Songwriting Software Express, Issue # 35

December, 2005 Issue

To help your songwriting with a focus on the benefits of innovative software, tools, resources and programs for your songwriting craft and career.

Holiday Special - Save $90 US!

MasterWriter - the most comprehensive program for writing lyrics with a recorder for melodies and preprogrammed grooves.

Used by hit songwriters Gwen Stefani, Rob Thomas, Jimmy Webb, Kenny Loggins, Trent Reznor, Clint Black, Jeffrey Steele, and many more.

Windows and Mac compatible.

Click here to read more about MasterWriter and save big with Songwriting Software Plus. Or try it FREE for 30 days. CD or download.

If Your In :-) - Get This Program Soon

Holiday Special Ends December 31st !!!

And MasterWriter is a great adjunct program
for Lyricist too!

Write lyrics masterfully with MasterWriter.

First up: Editor's Note from the laptop of Robert Curtis,
your songwriter in residence at Songwriting Software Plus.

1. Show Your Songs
2. One Minute To Better Songwriting With Evyn Charles
3. This Month's Notable Quote
4. Songwriting Software Plus Software Superstars

As this year draws to a close I hope you've gotten at least a few songs finished that you're ready to at least get some industry feedback on or even pitch to a project.

Last issue we talked about covering your songs and now it's time to uncover them and show them to the world.

Accordingly in this issue we'll take a look at a nice handful of companies that offer you top notch avenues for getting your material critiqued by industry pros all the way to offering you opportunities for your songs to get to artists, film and tv projects and more.

And with the advent of the internet you can pretty much submit your material for review from anywhere in the world.

So if you're ready to get your songs out there check out this issue's article below - Show Your Songs.

Also, as I'm always on the lookout for new success products that can make a real difference in your songwriting life, especially at this time of year, I've got a new gem for you to look at... if you're ready to make a new resolution for your songwriting that is designed to stick with you all year, then check out the following:

Marcia Wieder, America's Dream Coach, has just launched a brand new way to go after your dreams with a renewed enthusiasm, excitement and energy, specially designed to keep you laser focused and on track all year long. Click here to learn more.

It's called the Power to Dream eBook Club, and includes 2 live coaching calls, an mp3 and a new ebook every month that's jam packed with dream achievement steps, advice and how-to's that will make going after your dream easier and faster than you ever thought possible. Go here for all the details.

If you feel it's important to surround yourself with love, encouragement and positive action minded people then I highly suggest checking this out.

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Unless you're only writing songs for yourself to hear then you don't need to read on but if your looking to get your songs heard by others - all the way from industry feedback to finding projects for your songs - then take a look at some of the following avenues.

One company that has grown into a major force for critiquing to picking songs is TAXI. This is a great company for everyone from the novice to the astute and even the accomplished writer because they offer critique guidance all the way to sending along polished songs to appropriate projects for further consideration.

TAXI describes themselves as the leading Independent Artist & Repertoire Company and has been around and growing since 1992, TAXI has specialized in giving artists, bands, and songwriters access to people in the music business who have the power to sign deals.

They have built a reputation of passing along only quality material and that has put them in the position of getting record companies, publishers, and music supervisors to call on them to find hit songs, instrumentals and tracks for TV and film projects.

When you submit your songs for critique and or as a pitch to a project they're reviewed by appropriate music veterans i.e. Pop experts for Pop listings, Alternative Rock experts for those listings, etc..

If your song(s) are a good fit for the project in the reviewer's assessment your songs are forwarded to that project and you are notified accordingly. If your song is turned down you are told as well and you also always have the option of having your songs critiqued via TAXI's standardized critique process to help you improve your craft.

The Music Broker is somewhat similar to TAXI in the service they provide but they differ in that after your songs are screened and approved you're free to pitch them to any project you deem appropriate for the duration of your membership.

This service is best geared for the proficient songwriter who's material is in the commercial pocket of their genre but may not have connections in the industry to present their songs to.

Your songs are reviewed for inclusion so if your writing is not at a quality level sufficient for presenting to industry projects you will be turned down. However you have the option of having your material critiqued by industry veteran Richard Jay, The Music Broker's proprietor, that can help you understand what's working in your songs and what needs to be worked on so you can work up to getting approved.

Membership runs about $100 US per year. If you're not approved your money is refunded.

Song Catalog is akin to The Music Broker in that they first screen your material and upon approval they allow you to submit your material to the opportunities that they offer that you feel are a good fit for your songs. Your songs are also available via search for project directors looking for your type of songs.

The SongCatalog's Music Licensing Network provides opportunities for professional songwriters and artists to generate licensing revenues for their songs. With their system you're able to digitally store, manage, market, and deliver your music.

Song Catalog is somewhat different from other companies in that they offer a host of opportunities in the advertising world for commercials and similar projects that typically aren't found on the standard pitch list for example. They do provide more typical opportunities as well for writers seeking publishing contracts and artist deals too.

In summation if you're just getting your feet wet with songwriting TAXI is a good starting point followed by The Music Broker and Song Catalog for writing that's commercially in the pocket for today's styles. And while I'm at it here's a couple of other services to check out - GoodnightKiss.com and SongLink.com.

Yes you have to practice on your own but playing with even one other person, even on a simple song, will help you improve your playing.

Why? Well for one you'll be under some pressure to do well because you're not only trying to play right for yourself but you've got at least one other person to satisfy :-)

Now the songs don't have to be difficult - that's not the idea at first - it's just to get you playing and learning how to keep time better and feel the vibe from how another player's playing constructively counters your playing. It helps to improve your skill set of keeping time, playing rhythmically and making your chord changes where they need to happen.

Of course it helps the other player(s) too for the same reasons so your actually helping out everyone involved.

Evyn Charles is a singer-songwriter and musician in Los Angeles and graduate of the prestigious Berklee College of Music. He regularly performs on his own and he's played stints from Club Med to a current Orville Redenbacher popcorn commercial as well as with numerous classic touring acts.

Lyricist - the premiere indispensable and affordable lyric and lead sheet music writing program.

MasterWriter - the most comprehensive program for writing lyrics with a recorder for melodies and preprogrammed grooves.

Used by hit songwriters Gwen Stefani, Rob Thomas, Jimmy Webb, Kenny Loggins, Trent Reznor, Clint Black, Jeffrey Steele, and many more. Windows and Mac compatible.

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