June 2006
Guild Tidings
The official publication of
The International Songwriters Guild
Volume 11, No. 6
NEXT MEETING: 5:00pm Sunday, June 4th, 2006
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. For more information, visit our website at www.isgorlando.org .
Officers:
President/Treasurer
Russ Robinson (407) 851-5328
Vice President/Member Reception/Newsletter
Matthew Griffin (407) 903-1212
Secretary
Jacquelyn Fain, crosstyes1@yahoo.com
Membership
Susan Foster-Trewick (407) 760-2153
Website
Carlos Colon (352) 326-4295
Archives
Barbara Ross (407) 862-2795
President's Letter
Dear Members,
Hey everyone. So long spring and welcome summer; it’s hot out there! Hot or cold, we still have the talent most everyone wishes for. Look across your calendar, and you’ll find days and times of year to write about. Like “Summertime”, “September in the Rain”, and all of the many Christmas songs. There’s always room for one more.
I’ve had several calls from writers that seemingly have just heard of our guild. I have invited them all, and expect to see several at our next meeting. I always like to hear and see what new people have to offer. It’s interesting and even educational.
No one has inquired about my idea to do a TV show featuring our group. I’ll bring it up again at the next meeting. I did something like this in Hollywood , and have always thought it could be done in this area.
They always say to write songs about things everyone has experienced. And we all have had birthdays, but there’s only one famous birthday song (“Happy Birthday To You”). How about another one? Think about it, and we’ll discuss it further at the meeting if you like.
Hope to see everyone Sunday. I always look forward to it.
Best ever,
Russ
Can We Learn From Our Mistakes?
By Matt Griffin
“It’s OK to make a mistake”. Isn’t that what our parents and teachers used to tell us? I wonder how many of you are like me, and never really believed it. J Mistakes have always seemed like the enemy to me, something to be avoided at all costs.
Well, I’m trying to change my tune! In fact, it’s not just OK to make mistakes; it’s necessary if you want to grow as a person and as a writer. Think about that: mistakes are as important as they are inevitable. Our mistakes and failures and weaknesses shape us, probably more so than our successes and strengths. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t keep trying to avoid mistakes; I just think we need to go easier on ourselves when they happen, and treat our downfalls as opportunities for learning.
In theory that sounds great. But don’t you just kick yourself every time you do something wrong, or something downright stupid? We all do. As human beings, the best we can hope for is to atone for our shortcomings or errors or sins or whatever, and to avoid repeating the mistake later on. An objective bystander might call that “learning”. Admitting the error and truly trying to avoid doing it again are essential parts of personal growth.
As writers, our “mistakes” come to light when fellow writers make their observations in our monthly critique sessions. But we’ve all had songs critiqued more harshly than we’d hoped or expected, and sometimes a critique/criticism can sting or even wound. The knee-jerk reaction is to discard the criticism out of hand, or to become defensive; we’ve all been there! But…what if we didn’t? What if we were to cheerfully accept the well-intended comment, and look for truth in it (perhaps later, when the steam stops whistling out of our ears)?
There’s something unexpected here. I’ve been a member of the ISG for 15 years, and I’ve discovered something odd: the critiques that hurt the most are the ones that have taught me the most. On the surface, that equation doesn’t seem to work. I mean: pain = learning? I suspect it’s not the pain itself that stimulates the learning. I believe a critique hurts because, whether we admit it at the time or not, at some level we realize that someone else has found a weakness in the song that we missed ourselves. Yes it’s a blow to the ego, but it’s more than that: it’s the public exposure of a mistake.
So what to do? Defend your position? Leave and never come back? Close down? The temptation to fall back on one of these reliable standbys is strong (for me too). But doing so would likely terminate the discussion and—more importantly—the opportunity to learn something. It would be so much better for all of us to listen and take it in, and to acknowledge the hurt for what it truly is: a red flag that something requires your attention.
In the end, it is always your prerogative to decide to discard part or all of the critique; even the best writers get criticism, and can not and should not take all of it to heart. The idea is not to let your spur-of-the-moment emotions dictate that decision. Think about it later when you’re pulse is no longer racing. Then acknowledge any truth you find, and…hopefully, learn from it. J
ISG Bulletin Board
Lead Sheet preparation by Carlos Colon. A simple lead sheet contains the melody, lyrics and chord symbols. For more information, visit my website at www.cecoriginals.com and click on “Services” at the top of the page. Website design also available. Use your website address in advertising. Newspapers, business cards, fliers, to name a few and let’s not forget the use of email. Send your link to potential clients. For more information, visit a few of my clients sites at http://www.websandresumes.com/clients.htm.
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.
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 email him at isgorl@cfl.rr.com . 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 with the ISG . For more information on display advertising and/or classified advertising for non-members, please call Russ or Matt or email: isgorl@cfl.rr.com .
Why isn't your gig announced here? Call us with your appearance schedule!
Place your classified ad or gig announcement here! Free to ISG members as always! Just get your text to Matt by the print deadline (usually the Friday 16 days prior to the monthly meeting); email is best ( isgorl@cfl.rr.com ).
New members always welcome! Call or email us for more info!
May Top Song—Results of monthly critique session
(1) Desire by Ester Starling and Mike Kondol
© 2006 ISG