Write Music That Appeals to People's Emotions

Whether you write music first or write lyrics first, please remember one thing. Melody is king! I want to explain why I believe that statement to be true. I know when it comes to songwriting all of the elements must fit together just so. There has to be a perfect marriage of lyric, melody, structure and feel. That is the hallmark of a great song.

But I have heard too many songs that seem to focus primarily on the lyrics. The writer has poured out his or her soul to create a truly touching and beautiful story. Then those wonderful lyrics are paired with a mediocre, or even (gasp!) boring melody.

The result? A mediocre, boring song!

Those lyrics might work wonderfully on their own. But a monotonous unimaginative melody drags them down.

Appeal To The Emotions

As a songwriter, writing melody that appeals to the emotions of your listeners should be your top priority.

Why?

Because it's the melody that our brains latch onto first. A melody on it's own can make you cry, laugh and everything in between. It truly can be a direct communication to the soul. An interesting mood-evoking melody commands our attention. It makes us sit up and take notice. Only then do we start to pay attention to the storyline. To the lyrics. And if those lyrics are top-notch: Bingo! You've hit the jackpot.

Write Lyrics As Good As Your Melody

Now, this scenario can also be looked at from the opposite side:

You write music that is truly inspiring. You then settle for the first lyrics that pop into your head. You don't bother rewriting those lyrics. You figure that since they fit the melody and tell the story they are good enough.

I did this for years! And I was always secretly embarrassed by my lyrics. As songwriters, we must strive for that perfect balance. And it takes time and effort to master. (I'm still working on completing my apprenticeship!)

Work On Your Weakest Skill

If you only want to write music or you only want to write lyrics, that's okay. Collaborating with writers who excel at what you do not is a great way to write songs. If you love to write melody, find yourself a great lyricist. Or vice-versa.

Most of us are better at one aspect of songwriting than we are at others.

For me, it's always been writing melody that seems to come naturally. As a lead guitarist I usually opted for the slow, melodic, soulful lead over the fast shred. Through the years I've written quite a few instrumentals that I am proud of.

Lyrics have always been a struggle for me. That's why I tend to spend a lot more time working on the words to my new songs than I do the melody.

But I spend quite a bit of time on writing melody too! Because I understand how important a great melody is.

Listen To Your Melodies

Listen to the melodies you are writing. Are they as strong as your lyrics? Perhaps more importantly, can they stand on their own?

A melody should be able to stand on it's own. It should be moving, interesting, somewhat predictable and a little surprising at the same time.

I say predictable because we need familiarity. If every line goes off in a completely different direction you will lose most listeners.

People must have something they can grasp onto immediately. Especially when it comes to the chorus.

So go and write music that moves you. You can be sure that if it moves you, it will move others too.

Happy melody writing!

I'm Richie Gilbert and I have been passionate about writing songs for many years. I also spend much time in my home recording studio, and am active in pitching my songs to music publishers. To learn more about the craft and business of songwriting, please visit my website at http://www.inspired-songwriting-tips.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Richie_Gilbert

Vital Secrets You Must Know About Learning to Sing

Is it just me, or does every parent secretly want their kid to grow up to be famous? In most cases, those thoughts of fame come from two areas, acting and singing. I mean, who doesn't want their kid to grow up and be the next American Idol - with tons of fame, fortune and raving fans?

The popularity of singers is beyond belief. Even within the framework of a band, who is always front and center? Whose name are you most likely to know in the band? If you answered 'the lead singer' to both of those questions, then you have a good understanding of the importance that most in the entertainment industry place on the value of a good signing voice.

Now, you may not have aspirations of greatness, but I'm guessing that learning to sing better is important to you, or you wouldn't be reading this! So here are some basics to get you started.

The number one item on the list is learning the right way to use your vocal chords. Many people just open their mouths and starting singing - paying no attention to how much strain they are placing on their vocal chords. Singing the wrong way can cause you to end up with a sore throat, temporarily losing your voice, or worse, developing nodules on your vocal chords that will permanently give you a raspy sounding voice!

An additional thing to keep in mind is that you are not likely to be able to instantly open your mouth and sing just like your favorite singer. A handful of blessed people can do that, but they are extremely rare. Do not lose hope though. You can train your voice over time. You just need to practice things like learning how to correctly stretch your vocal chords to you can more easily hit the higher notes, and the more you train them, the more they will stretch for you.

Last, take good care of your voice and vocal chords. As mentioned earlier, by doing the wrong things over and over again, you can eventually cause a permanent change to your voice, which you likely don't want. Don't sing through things like a sore throat, pain, or losing your voice. Rest your voice after practicing, and drink warm fluids, preferably something with lemon, honey or both.

Not all of us are blessed with incredible singing voices, but we can all improve what we were born with a great deal.

If you would like to get more in-depth information on learning to sing, just Click Here. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mike_Long

3 Amazingly Simple Tips For Learning to Sing

Learning to sing isn't as difficult as it may seem, and can even build your self-confidence!

If you stop for a minute to listen to some of the best signers of the modern era, no matter what genre of music you like, you have to be in awe of their abilities. Singers like Kelly Clarkson, Mariah Carey and several others send shivers down my spine when I hear them.

Would you like to be able to sing like they do? I know I sure would!

While a four octave range might not be possible for most of us, it is possible to dramatically improve your singing voice. Here are 3 amazingly simple tips for learning to sing better.

1. The single most important tip I can give you concerns your breathing technique. Oddly enough, even the most famous singers don't always breath properly. You must learn to breathe from your abdomen area, specifically from a place called your diaphragm.

If you can learn to do this, and release your breathe slowly and evenly as you hit the note, the sound will full, broad and round. This is much preferred to trying to produce the note directly from your throat, which will cause it to get sore over time.

2. Ever have trouble reaching some of the higher notes in the songs you love? The trouble here is that most people try to hit that note exactly, and wind up coming just short. The secret is to try and hit a slightly higher note then the one you're trying to actually hit. What happens is that you'll likely miss the higher note, but end up hitting exactly the note you were trying to hit in the first place!

Yes, this is a bit of a "mind game" to play on yourself but it works!

3. This last one is a bit technical, so bear with me. Your vocal chords are like guitar strings. The lower chords are broad and thick, while the higher chords are much thinner and stretched tighter. You need to think of your vocal chords in the same way, and train yourself to stretch your vocal chords slightly as you reach for the higher notes. This will increase your likelihood of hitting them properly.

Would you like to apply these tips and work on learning to sing with better pitch and tone? If so, just Click Here. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mike_Long

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Quickest Ways to Make Money For Your Band - 3 Ways to Make Money Playing Music

In the past, bands who wanted to make a full-time living off their music had two options - play boring parties they weren't interested in or wait around for a huge record deal. These days, though, there is so much more power in the hands of the performers. Following are the quickest ways to make money for your band.

1 ) Play live shows. This will not only give you quick feedback on what your audience likes and doesn't like, it'll grow a following for your band. Be sure to have albums on hand to sell. Once you you get established, it's a great idea to get t-shirts, pins and other merchandise made. These are all relatively cheap to get your hands on but can mean big profits for your band.

2 ) Advertise your band. With the advent of sites like MySpace you can advertise your band for free. It's a good idea to put up the bios of your band members, pictures and a few songs. This will give listeners an opportunity to hear your music and learn a little bit about what you're all about. You can also advertise any upcoming shows via a mailing list or through a site like CraigsList.org.

3 ) Sell you merchandise online. There are tons of sites that you can sell hard copies of your entire album or single Mp3s digitally. To get interest when you've first starting out, you might consider having a promotion of buy one get one free - or even offer the first song for free. If your band is good, as soon as they get a taste, people will come back for more.

These 3 ways are the quickest ways to make money with your band.

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Love Music Worth Listening To By Francis K Githinji Platinum Quality Author

Love music are tunes and sounds composed specially to talk about and deliver messages of love. This kind of music has been in existence since we came into being. This is because love inspires so many things. In the villages of Africa, love music was a feature of the night life. Single girls and boys would come together to dance away as they explored possibilities of love. Such dances were organised to bring people together, as they sang and chanted praises to love. But, there was much more to love music than the fun. They were and still are a tool of communication to both the young and old. For singles who were almost getting married, the music was tailored with words that brought out useful information on how to conduct yourself with your lover. Through the music, girls were taught how to treat their husbands. Some of the topics included, how to show respect, how to make them happy sexually, how to do house chores and so much more. Today, this still remains but, love has revolutionalised to encompass some of the more modern aspects that love brings.

The music is a source of entertainment for many and, it is music that you can just relax with and reflect on the good old days. There are all sorts of categories when it comes to music for love. You will find slow music and even fast music for love. Rap music in the industry has been on the forefront to incorporate love lyrics. However, modern music has been criticized and some of the concerns are that it no longer holds deep meaning for society. This has been seen to be so and, when people think of the greatest music for love, many have to walk along the corridors of history to a song from a while back. There is nothing more exciting than listening to old music and reflecting. However, there are a few artists who have managed to put their best foot forward and they have composed great music for love during modern times. Love can be dynamic and so is music. For this reason, the music appeals to some people and another kind of music will appeal to other kinds of people. In other words, we must appreciate what we have because others like it.

The best thing about music is that you can listen to variety and you can determine the kinds of messages you hear. There is sad music and happy music for love. Sad music is often about how love became sour or how people ended their relationship. This kind of messages are vital because they show both sides of the coin. They often come with some encouraging lyrics and many can relate to the songs. Happy music for love is loved by everyone. It shows all the merits that love can bring in life. It inspires hope for love in many a broken heart. As you choose which music you want to listen to, make sure that it is not only entertaining but has helpful lyrics to build you.

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Music Business Tips - 7 Valuable Tips For Achieving Success!

Are you an ambitious singer, song writer, producer, musician, or music entrepreneur, who desires success in the music business? If so, beware! The music business is notorious for using and abusing individuals who aren't informed on the in's and out's of this industry. Here are 7 fantastic tips to point you in the right direction.

1. First and foremost hire a competent Attorney who specializes in the music business. Just like any other profession, there are good Attorneys and there are bad Attorneys. That' s why when considering an Attorney you should ask for references.

Ask for a list of other clients from the music business they have worked with. This list should include a variety of musical clients like recording artist, songwriters, production companies, publishing companies, and record companies. This should give you a good indication of their experience.

Attorneys should be happy to provide you with this list. If that's a problem, find another Attorney. Also, stay away from those Attorneys who only seem interested in making a quick buck. Steer clear of the slick-talking, dealing guaranteeing types. Trust your gut impression.

2. Treat it like a business. It's called the music business for a reason, because it is a business. Some individuals who are really into their craft, wether it be a singer, song writer, producers or musician, feel that just being talented is enough. As a result, they don't spend time on the less glamourous part of the music business like contracts, financial statements, royalties ,etc. You should assume a mature, responsible hands on approach to this business. History is replete with individuals who allowed others to handle their business affairs only to realize that they had been cheated out of thousands or even millions of dollars!

3. Be responsible for your own finances. You should get your self a good account, but you should write and sign your own checks. You should keep every receipt.

4. Be goal oriented. Generally speaking, individuals and companies who have clearly defined goals, are more successful than those who don't. What are your goals? Just how far do you want to go in the music business and when do expect to get there? Having clearly defined objectives will keep you highly motivated when you experience those inevitable road blocks and set backs.

5. Be progressive. You should always look to improve your self and your craft in every way. When you strive to achieve excellence in what you are doing it will eventually show and sooner or later you will attract those individuals in the music business who are looking for unique and talented individuals.

6. Promote yourself. Don't be passive and think that a record company or manger is totally responsible for getting your name out there. While they should do their part, you should always be looking for ways to get more exposure.

Ideally, you will want to look for low cost and even no cost methods of promoting yourself such as press releases, word of mouth and the internet.

You should really become familiar with internet marketing because you can really get the word out to a huge number of people very in-expensively or even free. Places like YOUTUBE and MYSPACE are a GOD SEND for aspiring individuals in the music business.

7. Be persistent! Always know that you are going to make it. Others will try and convince you that you can't do it. They will point to others who tried and failed, but don't listen to them. When you strive for great things there will always be individuals who will try to tell you that it can't be done.

Michael Sibley is an aspiring singer/songwriter and an all around music lover. He enjoys sharing helpful information about the music business to other aspiring individuals in the music business.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Sibley