The Must-Have Guide for Songwriters

I've been enjoying this book. It's always nice to get a fresh perspective to spark creativity.

Writing Better Lyrics has been a staple for songwriters for nearly two decades. Now this revised and updated 2nd Edition provides effective tools for everything from generating ideas, to understanding the form and function of a song, to fine-tuning lyrics.
Perfect for new and experienced songwriters alike, this time-tested classic covers the basics in addition to more advanced techniques.
Songwriters will discover:

• How to use sense-bound imagery to enhance a song's emotional impact on listeners
• Techniques for avoiding clichés and creating imaginative metaphors and similes
• Ways to use repetition as an asset
• How to successfully manipulate meter
• Instruction for matching lyrics with music
• Ways to build on ideas and generate effective titles
• Advice for working with a co-writer
• And much more

Featuring updated and expanded chapters, 50 fun songwriting exercises, and examples from more than 20 chart-toppings songs, Writing Better Lyrics gives you all of the professional and creative insight you need to write powerful lyrics and put your songs in the spotlight where they belong.

In my humble opinion... it's well worth it.

-Sean

Sean Carbone is Los Angeles based composer and educator.

Get your music career on track here: www.howtobeasuccessfulworkingmusician.com

What a CRY BABY!

Posted by: www.HowToBeASuccessfulWorkingMusician.com

We had a garage sale this weekend. I found this monster in a box marked "STUFF."

Yes... I decided to hang on to this little gem. So, I hooked it up and took it for a spin. Damn, this thing still sounds great! It was like reuniting with an old friend. I even gave a whirl on my keyboards. Funky.

Over the years I've tried some of the plugins and various simulators, but something really comes to life when you use the ORIGINAL incarnation. 

 Pull yours out of the closet and dust it off. See what you've been missing. You'll hear what I mean. I'm glad they're still making these. Maybe I'll pick up a spare.

Dunlop The Original Crybaby Pedal

Follow your dream at: www.HowToBeASuccessfulWorkingMusician.com

Need a Music Contract? Here ya go...

I was looking around online for sample contracts and came across this book. 

Just about any music agreement you need to make is in this book. It's MASSIVE.

I used it for the last two contracts I did...a publishing agreement and a writing partnership agreement.

Here's a description from AMAZON...

Music Contracts and Templates that you can really use.

The Music Business Contract Library contains over 125 different contract templates and forms that you need. This massive library comes with a CD-ROM, which delivers over 125 forms in fully editable Microsoft Word format for use in your own business.

It's cheap too! Highly Recommended.

Chord Wheels Are Fun.

I was just browsing around on Amazon last night and came across a listing for a chord wheel. I hadn't thought about chord wheels for years. I had a vague memory of making them back in music school. It was the same type of memory I had making those "fortune tellers" or "cootie catchers."

As it turns out chord wheels are a lot more fun than cootie catchers.

If you're in a creative mood, this is a great way to generate chord progressions...substitutions and melodies.

Yes, I know this stuff already, and it's readily available on the internet, but I have to say, it was nice holding the wheel in my hand. Call it a wheel of fortune if you will. It's just nice to look at all the relationships on paper in an easy to use tool.

So, if you've forgotten your circle of 5ths, 4ths, substitutions and key relationships, get some paper and glue and make your own chord wheel... or check out this nifty book.

(Instructional). Master chord theory ... in minutes! The Chord Wheel is a revolutionary device that puts the most essential and practical applications of chord theory into your hands. This tool will help you: Improvise and Solo Talk about chops! Comprehend key structure like never before; Transpose Keys Instantly transpose any progression into each and every key; Compose Your Own Music Watch your songwriting blossom! No music reading is necessary. "This is the kind of device that players of any instrument can use to enhance their musical understanding. Chord and key relationships are inseparable, and learning these relationships is a must in becoming a successful musician.

6 Reasons Why You Still Haven't Made It In Music

1. YOU'RE NOT FOLLOWING THE RIGHT GAME PLAN Most of us simply don't know the right steps to take to succeed in music. Many of us start on the wrong path and STAY on it. Guess where that leads? Nowhere.

If you're going to follow a plan, make sure it's one that has already worked. Have you ever heard the idiom "If you can play... teach?" There are plenty of teachers teaching how to succeed in music, but they haven't succeeded themselves. That's NOT where you want to be getting your advice.

2.YOU'RE NOT CONNECTED As you continue along your career path, you'll find that your network is your lifeline. It's not just your fans or industry professionals that are important. It's other musicians. The sooner you realize this, the better. The best jobs you'll ever receive will be from referrals from other musicians. Start your network NOW!

3. YOU FEEL LIKE YOU'VE ALREADY MISSED YOUR CHANCE This is a common myth. There are so many new opportunities available now to musicians... no matter what your age is.  The problem is that most of us have no idea where to find them. Many of these opportunities are in music licensing. The beautiful thing about licensing your music is that image and age don't matter one bit. It's all about your music.

4. YOU HAVEN'T COMMITTED TO A DECISION It's time... isn't it? What is is you REALLY want to do? Be a touring musician? Get airplay? Get people to your shows? Write music for TV.... the movies? Get a fan base? Pick at least one. Then do something TODAY toward that goal. TODAY!

5. YOU JUST NEED SOMEONE TO GIVE YOU A PUSH. Find a mentor, get a partner. Collaborate.

6. YOU'RE GETTING ADVICE FROM THE WRONG PEOPLE  Who would you ask for financial advice... a bum or a multi-millionaire? When we start out on our musical journey, we take advice from anyone and everyone. The problem with that is that most of the people are NOT successful working musicians, they're our friends. Although their intentions may be good, their advice is usually worthless.

Get your music career advice from someone who has actual experience and is doing what YOU want to do... or don't bother. 

Sean Carbone is Los Angeles based composer and educator.

Get your music career on track here: www.howtobeasuccessfulworkingmusician.com

FAILURE VS. SUCCESS - YOUR MUSIC CAREER

POSTED BY: www.HowToBeASuccessfulWorkingMusician.com

Get used to the word "no". You're going to hear it a lot. But all it takes is a "YES" or two and you'll be on your way. 

Don't be afraid to ask for help either. You may find a patron saint out there who would love to be a hero. It happens more than you’d think.

You will run into disappointment. That's a fact. But, don’t let that deter you. Remember, you can only measure your success by comparing it to your failures. 

Some of the biggest names in music failed miserably before they succeeded. The BEATLES were rejected by plenty of record labels. In a famous rejection letter, the Decca record label said, “"We don't like their sound, and guitar music is on the way out. They have no future in show business." Ooooops!

ELVIS PRESLEY got fired after his first performance. In 1954 the manager of the Grand Ole Opry, fired Elvis after just one performance telling him, "You ain't goin' nowhere, son. You ought to go back to driven' a truck." Elvis went on to become a rock and roll legend and one of the greatest influential artists of all time.

So, if you fail at first, you're in good company. Just know that opinion are like a-holes. Everyone’s got one. Opinion is not fact. Take chances and don’t let a few disappointments weigh you down. They are part of your success.

-Sean

Sean Carbone is Los Angeles based composer and educator.

Get your music career on track here: www.howtobeasuccessfulworkingmusician.com

Music Industry Madness

I'll confess… I've been knocking around the music business for years. In that time I've had some success… I've sold a few songs, done a few soundtracks and been in countless bands. What have I learned through the years?

The source of your advice matters.

You'll learn more from fellow musicians than you ever will from "Industry Professionals."

Think about it this way…

Who knows more about catching fish… a guy who sells boats or a fisherman?

Don't get your advice from guys who are making money from building the system. Get your advice from guys who are working the system... and beating it. These are the guys that can tell you the shortcuts, the secrets… the truth.

The best way to succeed in music (and anything else) is to:

1. Find someone who is doing what YOU want to be doing.

2. Model what they do.

3. Do it yourself.

If you're going to take a "succeed in music" course or get a mentor, make sure you're being  taught by a SUCCESSFUL MUSICIAN.

Remember the old saying, "Coaches don't play… they teach." Well, in the music business, a good teacher still plays.

Hang in there.

-Sean

Sean Carbone is Los Angeles based composer and educator.

Get your music career on track here: www.howtobeasuccessfulworkingmusician.com

A Few Tips That Could DOUBLE or TRIPLE Your Income At A Gig

POSTED BY: www.HowToBeASuccessfulWorkingMusician.com

Most musicians and/or bands don't realize the financial opportunities available to them at a gig.They incorrectly assume that the fee they receive is their only income. The problem is... that fee can be incredibly low or nonexistent at some venues.

That being said, how can you actually make money? The obvious answer is product! But... just having product "available" does not guarantee sales.

So how do you turn your product into cash?

You ACTIVELY sell it. Now I'm not talking about being pushy or obnoxious. I'm talking about sharing your passion and creating value with your fans.

When I say, ACTIVELY selling, that does not mean stacking your CDs on a table with the hope that people will pass by and purchase. Sure, some will, and you can make a little money that way.  But...consciously making an effort can yield tremendous results.

There are a few incredibly simple techniques that my friends and I have successfully used  to sell substantially more product at shows. I don't have room to list all of them, so I'll have to start with a few. (More next time!)

First of all... you have to realize that the people at your shows are your fans (or at least potential fans.) They are there to see YOU. They are spending their night out with YOU! They are a captive audience and they are open to suggestions. They WANT what you have. All you have to do is make it easy for them to get it. If you think about it, you're actually doing them a favor.

What most people don't realize or believe is that customers need guidance. They need to be told what to do. They/ WE actually PREFER it.

Everything I'm going to mention is not theory. This is EXACTLY what we did... and we saw immediate results. In fact, when we started implementing these techniques we weren't prepared for how well they would work. We sold out of our entire on hand stock in one night!

This happened at a show that a good friend of mine was doing. He had asked me to help him merchandise his stuff.  If you've listened to the interview in the course, then you're familiar with parts of the story already and you know who I'm referring to.

He is a really talented guy. His fans love him. And yes, he was selling a few CDs at his shows.  He, much like, most bands had a little table set up in the back of the room with a stack of cds.

But, with a few simple changes, he REALLY started selling CDs.

As you probably know... most bands set up their table in the back of the room because it's not in the way or in front of the stage. Sure, it makes sense, but here's how to do it much more effectively.

1. Put the table near the entrance. So the FIRST thing people see when they enter is the merchandise. It's imperative that someone is actually AT the table greeting, answering questions and talking about the product.
2. We put  a sign on the table that said he would be signing CDs after the show. The person at the table also "verbally" mentioned this and suggested they get their CDs now in case we ran out.

As a new artist, you may feel you're not "famous" enough to be signing anything. Get over that now! You'd be surprised just how much your fans appreciate this

.

Believe it or not you're doing your fans a favor. Now they don't have to get embarrassed about ASKING you for an autograph. You've offered. You just made it easy. Don't underestimate the passion or enthusiasm of your fans. You are NOT your own fan. Your fans respect you on a completely different level. You need to realize that.

Back to the story...

As the 1st set was ending. We sent some of our helpers around the room to remind guests that Josh would be at the merch table signing CDs. Of course, our helpers had CDs in hand that they offered for sale right then and there. We moved a lot that way. We also told the guests that even if they didn't want a CD, they should come by and say "hi," because Josh would love to meet them. (sort of a "meet & greet)

This had an incredible effect. Because what it did was made Josh seem friendly and approachable... WHICH HE IS! Josh loves meeting his fans. Most performers do. But sometimes fans can be shy.

One final thing we mentioned which, when it worked, surprised us all... We told the guests that if they wanted to meet Josh, they should form a line along the wall near the table. We were flabbergasted when a line actually formed. There they stood... in line... with cash and/or CDs in hand ready to be signed. It was unbelievable. The thing is... once the line formed, it only got bigger.

Two things were at play here.

1. The fact is, customers, consumers, fans, etc. Whether we believe it or not, we like being told what to do. It's just easier. We gave them the plan of action. They simply followed our directions and were happy to do it.
2. People want what they don't have... AND what they think others want. Once that line formed, the people we HADN'T talked to got interested and the line grew!

Clubs have been using this technique for years. Put a line outside the door and EVERYBODY wants to get in.

Again,these are just a few changes we made that yielded fantastic results. But these little changes really did make a difference. I'll have more next time.

Points to remember...

You can't do this alone. You will need help from a few friends... call them your "MERCH CREW". If they need motivation or an incentive, give them a percentage of what they sell.

Remember. Don't be pushy. That's not what I'm talking about.  It's NOT a hard sell approach. It's a passionate approach... a genuine approach. If you LOVE what you do... and your fans love you, then THEY will LOVE what you do, (ie. your product.)

Your product It's a little piece of YOU that they can take home. And if you make it personal by signing it, your fan's connection and value has gone up 10 FOLD. You've given them something personal and a memory to go along with it. Your fans may not remember all the songs your performed at your show, but the WILL remember how you made them feel. Don't underestimate the value in that.

We're just getting started. More working tips next time...

-Sean

Sean Carbone is Los Angeles based composer and educator.

Get your music career on track here: www.howtobeasuccessfulworkingmusician.com

Music Publishing is a Mind F#%K!

Music copyright is an important thing to protect - and also happens to be one of the least understood areas of the industry, though it holds potential for big profits and large losses if it isn't handled right.

I came across this book, much like any other... with low expectations. Usually books on the music business are only good for two things... insomnia and doorstops. But this one pleasantly surprised me.

First of all, the introduction is by Tom Petty, a musician, I truly respect. So, there's that.

Secondly, the author, a songwriter in his own right, seems to have a way of easily conveying complex ideas almost effortlessly. He's even funny.

If you know nothing about music publishing. This is your book. You'll be amazed at what you don't know. If you DO know something about music publishing. This is your book. You'll be amazed at what you don't know.

This book demystifies everything about music publishing.

The title says it all. It's EXACTLY that. It's surprisingly easy to read and actually makes sense out of the complex inner working of music publishing.

This is a MUST HAVE reference book for all songwriters.

YES, you can still profit from your music even in an age of digital distribution. 

Go get em.

Unbelievably Easy Music Creation Software For Under $40

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7 Reasons Why No One Is Coming To Your Shows

7 REASONS Why No One Is Coming To Your Shows

#3 is the key... and it's what we teach in our How To Be A Successful Working Musician Audio Course.

www.howtobeasuccessfulworkingmusician.com