Guild Tidings
The official publication of
The International Songwriters Guild
Volume 29, No. 02
February 2024
Live meetings are Cancelled due to CoronaVirus.
However, we will be having on-line Zoom meetings.
The next zoom feedback session will be Sunday February 4th
We will send details under a separate e-mail,
and an announcement on the Facebook group page.
If you want the zoom meeting details,
please e-mail us at isgorlando@gmail.com
Hopefully we will soon be meeting in person again.
Please stay tuned for more info.
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/
FAWM 2024
by Jackie Mason
FAWM is the acronym for February Album Writing Month. This is taken from the FAWM web page.
FAWM is “A global collaboration for making new music. So-called "fawmers" have collectively written
more than 250,000 songs as part of our annual songwriting challenges. The goal is simple: challenge
yourself to write one new song every other day in the shortest month of the year. Don't wait for inspiration;
show up and make music! Participation is free.” This year marks the 20th anniversary of the songwriting
challenge. https://fawm.org/ “This website is in hibernation until January 25, 2024.” If you click the link
you will find plenty of useful information but you cannot register until that date.
This year I am adding some advice and tips for those of you daunted by the challenge. This year is
a leap year so we are gaining an extra day in February. This makes the challenge a little easier.
I’ve completed the challenge twice and written 14 songs each time. If you only write five songs next month
that will be good because you will have five more songs than if you’d not tried the challenge. Here are s
ome tips from FAWM. Upload your songs as you finish them. Don’t do what I did and leave it until the last
day to upload my songs. That’s my advice. Don’t get too hung up on recording unless you really want to.
Our focus is on songwriting (or composing), not recording. Rough demos are encouraged.
“If production values get in the way of your creative process, don't let it! There's plenty of time for that the
rest of the year."
What constitutes a "song"? Can I write instrumentals? Pop songs, instrumentals, "sound art," whatever.
The goal is to be challenged and have fun... whatever that means to you.
What if I only write lyrics? That's cool. In fact there's a good chance that other fawmers wants to collaborate
by setting your words to music, if you're up for it. Just ask around in the forums, and be sure to read the
collab guidelines page!”
This is a link to FAWM’s frequently asked questions. https://pre.fawm.org/help-faq
Do check out their Facebook page as it’s inspiring and full of songwriting prompts.
https://www.facebook.com/fawmchallenge
Here are a couple of inspiring musician quotes to think about. ”One of my biggest thrills for me still is
sitting down with a guitar or a piano and just out of nowhere trying to make a song happen.” Paul McCartney.
That is the attitude you need to rise to the challenge of FAWM. And from Dolly Parton “I love getting on a
big songwriting binge and staying up a couple of days working on a song and knowing at the end that I’ve
created something that never was in the world before.” That sums up the FAWM challenge.
I hope some of you will overcome your fears and doubts and rise to this challenge.
Goodbye from the Song Motel.
WebChatter
by CyberToad
Metadata when licensing your music
https://syncsongwriter.com/blog/metadata-guide
VERY IMPORTANT for those people
interested in Sync Licensing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofTltvXNhD8
https://syncsongwriter.com/new-blog/5-part-video-mini-series
If you are interested in which sound files work for uploading and sharing, here
is an article explaining it. Various websites will only allow certain types.
https://www.descript.com/blog/article/how-to-choose-the-best-audio-file-format-for-your-project
We are asking members to renew their dues for 2024. 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.
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 January, since no live meeting.
New members and guests are always welcome!
© 2024 ISG