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Funding Your Next Album
By Jimmy CL Newson
If you don't have your own recording studio, making a hit recording requires a lot of time and money to purchase studio time, hire studio quality musicians and find people with the expertise necessary to produce a top quality CD. In the end, the quality of the CD is greatly affected by how much time and money you sink into the project. Unfortunately, most fledgling recording artists don't have the required funds and don't know where to turn to obtain them. The purpose of this article is to give you a few tips for funding your next album or your first album, whichever the case may be.
1. Go directly to your fans. Last year, singer-songwriter Jill Sobule shocked the music world by asking her fans to fund her next album. Using a weblog, she set up donation levels from $10 to $10,000 for her fans to donate and each person who donated received a prize. For example, the $10 donation received a free digital download of her album; the $10,000 donation won the opportunity to sing on her album! Jill raised the needed $75,000 to create her new album that will be released in April, 2009.
This worked for Jill because she already had a huge fan base from her six previous recordings. Maybe you won't use such a novel approach for funding your next album; however, whatever method you use, you will need money unless you've landed a contract from one of the major labels or you intend to use the do-it-yourself (DIY) method. Even if you use the DIY method you will need funds, although the amount needed will be much less.
2. There are websites that foster personal and financial relations with indie artists and music fans worldwide. Sites like Sellaband, MICROFUNDO and indie FINANCIAL network are great resource sites that allow you to build a fan base and raise funding for your projects.
3. Private investments from friends and business people in your own hometown. Sometimes this is the best place to start. If you have built up your fan base in your own hometown you will have many acquaintances in the business community who might jump at the chance to help you out.
4. Private grants or grants from private foundations. There are still a few places available to obtain private grants. For example, Foundation Grants to Individuals Online is one such organization. They provide information to obtain private grants for students, artists and academic researchers. Since you are an artist this is worth investigating.
5. Government Grants. Although it is difficult these days to get a government grant, you may find help at cfda.gov and grants.gov. These sites provide information on federal government grants available and details of how to apply for a grant.
In order to obtain funding using the above methods you will need to have an estimate of actual costs of creating the CD. Following are expenditure possibilities that you will incur:
- Setting up the legalities of your business
- Musicians
- Production fees
- Engineering
- Mixing
- Time/Additional Studio costs
- Mastering
- Manufacturing
- Artwork
- New Gear
- Piano Tunings
- CD Release Party
- Radio Promotion
- Advertising
Jimmy "CL" Newson
Music Independence Summit Connection
http://musicindependenceonline.com
I have over 17 years experience dealing in all aspects of the music industry from audio and video production to marketing and promotions. I am currently working on projects involving internet television, internet radio and live music performances across the United States. My primary focus in on the independent music community. For more information, please visit our websites. If you are involved in the independent community or are an independent artists, check us out.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jimmy_CL_Newson
http://EzineArticles.com/?Funding-Your-Next-Album&id=2149303
Songwriting - The Art of Writing a Good Song
By Kathy Unruh
Did you know that good songwriting is often the key to establishing a successful music career? But more than that, it can be fun! When you write a song you are able to express yourself in new and creative ways. Whether you're sad, happy, angry, or in love... with words, you can fly!
Freedom of expression is one of the greatest priviledges we have, but with it comes some responsibility. Words are very powerful and have been used successfully by many for better, or worse. When writing a song, consider how your words are going to impact your listener. Do you wish to alienate them, or draw them into your perspective on things?
A good song will create an emotional reaction in people, and that's exactly what you're trying to achieve! You want to get your listener to feel with you. You want to move them emotionally. You want them to like your song and be willing to listen to it again and again. If you can get your audience to identify with you on some level, you will be on the road to creating a good song.
As you are stirring up your creative juices you may discover that finding just the RIGHT word is sometimes a bit frustrating. But with the RIGHT songwriting tips and resources it becomes a lot easier! Here are three of the most important songwriting tools you should have:
1. DICTIONARY - A dictionary is essential when writing. Besides giving you the correct meaning of a word, it will also help you to express yourself more clearly. You will discover new words while expanding your vocabulary too!
2. THESAURUS - A thesaurus is another important tool to help with creating your songwriting material. You can use a thesaurus to find different words that have similiar meaning.
3. RHYMING DICTIONARY - As the name implies, a rhyming dictionary organizes words that rhyme in alphabetical order using the vowel sounds A E I O U. For example, if you were looking for a word that rhymes with Abel you would look under A sounds. Words rhyming with Abel would be listed in alphabetical order.
There isn't really a secret formula for writing a good song because determining what is "good" is subjective and a matter of personal opinion (some great songs have broken all the so called "rules"). However, many successful songwriters have used the following format to write a "Hit" song:
INTRO: Approximately 4-8 measures of instrumental music that contains part or all of "the hook" (a part of the melody that is easy to remember).
VERSE: Each verse should be written in such a way as to "set up" the chorus. Try to keep the meter of your song even by matching the syllables of your words. Be consistent with the sentences that rhyme. Verses should create an anticipation of fulfillfment.
CHORUS: This is where you make your statement. Stress the most important part of your song and make it tasty. Think of your chorus or "hook" as being like the icing on a cake. You want your words to be worth remembering.
VERSE: Continue to follow the idea of your song all the way through, don't get side-tracked!
CHORUS: This is where you have the opportunity to repeat your "hook" which should continue to emphasize your songs main theme.
BRIDGE: This is where you can create some interest and tension by changing your melody line, modulating to a different key, or adding an instrumental guitar part, etc. Don't make it too long, approximately 8 measures or so. It should build or crescendo to the final chorus.
FADE CHORUS: This is generally the same as your first chorus, but you will end by repeating it over and over, then gradually fade out to end your song. Use your "hook" generously, but don't over-kill!
Be flexible and use your imagination! Don't just copy or mimic what is currently popular. Remember that some of the biggest names in the music business made it to the top because they were not afraid to be ORIGINAL or have a different sound. So, experiment, be yourself, and most of all- have fun!
FREE Reprint Rights - You may publish this article in your e-zine or on your web site as long as you include the following information:
Kathy Unruh is a singer/songwriter and webmaster of ABC Learn Guitar. She has been writing songs and providing guitar lessons to students of all ages for over 20 years. For free guitar lessons, plus tips and resources on songwriting, recording and creating a music career, please visit: http://www.abclearnguitar.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kathy_Unruh
http://EzineArticles.com/?Songwriting---The-Art-of-Writing-a-Good-Song&id=20907
