Dear Songwriters and Composers,

I’d like to invite you to share your unique songwriting talent with me for my new project, Sirenstories.

My goal is to post 1 new song—and information about the songwriter—each week for 1 year at http://www.sirenstories.com
(Occasionally there will be a post about a book, book trailer or other creative project on the site.)

INSTRUCTIONS: Read the rest of this entry

Image via Wikipedia

One of the most overlooked parts of the guitar, for many beginners, is the strings. These thin strands of metal can make all the difference in your sound and even influence how much fun you are having when you are playing.

Here are a few facts about strings and a few guidelines to follow to stay on top of your sound.

Why Change Them

The biggest reason you will want to change your strings on a regular basis is because new strings simply make your instrument sound better.

New strings also results in better playability. Older strings tend to tarnish and which creates this rough texture (especially on your lower strings) that tends to slow you down a bit when you are sliding to and fro. Read the rest of this entry

Image by Simon J Campbell via Flickr

The Curse

As songwriters you and I are cursed (in a good way of course) when it comes to looking for ways to write better songs and improve the overall songwriting process. We will travel around the world on horseback, study a new religion and drink the blood of a African shaman if we think it will craft a better song.

Also, if you and I want to be able to market our songs, it needs to market itself first. It needs to be good enough to cut through the static, tap your ideal listener on the shoulder and pull them inside.

For these reasons Read the rest of this entry

Guest post: Because I thought you might enjoy, this very good article has been hand-picked by Yours Truly and is being re-publishing with permission. The author is Roger E Lear from www.BanginBeatsByREL.com. 

Editors note: This post is pretty inspiring and very timely for me personally. I am starting to wake up to my true calling – writing, recording and performing – and this is the kind of stuff – from someone who is making it happen – that has me believing. I hope that it inspires you the way it inspired me. Enjoy!

In a book I read not long ago titled “Do You” by Russell Simmons, he shared the discovery he made regarding success and the pursuit of “things” as a benchmark of success. He noted an unnamed MC who spent lots of money on a nice car and rims. Inevitably, sometime after the purchase the question shows up; “Is this it?“ Read the rest of this entry

Guest post: Because I thought you might enjoy, this article has been hand-picked by Yours Truly and is being re-publishing with permission. The author is Richie Gilbert from www.inspired-songwriting-tips.com. Bon appatite!

If you want to learn how to write a song, do what all successful songwriters should do: Study songwriting. If you want to learn how to write great songs, study great songs!

If you want to be a master songwriter, learn from the masters.

If you’ve been writing songs for a while, you most likely are doing something right. When you write regularly you get a feel for it. You develop an instinct for what is catchy, memorable and engaging.

But you can take it further than that. Read the rest of this entry

This stuff comes right out the “I wish they had this stuff when I was a kid” category. Check out these sites and develop, or start learning, your guitar chops.

Pick your medium. I’ve only found three but I just bet there are quite a bit more

Via video – GuitarTricks.com

Via email – GuitarTips.com.au

Via blog – GuitarMX.com

Like I said, I just bet there are a ton more out there. Come on…share the love brothas and sistas! Show us what you got in the comments below.

Are you thinking about learning an instrument or maybe just sharpening your skills? Check out this cool site. A week or so ago I came across this cool site. The good people over at the Berklee School of Music are offering some free music lessons.

They have a little something for everyone. You can get great instruction from these professionals on instruments like guitar, horns, keyboards and drums as well as tips on being a DJ and using turntables. You can also let them help you develop your singing voice.

Check it out. Very cool.