Music MySpace... Awesome!

It seems every artist has a music MySpace, so why shouldn't you?

Not only is it easy to set up, but it's also the easiest way to enter th International Songwriting Competition (ISC).

To make your video look professional, it's important to not use the custom skin, but to use your own uniqui background. A photo is a great place to start, so why not use Picnik, a free online image manipulation site. The image (above) demonstrates just what can be done to make a simple photo into a cutting edge, professional promotion.

These videos will help you get started with your custom designed myspace:

The Recording Gear

So... you're thinking..

1. I've created an awesome song
2. I've joined APRA

Now I need to RECORD!!!

Your options are:

1. Buy thousands of dollars worth of recording equipment
2. Use your friend's recording equipment (why not help them get their $$ worth)
3. Use the music school's studio
4. Pay to have your music professionally recorded

If you're interested in 'doing it yourself', why not join the homerecording forum? This website is full of ideas, problem solving tips and other recording enthusiasts. As far as recording software goes, the industry standard is ProTools. This software allows you to make quality recordings as well asenabling you to mix and master your tracks. It's a steep learning curve, but well worth the effort!

This video will introduce you to ProTools:

Protect Your Production!

The Australasian Performing Rights Association (APRA), organises the copyright of your works. That way noone can steel your hard work, and you can even be paid $$ if someone else chooses to do a cover of your masterpiece.

You must copyright your music before you enter it into the ISC.

Click here for forms and info.

International Songwriting Competition

Want to be DISCOVERED?????

The International Songwriting Competition (ISC) is run annually. It doesn't matter in which genre your talent lies, there is opportunity for your worl to be appreciated.

These are categories:

PopTop 40
Rock
AAA
Country
Americana
Adult Contemporary (AC)
R&B/Hip-Hop
Folk/Singer-Songwriter
Blues
Gospel/Christian
Dance/Electronica
Jazz
Comedy/Novelty*
Teen**
Latin
Music Video
World
Children’s Music
Instrumental
Lyrics Only
Performance***
* You may submit comedy songs, seasonal songs, patriotic songs, novelty songs, etc. - this is your chance to enter songs that don't fit into any other category.
**All songwriters entering the Teen category must be 18 yrs. old or younger on or before December 31, 2009. All genres of music are accepted in this category. Entrants 18 years old or younger may also enter other categories.
*** This category is judged on both songwriting and the performance of the song. Here's your chance to show off yourperformance skills. All genres of music are accepted in this category.

More information is avaliable on the website, including a list of the celebrity status judges!

The best way to enter is by setting up your own myspace music page. I'll blog about that later!

Image courtesy of ISC

The Basics of Songwriting

This post is is to help you get started with your compositions. As teachers, we can help you polish your composition and give direction, but ultimately, your songs need to come from your own heart.

If you haven't ever written a song, here are a few places to start:

If you want a relaxed, grungy, folky sound, then take a look at this YouTube clip by Elliot Smith. His style is unstructured and sounds like it was written in a garage. Watch:



This next video (by Zosia, who wrote the hit song "Monday")is a bit more structured and gives ideas on constructing the lyrics:



Contact me if you would like to be given extra piano lessons in composing classical, jazz or other more serious music.

Do your own searching for resources and inspiration in your compositions.

I can't wait to hear your creations!

Welcome

Hi!

This blog has been created to help music students promote their own music.

It has been specifically designed to assist anyone interested in entering the International Songwriting Competition (ISC).

Basically if you have talent to share, this blog will help you:

Create your music
Record your music
and
Promote your music

All the best in your steps to stardom,

Jane