As I mentioned in the last newsletter, John Brhel has had to move on from writing our Muse's Clues. These are big shoes to fill, but I'm still looking for someone willing to take on the challenge. if you're interested and would like to talk about it, I'd love to hear from you!
Alex Grose, from Gabon, Africa, has won a copy of Virtual Studio Systems' Lyricist software.
Radha Sahar, from Horowhenua, New Zealand, has won a free 3 month membership to SongU, an Internet-based learning environment providing online coaching, co-writing and pitching opportunities, in addition to over 70 multi-level courses developed by award-winning songwriters.
John Henley from Cromwell, CT, has won a 6 month membership to GuitarMasterClass.net. GMC has tons of helpful videos, instructors and lessons along with a forum for chatting with teachers and students 24/7, recording collaborations, attending video chats, & content for bass, drums, singing, piano, etc.
about could make the difference for you this year.
benefit as someone who records their own music and/or plays their own shows.
business. He has a variety of experience few of us have and insight to go with it.
out” and playing music you hate isn’t one of them).
John Thomas is a singer, songwriter, bass player, and occasional guitarist living in Macon, Georgia.
You can see him thinking on paper about his passion for songwriting, bass playing, singing, coffee, and seeing people live their personal revolutions online at johnthomascafe.com.
WILDFLOWER PERFORMING SONGWRITER CONTEST - NOW ACCEPTING ENTRIES!
There are many techniques to build your lyric on. Anything from asking the listener a series of abstract questions, to telling a story filled with image and detail.
Let’s glance at a technique somewhere in the middle.
Not just any conversation though. It’s the one sided monologue.
Okay, that’s an exaggerated version of one for light comic relief, but do you recognize any of the below sample lyrics?
You’d do well to check out these tunes in full bloom to see how the conversation is the centerpiece of the lyric. Some songs might run it through the entire song, some maybe just the verses, and others just the conversational chorus like the Blake Shelton country hit ‘Austin’ written by David Kent and Kirsti Manna.
It’s a crafty way to get your listener emotionally vested in your song, because you know what they’re gonna do?
They’re going to start plugging up the holes you’ve left wide-open in your lyric with their own imagination.
It’s a proven marketing fact that when questions are asked, people can’t help but answer them in their own minds.
Similar are the holes you purposefully leave in your lyric.
Yeah, no kidding, we had a date tonight.
Who is that there with you?
I think we better have a talk.
“Oh hey honey, is that you?
Um… yeah… how you doing?
Oh… um… did we have a date tonight??
Oh. I was at Joe’s place and guess I lost track of time.
…Oh that? That’s just the TV on a little loud, that’s all.
You can pay attention to dialog just about anywhere to get some really good conversational lyrical flow ideas.
“Have you ever written a conversational lyric?
Well yeah, of course you can do it.
Yup, it is a lot of fun.
Good idea, malls or restaurants are good places to listen for conversational chatter, that’d help.
Awesome! Aw… you’ll do great.
And I hope you’re inspired to write a second one.
You’ll never build a highly successful guitar teaching business without being able to attract tons of new guitar students on a continual basis. If you’re like most guitar teachers, you have tried the approach of ‘advertising more’ with minimal results. Truth is, there is much more you must do before you will be able to consistently attract more students.
Before you can create truly intense and passionate blues guitar licks you must master the ability to mute ALL unused strings while you are playing. If you are unable to do this, your licks will sound sloppy and you will struggle to play music that sounds as expressive and inspiring as you want it to.