July 2021
Guild Tidings
The official publication of
The International Songwriters Guild
Volume 26, No. 07
Live meetings are Cancelled due to CoronaVirus.
However, we will be having on-line Zoom meetings.
We will send details under a separate e-mail,
and an announcement on the Facebook group page.
We expect it to be scheduled for Sunday July 4th at 5pm.
We hope to resume live meetings within the next few months
with social distancing, but for nowIf you want the zoom meeting
details, please e-mail us at isgorlando@gmail.com
Any Details not in this newsletter are at:
If you wish to join our Facebook group, please check us out at
https://www.facebook.com/groups/831814850193553/
WebChatter
by CyberToad
We have been forgetting to ask members to renew their dues. It costs only $5 per year,
and it helps us to defray costs for the zoom meetings.
We have 2 methods of payment. Either paypal to our treasurer Asli Goncer's paypal account.
The paypal access is at aslivision@gmail.com
or you can mail a $5 check to
Asli Goncer
2849 Babylon Court
Oviedo, FL 32765
Either way, we appreciate your continued support.
Here's another Andrea Stolpe article about prosody.
https://www.andreastolpe.com/articles/the-secret-superpower-of-great-songs
More on Writing Melodies
By Jackie Mason
For the last couple of months, I have been analyzing the interview between Taxi President, Michael Laskow and popular songwriting coach, Jason Blume. The interview took place on May 15th, 2020. To recap, Jason had stated that to write a smash hit the key was “repetition, repetition, repetition” of a rhythmic melody line. He also stated that the average listener never knew what the second verse said and that the first thing hit producers listened for, was melody. I’m glad I decided to watch the second half of the interview. Here Jason demonstrated, with a line suggested by Michael Laskow, how to write multiple, different melodies with the same line. It was a simple line “There’s a virus come and find us.” Jason came up with at least eight different, melodic approaches to that line. He changed notes, slowed the tempo and broke up the line. He made use of nonsense lines. This is a good observation from long time Taxi member Mojo Bone, who was in the chat room that day. “You want the emphasized beats to match to match the accented syllables.” I want to add my own observation on these Taxi Television videos. Taxi members are some of the most knowledgeable folks in the music business. It’s well worth your time to pay attention to their comments, during the video. Not only are they well educated but they are friendly, unselfish with that knowledge and there’s always a humorous banter taking place. Jason is asked about emotion. Does he decide on the general emotion of the song before the writing process takes place? “No the title or concept dictates the emotion.” He gets a lot of ideas while walking. Do choruses always begin with a high note? Not as much anymore but it can depend on who is doing the singing. “If you’re writing for a diva you’d better give them some big notes!” He says the song “Cry Pretty” by Carrie Underwood is an example of a song with big notes.
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=cry+pretty For an example of an artist who doesn’t need a big, soaring chorus try Ed Sheeran’s “Shape of You.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGwWNGJdvx8 He relies on a hooky rhythm Also, in this song, he makes use of a nonsense line. “Oh-I-Oh-I-Oh-I-Oh-I-Oh, Oh I’m in love with your body.” Nonsense lines are one of the oldest tools in the songwriter’s tool box! “Think about who you’re writing for” and don’t settle on the first melody you come up with. Experiment. Play. Have fun. Once again our friend in the chatroom, Mojo Bone, makes this observation. “People don't write bridges, anymore; they were the Beatles' secret weapon” Not totally true says Jason. There are less bridges being written in pop. Styles come and go and return again. You can still find bridges in today’s country. On a personal note I agree with Mojo. Bridges “were The Beatles’ secret weapon.” For example “We Can Work it Out.” That’s my example!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qyclqo_AV2M A double bridge to be exact! If there’s a place where I’m stuck, it is I’m in the habit of writing bridges! I love a good bridge! Here’s the link to the whole Jason Blume lesson. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEbV9Y2HgRI&t=1326s and Jason’s website where you can sign up for one of his workshops.
http://www.jasonblume.com/index.html
Finally before I sign off. I found this link to Songwriting Competitions.
https://www.musicindustryhowto.com/songwriting-contest/
It includes the more famous competitions and a few I’ve not heard of. I liked their advice at the end of the article. “Songwriting contests are generally competitive and winning can be quite tough! But if you focus on having fun and learning from the experience, you will find it incredibly rewarding. If you decide to enter, do your personal best and don’t worry too much about the other contestants.” I haven’t entered a competition for over twenty years. Maybe this would be a good time to try again. I also think this is a very good web site. Stay safe everyone.
ISG Bulletin Board
Meeting space graciously provided by Central Florida Musicians Association,
Local 389. You are invited to join the largest union in the world, representing the
interests of the professional musician. Visit their website at afm389.org for more
information. You may reach them by phone at: 407-894-8666.
Why isn't your gig or live stream announced here? Members in good standing call SusieCool
with your appearance schedule! 407-760-2153 or e-mail her the details at isgorlando@gmail.com
If you are interested in open mics in the Central Florida area, SusieCool has compiled a list.
Steve Hodak hosts several newly listed open mics on the East coast.
https://sites.google.com/site/susiecoolsongs/Home/open-mic-directory-central-florida
SusieCool is the admin for a Facebook group called "Orlando Creative Music Network"
where we give out info on songwriter meetings, playing circles, open mics, workshops and concerts.
We have a Facebook page for this group if you want to join.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/274152179716552/
No Critique scores for June, since no live meeting.
New members and guests are always welcome!
© 2021 ISG