7 Songwriting Tips For Beginners

Here are the top songwriting tips that can get you started towards your first great song!

1. Learn the Rules

Will your song be all verses, or will you start with a chorus? Does your song have a bridge? Do you know what a bridge is? Songs can be structured in many different ways, but you have to know the rules before you can break them.

2. Do Your Homework

Musical trends come and go, and if you're not in touch with what's popular now, how do you really know that your song will stand up in the market? Check the weekly iTunes and Billboard charts to keep track of the top ten songs in your musical genre.

3. Say It Again

Use repetition in your choruses to drive your song into the brain of the listener. Once is never enough. Pop songwriter Henry Gaffney says, "Generally, when you write a pop or R&B tune, something that is accessible to the public, there is usually a fair amount of repetition of theme taking place, such as the title."

4. Hook or Crook

The "hook" is any part of the song that grabs (or hooks) the listener, such as an instrumental riff, a catchy line or a memorable melody. "A hook is a solid musical phrase married to the most memorable musical phrase," says pro songwriter Henry Gaffney, "When well done, a hook captures the listener, and they go away humming the song." Make sure your song has at least one.

5. Get a Partner

If you know that you're stronger with words than music, find a collaborator who will help you bring your music to life. And make sure you agree beforehand on who owns what of the song. According to entertainment attorney Joy Butler, it's better to cover your assets now, She says, "When you have two or more writers, the copyright [ownership] of the song is divided evenly between those writers, unless you have a written agreement saying otherwise. Check out Butler's The Musician's Guide to the Legal Jungle for help with those issues.

6. Go to a Pro

How do you know if your song can cut it? Find a reputable person in the industry who will give you their honest professional opinion. "You may play your music for family and friends to see what they think, but the market is the best arbiter of your skills," continues Gaffney, "You put your song out into the market, and either people come back to you saying, 'Gee, this is the best thing you've ever done', or 'We want to record this', or "Forget it. You should take up plumbing'." Try song workshop teachers, music publishers, as well as your performance royalty organization's (ASCAP, BMI and ASCAP) membership department.

7. Inspire Yourself

Ideas are all around you waiting to be used. Watch movies, read books and newspapers to prime the inspiration pump. Rapper Eve says, "I only write about things I know. I get inspiration from life, my neighborhood, the people I'm around, and the things that I think about." Listening to music in your genre can give you ideas, but don't sleep on listening to music outside of your norm: Indian ragas, and even classical music can take your mind in places you didn't know existed.

Carla Lynne Hall is a musician and music marketing consultant based in New York City. Her mission is to make music and share her knowledge with other musicians. As a musician, she has released three CDs on her own label, and has toured the world as a singer/songwriter, and professional vocalist. In addition, she also has spent a number of years behind the scenes in the music industry, in publishing, management, publicity, and radio promotion.

Carla has given indie music lectures at many venues, including ASCAP, Songwriter's Hall of Fame, The Indie Music Forum, and Philadelphia Music Conference. As well as being the former music business columnist for Vibe Magazine, Carla has written articles for http://www.musicdish.com/ and other publications around the world, and is the author of The DIY Guide to the Music Biz and Twitter for Musicians. Carla blogs about the life of the indie musician at http://rockstarlifelessons.com/

Promote your band, build your fanbase, and sell your music!

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Are You Building a Recording Studio For Fun Or Profit?

There's two main reasons why someone would want to start their own recording studio. To have their own personal space, maybe even in their own home to record their music on their own time or to have a recording studio they could rent out to other bands, musicians and songwriters who are in need of a good facility to record their music and so run the studio as a business.

Of course, one could set up such a studio and do both of these things with it. Personally I use my home studio exclusively for personal use but do have several musician friends who started this sway and have decided to make it a full-time money making business.

If your desire is to start a recording studio for business reasons then great, but you have to have the right business model to make it a success. The good news is this isn't very complicated and anyone who has the desire and proper business model and plan can make it work.

There's kids with tons of technical and recording know how putting together home studio's all over the place but that doesn't mean they can make a living with it if they don't understand the business side. Meanwhile, someone with half the recording talent can turn the same studio into a real full time business career by taking the time to learn the proper business plan.

Competition?

Some people are of the mindset that a lot of competition can kill you. Many successful people will say that no competition will kill you. This means that for any business to thrive there has to be plenty of people who are buying the product or service the business is selling.

In the world of music: bands, songwriters, singers, musicians there is always a never ending supply of potential customers for a good recording studio. It's true that many are now making their own home studio but most of these setups are not and never will be a professional quality studio, meaning they will still be taking their home productions to be finished at a better studio than the one they have at home.

Cost?

The reason many amateur and pro musicians are building their own home studios is because the digital recording equipment that's available today is simply quite amazing in both what it can do and the price. Years ago you couldn't even think about setting up a professional quality recording studio for under a few hundred thousand dollars but because of digital technology advancements in the recording world this just isn't even close anymore.

While a decent home studio can be set up from a few hundred to a few thousand bucks, your better pro quality studio would need to be much better than that but still inexpensive enough that would make it possible for anyone with the right attitude would be able to get it done.

Johnny Ferreira is a professional musician and editor of YourHomeRecordingStudio.com featuring this special report on how to Start a Recording Studio.

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God Bless Chaos - Let's Forget Divine Computational Intelligent Design and Intervention

Music videos and performances are often spectacular and perfectly choreographed, and these performers go on tour and do the same routine just as they'd practiced over and over again, and the crowd is always intrigued. However, one also has to ask why does the human mind so enjoy improvisational music and dance?

Not long ago, I got on this topic with an acquaintance, a European Dancer, fairly well known in his country for a particular type of dance. Once could say he's perhaps, one of the best in his large metropolitan historical European city in that type of dance category. He noted that his best performances were those he'd thrown in some improve into the routine, and has since noted that due to the dynamics of the movements he's better off to allow for those slight changes and modifications.

Having a standard basic performance but changing the movements and making each performance never exactly the same, makes it more natural, flowing, and often much better, and well received by the sold-out crowds. Well, isn't this just the same philosophical argument one might make about perfection and flaws in nature? Who wants to look at a perfect tree, and then the next, exactly the same, and so forth? Would such a perfect world really be intriguing and enjoyable?

Sometimes it is the subtle differences that make the life experience so great. We discussed this for a bit, and I asked him if he ever seen the movie; Tron. You see, in Tron everything is perfect, orderly, actually too perfect, and then as the movie progresses and events occur, and conflicts arise everything gets out of control and the main character, played by Tony Bridges says; "Chaos, smile, this is a good day" - in other words, everything was chaotic and he'd become fed up with order, predictability, Gattaca'ism if you will?

Therefore, I agree that it's more natural to "never entirely be the same" - always variation, it's something I learned in franchising, the need to adapt to regional variation even though our franchise business model was fairly exact, but "exact" doesn't really work in the real world, it's not optimized, actually, it's less efficient, but I think few people get that and perhaps this gets back to schooling, test taking, rote memorization, it's just not right, and I think everyone inherently knows this, and yet, school and real life isn't a Six Sigma Black Belt Manufacturing strategy, the life experience doesn't work that way.

Indeed, I sure hope you've enjoyed this piece of philosophy here today. I ask that you please consider all this and think on it. Then, let me know your thoughts.

Lance Winslow is a retired Founder of a Nationwide Franchise Chain, and now runs the Online Think Tank. Lance Winslow believes writing 23,500 articles by mid-day on June 23, 2011 is going to be difficult because all the letters on his keyboard are now worn off..

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Indie Music Promotion: Email List + Google Traffic = More Music Sales

Indie music promotion strategies are the same as the music promotion techniques used by major artists. The main difference, however, is that indie musicians do not have as much financial resources at their disposal as the major record labels do.

As an indie artist, you may not get your music advertised to millions via the various forms of offline media, such as in a TV, radio or magazine. You might not even be able to afford to be able to create your own CDs to sell at gigs. But the good news is that no-matter how limited your resources, you can still reach a large audience and make good money using indie music promotion strategies on the Internet.

Whether an indie musician or an artist with a major label behind you, the primary aim of the online music marketing techniques is the same: to develop a relationship with fans to help make sales. When you have developed a relationship with people, it is then much easier to make sales from them.

OK, so let's look at how indie musicians can promote their music on the Internet by using search engine traffic and an email list.

The Email List

The email list is the best way to make sales of your music. Now, when I say "sell your music", this does not have to be CDs that are sent through the post - this can simply be MP3 files that are downloaded.

The email list is such a powerful resource to use in order to make money from your music. It is especially important for indie musicians who do not have all the promotional resources in the world at their disposal.

The email list is so powerful because the people that have joined your email list have an interest in your music - otherwise they would not have signed up! Even with a small list of subscribers, you can make good sales if you handle your email list correctly.

The email list should be used to develop a relationship with your fans. You should be encouraging discussions of music in general with them, asking their thoughts, giving them cool members-only gifts and special offers, and announcing general news in the music world that is likely to interest them. When you have developed a relationship with the readers of your email list and have gained their trust, then they will be so much more likely to buy your music and merchandise when you promote this to them.

Many bands just use the email list as a way of sending out the monthly newsletter. A monthly newsletter is very important (and you should have one), but I think the contact with your fans should be more frequent than the just monthly newsletter. The communication does not always have to be about promoting something. Just sending out general emails to discuss interesting topics is a great way to develop a rapport.

OK, great, "but how exactly do I build my email list if no-one knows about my band in the first place?!" I hear you ask.

Fear not, we will get on to this. But it is important for you to first understand that you should have a means to capture the email addresses of your fans before you start an indie music marketing campaign.

So presuming you have your own website with an email opt-in box in the sidebar, we can now get down to business with getting people to your website. This will be done by using search engine traffic.

Search Engine Traffic

Having your website rank highly on Google for certain keywords can do wonders for your exposure. The good news for musicians is that it does not cost any money to get a high Google ranking and it can be relatively easy to achieve high rankings for certain keywords.

I am sure if you type in your band or musician name into Google, your website will already appear on the first page if you already have a http://www.yourbandname.com domain or social networking page that is. This is great, people who already know that your band exists can now click through to your website and learn more.

But what if people don't know that you exist yet?

It can be very powerful to have your band website appear on the front page of Google for a wide range of search terms other than just your band name.

You should try to get your website ranked highly for more generic terms such as the genre of your music, the geographical area of your band, the type of gigs you perform etc. This way people who are trying to find a new artist in a certain part of the world can find you with a generic search such as "New Jersey Punk Band' or 'Rock Music Gigs in Ontario'.

For certain keywords on the Internet, it can be very hard to rank for them. But music related keywords are much easier to rank for because they are not directly related to selling a certain product. Also, most musicians are not aware of the Internet based indie music marketing techniques that can be used to help them to rank highly on Google.

For example, it would be hard to rank highly on Google for terms related to buying an iPhone as many businesses are in competition for these terms, but competition for music related terms are going to have much less competition.

Think of as many relevant keywords as possible that people could type into Google in order to help them stumble across your band. Then you can try to make your band website (or separate blog posts on your website) rank on the first page of Google for as many of these keywords as possible.

You may find it impossible to rank for very generic terms such as 'indie band' or 'rock music', but more specific terms such as 'indie band Pittsburgh' or 'wedding band Cambridge' or 'singer-songwriter similar to Nelly Furtado' will be more achievable.

In order to rank highly for a certain keyword term you need to have this keyword phrase appear a few times (or at least once) in the text of your website and you also need to have other websites on the Internet linking to your website using your keyword as the anchor text link.

The anchor text is the keyword you wish to rank for, and appears as a link that is highlighted in blue and underlined on a webpage. If many other web pages around the Internet link to your website with this keyword, then Google will rank your band or musician website highly for that term.

The link to your website from another website on the Internet is known as a backlink. The more backlinks you have, the higher your website will rank.

Then as you get more and more traffic to your band website from Google, you will start to build you email list, develop a relationship with more fans, and make more sales.

The author is an internet marketer whom teaches musicians how to promote themselves online. Learn more about how to apply online music marketing techniques to promote your band, visit the Band WordPress Theme website.

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House and Electronic Dance Music DJs - Use a Playlist or Tracklist on All Your Mixes!

A tracklist will help you get found
Including a tracklist or playlist with your mix set is an essential part of promoting your career as a house or electronic dance music disc jockey. Whether you're just starting out or a seasoned pro, a proper play list is the best way to ensure your mixes are easily found by house heads worldwide. With each tracklist, you provide Google an opportunity to index key search terms such as song title, artist, vocalist, remixer, and label. Use this as a tool to be found by fans that follow and support the same style of house music as you. The bottom line is, tracklists are GOOD!

In the world of house music, there are SO MANY underground, unsigned, and aspiring artists it's amazing how much music never makes it to the mainstream market. Even then, what our culture considers "mainstream" is still considered "underground" in the world of major labels. It's important that your listeners can identify the artist and title and this can only be accomplished with a proper playlist.

Playlists are an Industry Standard
House and electronic dance music has always been about discovering new music. As a DJ/Artist, it is your duty to educate your fans and audience. Don't be afraid to include a playlist with all your mixes - It's an industry standard and without one you can easily be misinterpreted as lazy or holding back.

Minimum format: ARTIST - TITLE
Preferred format: ARTIST - TITLE - REMIXER - LABEL
Example: DJ Smith feat Mary Jones - "It's getting funky" (Funklord Club Remix) - K1 Music

Show your Support
The fact is, it's rare that you will become a world renown artist based solely on your DJ sets. Most disc jockeys do more than just play music. They often have a combination of elements working for them including a radio show, remix/production, a club residency, promoting their own night/event, or a record label. A natural progression for many DJs is getting into music production or remixing. One day, your music will be a part of someone else's mix, and you certainly hope they give you proper recognition. Show your support and make sure you acknowledge their talent by including their information on your playlist.

Our Future Depends on You
With a tracklist you are providing a service to the artist or label in the event the listener wants to buy that song/track. Whether you're a fan or DJ - Think about the all the times you've listened to a mix, and NEEDED to buy a certain song. You found out what it was, and you bought it on iTunes, Amazon, Traxsource, Beatport, or your favorite digital music store. With a proper tracklist, you're saying YES to the future of the digital music industry.

dj Brian Cabalic has been selecting music for others to dance to since 1989. He graduated from UCSD with a BA in Human Development and currently works as a Network Engineer. He has successfully combined his passion for house music, knack for technology, and knowledge of human behavior into one website http://www.ilovehousemusic.com/. The site is a social network dedicated to the progress of house music culture and electronic dance music by through online interaction. Sign up today for a FREE Artist or Fan account and learn more about house music and underground dance culture.

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All About The Music Business

In this article I am going to offer some pointers that can help identify the good deals that come our way:

When a music business deal takes you into a new territory or brings you into a new market; great, consideration needs to be given to it. In other words even when a deal does not offer you what you might consider to be great terms you should still consider the deal. Why? As a new artist, you need all the help you can get when it comes to exposure and opportunities. I am not suggesting giving away your product but at the same time you are not YET a Beyonce or Iron Maiden so be aware that you are in the process of progress.
Let me say this; sometimes people teach textbook concepts that have no place in the reality of how a business works in practice. Let us take an example. If you are given a contract to a territory like the USA without an advance you might say that such a deal should be avoided. But if you are a new artist and the offer is from a credible label you seriously need to give it some thought. One may look to get better royalty rates; better option terms or get the company to pay for a flight ticket and book some gigs. These could be some ways to offset the 'No Advance'. Someone might ask 'why should I do that?' The answer is simple. If nobody knows you in the USA and a company is going to put up some funds to publicize you as an artist; you will be reaching new fans. The point I am making is never turn up your nose on a deal just because it doesn't look good outwardly, always think about making it work before you give up on it.

Obviously a deal that is just an outright robbery should not be considered.

However, even artists can sometimes ask for ridiculous sums of money which is just a sign of naivety rather than good business sense. How much of an advance can a new artist get? First, it depends on who the record company or music business is. If you are talking to an Independent label with ?100k turnover then asking for a ?50K advance is simply ridiculous. If on the other hand they were a Major Label asking for ?50K could be the way you are choosing to gain their commitment!

Another factor to consider with this example could be for us you to understand your selling potential. Here is what I mean. If you have hardly sold any units or downloads you do not know your own potential. Here is where a lot of artists might even sell themselves short. The point is if you sold 10k units on your own and a label becomes interested you already know they could sell 5 times as much. With such knowledge you can ask for advances that reflect 20-30K units of sale.

The point is: think carefully before you say no!

Do you want to learn more about making money with your music? If so, download my brand new free 5 week music business training course here: http://www.musicbusinesstools.com/

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Competing Within the Music Industry

With so many different genres of music and so many bands and musicians competing within each genre, it can be tough to get your music heard.

If we think about the diversity of music; you've got rock, punk, singer songwriter, metal, soul - the list is endless and there are so many sub genres within these main categories too.

The promotional strategy will vary within each different style of music but the fundamental basics will always be the same. You need to target people who are interested in your genre first and foremost. There is no point in a metal band targeting an audience who are going to be listening to chart music. Of course, many people have a varied taste in music so there may be individuals who listen to this music that will be interested in yours, but generally people sway more towards one genre than another.

Start with your friends. There is a good chance they are into the same music as you. Ask them to spread the word and ensure that they come along to any gigs that you perform. Word of mouth is a great way of promoting your band.

Use the internet. The internet connects people regardless of geographic location. If you can find people with a common interest, connect with them. Use social networking, online communities and forums. These are great ways of making people more aware of the music you create.

Post videos on YouTube and other video sites. If you perform covers of popular songs, these are likely to be picked up by fans of the song in question. Performing live music online can be a great form of promotion. If they like what they hear, there is a good chance they will listen to your own material you have uploaded and hopefully visit your website or other social media profiles. This can be a great way of attracting an audience.

Communicate with music bloggers and make a personal connection. If you can do this, they may promote your website on their blog and post a review of any material you release. Music blogs receive a great number of visitors and along with this, receive a lot of requests. Make sure any correspondence you send their way is personal and genuine. Offer to return favours if you are asking for them as it can't just be a one-way street.

You should combine any promotion you do offline with what you do online. Make the two consistent and integrate them. The internet should not replace what you do in the real world, but it's power and potential cannot be ignored.

If you find there is a market for your music within another genre (if the two cross over for example) then expand your promotion to this audience too. Try to keep your targeting as specific as possible as this will yield the greatest results.

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Dr Luke, The Music Studio Producer

Dr. Luke is an acclaimed music studio producer of our generation. The talented musician and producer has worked with some of the biggest names in the pop world, on top of having performed with international artists and been a part of the Saturday Night Live house band for years. His input in the music industry is undeniable and his impact on pop albums and recordings can be heard on the radio all around the world. Dr. Luke has been nominated for Grammys and is recognized to be the producer of the decade so far.

Native from Rhode Island, Lukasz Goldwatt, was born in September 1973 in a jewish Polish-American family. Luke have always wanted to play the drums but finally decided to practice on his sister's guitar after his parents denied the permission of having drums in the house. He would practice for hours and hours. He tried to recreate every interesting guitar lick he would hear on the radio and on his favourite albums in order to perfect his craft. He then moved on to attend the Manhattan School of Music, a renowned institute in New York City.

After studying at the School of Music for two years, Dr. Luke participated in an audition held by Saturday Night Live in order to find a lead guitarist for their house band. Out of 80 applicants, Dr. Luke scored the position and went on to play for SNL for 10 seasons, which the contract ended in 2007. During that time, Dr. Luke had also become acquainted with the underground hip-hop scene of the Big Apple. He has also appeared as a DJ at various events. He also met up with Max Martin, a producer, who proved to play an important role in Luke's successful career.

It was with producer Max Martin that Dr. Luke co-wrote and co-produce one of Kelly Clarkson's biggest pop hits, Since U Been Gone, which was released in December 2004. The song topped the charts and Dr. Luke switched his focus to production: he has then been producing tracks and albums for Britney Spears, Pink, Avril Lavigne, Sugababes, Kelly Clarkson, the Backstreet Boys, Vanessa Hudgens, Katy Perry, Adam Lambert, Ke$ha, Flo Rida and many other pop fixtures of the 2000's. As a music studio producer, Dr. Luke has been nominated at the Grammy Awards twice and was named Number One Producer of the Year by Billboard in 2010.

For more music studio producers and their music, try popular karaoke songs, and recapture the essence of their songs today.

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Creating an Artist

Over the years the artist used to benefit from a music industry swelling with a backroom of talent. It was the creative infrastructure of the music industry and what I call 'The Engine Room.' It was where teamwork and collaborations were in abundance and where the road to success would begin.

When you signed to a record company it was just the beginning. It meant the start of a relationship and the better the relationship the greater the chance of success. It wasn't for the 'wannabes' desperate for instant fame, it was for those hungry for creative success. It was an industry that inspired people to succeed and took delight in guiding them through every part of the process. The pleasure was shared with everyone because everyone played an equal part. Today I don't think there's that unity anymore, there's a jungle mentality. Eat or be eaten, artist against record company. They, the record industry want a piece of every part of the pie, they want to share in all the available income streams. The royalties from the sale of records are no longer enough.

Today everyone working for a music company is scared of losing their jobs, they are frightened of taking risks. That has a domino effect and the artist in return, becomes scared of being dropped. It's supposed to be a risk business, that's what always made it exciting. The air of anticipation, the never quite knowing. It's supposed to be about taking chances and pushing out that little bit further. Sadly we lost our mavericks and we lost our risk takers, we lost the icons of the music industry. We lost our innovators and we lost our way. We are not creating artists who will stand the test of time, we are creating instant pop stars, people who will be here today and gone tomorrow. We aren't creating artists with any longevity, the type of act that gets better with time.

Relationships were everywhere, the artist with their manager, the manager with the label, the label with the publisher. The producer's relationship with the A and R manager and so it went on. The only thing that may have changed in the era of the 'instant' pop star is that the fan has a closer relationship with the artist. That in itself is good because the fan becomes someone who helps in the promotion. They like you, they tell their friends and your fan base begin to grow virally. Another positive in this is that this happens on a global scale, no longer are you dependent on just a regional breakout.

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5 Essential Promo Tips for Aspiring DJs

1. Set up a Facebook fan page. While it's fairly obvious, there are certainly a few DJs out there that haven't done this all important step yet. Once you've made a fan page, join all of the DJ themed Facebook groups you can find, then start posting comments and link to your DJ mix downloads. Comment on other people's posts, upload pictures, announce upcoming gigs... every little bit helps!

2. Try Soundcloud for delivering free mix downloads. Soundcloud.com is fantastic for many reasons, but the most obvious is their system for managing music files. They provide widgets that you can use throughout sites, basic promotion tools, download statistics and more. If you haven't already signed up, you must. If you already have a user account, don't forget to post your content regularly!

3. Promotion isn't all about online tools. Having decent DJ business cards is still a must. Pass them out at gigs or when you're checking out other DJs -- having a decent business card promoting your skills is a necessity. Don't forget all of the pertinent details like your Facebook and Soundcloud URLs. Providing several options for reaching you is key as you can't predict when someone will get around to it. The fact is, phones and email are NOT always the first point of contact, so make sure to list several options.

4. Design a cool DJ logo. There are many ways to get a good logo designed, from making trades with graphic designers that come to your gigs, hiring a professional or using free online tools. Whatever option you choose, make sure to place your logo on your FB page, website, biz card, flyers, CD cases, etc. Consistency is the key to being professional and that's what you want everyone to think... that you're a pro DJ who deserves to be taken seriously.

5. Promo CDs and downloads of your mix sets. This is a "last but not least" item as it should be obvious, but is always worth remembering. Consistently release new promo mixes (either monthly or to promote future gigs). If you like to give out physical CDs, place a business card in the paper sleeve. But don't forget to have digital versions available for free download as many folks don't like hassling with CDs anymore.

Either used separately or in combination, these promo tips can help stimulate your career. The key to success is action, so get started today!

The author is a house and breakbeat DJ and electronica producer. Read more of his work about creating DJ logos and DJ logo design.

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How to Book Your First Gig

You've spent months working on your set list, recording your demo, and perfecting your stage presence and now you've come to the pivoting point; Setting up your first gig. Don't worry, there is nothing to fret (pun intended), setting up your first gig is as easy as plugging in your instrument. Here are some insider secrets on the art of setting up your first gig.

1. Get your act straight - this means have a demo, a webpage with some recordings and pictures, and possibly some friends already. This is not required, but it is a huge help when trying to score a gig at a bigger and more popular venue. Some venues will not consider you unless you have an EPK (electronic press kit), or at least a webpage with music and pictures. If you don't have a demo, record your 3 best songs, burn them to a cd and send them to all the venues you'd like to play.

2. Know your crowd - this is going to help you figure out what venues to call and set up arrangements. Obviously, if you're a rock and roll band, it might be good to know if the venue you're playing is primarily a rap crowd or a country crowd. Make sense? Usually this is as easy as asking around, or making a few phone calls. Most of the time, a venue will be able to let you know if your music would fit their scene, and if not, usually they can name off a couple other venues that would fit.

3. Ask the promoter - at the venue you've selected what the average head count is on weekends, and what other local bands (or out-of-town) bands play there regularly. This will help you establish if it's worth playing, and if it's just another hole-in-the-wall joint.

4. Once you've figured out the other bands - give them a call or email and see if they'd like to include you in their next show. Most bands out there love to have other local bands of similar taste play shows because it brings in different people, and can help increase their exposure. This also helps you because their crowd will be able to see you, which will bring you more exposure.

5. Sell your band - to the owner or promoter. Usually at first, if they've heard a demo, you'll get a gig (you'd be surprised at how many bands get accepted to play for venues that aren't too "awesome"). Venues will provide you with tickets in most cases to sell off, since this is your first gig, take 25 - 50 tickets, as it's not as easy to sell tickets as you'd think... then sell, sell, sell. Anywhere can sell a ticket, it all depends on you.

6. Promote like your life depended on it - you must promote. Flyers are a great way to promote, put them around at local tattoo shops, grocery stores, or stores that you might find people who listen to your music at (hot topic for example for metal shows, etc..). Pretty much anywhere they'll let you put a stack of flyers is a great place. Flyers can be made on one sheet of regular sized computer paper, 4 to a page. This way you can spend less money for more exposure. Be prepared to spend at least 10 bucks on materials for posting flyers.

Your webpage is another great place to advertise your show. Tell all your friends, family, and anyone you know or do not know about your show. Also setting up shows with other local bands (where you're headlining rather than them) is another great way to get promotion out. This will bring more people as stated before, and you can also post comments on their pages getting people to see more about the show. Also adding friends from local bands that are similar to your genre are a great way to get more fans. Make sure you have recordings! No one wants to go to a band page with no music.

7. Set up your set-up - when you get your tickets and your go-ahead on playing a show, make sure you look at the stage so you can draw up a layout. Usually after a few shows, you'll have the basic concept of your layout embedded in your head. But for now, draw up a rough sketch of the stage and go over a few ideas on where to place your amps, keyboards, drums, mics, etc.. and make sure you remember to factor in how much time it will take to move your equipment into desired positions. Usually a few friends works great for stage hands.

8. If you're looking for a real bang - hire a light guy. Lights are one of the most impressive factors of a show, and good lighting can make-or-break a show. Lights add a different effect, especially when they're your own. Most venues already have lights, but it'd be nice to stand out from everybody else. Light guys can be expensive, but sometimes they're pretty cheap... it's even better if you already know someone with lights. Ask other bands who their guy is and see if you can get a deal. Sound is usually taken care of, but if you want to go the extra mile, hire a sound guy to make your sound stand out more than the rest.

If you're more about being cost friendly, and know how to hammer a couple boards together, make your own light show. Usually all it takes a couple 2x4's and some florescent lights to make a really good show. Using a power-strip is a great way to turn on flood lights by the click of a button when the timing is right. Play around, it's not too hard.

9. Figure out the cost - It's just like a business (it actually is if you think about it), you need to factor in distance of venue from practice spot, labor (moving your equipment around), gas, and play time. If you're playing a half hour set, you'll ask for less than if you're playing an hour or more. Make sense? At first, pricing is not as important as getting exposure. Once you bring in the crowds, you can charge as much as you want. Some local bands around my area make 400+ a show for a half hour set. It all depends on the crowd.

Also, playing locally will usually get you less than playing out-of-town. If you're from out-of-town, then charge them more. Have a set price after a while, because remember, it really is all about the crowds. If you play out-of- town on your first gig, then charge them a little more. If you're going to be bringing them a big crowd though (first show or not) then you better charge more. The more you charge, the more you appear to be professional. This is a big step in getting more venues to call you instead of you calling them.

10. Play and have fun - When you get your crowd involved, it makes them have more fun, and they get a connection to you and your music. Don't just be another band going from song to song. Talk to the crowd, make them have fun, make them cheer, make them move. Venues love it when you remind the crowd about the bar and tipping the staff. Promote the venue you're in, and always, always, always remember to thank any other bands you have and promote them as well. For example

"We loved playing for you guys, you rock! Remember, so and so is playing next, so give them a riot and rock on!"

Other bands who play with you will love to play with you more often if you promote them as well, remember, when you combine, your crowds become one. You and the other bands both get more exposure.

If you follow these guidelines, you will get your first show booked, and many more afterwards. Your crowd will increase, and you'll grow in time. A band who plays good is good, a band who can sell and play good is great, and a band who can bring a crowd is excellent.

Rock on!

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Keeping Yourself Up-To-Date

Gaining many people listening or seeing your material is the most important aspect of using a platform to promote more material. There is massive competition for people's ears and eyes, so you have to make sure that you are in the perfect position to entice visitors to your profile. Joining these types of sites, is a great first step to gaining a wider audience for your music, art, photography and other material. Unfortunately, just signing up and uploading your songs, pictures and videos is not enough, you have to remember that on all sites like this there are many other unsigned, upcoming and talented bands, dj's, artists, singer/songwriters, photographers etc who want to get noticed as much as you do.

So, to ensure that you can expand your popularity you have to spend a bit of time marketing yourself to ensure that visitors look at your profile and become your fans. The first thing you must do is keep your profile information recent and up-to-date, no one wants to visit a site or a page that looks like it has been left unused for months. Doing this is simple, here is how;

• Writing a short blog will help to keep visitors and fans informed about what you are up to and will help you to tell them about yourselves.

• Advertising gigs that you have coming up is a great way to show how active you are, you may also manage to gain some new people in your audience. To add to this, you should post some pictures and maybe a video of your gigs.

• Simply commenting on other members material and writing status updates will help to give you more exposure. The more items you comment on and status updates you do, the more your name will be bounced around the site, making you stand out.

These are some very simple activities that anybody can conduct to help gain more interest in you music, art, photography etc.

The best exposure possible is to gain features on the homepage. Achieving a featured status means that everyone who visits that site is highly likely to see you. You are positioned at the very top of the homepage, meaning your are one of the first things all visitors will see. The chances are. that being positioned here will mean that anyone who visits the site will click on the feature and check you out, and remember you have a music player with your songs positioned on the homepage too making it extremely easy for everyone to listen to your tracks. Being on the homepage and/or gaining a featured status on any site is a superb marketing tool. You are being recommended by the site to all of their visitors and getting a prime position, so when this sort of opportunity comes along it is important to embrace it and share your prominence with as many people as possible as it is something to be proud of.

By getting your music, art and photography onto plenty of online platforms for unsigned material, and ensuring you put the effort into getting visitors of the site to actually come and look at your profile will pay dividends with more listens, more views, more fans and more feedback.

Happy fan hunting and good luck.

Jack Hillaby
CEO of bustars.com
http://bustars.com/

bustars.com is a brand new creative community for upcoming and unsigned bands, dj's, musicians, artists, singer/songwriters, rappers, photographers and more. We are a platform that allows members to upload their music, pictures and videos so that they can gain feedback and exposure. So, become a bustar and see your music reach a wider audience.

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Kara DioGuardi, The Music Studio Producer

While Kara DioGuardi has been having a very successful songwriter and music studio producer career for many years, it wasn't until she appeared as a judge on American Idol that her name exploded in the industry. Her ability to craft and produce award winning songs one after the other for many different artists has made DioGuardi one of the most sought-after pop songwriter and producer of the 2000's. Her collaborations have included no other than pop royalty Kylie Minogue and Christina Aguilera, as well as Meat Loaf, Pink, Kelly Clarkson, Theory of a Deadman and many others.

Born on December 9th 1970 from a Albanian and Italian descent, Kara DioGuardi was used to being in the public eye from a very young age: her father is no other than former Republican Congressman Joseph J. DioGuardi and she happens to be a distant cousin of TV sensation Regis Philbin. Her initial career path did not lead on to believe she would end up in the music industry: DioGuardi is a political science graduate from Duke University. It was only after earning her degree that she landed a job at Billboard Magazine as an assistant and then advertising sales representative.

From then Kara DioGuardi certainly took a liking to the music industry and decided to invest her time wisely in the industry by becoming a professional songwriter. Her unique abilities certainly made her one of the prolific and successful writers of the industry in the last decade. Her catalogue, which counts many hundreds of songs, also includes 279 songs released on major record labels, 169 songs on multi-platinum albums and 50 international chart toppers. Her songs have not only been featured on incredible popular albums of our generation but also in motion pictures, television shows, radio spots and international commercial campaigns.

After her brief stint on two seasons of American Idol, DioGuardi returned to songwriting and production with an even more active interest. Some of her biggest achievements include songs by Pink, Kelly Clarkson, Meat Loaf, Theory of a Deadman, Kylie Minogue, Demi Lovato, Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Hilary Duff and many other international acts of the decade. Her input in the pop culture of the last 15 years is undeniable and she has been recognized many times for her achievements. As a songwriter and music studio producer, Kara DioGuardi certainly established herself as being a force to be reckoned in an industry mostly dominated by men.

For more music studio producers and their music, try popular karaoke songs, and recapture the essence of their songs today.

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George Martin The Music Studio Producer

Sir George Henry Martin has certainly established himself as a music studio producer. One of the most respected and well-known producers of all-time, Martin is the name that brought to our ears the sweet sounds of the Beatles, with the exception of one single album. After more than 60 years in the music industry, George Martin is still active up to this day as chairman of the Associated Independent Recording Studios' board. His work is impressive and his career is of the most interesting progression of events.

It all started when Martin was 8 years old and his family made the welcomed acquisition of a piano. Young George then developed an interest - he took a few lessons and then proceeded to keep teaching himself the art of playing the piano. While his musical interest was quickly developing, Martin didn't consider making it an actual career before finally enrolling at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama right after his service in the Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Navy. His studies in both piano and oboe gave him essential knowledge and developed his ears in a unique way, allowing him to become the successful producer he is now known as.

George Martin first worked for the BBC Classical music department and ultimately became the head of EMI's subsidiary Parlophone Records. His position allowed him to record anything he wanted; he started with Baroque and Classical music, included original cast recordings of famous plays and even comedy records. His career was already flourishing healthily when he was approached by then Beatles manager Brian Epstein. From here, the rest is history. Martin went on to produce and record an impressive amount of records with the legendary band and was often the brain behind some of the most risque creative decisions of The Beatles' career.

While his work with The Beatles is definitely notable and certainly an integral part of what makes George Martin one of the most respected figures in the music industry, Martin has also collaborated with many other successful artists as a producer. Credits include work with Elton John, Celine Dion, Paul McCartney solo, Gerry & the Pacemakers, America and many more. George Martin is a recognized name within the world music industry. As a music studio producer, George Martin stands behind 23 #1 singles and 19 #1 albums in North America alone, as well as 30 #1 singles and 16 #1 albums in the United Kingdom.

For more music studio producers and their music, try popular karaoke songs, and recapture the essence of their songs today.

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Dr Dre - The Music Studio Producer

Far from being only a solo artist, Dr. Dre is also a highly recognized music studio producer. His successful career has given him the knowledge needed to produce and consult many budding artists and discover raw talent where it's at. From the small streets of Southern California to being a respected producer and rapper, Dr. Dre certainly shows us that his skills are to be noticed and that his career is still well on its way. After being a star member of the World Class Wreckin' Cru and collaborating with N.W.A as well as releasing his own solo material, he is now focusing on production and providing valuable advice to many international artists in the hip-hop and r&b genre.

Dr. Dre was born Andre Romelle Young in February 1965. His interest in music didn't start to show until years into high school, when he first started to show up at the Eve's After Dark Nightclub to observe DJs and rappers performing. He had his first try at being a dj, until the pseudonym Dr. J; he then quickly switched to Dr. Dre. It was not long after that he joined the ranks of the World Class Wreckin' Cru, a very popular rap group of the time on the West Coast scene.

From his days in the World Class Wreckin' Cru Dr. Dre moved on quickly to collaborate with N.W.A., a pioneer group of the 'gangsta rap' genre, along with Ice-T. It is after leaving N.W.A to release his own solo effort and founding his very own record label Aftermath Entertainment that he really decided to focus on production as opposed to be a performer himself. His first successful production credits include no other than 3 tracks on Eminem's highly successful Slim Shady LP. From then it was very clear that Dre's knack for production was slowly unveiling itself and needed to be nourished by further opportunities.

Excluding many collaborations with Eminem, signed to Aftermath, he has also produced tracks for Mary J. Blige, Eve and Gwen Stefani, 50 Cent, Snoop Dog, Jay-Z and more. To this date, Dr. Dre is still producing highly successful singles and albums amongst the hip-hop and r&b community and remains a pioneer figure in the industry. Many modern artists such as Kanye have quoted Dr. Dre's sound as being inspirational and influential; Dre is now considered to be an acclaimed artist and quality music studio producer.

For more music studio producers and their music, try popular karaoke songs, and recapture the essence of their songs today.

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Indie Music Publicity - 4 Vital Tips to Getting Your Own Effective Music PR

Ever wonder why it's so difficult to advance your career to the next level? Why some artists are getting media coverage, radio play, digital plays, and gaining Facebook fans, drastically increasing their fan base day by day, and selling records and digital downloads like they're going out of style with the ultimate result being... serious expansion of your fan base, creating awareness for your project, selling CDs and digital downloads, and gaining the attention of the record labels and professional artist management companies?

So What's the Answer? Well it's really a no-brainer...

The Answer Is -- "MUSIC PUBLICITY"!!

Pretty much nothing happens without it - no matter what level of the music business you have obtained. Every artist must have it.

Understanding the "guidelines to publicity in the music business" can be a difficult task for the independent artist. A well connected music publicist or indie music publicist creating a buzz, a story, a history... getting your record reviewed, writing and distributing press releases, and feature articles and interviews will increase your chances of getting noticed. Simplified; a good media relations expert generating the music publicity awareness you need to get noticed among the massive sea of artists all striving for the same end goal. It can be very difficult to do your own independent music PR as a relatively unknown indie artist. This is how the help of an effective music publicist can help. A good indie music publicist, that has built all the relationships for you can greatly expedite the process and increase results if you have the budget and can afford the fees of a music PR professional. If you can't, there are ways to do your own music publicity.

1. Do Your Due Diligence -

Do the necessary online research to uncover the media portals that may be appropriate for you to submit to on your own.

2. Follow The Media Outlets Submission Guidelines -

Make sure to follow their submission guidelines closely. Nothing aggravates a music journalist more than being bombarded with inappropriate submissions.

3. Do Not Follow Up -

Once you have submitted your CD for review, feature, or interview - Be Patient. These portals receive 100's of submissions weekly. It may take months before you are considered. (This is where a veteran music publicist can help - their relationship can supersede the process.) Don't follow up - If the music journalist wants to do the review he or she will let you know.

4. Simplify and Expedite the Process for Faster Results -

Cut down on all that research and media outlet documentation - It can take you months to put together and continually update your music media database. Purchase a comprehensive indie music publicity resource guide (very inexpensive) that has the database already laid out for you and formatted for immediate use. There are a few out there but hands down the most effective DIY Music Publicity resource is the Indie Bible. It is updated monthly and contains the most comprehensive lists of music media outlets that will review your CD and provide radio play.

All and all - getting effective media coverage for your project is not an easy task to do on your own. I recommend if you have any budget at all for music promotion and music marketing that you consider hiring a good indie music publicity company. If they are a reliable PR firm, they will get the job done faster and far more effectively - and ultimately get the results you are looking for.

©2011 Ken Cavalier All Rights Reserved Worldwide

Ken Cavalier is an Indie Music Publicist, Music Marketing Consultant, and founder of Allure Media Entertainment Group, Inc. (New York - Philadelphia) a fast growing music publicity and indie music marketing company. As a former artist, his passion for helping indie musicians realize their career goals has enabled him to launch and manage extremely successful indie music publicity campaigns for hundreds of independent artists over the years. He is a voting member of many distinguished music industry organizations including The National Academy of Recording Arts and Science (™The Grammy Association).

For more details and information on his company and his services visit:
http://www.indiemusicconsultant.com/musicpublicity.html

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Latin Percussion, a Company History

Latin Percussion, or LP as they are commonly known, were one of the first companies set up to mass manufacture percussion instruments from around the world, driven by the musical passion of Martin Cohen, a young engineer and keen photographer. In the mid 1950s Mr Cohen started to frequent New Yorks Jazz clubs and came across the famous Birdland club, which is when he first heard Latin Jazz. He soon became a regular visitor and was inspired by percussionists such as Jose Mangual, and by the early 1960s he became hooked on learning the Bongos. Due to the US trade embargo with Cuba, good quality bongos were hard to find in America, so the resourceful Cohen decided to make his own, despite having little knowledge of wood-working. After a few attempts he got the result he was looking for. Other musicians began to take notice of his drums and he started making bongos and cowbells for other percussionists, welcoming their feedback in order to fine-tune his products.

Word of his instruments spread among the Latin music community, and demand grew. He began to produce cowbells for the Rogers Drum Company, and also started to listen to advice from working drummers outside of the Latin community such as TV session player Specs Powell, who asked him to make a set of bongos that could be mounted on a stand rather than played between the players knees. Cohen came up with a solution, a mounting bracket for the drums that didn't involve drilling into the wood, and Tonight Show drummer Bob Rosengarden then asked Martin if he could produce a modern version of the traditional jawbone with rattling teeth.... quite a challenge but Cohen developed the Vibra-Slap, an effect that remains popular to this day. The Vibra-Slap was also his first patent. The next development (again originally made for Bob Rosengarden) was the Afruche-Cabasa, another robust modern version of an ancient and frail instrument. Martin Cohens skill seemed to be replacing these old traditional instruments with modern versions made of strong modern materials, but without sacrificing the tone... these new instruments had to sound as authentic as the originals. He still spent many hours hanging around the Latin music scene, gaining knowledge and gathering all the feedback that he could on his products, some coming from famous percussionists such as Carlos "patato" Valdez and Tito Puente, who both went on to become long standing family friends. It really was a case of finding out what the players wanted, and then making it happen.

In 1964, Cohen started the Latin Percussion Company, originally doing most of the work by himself in a small unheated garage. In time Cohens wife and daughter became involved in the company, and the company began to export products. Growth was rapid and LP soon became a world famous brand among percussionists. Cohen came up with the idea to make congas from fiberglass, giving the drums more volume which was well received, especially as Latin instruments were now becoming more mainstream and entering popular music. Eventually LP would become the worlds largest producer of percussion instruments, with a list of endorsers including top percussionists such as Giovanni Hildago, Jose Madera, and Armando Peraza. Many of these great players have put their names to some of LPs products such as the LP Tito Puente Timbales, and Giovanni Hildagos signature series, the LP Galaxy Giovanni Bongos and Congas.

By 2002, Latin Percussion was bought by Kaman Music Corporation, the worlds largest independent musical instrument distributor, allowing further growth of the LP brand worldwide, and Martin Cohen received a special recognition award from the International Latin Music Hall of Fame, for almost 40 years of innovation in music. Indeed its hard to imagine how all these instruments would have ever gained such popularity without the input and determination of Martin Cohen. The company continues to produce a huge catalog of congas, bongos and timbales, as well as thousands of hand percussion instruments from claves to bells, wind chimes to woodblocks, caxixis, shakers and much much more.

Nottingham Drum and Guitar Centre can help you with any enquiry regarding latin percussion instruments.

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Benefits of SORBER Sound Baffles

Whether in a recording studio, on a stage or in a church environment the need for high quality sound is essential to truly enjoying the music experience. However different instruments, particular acoustics and sound reverberation can all have an adverse effect on the sound being produced and if you want to temper overpowering instruments and control sound reflection consider using high quality SORBER sound baffles. Made from rigid 1.5" thick compressed fiberglass and encased in heavy duty trunk cloth SORBER baffles are easy and effective ways to contain sound in a recording studio or on a church or theater stage.

When a band is playing drums tend to be the loudest of the instruments. The deep and prevailing sound of percussion of bass drums, cymbals and snares can easily drown out guitars, keyboards and vocalists leading to a less than pleasing sound. Instead of reverting to artificial sounding electronic drums or offending your drummer by asking him to change his technique consider using high quality sound baffle equipment to effectively control the sound reflections. With SORBER sound baffles and drum kit acrylic panel enclosures you can temper the resonating vibrations of drums so the other instruments don't get washed out in the final sound.

Sound baffles, including SORBER fiberglass panels, are affordable and easy to use which makes recording music in a studio or playing on a church stage more enjoyable to the musicians and audience. These sound baffle panels don't simply re-direct sound, the heavy-duty carpet cloth panels actually absorb sound so the reflections are controlled to a level that will make your music sound the way you want. SORBER sound baffles use fiberglass instead of more expensive fill because of its fire resistance and superior sound absorbing properties.

Sound baffle panels also have versatile functionality in that it can be used in a free standing mode or attached to recording studio walls to better accommodate the specific set up of your band. The sturdy Velcro flaps used with SORBER panels allow you to avoid messing up walls with glue or nails so your studio or church stays in great condition. The rugged cloth that encases the panel is made from polypropylene with a latex backing that is ideal for transporting on the road where equipment can take a beating being lugged from trucks and loading docks.

Using sound baffles, including SORBER panels, can have a great impact on the overall quality of sound coming from your church band or studio musicians. At an affordable price you get heavy duty sound controlling equipment that is easy to use, versatile and still maintains the natural sound of organic instruments without having to resort to electronic machines.

For a great selection of sound isolation equipment and baffles visit Clear Sonic where you'll find high quality vocal booths, drum shields and amp enclosures.

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11 Final Tips for a Smashing Album Release Party

It is your big day, the release of your album. Here are some final tips in a four part series on how to make your album release party a success!

Invite a big crowd! I cannot say enough about how much more exciting an event is when it is packed with excited people. Obviously you will use the social media such as Face Book and Twitter but don't forget that a personal invitation to a friend or special attendee sometimes means more if it is in writing. Special invitations can be obtained at little cost and sent to people in the music industry who have a lot of clout such as the local DJs, A&R, bloggers, radio stations, other radio personalities, reporters for the music sections of the local press,. Music store employees, are key. Of course existing fans and anyone of the type who will enjoy your style and genre! And ask your fans to invite friends! Limit your music events prior to and after the party so people come to THIS event!

Posters! Posters! Posters! Call in some favors of a graphic design friend and have him or her create a colorful or dramatic poster. Plaster them everywhere with the date, time location and special instructions for your show. Most coffee shops, and sandwich shops allow these types of posters. Don't forget the local colleges and gyms. Clubs, music stores, Anyplace your genre congregates needs a poster!

No cover charge! Nothing brings out a crowd than free! That way they will have more money for their drinks and they can invite their impoverished friends! Also, you are likely to make it up on the album sales and this will make the venue more likely to accept the bar tab as their pay in full!

Free gifts during the event! Ask some of the local music scene businesses to pony up some free gifts, perhaps gift cards, an iPod Shuffle, etc. You can exchange free advertising on your poster, think of a sponsorship logo, to pay them back. Free CDs, drawings, free to the first 25 people, a few from the stage during the performance, sell at a discount incentive for bringing additional guests. Also, have a "business card" list of your future performances... perhaps offer a discount on the card! Or you could have a free signature drink at the bar.

Photos and Videos! Take plenty of photos and video if you can coerce a local videographer to come. It does not have to be professional quality, but a good amateur should be able to create a clip good enough for U Tube and FaceBook. My Space

After Event Buzz! Remember that a successful party will last much longer than the night! You need to plan for it to last as continued Face Book entries, blog entries, music clips on your website and You Tube, photos etc. Your photos of people having a good time will help spread the BUZZ and make it last weeks!

Lighting! Each venue has different lighting. The worst is the "Walmart" like overhead florescent lights. Don't event think of using them! Pick up some "up-lights" and gels, or rent the LED type and set them up. Lighting can turn any place into a spectacular venue!

Opening Act! Invite an opening act that has a following. It should be a similar style and genre and keep it short. Many established bands will help out their younger cousins in the trade.

Your Music! Play your key release several times. And try to play each song twice during the evening. Include songs from previous albums if you have them to reward old fans.

Food! Have a little available. But remember the event is about music. Finger food, easy prep and minimal cleanup are important considerations. No venue wants you to hand out ice cream cones on a hot night as it requires too much cleanup. Keep it simple!

Finally, some advice from a popular Birmingham album release venue, remember to mingle and talk to your supporters and fans!

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Cordoba Guitars - What Makes Them So Special?

Cordoba guitars are a quality guitar brand built in Spain using precision hand craftsmanship to create quality classical and flamenco guitars. While concert quality guitars can sell for more than ten thousand dollars, They offer superior tone and playability at a price that even a novice player can afford. The quality and fantastic attention to even the smallest details make Cordoba guitars among the best on the market.

The company was founded in 1997, but has quickly established a reputation as one of the most important companies in the music industry. Not only does Cordoba create classical and flamenco guitars, the company is also one of the best known marketers of Hawaiian style ukuleles. These guitars from Cordoba, Spain are well known to classical music lovers as well as professional instrumentalists. Since the origin of the classical guitar is firmly rooted in the renaissance era, Cordoba guitars capture the history of the instrument while incorporating the innovations the company is known for to create a truly unique instrument.

When Cordoba guitars were first released, they were primarily popular in Spain and neighboring countries, but the company's reputation soon made them famous among music lovers around the world. From the first guitars produced by Cordoba to the wide variety of styles available today, the company has been committed to producing high quality guitars made by skilled craftsman. Some of the well known craftsmen at Cordoba include Kenny Hill, Tim Miklauci, and Edmund Blechinger.

For guitarists who play from the heart, Cordoba classical guitars are the ideal instruments, because the company designs them with the single goal of creating an instrument that is pleasing to both the player and the audience. That is one of the reasons that the company has priced their guitars so reasonably- even novice players can invest in Cordoba knowing that the instrument is sophisticated enough to grow with them.

Cordoba guitars designed for flamenco players have a reputation that is as impressive - if not more so - than their classic guitars. Whether you are a traditional steel guitar player hoping to add a little variety to your instrumentals or a serious guitarist hoping to learn a new sound, Cordoba flamenco guitars are an ideal choice. Designed with all the flair you would expect from a traditional Spanish instrument, Cordoba flamenco guitars are among the best known in the world.

The Cordoba region that gives the company its name is noted for its annual guitar festival which has been held for more than 30 years. The festival attracts players from throughout Europe and the world to enjoy guitar music and browse designs from the most famous guitar makers in the world. Cordoba guitars are the favorites of course, with fans from around the world flocking to the Cordoba displays to try out some of the legendary instruments.

Cordoba guitars are created using materials designed to last, such as rosewood, maple, ebony, and spruce. The guitars are also designed to be attractive- since so many Cordoba guitars are used in concert, the company designs them to be showpieces from the moment you open the carefully crafted cases. That's why Cordoba guitars are among the most popular choices for every ability level, from student to expert.

Ruben Cardos, a seasoned musician, is the founder and creator of MusicalGuitarReview.com. A site created by musicians for musicians, where you can compare prices and read reviews on all kinds of musical instruments and gear.

Check out the instruments and reviews for Cordoba Guitars at http://www.musicalgearreview.com/Brand/Cordoba

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Get Signed! The Right Mix For Music Biz Success

To get signed by the record label of your choice, you need to have what it takes. Check this list, and see how you stand:

Originality

Hundreds of artists get signed each year. Thousands of artists release CDs. In order to stand out from the rest of the releases, you need to be different. Do you write killer songs? Do you, or your lead singer, have unique vocals? Is your style or image different from what's out in the market now? Take some time to think about your act and how it compares to others currently on The Billboard chart.

Sometimes it helps to write down a description of your act and its music. Ask a few friends and fans to do the same, even asking for comparisons to popular bands. Compare the notes, and see where you agree (or not). The results will be interesting. Pay close attention to the descriptions given by those who come to see you play. They may see things that you might never notice from the stage.

Vocals

In pop music, vocals are crucial. The voice is the main thing that listeners hear when they play music. A phenomenal guitarist is great, an amazing drummer is wonderful, but the success of a song literally hangs on the vocals.

It helps if the voice itself is distinctive, but it's more important that the vocals be clear, in tune, and capable of conveying an emotion, whether it's anger, joy, or love. The voice, along with the song, should inspire others to sing along and replay often.

Live Appearances

For a performer, live appearances are your where it's at. Live shows bring you closer to your fans, and they also help attract new ones. There's nothing like seeing musicians playing their hearts out on stage, and giving a great show. When done right, these performances inspire the audience. There is a direct correlation of successful shows to CD sales.

Another part of live appearances is being in as many places as possible to promote your record. Perform as much as you can in your hometown, and be sure to network at music industry events. You never know where you'll meet your next collaborator.

The Right Image

If you noticed, I wrote the right image. As in, the right image for you. We live in a media driven society, which creates a demand for artists and bands to have some kind of "look": grunge, bad girl, glam rocker, etc. However, it's important to note that your image is an extension of who you are, and should be believable. If you're an earthy singer/songwriter, bright makeup, cleavage, and stiletto heels will only make you uncomfortable. If you're not used to wearing those items, it will be noticed in photos and in person.

A "Hit" Song

Even if you don't want to get signed, having a song that has hit quality will take you far. Hit songs, for the most part, are those that hook the listener, and are easy to sing along. Can you picture a group of girls (or guys) in a car singing along full voice to your song on the radio? That's a good test.

To improve your songwriting ability, write often. Classes and workshops are another option, and are also offered by music industry organizations and performing rights societies. These are good places to meet potential collaborators.

The Right Teams

Your "team" is the group of professionals whose job is to help you on your way to success. The members include an entertainment attorney, a business manager/accountant, and a manager. Your team may also include a publicist. Effective teams are made up of people you can trust, who fully believe in your talent.

Identification

Identification comes into the picture when your audience decides, usually pretty quickly, if they feel the way you do. When Mariah Carey sings a love song about loving someone always, there are many people who identify with her. Not only do they know what it's like to feel that way about someone, they also believe that she has as well. Fans identify with the artists whose image that they believe. When you decide on your image, choose one that feels authentic, not artificial. This is a great way to attract loyal fans.

Carla Lynne Hall is a musician and music marketing consultant based in New York City. Her mission is to make music and share her knowledge with other musicians. As a musician, she has released three CDs on her own label, and has toured the world as a singer/songwriter, and professional vocalist. In addition, she also has spent a number of years behind the scenes in the music industry, in publishing, management, publicity, and radio promotion.

Carla has given indie music lectures at many venues, including ASCAP, Songwriter's Hall of Fame, The Indie Music Forum, and Philadelphia Music Conference. As well as being the former music business columnist for Vibe Magazine, Carla has written articles for http://www.musicdish.com/ and other publications around the world, and is the author of The DIY Guide to the Music Biz and Twitter for Musicians. Carla blogs about the life of the indie musician at http://rockstarlifelessons.com/

Promote your band, build your fanbase, and sell your music!

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All About Electronic Press Kits

Chances are, if you're a band, you've heard about an EPK, or an electronic press kit. What is an EPK you ask? It's a resource for venues, promoters, and basically anyone in the industry to get a quick glimpse of your band and your music. If you're out playing shows, but feel that you want to raise the bar a little and start ranking in with those acts that bring in hundreds, if not thousands of people, then you need to develop an EPK that will outshine the rest.

There are three different things that most promoters or venues are looking for; professionalism, quality of music, and fan base. If you can bring in a crowd, chances are you won't have any problem booking a gig. But when you're just beginning, or haven't really established a name, or much of a crowd yet, this is a great way to show the promoter that you have the other two areas handled.

Professionalism - This includes your biography, pictures, and overall content for your EPK aside from the music. When you're getting ready to take pictures, do not skimp out and use your moms digital camera. Professional pictures say a lot more than amateur pictures, always. It's hard to take a band seriously, when the background of the bands pictures are up against moms house, or in the back of a garage. You need to spend a couple bucks to hire a professional photographer, or call in some favors from your bud who has a great camera and editing skills. Craigslist is a great way to find photographers who are good, but work for cheap.

It's always good to get plenty of full band shots in various locations, and also individual band member shots. The full band shots will always be more important than individual pictures, but we want this promoter to see who you are as a whole, and as individuals.

Biography - Same rules apply. Don't skimp out on a biography, this needs to pinpoint your message, and your skill, without going on about trivial facts. Mentioning other bands that you have played shows with is always a plus, but is not required. Remember, when you are writing a biography, no one cares about when you started, or how the band was made, they want to see what you are now. If you have ever been to a car lot, and picked up a pamphlet explaining a car, you'll never find anything about how Henry Ford made the Model T; you'll find current facts, and information that are going to make you want to buy that new car. Use that same principle for your band. If you have to, hire a professional writer, or someone who can write exceptionally well. Interview a few people from the all mighty craigslist.

Band Graphics - Make quality graphics, and that's that. If your band doesn't have a logo, find someone who can make you an excellent logo, or do it yourself if you have the know how. There really isn't much to making a good logo, but remember, once you pick a logo, make sure it's something you'll want to have to represent you for a long, long time. Logos change, but most of the time, they are static.

Quality of Music - Make sure you have at least 3 demo songs, preferably your best pieces of music. Go to a professional studio, and record them, and have them mastered. It is worth the time and money. If you have a garage recording or anything right now, it is fine for a makeshift demo, but do not rely on this bringing you the gigs. Professional demos show that you're a dedicated band, who are willing to invest in their music and future. Promoters will value high quality recordings over garbage ones because a professional recording says that you go above and beyond, and don't settle for the least amount of work. If you don't know what your best pieces of music are, maybe because you haven't played a show yet, then set up a few shows and see what songs get the best reactions. This should be the deciding factor as in whether or not this or that song is demo material, not your bands attachment to the song. Just because you guys think it's a hit, doesn't mean the fans will.

Fan Base - it's great to show on your EPK shows that you've played, and bands that you've played with. But more importantly, shows that are booked already. If you can get a few shows booked when you are putting together your EPK, it creates a sense of value. The promoter will think since other places are booking you, then perhaps there is more to you than meets the eye (which, if you've followed the steps above, is a lot.). The ability to bring in a crowd is more important than anything else, but it will always prove more beneficial if you can show that you're professionals, and that you have quality music along with the ability to bring a crowd.

Now, where do you make an EPK? Look online for sites that host EPKs. Sonicbids is a great website that many promoters use to find new talent. It'd be a great place to start. Remember, a first impression is always key when trying to book a gig, so why not blow them away?

Take care, and Rock on

Music can bring you anywhere...

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DIY Music Marketing Tools - The Must-Haves

When it comes to DIY Music Marketing, the name of the game is hustle. What you don't have in dollars, you will have to make up in effort. Leave no stone unturned in your quest to let the world know about your new CD. But, before you leave home, make sure that you have the following tools for any opportunities that come your way:

Business card

Business cards are inexpensive, and can even be printed at home. If the information on your card has changed, for goodness sake, replace them. Nothing spells amateur like handwritten cards! When you receive cards from other people, make notes of what the person talked about, and follow up on your conversation at a later date.

Music Flyer

As soon as you book your next show, make a batch of flyers and give them to everyone that you encounter before the show. Make the flyer colorful and interesting, and include a description of your music. Make larger versions of your flyer to serve as posters and hang them everywhere that is appropriate and legal.

CDs/Demo/MixTape

As soon as you are ready, create a recording. With so many home studio producers available, this does not have to be expensive. It just has to be something you're proud to share with others. Have at least two CDs with you at all times. You never know who you'll meet. But don't force it on anyone who's iffy on receiving it - it'll end up being wasted money.

Web Site

Having a web site makes it easier on a global level for people to find you and listen to your music. If you do leave home empty handed, you can direct people to your site. Make it easy on yourself and pay for your domain name. Free web sites are nice, but the addresses can be long and hard to remember.

Email list: You'll need a place to store the email addresses of people that you meet at shows and in your travels. Create a system to capture email addresses when you meet people offline. Put a "fan collector" widget on your site that gives new fans a free MP3 in exchange for their email address.

Electronic Promo Kit (EPK): If you somehow don't have your own website yet, set up a free EPK where people can see your photos and videos, and hear your music. Okay, this item is optional to carry around 24/7, but you do have one, right? It should have your photo, bio, CD/tape, and press clippings.

Carla Lynne Hall is a musician and music marketing consultant based in New York City. Her mission is to make music and share her knowledge with other musicians. As a musician, she has released three CDs on her own label, and has toured the world as a singer/songwriter, and professional vocalist. In addition, she also has spent a number of years behind the scenes in the music industry, in publishing, management, publicity, and radio promotion.

Carla has given indie music lectures at many venues, including ASCAP, Songwriter's Hall of Fame, The Indie Music Forum, and Philadelphia Music Conference. As well as being the former music business columnist for Vibe Magazine, Carla has written articles for http://www.musicdish.com/ and other publications around the world, and is the author of The DIY Guide to the Music Biz and Twitter for Musicians. Carla blogs about the life of the indie musician at http://rockstarlifelessons.com/

Promote your band, build your fanbase, and sell your music!

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Coachella Music Festival 2012 - A Double Week Whammy

Ten years ago I bet you would have never known where Coachella Valley is, but now it's been put on the map by the enormous success of the Coachella Music Festival. The last few years it has sold out early, and each year it sells out quicker than ever before. This year they sold tickets a year in advance and they sold out in under two weeks. They had no choice but to extend the Coachella Music Festival from the normal one week, to encompass two weekends. They will be selling tickets in advance for the second week later in the year.

Why is it that this music festival has done so well? It is my theory that it is close to Los Angeles, which is known for hosting some of the largest record labels on the planet, with probably most of the rock 'n roll stars living within the proximity of The Greater Los Angeles area. Coachella Valley is only a hop, skip, and a jump, and less than two-hours away from LA. Also, the weather is always good that time of year, and always sunny, perfect for an outdoor music festival.

The performers next time will be able to stay for two weeks, or two weekends, and it will also help all the cities around Coachella Valley with tourism as tens of millions of dollars in tourist money flow in during that festival. The promoters of this great event have had incredible success over the years, and it just keeps getting bigger, with bigger names and more people. It is now the largest event in the entire area. And mind you this is an area that has national PGA golfing, professional tennis, and enormous corporate events due to the 150 golf courses in the area here.

The cities of Indio, Coachella, La Quinta, and Palm Desert are welcoming tourists into the area with additional things to do while they're here. And it's only 15 miles away from Palm Springs, another hot tourist spot. The best thing about the Coachella Musical Festival is there is all types of music, not only name bands, but also new bands which are getting popular and trendy. And after that Festival ends, there is another one called "The Stagecoach Country Music Festival" - with all the top country singers on hand.

Indeed, I'd say that the music industry has put the Coachella Valley in California on the map once again. We are a tourist hotspot for corporations, sporting events, and now music to. Indeed I hope you will please consider all this and think on it.

Lance Winslow is a retired Founder of a Nationwide Franchise Chain, and now runs the Online Think Tank. Lance Winslow believes writing 23,500 articles by mid-day on June 23, 2011 is going to be difficult because all the letters on his keyboard are now worn off..

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Basic Home Recording Studio - Simple Setup for the Musician on a Budget

As a musician, chances are at some point you've wondered about the possibility of recording your music whether it be for a demo, to share with friends, or simply for the thrill of hearing yourself perform. The problem is that it's an intimidating hobby to get started in. Between the heavy doses of impressive sounding jargon and the interaction of all the many different components, it's easy to be discouraged. I'll explain the basics of each step and together we'll create a home recording setup that's right for you and your budget.

Choose a Location

The location is so important because this will be your sanctuary, your place to relax and get away from the chaos of your everyday life. This should be a place where you can be reasonably isolated. I recommend using a spare bedroom or office as a dedicated space, rather than double booking a current room (such as your bedroom or living room). This way you can focus on your music free from distractions. A basement area would be ideal since you will be able to eliminate some of the ambient noises of the neighborhood around you.

The Digital Audio Workstation

It's time to put that computer of yours to good use! The term "Digital Audio Workstation" or "DAW" sounds impressive, but it simply refers to your home computer coupled with digital recording software and an Audio Interface (more on that later). DAW recording software allows you to manage the different audio and digital signals received by your computer. It can either be purchased by itself or bundled with an Audio Interface. Often this included bundled software is more than sufficient to get your feet wet and help you decide if this is something that you'd want to make a more significant investment in.

DAW Hardware
As is the case with any software application, having only the minimum operating requirements will make you want to set your machine on fire and toss it into oncoming traffic. Avoid this feeling (and criminal charges) by upgrading your current machine or going for a newer model. My advice is to get the fastest computer you can reasonably afford. Why? Because you'll be using it to apply digital FX and other signal processing to your music and the extra horsepower will be a life saver. Using your DAW in this way can simplify your setup by using digital processing and FX, rather than hardware based FX which use up space, money, and most of your remaining patience.

Another thing to keep in mind is the scarcity of USB / FireWire inputs... there never seems to be enough, right?!? Nowadays everything from keyboards and mice, to printers, iPods, and thumb drives take up another precious input. For this reason I'd recommend a USB/FireWire hub that takes 1 input and fans it out to multiple inputs. This is one small thing that can really brighten your day, by allowing you to use all your devices instead of having to pick and choose.

DAW Software
This is the part that really puts the Digital Audio into the Workstation... after all you've had a computer forever, but only now will you be able to record with it. More than any other single part of your home studio setup, this is the one piece that will require the most study, the most commitment, and will cause the most tears. It's just the way it is. You'll need to spend a lot of time getting to know the ins & outs of whatever software you choose. The good news is that once you have crossed over to the other side, you will have many tools available to help you create your music.

There are many brands to choose from but you don't need a deluxe version of DAW software to get recording. Many brands offer "lite" versions that cost 60%-70% less and have everything you need. Those expensive DAW software packages (in the $500-$700 range) are so pricey because they include virtual instrument libraries and plug-in applications. These are nice to have if you decide to spend more money down the road but definitely not required for a beginner.

Microphones

The importance of the microphone in the home studio can't be understated. Depending on what you're trying to record, there are a couple different microphone options. A high-end model will collect every nuance of your angelic voice and give wonderful sound quality. Sounds pretty good doesn't it?? Not so fast, Sweetheart! Without the proper acoustically treated space, equally high-end microphone preamps, cables, and other components you won't hear what the fancy mic can really do... so the investment is in vain. For around $100 bucks you can get a quality studio mic, and they fall into 2 main categories: Dynamic and Condenser.

Dynamic mics are good for miking guitar amps or loud, powerful vocals. Condensers are more sensitive and therefore are better for miking acoustic guitars or subtle, expressive vocals. If you only have enough money for 1 mic, then I'd recommend a condenser over a dynamic mic, but both would be useful in your home recording studio setup. A condenser mic will give you the flexibility to do vocals and instrument recording... just make sure you have Phantom Power. Phantom power is what makes a condenser mic operate, and it can be found on any Audio Interface.

A quick word on USB mics: Even though USB Microphones are alluring because of their lower price, I would avoid them at all costs. They are not necessarily easier to setup and can be fools gold to a blossoming home recording artist. Go with a conventional studio microphone and you will not regret it.

The Audio Interface

The Audio Interface is what bridges the gap between your music and the digital recording world in your home recording studio. But what specifically is it that an Audio Interface provides...

1. A/D Converters take the analog electrical input signal from your mic or instrument and convert it into a digital form that the computer can understand.

2. Microphone Preamps take the relatively weak mic input signal and boost it to a usable level.

3. Phantom Power provides Condenser microphones with the power supply they require to operate.

As mentioned earlier, all three of these essentials are integrated in a single Audio Interface unit. Because they connect to your computer via popular interfaces such as FireWire or USB 2.0, you can easily add them to your current computer setup. Each AI will come with some kind of software that interfaces with the hardware of your computer (which is different from the DAW recording software mentioned earlier. This software simply defines the parameters of the Audio Interface itself.)

The decision of which AI you choose will largely come down to the number of unique tracks you'll want to record at the same time. Are you gonna be a solo act with one vocal mic and one mic for your acoustic guitar? - that's 2 right away. If your lead guitar guy comes over to jam he'll want to plug in his electric axe to lay down some filthy epic riffs - that's another one... 3 total. He may even want to mic his background vocals as well - that's 1 more.... up to 4 now. So to record each of these to its own track on your computer you'll need an Audio Interface with 4 mic preamp inputs. Keep in mind that it's also common to record an instrument using a few different methods at once, such as recording guitar directly via the pickups and also via a microphone setup by the sound hole. This gives you the flexibility to combine the strengths of each recording method when you're mixing later on, but at the cost of using 2 mic preamps for 1 instrument. You can begin to see that these add up in a hurry so try to have some foresight for expansion down the road. Having a few extra inputs can help you avoid the headache of owning a piece of gear that can't do what you want. You know that saying "Less is More"?? Well in this case "More is More" and "Not Enough" will feel like "None".

Studio Cables

Now that the difficult decisions have been made, it's time to hook everything together so that the precious audio data can be delivered right where it needs to be. Since we are not trying to buy gear for life "on the road" we can actually save money on cables. You'll need a lot of these (plus spares) so they could potentially eat up a lot of the budget. Many affordable cables have a lifetime warranty, which is good peace of mind if one does fail on you. You will need at least 2 different types of cables: 1/4" instrument cables for your instruments, and XLR cables for your microphones.

Headphones

This is a slam dunk for your home recording studio setup. Here's what I know for sure. You will definitely use these, and you will definitely use these a lot. You may have heard of studio monitors but I don't recommend those to beginners because they bring the acoustics of the room into the equation. You can add these later if you wish but all you need to start is a quality pair of headphones. You don't need to spend an arm and a leg for these either as you can get an excellent pair for ~$100. Also make sure it comes with a 1/8" -> 1/4" adapter. All the headphone input jacks on Audio Interfaces use this larger connector size. This is easy because anything in that price range will sound and work beautifully, as well as have the necessary 1/4" adapters. The next criteria is a bit trickier to get right - Comfort. Since you'll be wearing these for long periods of time, comfort needs to be an essential part of your search. Make sure to try a few pairs on and make sure they don't pinch your head or literally rub you the wrong way.

That's all there is to it. Even though your specific home recording studio setup will be unique based on the decisions you've made throughout this walk-through, your studio will probably fall into a few popular categories.

Check out the site below for links to detailed diagrams and instructions on these common setups.

David Lopushansky is a former lion tamer and current home recording studio enthusiast. Want to learn more about everything you need to get started recording today? Get simple explanations and step-by-step instructions on how to setup your basic home recording studio right now at http://www.basic-home-recording-studio.com/

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