Being a Songwriter – 10 things to know

10 good things to keep in mind if you are a songwriter and want to be the best you can be.

 

1. Find a co-writer. Songs can evolve differently with another person’s perspective so co-writing can be an excellent learning experience, especially if you write with somebody that is a little bit better than you. Also, two connections are more effective than one when finding ways to get your song heard and/or placed.
2. Write regularly. The more you write, the better you will become. Always finish a song, even if you think a song isn’t worth finishing. You never know what could happen with it.
3. Rewrite then rewrite again. Don’t be afraid to rewrite your songs; editing is your friend. You may end up having several versions of the song and that is perfectly fine. To quote pro songwriter RC Bannon, “Great songs aren’t written, they’re rewritten!”
4. Get social (media that is). Create a presence on the internet with MySpace, Facebook,Twitter and YouTube.  These marketing tools for your music are key to connecting to your audience. You can also create your own website or blog.
5. Play out. Get your music heard and gain exposure at writers’ nights, open mics and connect with your local radio stations (many have unsigned writers programs).
6. Get friendly (but not too friendly) with your fans. Stick around after the show and talk to fans.  Get feedback and hear what other people think of your music. What do they like it about it?  What do they dislike? What else would they like to see you do?
7. Hi my name is… The music world is all about building and establishing relationships. Get connected by networking! Here are a few places to find the perfect new pals.
8. Listen and learn. Utilize the one-on-one mentoring that is offered with an NSAI membership. Soak up the knowledge and start applying it to your musical goals. Mentors can point you in positive directions and provide very valuable advice.
9. Get paid. Check out the Performing Rights Organizations, ASCAP, BMI or SESAC and see which one best fits your needs as a writer.
10. Go to an event. Attend NSAI workshops, Song Camps and Songposium to gain further knowledge of the music industry and the craft of songwriting itself.

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Via: Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI): NSAI is the world’s largest not-for-profit songwriters’ trade organization. Established in 1967, the membership of more than 5,000 spans the United States and seven international countries. For more than 40 years, NSAI has been dedicated to serving and protecting the rights of aspiring and professional songwriters in all genres of music.

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Fear of the Future? Who me?

The wisdom of Spotted Eagle is always welcome for me. The re-post today on Steel-toedmoccasin.com is timely on Thanksgiving weekend when I, at least, am a bit confronted with family “tradition”, myths and behaviors. Jennie Marlow writes that we must admit that  “we are resisting what has already been created; there is an uncertainty we cannot accept; and this uncertainty cannot be changed or controlled. We must further admit that the one thing we are most able to change is our thinking. If we do not start here, addressing the mythology of the Mind, then what we can and should do in the present moment will be hidden from us.”

Here is what Spotted Eagle says:

The Gifts of a Willing Heart

April 30th, 2010 by jenniemarlow

“Many of you have a habit of allowing your Mind to drag you off into its fearful imaginings about the future. Notice that you are very willing to believe in the terrors you imagine even though most of them never come to pass. Notice that the more traumatic your early life was, the more you believe in a terrible future. Depending upon your personality, you will either believe that you can control the future, or believe that the future will overwhelm you. Notice that this story of what will happen is your personal mythology, based on your conditioning, your history and your beliefs. Notice that it has nothing to do with your possibilities to experience essence in the now.”

— Spotted Eagle

Being Aware of EMF’s

Check out Dr Sinatra’s video about becoming aware (if for some reason you are not already aware) of EMF’s and some ways to protect yourself.

Never use microwave ovens, don’t hang out near one that is on, text don’t talk, use speaker phone, turn off your wireless at night, do NOT use Jawbones, etc…And of course, earthing ourselves using magnets is a good idea.

Via: Carol Gordon

New Spiritual/Sci-Fi Book by Deborah Pratt

Social Networking at work – I read a random post on a friend’s page from another friend about her new sci-fi book available for FREE download. Curious, I clicked the link and downloaded what turned out to be a good and even inspiring read. A good storyteller with a spiritual dream for a better world, Deborah Pratt’s The Vision Quest, Book One reveals the Earth in the not-too-distant future is suffering from the effects of genetic tampering, over-corporatizing and greed. Freedom is hanging by a thread. There is hope involved, too, in the form of passionate and talented young people, some broad-thinking adults and a “Yoda”- like sage/teacher. The lost continents have risen due to massive earthquakes and storms and polar cap meltings and it is a brave new world, complete with sentient and dangerous robots and the precious and endangered Gnorbs of knowledge, of course.

Deborah Pratt was a co-executive producer and a writer on the Quantum Leap TV series. Book 2 is already out and Book 3 is about to be released. The Vision Quest website looks like a haven for teen interaction, including “transmissions” and online experiences including:

Pratering – a single, focused thought supported by love, organized on a mass level, to occur at a specific time with the intention to create a shift in consciousness and manifest a result into reality. We are the heroes we have been waiting for. The Quest begins now.”

5 Quick and Toning Standing Poses

From Gaiam, here is an interesting video of not-so-easy, very toning and balancing poses with Pat Moreno, that engage your core and can crack a small sweat  in 6 minutes. Take these with you through the holidays when you might not be able to slip away for a workout.

 

New Study on Cats and Boxes

Basic truth: all cats love boxes, bags and curling up on your best sweater and kneading it so that pulls. Why? Do they want to return to the womb? Are they nesting? Do they know how cute they are and it is purely for human entertainment? Watch and come to your own conclusion.

Via: Josh

Home Sweet Home

Check out this wonderful Hobbit home built a few years ago for $5,000. It is sustainable and cozy!

According to Simon it took about 1500 hours to build over 4 months:

Sustainable design and construction:

1. Dug into hillside for low visual impact and shelter
2. Stone and mud from diggings used for retaining walls, foundations etc.
3. Frame constructed of fallen trees from surrounding woodland
4. Reciprocal roof rafters are structurally very easy to do
5. Straw bales in floor, walls and roof for super-insulation and easy building
6. Plastic sheet and mud/turf roof for low impact and ease
7. Lime plaster on walls is breathable and low energy to manufacture compared to cement
8. Reclaimed (scrap) wood for floors and fittings
9. Other items were reclaimed from “a rubbish pile somewhere”: windows, wiring, plumbing

Notice the “goodnight, moon” in the sky.

Via: Julie Tara