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September 2013
Guild Tidings
The official publication of
The International Songwriters Guild
Volume 18, No. 9
NEXT MEETING - 5:00pm Sunday, September 1st, 2013
Officers:
Newsletter/Articles
Jeff Mason, jeffrey_mason@me.com
Meeting Coordinator/Critique scoring/CFMA Liason
Matthew Campbell, matthew_sax77@yahoo.com
Membership/Certificates/Contact
Susan Foster-Trewick, susiecool2001@yahoo.com
407-760-2153
E-mail Contact, isgorlando@gmail.com
Website
Carlos Colon, videosaysitall.fl@gmail.com
352-267-5911
Treasurer/NSAI Liason
Asli Goncer, asli@cfl.rr.com
Secretary
Jacquelyn Gould, songsuite@gmail.com
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 (at the extreme east
end of Robinson, near Orlando Executive Airport ) in Orlando.
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 or myspace
page at https://myspace.com/21075001
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 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.
A Site To Behold
By Jeff Mason
Most of the time we are our children’s teachers. We raise and nurture
them and try to equip them with the skills necessary to survive in a complex and
dangerous world. In the music world, the traditional roles of teacher and pupil are
sometimes reversed.
I first became acquainted with Jason Mraz through my daughter. We were
returning from an Elvis Costello concert when she played a song titled I’m Yours. It’s
an infectious, bubbly song which was nominated for Song of the Year at the 51st Grammy
Awards in 2009. It holds the record for most consecutive weeks on the Billboard Hot 100
at 76 weeks.(Wikipedia.)
I had occasion to visit his website and was inspired by the daily
journal he writes. He discusses his approach to songwriting and recording. Here is a
quote: “The actual writing process can be exhausting. I might have my chords and my
melody, and can see and hear the path the song wants to take, but I may not have the
words. To find them requires focus, looping the section over and over as the body and
mind dances to fit different thoughts and ideas into the best possible cadence, while
considering alliteration, internal rhyme and end rhyme, with the goal of it all sounding
palatable. It takes a lot of effort to make it sound effortless.” When he’s stuck for
words he turns to books, magazines and films. He also turns to yoga for the same reason.
He finds that these activities are transformative and give him a new outlook on the
song. He adds this caveat “When I read, I have to be careful not to let the book’s voice
become my own.” His website is aesthetically pretty and reflects his views on life and
the planet. http://jasonmraz.com/?show_thewomanilove=false
Songwriting coach Robin Frederick has a new YouTube channel which can
be accessed through Google by typing in your search engine “Secrets of Hit Songwriting.”
Here Ms. Frederick analyzes I’m Yours. She breaks down the song’s structure and points
out how he creates contrast between the verse and chorus by changing the rhythm of the
melody in each section. I find this to be an important component in Frederick’s
critiques. Today’s hits are phrased differently than before. It’s easy to sound dated if
we aren’t aware of these differences. Frederick points out the importance and difficulty
of writing happy songs without sounding shallow and predictable.
Another song which Frederick breaks down is the Kelly Clarkson 2011
pop rock hit Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You.) This is a song with an empowerment theme
written by Jorgen Elofsson, Al Tamposi and David Gamson with additional writing and
production by Greg Kurstin. Jorgen Elofsson is a Swedish songwriter with an impressive
number of songwriting credits to his name. Frederick states that this song is worth
studying and offers a master class in contemporary hit song, melody and lyric craft. The
structure is the verse/pre-chorus/chorus form and shows up often in today’s hits. It’s
interesting to see how the song rises in energy with each section.
If you go to Frederick’s YouTube channel
http://robinfrederick.com/ you will see other videos about songwriting on the same page.
I watched a tutorial by an artist named Zosia Boczanowski who has an interesting
approach to songwriting. In this tutorial she explains her creative process for the
composing of her hit song Monday. This song has been featured in the reality television
series The Hills. Zosia is a student at the Berklee College of Music where she is
finishing her dual majors in Music Production & Engineering and Music Business. She uses
a white board to focus her thoughts and ideas for a song. You may read her bio on The
Berklee Music Network http://network.www.berkleemusic.com/members/7787
I discovered an interesting musical breakdown of The Beatles' hit
Can’t Buy Me Love. In this video the mechanics and choice of chords are explained with
particular reference to the harmonized major scale. This is the YouTube address for this
tutorial http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxMOrgzrUxo. This video is one of many tutorials
presented by ultimatesongwritinglessons.com
I’ve found that analyzing songs can be a rewarding and inspiring
activity. I never thought that I would be so willing to listen to younger female artists
like Pink and Adele. Studying today’s hits is the quickest way to learn new songwriting
skills and stay current with today’s music market. I am beginning to use these
techniques in my own songs. The young are teaching the old. See you next month.
ISG Bulletin Board
Videography and website management services at a price you CAN AFFORD. Capturing your
wedding or event on video may not be in your budget but you’re hoping that you may have
something left over to hire a videographer. I will fit your budget. My goal is to offer
my services to those who otherwise would have to pass because of funds. This is your
special day and you most definitely want to capture those moments. Visit my website at
http://www.videosaysitall.com . Thanks and call me anytime (352-267-5911)…Carlos Colon
Central Florida Folk http://cffolk.org/song_circle/song_circle.htm
is having an acoustic song circle at the Sleeping Moon on the last Wednesday of each month.
http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/26/1556023/restaurant/Orlando/Sleeping-Moon-Cafe-Winter-Park
Their food is great and the song circle is from 7 till 10pm.
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 Jeff Mason at the meetings or
email him at jeffrey_mason@me.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 contact Jeff by the print deadline (usually the Friday 16 days prior
to the monthly meeting); email is best ( jeffrey_mason@me.com ).
Why isn't your gig announced here? Call us with your appearance schedule!
Matthew and Rebecca Campbell
Friday August 30th @ 7-9:30p
EXPERIENCE KIRTAN,,,
New World Kirtan Concert
BOLO
What is Kirtan?
Bolo means ..to sing, Kirtan is a vibrational/musical experience that will leave you
feeling inspired, uplifted, and completely "blissed-out"!
New World Wellness is excited and blessed to be able to welcome musical performers and
Reiki Masters
Matthew and Rebecca Campbell who will lead this experience along with New World Wellness
Owner and Yoga/Meditation Instructor, Craig Costello!
A participation mystique is encouraged as Matthew, Rebecca, and Craig lead the audience
through optional singing, dancing and meditations during this amazing
experience...participate as much or as little as you wish and just enjoy the amazing
vibrations and incredible energy! 20 DAKIN AVENUE, KISSIMMEE, FLORIDA 34741.
The Low Cost is $15 to RSVP call 407.847.8792
Jeff Mason
Saturday August 24th 5 to 8 pm
Fiddler's Green
544 W Fairbanks Ave
Winter Park FL 32789
407-645-2050
Andy Dubois (Former member)
Fri., Aug. 23, 2013 7:30-10:30 PM
Wine Cellars: Uncorked,
106 East Magnolia Ave., Eustis, FL 32726
(352)357-5552 http://winecellars-uncorked.com/
Andy sitting in with Crossharp
Sat., Aug. 24, 2013 11 AM-2 PM Hwy19
Yalaha Country Bakery, 8210 CR48,
Yalaha, FL 34797 (352)324-3779
http://www.yalahabakery.com
Sun., Aug. 25, 2013 Noon-4 PM
Lost Parrot, 100 East 4th Ave.,
Mount Dora, FL 32757, (352)729-2685
Andy & Phil Duo
Current members please send us your website info if you would like your site to be
listed in the ISG members page. 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
Past Certificate winners can be found at
https://sites.google.com/site/isgsusiecool/home/resultslist-2
Results for August contest
1. You're Just Right Will Campbell
2. In Memories Ron Rich
3. Dying Daily George Engelhard
4. Bitter Lies Stephanie C.S. Barker
5. Om Matthew Campbell / Wallace
New members always welcome!
© 2013 ISG