a good night he was an incredible performer, his guitar could be totally out of tune but he would bend the strings into tune, in doing this it was like he is totally connected to the music.

Hendrix's favourite make of amplifier was Sun but these had a tendency to burn out when played at full blast for any length of time. So Hendrix used the more robust Marshall's.

Hendrix's father was a brass player, it has been said that much of the swells and turns in Hendrix's technique are mimicking the sounds of brass instruments.

So it can be said that a chance meeting, when the time was right by a man with the right connections and an untapped raw talent changed the coarse of music history.

Chris Adams studied Hendrix every day for many years as a teenager. Now Chris has been playing guitar for over thirty years and you can still hear the Hendrix in his playing. Chris is signed to Tree records. http://chrisadams.tv and http://myspace.com/chrisadams7.

Music Licensing: The Cold Cash Facts About Money for your Music

2009-11-01T02:47:00.000-08:00

Where music meets licensing, there's money to be made. How much money? "I have synched quite a few thousand songs into productions over the years," states Peter Jansson of Janssongs, Inc., "and have charged anywhere between US$1.00 and US$250,000 for each one."

That's correct: he said a quarter of a million dollars. And there are a great many places to earn money from music. For example, there are more TV shows on more cable channels than ever before. There are oodles of commercials. There are tons of electronic games and toys. There are corporate video productions galore. There are big movies, little movies, and direct-to-DVD movies. And they all are potential places to put your music, if the rights can be cleared.

Goldmine or Minefield.

The world of music clearance can be a goldmine or a minefield. We heard about the quarter-million-buck goldmine. "Having said that," Jansson adds, "I think an average fee is usually between $4,000 - $6,000 per side (i.e. Master & Synch). It depends on how badly they want to use the song and how big a hit it was." Those two words, "Master" and "Synch" indicate part of the problem for the average singer/songwriter who hopes to have a song appear on a soundtrack. Before you can start earning money, there's a lot to know.

The facts are so important that NARIP, the National Association of Record Industry Professionals, has Stacey Powells lead workshops on the topic. Powells, currently clearing music for On Air With Ryan Seacrest, says "This is a much more complex part of the business than most people realize, but it can be extremely lucrative for artists, so there’s a great feeling to passing along this information."

A Little Tech Talk.

Music can be used in four broad categories under copyright law: Adaptation, Recording, Reproduction, and Public Performance. Depending on where and how someone is going to use a song, there are mechanical rights and synchronization rights that have to be negotiated, and the various parties involved may include the songwriter, publisher, and record company, usually holder of the master rights.

Well, that last part doesn't sound so complicated. Oh really? Consider that there may be multiple songwriters, each with their own publisher for their share of the song. Song copyrights are held by music publishers (which may be the artist, but more often is a third party), while sound recordings (the masters) are controlled by record companies (which also may be the artist, come to think of it).

The Facts of the Matter.

So what, exactly, is "Music Clearance"? Simple: getting permission from rights holders to use music in your production. But what rights? The song's copyright is held by the writers (or the estate of the artists, or whoever was sold the rights). The master recording is held by whoever controls the recorded version of the song. Ah, but which version of the song? The one the singer/songwriter recorded? The one recorded with Russian lyrics? The jazz instrumental? The one recorded by the metal-reggae band?

Consider this: you can get permission from the publisher without permission from the record company -- if you record a new version of the song. But without the publisher's permission, the master recording license does you no good at all.

The field is very competitive. Don Grierson, former head of A&R at Epic/Sony, Capitol Records, and EMI-America, and often a music supervisor, consultant, and executive producer, notes that "nearly everyone in the music industry seems to be aiming at the film/TV and commercial licensing markets. There is intense competition. It can come down to relationships on some occasions, but often it is determined by the ease with which you can obtain the clearance."

Negotiating the Fees

Janssongs' Peter Jansson quickly lists some of the variables: "When it comes to Synch Licensing, there are a number of factors that determine what the fee is going to be, such as: territory (USA? World? Provincial?), media (Theatrical only? Radio? Television? DVD/Video? New technology?), usage (Featured Instrumental/On Camera? Background Instrumental? Background/Vocal?), length (Entire composition? 30 seconds or part thereof?), version (re-record or original recording), to name just a few."

But even once you have sorted out who owns what and where something is going to be used, there's the legal terminology, with contracts likely to contain such phrases as "World excluding the BRT's," "Rear Window," "now known or hereafter devised," "MFN," "Pro Rata Share," "Third Party Payments," and even "Audit."

True, you don't need to know all of these things if you're a songwriter, recording artist, manager, agent, record executive, film/TV production professional, or advertising agency executive. But the more you know, the better. Not only will you be more comfortable with the business side of the music business, you'll be in a better position to guide a career -- your own or your clients' -- to more rewarding choices.

"Just knowing a little about these topics allows you to follow the conversations these clearance guys have with my clients and all their other representatives," says one manager of several musical acts. "And knowing a little can help a lot."

Real-life Examples.

Sometimes you learn by doing. "The very first time I licensed a song on my own," says Marc Ferrari of MasterSource Music Catalog, "I never got paid for the license. The production company released the movie (Son of Darkness 2) then went bankrupt. What a way to start a business!! I have had better luck with nearly 1,600 licenses since then!"

Don Grierson, when acting as a music supervisor for motion pictures, says "Those who represent songs often call me and ask 'What are you looking for?' and it's amazing how rapidly that can change. The music requirements for any given project, or even any given scene in a film, can change depending on the director, the producer, etc. And whatever mood is being established in the scene may change in postproduction, requiring a change in the music."

Mistakes to Avoid.

Where people are involved, there can be errors. "Publishing and record companies sell and sublease and assign rights, some of which they did not own to begin with," points out Janet Fisher of Goodnight Kiss Music. She quickly lists a few more potential problems: "New companies file new cue sheets and suddenly a song is attributed to the wrong writer, a title is changed, a publisher forgotten; or sometimes a copyright holder just stops filing all paper work, including change of address forms."

One indie artist who has had several compositions in TV shows says, "Being an indie artist can be a huge advantage. Music supervisors are always looking for quality master recordings. An indie artist can sign off on a master synch music license in a day. Time is always an issue, and TV supervisors love indie artists because of the lack of major label red tape which often leaves them without clearance in time."

Goodnight Kiss' Fisher agrees: "Obviously dealing with an indie catalogue is going to be more affordable, and easier to work with. The large entities are not as hungry as the small, and our songs are no more than once-removed from the source."

Another who agrees is music supervisor Frankie Pine, who has worked on all the Steven Soderbergh film and TV projects in the past decade. "I have had at least one indie recording in every film," she states, "and it is often much easier to get them to sign off on an agreement. In a business that is so time-intensive, that is a real plus."

Helping out indie musicians is Barry Coffing of Uprising Entertainment. "We go searching for great independent music," he notes, "and the great thing about this business is that there is so much excellent music being made in so many categories."

Musician vs. Music Supervisor.

Nancy Luca is a musician who plays so often on both coasts, she has an L.A. band, a New York band, and a Florida band, and does session guitar work (her solos were on two Heineken commercials during the Super Bowl broadcast). She observes that "There are people who make a lot of money writing music for television that 'sounds like' other artists. It would be great if they would use the real artists like me who have great songs but no break with a big label. I am for licensing just to let people hear the real music -- the stuff that was written with heart and mind, not just for a paycheck."

Joel C. High, Vice President of music and soundtracks for Lions Gate Entertainment, displays the excitement that many of us have for making music work with images. "We often have directors who are greatly inspired by music and who may be passionate about acquiring a song that wouldn't normally fit in the budget of that film or television project. That's when we, as music supervisors, have to try to bring that same fervor to the negotiating process. We try to go to bat for our filmmakers in such a way that it benefits the picture and gives the best possible exposure for the musical artist. We want to get the absolutely perfect music for the scene and often the only way that can happen is by getting the recording artist to see the merits of having their song in a film – to consider the way their song is used so they will see benefits beyond just the financial one."

A Director of Copyright and Licensing at a major independent publishing company had this to say: "Obviously, licensing music in film/TV is a wonderful way to get exposure, although for new artists, it will probably not be lucrative. And of course, there are things writers/artists should take into consideration when someone requests to use their music: Avoid giving broad rights away for free! This sets a bad precedent in the community, especially for new artists/writers, and it de-values their work."

Did this person have any ideas for working out a compromise? Certainly: "If a writer is eager to be involved in a project, and the producer wants the use for FREE, here are a few suggestions when negotiating. First, try and reduce the terms (e.g. instead of perpetuity, reduce the term to 10 years; instead of all media, reduce to all TV or theatrical only; and instead of worldwide rights, try and reduce to U.S. only). If the producer is not agreeable to this, then the writer should request some sort of 'step deal.' Very little money (if any) is paid up front, but should the production be successful, they are obligated to compensate the writer at certain 'milestones'." The feeling is that "if the producer starts making money, so should the writers of the musical works involved."

Music supervisors Frankie Pine and P.J. Bloom have the best piece of advice for artists placing music: "When you get the call, say Thank You!" says Bloom. "There are so many people trying to get songs onto soundtracks, that it is important to get in the door and create a relationship."

The Bottom Line.

Fisher has a lovely metaphorical summary for this story: "Like any part of the music business, licensing can be feast or famine, goldmine or plain old shaft -- but like any part of any business, the best protection resides in employing those with experience and integrity. If I were looking for a goldmine, I'd find an experienced miner who had found gold before."

URLs of principals in this story include:

http://www.goodnightkiss.com,

http://www.janssongs.com,

http://www.mastersource.com,

http://www.nancyluca.com,

http://www.narip.com,

http://www.sladjana.com/pages/don_grierson.htm,

http://www.uprisingent.com,

http://www.gmanmusic.com

Scott G (The G-Man) writes and produces radio commercials at G-Man Music & Radical Radio. He also composes music for commercials and has albums in distribution via Delvian Records, iTunes, and many online stores and sources. A member of NARAS (the Grammy organization) and NARIP (National Association of Record Industry Professionals), he writes about advertising, marketing and music for the Immedia Wire Service and MusicDish.com. Samples of his music and commercials are on his site: http://www.gmanmusic.com

Top 50 Music Quotations

2009-10-31T02:17:00.000-07:00

Discover the phenomenonal complexity of music and reflect on the way it can positively influence your life with this sound collection of riveting quotes...

"Music, the greatest good that mortals know, And all of heaven we have below."
-- Joseph Addison
"Music was my refuge. I could crawl into the space between the notes and curl my back to loneliness."
--Maya Angelou
"Music is either good or bad, and it's got to be learned. You got to have balance."
-- Louis Armstrong
"Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life."
-- Berthold Auerbach
"The aim and final end of all music should be none other than the glory of God and the refreshment of the soul."
--Johann Sebastian Bach
"Music is the mediator between the spiritual and the sensual life."
-- Ludwig van Beethoven
"Music - The one incorporeal entrance into the higher world of knowledge which comprehends mankind but which mankind cannot comprehend."
-- Ludwig van Beethoven
"Music can change the world. "
-- Ludwig Van Beethoven
"Music can name the unnameable and communicate the unknowable."
-- Leonard Bernstein
"Music has to breathe and sweat. You have to play it live. "
-- James Brown
"Music is well said to be the speech of angels."
-- Thomas Carlyle
"All music comes from God."
-- Johnny Cash
"If you learn music, you'll learn most all there is to know. "
-- Edgar Cayce
"Music is nothing separate from me. It is me... You'd have to remove the music surgically. "
-- Ray Charles
"Good music is good no matter what kind of music it is. "
-- Miles Davis
"There is no feeling, except the extremes of fear and grief, that does not find relief in music."
-- George Eliot
"You are the music while the music lasts."
--T. S. Eliot
"We need magic, and bliss, and power, myth, and celebration and religion in our lives, and music is a good way to encapsulate a lot of it. "
-- Jerry Garcia
"Music is the language of the spirit. It opens the secret of life bringing peace, abolishing strife."
-- Kahlil Gibran
"When people hear good music, it makes them homesick for something they never had and never will have."
-- Edgar Watson Howe
"Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossile to be silent."
-- Victor Hugo
"The history of a people is found in its songs."
-- George Jellinek
"Music is the vernacular of the human soul."
-- Geoffrey Latham
"It requires wisdom to understand wisdom; the music is nothing if the audience is deaf."
-- Walter J. Lippmann
"Just as certain selections of music will nourish your physical body and your emotional layer, so other musical works will bring greater health to your mind."
-- Hal A. Lingerman
"Music is the harmonious voice of creation; an echo of the invisible world."
-- Giuseppe Mazzini
"Music is a beautiful opiate, if you don't take it too seriously."
-- Henry Miller
"I started making music because I could."
-- Alanis Morissette
"Music helps you find the truths you must bring into the rest of your life. "
-- Alanis Morissette
"Music is spiritual. The music business is not. "
-- Van Morrison
"Like everything else in nature, music is a becoming, and it becomes its full self, when its sounds and laws are used by intelligent man for the production of harmony, and so made the vehicle of emotion and thought."
-- Theodore Mungers
"Without music life would be a mistake."
-- Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche
"In music the passions enjoy themselves."
-- Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche
"Music is your own experience, your own thoughts, your wisdom. If you don't live it, it won't come out of your horn. They teach you there's a boundary line to music. But, man, there's no boundary line to art."
-- Charlie Parker
"Music should be something that makes you gotta move, inside or outside. "
-- Elvis Presley
"It's the music that kept us all intact, kept us from going crazy. "
-- Lou Reed
"The music business was not safe, but it was FUN. It was like falling in love with a woman you know is bad for you, but you love every minute with her, anyway."
-- Lionel Richie
"Music should never be harmless."
-- Robbie Robertson
"Give me a laundry list and I'll set it to music."
-- Gioacchino Antonio Rossini
"All music is important if it comes from the heart. "
-- Carlos Santana
"Music is the key to the female heart."
-- Johann G. Seume
"The best music... is essentially there to provide you something to face the world with. "
-- Bruce Springsteen
"All I try to do is write music that feels meaningful to me, that has commitment and passion behind it."
-- Bruce Springsteen
"In music one must think with the heart and feel with the brain."
--George Szell
"When I hear music, I fear no danger. I am invulnerable. I see no foe. I am related to the earliest times, and to the latest."
-- Henry David Thoreau
"For heights and depths no words can reach, music is the soul's own speech."
--Unknown
"Most of us go to our grave with our music still inside of us."
--Unknown
"I believe in the power of music. To me, it isn't just a fad. This is a positive thing."
-- Eddie Vedder
"Music at its essence is what gives us memories. "
-- Stevie Wonder
"There's a basic rule which runs through all kinds of music, kind of an unwritten rule. I don't know what it is. But I've got it."
-- Ron Wood

Resource Box - © Danielle Hollister (2004) is the Publisher of BellaOnline Quotations Zine - A free newsletter for quote lovers featuring more than 10,000 quotations in dozens of categories like - love, friendship, children, inspiration, success, wisdom, family, life, and many more. Read it online at - http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art8364.asp

Eminem: A Social Commentator

2009-10-30T15:32:00.000-07:00

In an interview given to Musik Magazine in 2000, Eminem comments some of his lyrics:

'Please Lord, this boy needs Jesus/Help this child, help him destroy these demons/Please send me a brand new car and a prostitute while my wife is sick in the hospital'. What I'm trying to say is we've got all these preachers going 'Jesus, Jesus! And then they're molesting kids. I'm taking stabs at crooked muthafuckers in the system. (Eminem)

Believe it or not, but Eminem feels concern for kids. He is a denonciator of our society’s hypocrisy. Some people don’t like it when the truth gets exposed like this. But in the end only truth matters. Eminem’s words will shock you, stab you, pull away your old fashioned way of thinking : he is a commentator of our society’s deseases and should be taken seriously, because he does his job very well. Between his funny and dark humored lines, Eminem has something serious to say. The theme of the perverted priest also appears in the « Role Model » video where you can see the priest caressing a young boy’s knee.

Parents, you should be more worried for your kids being abused by priest than by Eminem’s so called « bad influence ». Eminem won’t rape your kids…
How many paedophiles priests have tried to abuse young children? How many scandals involving young kids the Vatican has been confronted to? How many scandals the Vatican is currently trying to hide?

If you check out this website, you will find out that there is an alarming number of sex affairs involving priests and children:

http://www.licatholic.com/news.htm

I’ve been confronted to Christian fanatics from different tendencies and I noticed that they all has something in common. While considering themselves as “saints” and calling people who didn’t belong to their organizations “sinners”, they were in fact perfect hypocrits. They were playing two different roles and were acting like two different persons whether they were at Church of at home. At Chuch, they were trying to hide their own dirty behavior. At home, they were swearing, disrespecting their wifes and children, hiding some dirty magazines and tapes. And of course, they considered themselves as “saved by Jesus” while other people were (you guessed it) lost.
What an hypocritical behavior!

Eminem fights against such hypocrisy. He describes things the way they are. He also expressed against Bill Clinton’s hypocrisy:

« When someone says kids look up to me, I'm like 'Our president smokes weed and is getting his dick sucked and is fucking lying about it. So don't tell me shit. I'm not the fucking president. I'm a rapper and I don't want to be a role model'. I'll tell a kid, 'Look up to me as someone who's come from nothing and now has everything. Don't look up to me for being violent and doing drugs. Don't be like me.' »

Eminem’s got a clear message for kids (and also for adults). Look at things the way they are. Don’t try to escape from reality. Look at it in its entire uglyness and try to learn a lesson from it.
To the kids, he clearly wants to say that he’s not their role model, but that they can learn from his story. Eminem encourages a lot of kids who come from poor social classes. He has shown the that they can « make it » if they are determined to.

He is not the fool some parents want to make of him. He never encourages them to be violent nor to take drugs.