July 2017
Guild Tidings
The official publication of
The International Songwriters Guild
Volume 22, No. 7
Next Meeting Sunday July 2nd 5:00pm.
The International Songwriter’s Guild meets at 5 PM on the first Sunday of every
month at the Central Florida Musician’s Union building, 3020 East Robinson St.,
Orlando, FL 32803 (at the extreme east end of Robinson, near Orlando Executive
Airport)
Songwriters, composers, performers, publishers, and the curious are encouraged to
join us. Non-members are invited to attend a meeting or two to get a feel for our
group and what we do. If you wish to join, there is an annual fee of only $5. For
more information, visit our website at www.tinyurl.com/isgsongs or myspace page at
The meetings will be structured as follows: 5:00 to 5:30, business and
introductions. 5:30 to 6:00, presentation by a guest speaker (when scheduled), 5:30
or 6:00 to 8:00, song critiques. Please bring a CD or I-phone or mp3 player or
perform your song live, and bring 10 or more lyric sheets. If we have at least 5
songs by members who wish to be scored, and 6 members scoring, then we will have
them entered in the Monthly competition. Everyone is encouraged to write
constructive comments on the lyric sheets.
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/
Mailbox Blues
by Jeff Mason
When I first purchased the "Speed Songwriting" program I feared it would disappear and I wouldn’t be able
to log into my membership account. Yet two years later, I am still using the program. I do hope I haven’t jinxed myself.
I am happy to report that the program, which can be bought for the price of a good book, is well worth the investment.
The program is owned by author, musician and marketing coach Graham English. He is the author of Logic Pro X For Dummies.
That tells me that Mr English is no dummy. Logic is a complex music program and any one using it should consider reading the book.
Mr English has come up with a seven step system to writing a song. There is a PDF explaining the seven steps.
It all looks rather daunting at first but on closer analysis it is comparable to other songwriting tutorials. The most difficult
thing to understand is Step 2: “Find 250 Words From The Lyric Triad And Match Appropriate Mode.” It sounds complicated
and since owning the program I have rarely used that step. When I write a song I have a process where I gather words.
Step 2 is a new way of gathering words. My favorite part of Step 2 is matching the lyrics to the musical mode. Mr English
is a fine keyboard player with an expertise in vintage keys and the Hammond B3. It shows as he makes understanding the
music modes seem easy. Using this feature, one is soon able to know the difference between a Lydian mode and an
Aeolian mode and how best to employ them. It becomes easy to come up with a viable chord progression. I like Step 7:
“Edit, Stop Tweaking And Sort.” It is a good time to figure out if your song is a Top Drawer song or a Bottom Drawer song.
Most likely it’s a Middle Drawer song. Mr English advises listening to the song after a week. Fresh ears and mind are a great
help in a song’s development.
There are excellent song prompts which allow for plot development as well as a comprehensive list of resources for songwriters.
I liked the various bonuses that come with the program. For Logic users “Conducting Your Virtual Orchestra Video Guide” is an eye
opening experience. The “John Lennon Masterclass” is an exceptional breakdown of some of the former Beatle’s songs.
The “Singer Songwriter Icon Guides” provides another breakdown of songs written by Ben Harper, Dave Matthews and John Mayer.
I would like to see an update on the program as some of the songs are now dated.
In conclusion, “Speed Songwriting" is a very good resource and like any good tutorial can be returned to for revision.
Not everything that arrives in the mail box is junk mail. Last week there was an excellent review of the best songwriter books available
in today’s market. See you next month.
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 announced here? Members in good standing
call SusieCool with your appearance schedule! 407-760-2153
If you want to join us at the Central Florida Folk song circle, please show up at
Bikes, Beans and Bordeaux at 3022 Corrine Drive on the last Wednesday of each month
from 6 to 8:30pm. The BBB has many delicious items on their menu, and also have some vegetarian stuff. They also serve beer and wine.
On June 21st and July 19th we have a playing circle with the Fingerstyle Guitar Group
in the Community room of the winter Park Library. This is usually on 3rd Wednesdays.
460 E. New England Ave. Winter Park, FL 32789.
6 to 8:30pm. Songwriters are welcome, but we do try to play our fingerstyle songs
and not use picks. There is more info on the facebook group page.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/228147620559285/?fref=nf
SusieCool has become the organizer of a Meetup.com group called
"Orlando Creative Music Network". Please check out the webpage
for all sorts of upcoming events. It is free to join.
https://www.meetup.com/Orlando-Creative-Music-Network/
We also have a Facebook page for this group if you are not in meetup, but want info.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/274152179716552/
Current members please send us your website info if you would like your site to be
listed in the ISG members page.
https://sites.google.com/site/isgsusiecool/home/links-and-recommended-reading/member-websites
Also if you have any songs that have placed first in the monthly critiques, please
send the mp3's to isgorlando@gmail.com if you would like to have them featured in
the ISG MySpace page. https://myspace.com/21075001
No critique results for June
New members always welcome!
© 2017 ISG