June 2002
Guild Tidings
The official Publication of
The International Songwriters Guild
Volume 7, No. 6
NEXT MEETING 5:00 PM Sunday, June 2nd, 2002
The International Songwriter's Guild meets the first
Sunday of every month at the Central Florida
Musician's Union building at 3020 East Robinson (at
the extreme east end of Robinson less than a block
from Herndon 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.
Officers:
President/Treasurer
Russ Robinson (407) 851-5328
Vice President/Member Reception
Matthew Griffin (407) 903-1212
Secretary
Evelyn Nelson (863) 644-8699
Membership Coordinator
Susan Foster-Trewick (407) 679-4017
Web Consultant
Asli Walker (407) 359-0506
President's Letter
Dear Members,
Recently I requested that you submit original songs
for a new singing group that Sony Records has an
interest in recording and grooming. Only three of you have submitted such. I'm told they do like a couple of those but were surprised there were so few choices. I get the idea that Sony may be looking for songs for other performers as well. Let's get busy and ready some more. Sony is "big time" and if they found ISG worthy of their needs, that would be great! Let's get with it. I'll speak at the meeting and give you some ideas that may be helpful.
I really enjoyed our guest speaker Judy Leonard at the last meeting, and I'd like to have a similar format at some upcoming meetings. I spoke with my attorney (who gives advice regarding copyrights and such), and I think we might get him as our guest in July. Member SusieCool (a.k.a. Susan Foster-Trewick) may be lining up another guest speaker for our June meeting (editor's note-specific info was unavailable at press time).
I want to mention how delighted I am with the really talented new writers we've had join us of late. Several of our long-time members have called me saying this too. I feel blessed to have people like Bob Neace signing up. Bob works in the entertainment industry and I'm sure that will be helpful to us. Bob is planning an outing on the Sterling cruise line in the near future to celebrate my birthday (in a couple of months). I'll have him tell you about it Sunday. We may even get to catch him in his act; he appears nightly. I plan not to wait until my birthday, I go on the cruise often. Let me know if you'd like to go, I'll tell you about it.
Long-time member Ralph Betancourt called a few days ago asking us to forgive his long absence from the guild, due primarily to scheduling issues (Ralph was a mayor in the Daytona area and his time was limited). He tells me he didn't run for office the last election and now has more time for the ISG. Ralph has some terrific songs.
I just got a letter from Tokyo. ISG member Jeff Mason has been in Japan, and tells us he's been performing songs in Japanese! Jeff will be back in Orlando in late May and might attend our June meeting.
SusieCool has always got appearances lined up in the area; maybe we can surprise her by showing up at one. We'll have to get the when-and-where from her. In the meantime get ready with your latest originals and we'll critique them Sunday.
I'll see you then, take care.
Russ Robinson
Self Critiques
By Matt Griffin
As you all know, we're not allowed to score our own songs in our monthly critique sessions. There's concern that some writer might, shall we say, inflate his/her score in an attempt to improve the song's ranking. But even if we were to score our own song honestly, there's still a problem: most of us think our own work is better than (almost) everyone else's.
It's human nature. When you pour your heart and soul into an original creation, it's only natural to see it as better than another's creation. Plus each of us knows what went into the song and the story behind it. So when we hear our own song, we also "hear" all of the unwritten things the song implies to us. Other people only hear what's written and sung. The common conclusion: my song is better than yours.
What does that mean? Probably, none of your songs are as good as you think they are!
Before you pound your fists and send Matt Griffin some really nasty email, give the idea a little consideration. Actually, I think of the me-better notion as kind of a good thing, especially for young writers. It helps new songsmiths to hang in there and keep writing. But as you mature as a writer, it becomes more and more important to get measured evaluation of your material. And you don't even have to wait for the next ISG meeting; you can do it yourself.
If you're capable of offering reasonable criticism of other people's songs at our monthly meetings, then self-critique really isn't that different. It's a matter of letting go of all of those preconceived notions that each of us brings along with every original work. Essentially, apply the same ruler you use on others to yourself. It sounds easy but requires some discipline.
The hardest part is to hear what everyone else hears. The listener has no background notes and doesn't know the story. Don't get attached to words or melody; if you're "emotionally involved" with a part of your song (OK, every writer is to some extent), it's much harder to change something. When you've detached yourself as much as possible, try to listen to the song like you've never heard it before. What really works? Where are the holes in your story? How could it be made better?
Here's a technique I like to use; it works equally well on lyrics or music. What's the weakest line in the song? Improve it, then repeat: what's the weakest line now? If you continue to rework a song, it will keep getting better and better.
And then, of course, you can bring it to an ISG meeting and let us dissect it for you. If you get good at self-critique, probably you'll get very few comments you weren't expecting!
Next month we'll print the first of a series of articles written by Mary Dawson of CQK Music, Inc. The first article is entitled "The Realities of Radioplay". Mary is a songwriter who hosts a Texas-based radio show called "I Write the Songs"; she also holds songwriting seminars around the country.
ISG Bulletin Board
Printing services for Guild Tidings are graciously provided by Printing USA, 4732 South Orange Blossom Trail (just south of Holden), Orlando. Phone: (407) 857-7468.
Just wanted to let you know that the certificates are ready for distribution. Please see Russ at the next meeting to pick them up if you placed in any of the monthly evaluations. Also we would like to put the first place winners on another compilation album, so please see Susan if your song placed first in the year 2001.
Why isn't your gig announced here? Call us with your appearance schedule!
Yalaha Bakery is having another Open Mic on Saturday June 22nd hosted by SusieCool. From 1:30 to 4:00pm. Food, Drinks and coffee will be available. The event is free. It is an outdoor event. Open Mic performers will receive a free coffee and danish.
Yalaha Bakery 8210 County Road 48, Yalaha, FL 34797
http://www.yalahabakery.com
TEAC 3340S Professional tape recorder, �? reel to
reel, 4 tracks with simulsync, 7-1/2 inch and 15 inch
reels, $200. 321-452-2910 or email geosync@pan.com.
We're always looking for material for the newsletter.
If you have any information that you would like to see
added to the newsletter, please see Matt Griffin at
the meetings, or you can email him at
griffinmc@netzero.net.
Please keep your articles brief and to the point. Print deadline for the newsletter is approximately two weeks prior to the monthly meeting.
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 or Matt or email: griffinmc@netzero.net
Welcome new member Ruth Hinsey.
May TOP FIVE
Winners of last month�s evaluation session
(members only)
(1) Let's Go Dancing Susan Foster-Trewick and
Kent Trewick
(2) Mother An Angel Danny Patterson
(3) A Good Talkin' To Bob Neace
(4) Closer To You Asli Walker
(5) Go for the Glow Steve Bussey
� 2002 ISG