April 2001
Guild Tidings
The official Publication of
The International Songwriters Guild
Volume 6, No. 4
NEXT MEETING: 5:00 P.M.Sunday April 1st 2001
Meetings are held the first Sunday of each month at 5:00 P.M. The location is 3020 E Robinson St., Orlando, Florida. (The American Federation of Musicians Union Building)
Officers:
President/Treasurer
Russ Robinson (407) 851-5328
Co-Vice President/ newsletter
Susan Foster-Trewick (407) 679-4017
Co-Vice President/ Member Reception
Matthew Griffin (407) 903-1212
Web Consultant
Asli Walker (407) 359-0506
President�s Letter
Dear Members,
Our March meeting went well. We had some new members join, and it was nice having Tom Levins return to us after a two year absence. He�s a great writer and singer. We�re blessed with a large number of seasoned and beginners.
It�s interesting to see how those with experience help those new at writing. This is where the critiques are helpful. I have heard songs that have been critiqued played later, and it�s amazing to hear the improvements. Again, this is a part of our Guild accomplishments.
With a friend, Paul Vick and his family visiting me from Knoxville, we went club hopping and found to our delight Guild member Paul Vernon at a unique lounge on 436. My guests were fascinated with his talents. He performed close to two hours without a break. He vocalized many of his originals, and also did cover tunes. He works hard for his money! Paul is one of our better writers, and is very well liked in the Orlando area.
My friend Paul Vick, the visitor was sent to me by Craig Parton in Dollywood. This singer, writer is here to audition with Transcontinental Producers. He�s a fine writer and singer. I have one of his CD�s, and was excited with what I heard. All his material is original, with 5 part harmony on 6 tracks, with each harmony part individual. I think Craig Parton engineered the project.
For the years first place winners of the monthly critique, the Guild now has a CD of all 12 winners. The CD is to be used to select 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place for the year 2000. The 1st place winner gets 1 year free membership, the 2nd gets 6 months, and the 3rd place gets 3 months. Too bad everyone can�t be a winner. The judge is Rusty Gordon, executive director of Rustron Productions. I�ll be expecting all of you to be at the meeting Sunday.
Russ Robinson
From the Files of Russ Robinson's on tour Seminars Lyrical Contrast In Your Songs
When writing, use accepted song structures such as VCVC,VDVDBC,VC1CHVC1CH, the point is to have each section be, feel and sound different and unique, think of your song as design rather than chance. Typical parts are VERSE, CHORUS, BRIDGE (or middle 8) (Eight meaning the number of measures) Now climb, lift, pre-chorus or channel. The point of this is to have sections different from the other. Your verse delivers information and leads to the chorus.
Your chorus should tell what the verse has said, the bridge adds information or contrasts. To make sections differ lyrically, try using a rhyme scheme. EXAMPLE: If your verse is AABB try making your chorus ABAB or AABCCB or AAAB a good idea might work by just using the title and key title words in the title.
If you use your title too often in other places you delete the effectiveness of your lyrics. EXAMPLE:If you have YOU,TRUE,BLUE, then don't use words or sounds with "CU's" any place else. The point is to be aware of your rhyme sounds and don't use those sounds in your chorus.
Another way for contrast is with the length of each line count your syllables and stressed words in each section line make them differ. Think of the lyrics emotion of the lyrics, if the emotions are resolved then stick to your even lines 2,4,6, complete each rhyme.
If you have unresolved emotions try using 3,5 and 7 where lines don't rhyme, "She Can't Be Really Gone" uses this technique. This title gives two thoughts, IS and CAN"T. How about rather than EXAMPLE: "with that look" to "with that touch". Try something unexpected, maybe making it more special change pronouns emphasis, use "I" in the verse and "YOU" in the chorus.
I never settle for my first time around when I think I've finished writing a song, a week later, after I have put it away as finished, I'll have new ideas and again after some changes put it away once more. I've re-written some songs 5 and 6 times.
Keep Trying!!
Russ Robinson
Using Band-in-a-Box, Part 2
�by Matt Griffin
�Last month we discussed PG Music�s Band-in-a-Box software in a general way. This month, let�s talk about some of the program�s best controls and features.
�As I wrote last month, you create music in BB by entering chords into a worksheet, either by typing in the chord symbols or via MIDI keyboard. Each worksheet cell represents a four-beat measure (or three beats for a waltz, of course; I�ll limit this discussion to four beat songs for convenience). A different chord can be entered at each beat, if desired. Band-in-a-Box supports a large number of chords, and also allows custom chords if you like. Inversions are a snap. A feature I really like permits you to specify which instruments will play during a given quarter-measure. If you enter �B7.pd�, only the piano and drums play the B-seventh chord during that beat (if you omit the �.pd�, all instruments allowed by the specified style will play). This capability can produce lots of variation in the finished product.
�Band-in-a-Box provides lots of choices at each bar. At any bar of the song, you can change MIDI patches (i.e. instruments), tempo, the number of beats in the bar, or even the song style. Style changes are especially handy; changing styles for the song�s chorus or bridge produces natural variation that sets those sections apart from the verses. BB doesn�t have all of the kinks worked out, however. If you interrupt playback and restart the song, sometimes it starts in the wrong style.
�The Soloist is a very clever feature. If you start it up, the Soloist allows you to select from a large list of possible solo �performers� (many of them match up with particular styles). The solo�say, a Louis Armstrong trumpet�then plays as a separate track against the song you�ve already put together. Some of the solos really sound like the real thing. There are lots of controls for varying the type of solo produced, but oddly the applicable measures are not among them. The soloist only produces a solo for your entire song; you have to feed the MIDI file into a sequencer to silence the solo during undesired sections.
�If you have a MIDI keyboard (and musical talent; oh well!), you can enter a melody as a separate track of your song. Or you can let the Melodist do it for you. The Melodist feature generates an entire song (no lyrics) automatically. The results seem to vary greatly, but it�s not a bad way to get started if you�re stuck for a musical idea.
�You can also record one track of digital audio in BB, so you can put in a vocal if you wish. But there are no tools for manipulating the audio recording; if you aren�t happy with it, you must re-record. I don�t recommend Band-in-a-Box for digital audio recording, since there are inexpensive sequencers out there that do a better job and let you edit the result. PG Music sells a pretty good one (Power Tracks Pro) for $29.
�In truth, I�ve only scratched the surface. Band-in-a-Box is easy to use but hard to learn, if that makes any sense. There are so many features and controls that I still haven�t learned them all after 4 or 5 years of frequent use. At worst, you�ll find the software to be an interesting diversion on a Saturday afternoon. At best, you may discover as I have that BB is a fine companion tool for songwriting. If people are interested, I�d be delighted to give a demo at a Guild meeting.
Web Chatter
cybertoad2000@yahoo.com
Greetings fellow cyber songwriter, here is an e-mail I just received from a fellow songwriter. I hope this might develop into something special with opportunities for local songwriters and ISG members.
Hey Susie, I hope this note finds you well. Hopefully, you remember me. Jack Kapanka aka- One Eyed Jack. I sang out with you, Paul G. and others at Border's, etc... I don't know if you ever truly knew what I do for a living. I'm the Publishing Coordinator for Trans Continental Records here in Orlando. I also have my own publishing company (OEJ Publishing) that is getting National exposure starting this weekend on PAX television. In short, the entertainment world is knocking on our door. I've been approached by some of the most well known groups in existence to provide songs. In order to better accommodate those needs my partner (Robert Fischett-VP Trans Continental Records) and I have decided to reach out in a big way. We have teamed up with ASCAP to start "Quiet On The Set" at TABU. Although TABU is known as one of the hottest night clubs in FL, we are going after a slightly different market. This format will be similar to the Blue Bird Cafe or MTV's Unplugged. It will be intimate and impressive. The Writers night will take place every Thursday, with one Thursday each month reserved for national talent. We are hoping that TABU becomes the place to see and be seen for writers from all over the state and country. We will have an array of industry executives in attendance to both critique and advise amateur songwriters who attend and possibly perform. I thank you for including me on your writers list. I have been extremely busy working on a variety of different projects. Please see the attachment included and forward it to the vast list of writers you are in contact with. This will be very beneficial to all who attend. Also, check out my new web-site www.jackkapanka.com It's still being developed but it will give you an idea of what I've been up to. Talk to you soon. Jack Kapanka
***** Web Chatter Update*****
SusieCool went to see the show last night and it was very impressive. They had some wonderful talent, and Jack was the host. He sang 4 of his songs too. Unfortunately I couldn't get the info to you soon enough, but they will be having another show on April 19th, so we should try to get to that one. I will keep you updated on Jack's info, and maybe we could have him visit one of our meetings to talk about this project.
Gig schedule
Paul Vernon has a busy schedule. Call him at (407) 296-2019 to get locations and times. He has 2 cassettes for sale �If you like my music you might like me�, which has his March winning song �So nice to have a friend like you� on it, and the other one simply titled �Paul Vernon�. Both tapes are $9:00.
SusieCool will be playing at Leu Gardens Annual Plant sale on Sunday March 25th at 2:00 pm. The gardens are open to the public for free the weekend of March 24/25, and the concert is free too. Other performers with Friends of Florida Folk are "Buck and Maggie" and "Common Ground"
Where�s your next gig? �Please Let us know, so we can be there
Please feel free to contribute articles to the Newsletter If you have any information that you would like to see added to the newsletter, please see Susan Foster-Trewick at the meetings, or you can E-mail her at cybertoad2000@yahoo.com. Please keep your articles brief.
Classified advertising may be placed free of charge to members in good standing in the ISG. For more information on display advertising and/or classified advertising for non-members, please call Russ Robinson
(407) 851-5328, or e-mail: i_s_g_2000@yahoo.com
�DUES CLUES�
We are trying to keep better track of dues payments. You will notice that your mailing label has a date in the top right hand corner. This represents the date that we have a record of your last payment. As Russ has mentioned, this needs to be updated, so if you see ?? Or an incorrect date on your label, please let us know so we can correct it, and if the Date is more than a year old, then our �Dues Clues� will tell you it�s time to send that check to Russ again!!! (If you see �Guest� written there, it means that this is one of a few complimentary issues we are sending you since your visit with us. This will give you an opportunity to see what we are all about, and decide whether you want to join our Guild.)
Welcome New members: Brian Eitniear, Serina Jung and Cyd Ward
March
TOP FIVE WINNERS
Of last month�s Evaluation Session
(Members only)
1st Place: There's Somebody in Here Singing Paul Vernon
2nd Place (Tie): What If I'm the One Tom Levins
Here Again There Again Barbara Ross
4th Place: More Than You See Asli Walker
5th Place: Once Upon a Valentine Bill Frank
� 2001 ISG