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Send Your Music To Sirenstories

Corey Koehler — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 14:29:02 +0000

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:

FIRST: UPLOAD *YOUR SONG to the Sirenstories group on SoundCloud http://soundcloud.com/groups/sirenstories

SECOND: PLEEEEASE make this easy for me by answering the following questions in your notes:

1. What’s your name, or your band’s name? *If the song was not written by the person or band performing it, tell me the name of the songwriter.

2. What’s the title of your song?

3. Where are you from?

4. Best websites to see/hear/contact you.
(Be warned, I’ll probably go there and get a pic of you or your album art.)
**If your music is for a book trailer or movie, please give me the url to embed.**

5. Briefly describe your music.
Include quotes from the press if you’d like, as well as info about the track’s producer or the players.

6. What’s your song about? PLEASE PASTE THE LYRICS IN YOUR NOTES.

Please upload 2 tracks in case I want to feature you twice

Beginning June 1st 2011 go to http://www.sirenstories.com to hear 1 new song every week for 1 year. How awesome is that?

Hope to hear you soon, and thanks!

Very best,

Mimi

Guest post: Mimi Cross is currently writing novels, which she says are just really long songs. She created Sirenstories because before she was a singer/songwriter, she was a fan.

Singers + Songs = Sirenstories http://www.sirenstories.com

Your Internet Music Marketing Plan Should Include This Powerful Force

Things You Should Know About Guitar Strings

Corey Koehler — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 14:39:41 +0000

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.

Bottom line, new strings make your ax sound much better. And when your ax sounds good, you will tend to play with more enthusiasm.

What Kind of Strings Should You Use

If you ask me, string brand is more of a personal thing. I’ve used some expensive strings and some cheap strings and have had success and failure with each. It also has a lot to do with what style of music you play and what your personal preference is as far as sound.

The main thing for you to know is that there are two main types; coated and uncoated. The only real difference between them is is coated last a little longer, feel most slippery and cost almost double in some cases. I’ve used both and like each better in different situations. I’ve use coated strings on my electric and I think they are great but prefer the uncoated variety when I string up my acoustic. They coated strings just did not seem to sound as good on the acoustic – which again, is my own personal choice.

Gauge is also important to consider when you are buying a set of strings. The thinner the strings, the easier they are on the fingers but you start to lose the volume and the sustain you get with thicker strings. Try out a few different kinds to see what you like but it is recommended that you start out with the lighter if you are just a beginner.

When To Change Them

Unless your strings are pretty fresh – i’d say the 2-4 day window – I would recommend changing them before a performance and definitely before you do any recording.

Other than that those two situations, “when to change your strings kind of varies a bit depending on what kind you kind of strings you get – coated or uncoated – and what you are looking for for sound. Many players will tell you they sound best right out of the shoot but personally I like the way they sound after a day or two of playing. After about a week they start going downhill and get pretty dull.

Quick Tips

If you want to be anal about preserving your strings, washing your hand before you play is a good idea. in addition to the oils that naturally reside on your skin, there may be other substances that contribute to the deterioration of your strings.

Also, make sure you have all the right guitar tools to help make changing string easier.

There you have it. Next time your ax needs a little boost in the tone department, make sure you check your strings first.

Any questions? Did I miss anything? I’m here for ya. Just Let me know in the comments below.

Pssst, To learn more about guitar strings and how to further improve your sound by learning guitar set-up, check out the Learn and Master Spotlight Series: Guitar Set-Up (affiliate link).

Three Ways to Learn Guitar Online

Tips on Songwriting Anyone?

Corey Koehler — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 21:18:12 +0000

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 I always have my eyes peeled. I am constantly looking and listening for any scrap of information that can help me write a better tune.

The Cure

Back in January I found a free songwriting e-course (affiliate link) that really opened my eyes. It only took about two emails for me to start seeing many of my songs in a different light. And to be honest it kinda sucked because I thought I was a pretty strongwriter…WRONG.

With each email I was seeing holes. An unfinished thought here, a dead ends verses there and a bunch of words that weren’t pulling their weight when it came to painting pictures in the mind of listeners (very important).

Anyway, go check it out for yourself. Go sign up for the free Strong Songwriting e-course now by clicking here (affiliate link).

Maybe these tips will be just what your need to get your songs heard and, most importantly, remembered. Peace!

Finally, An Internet Music Marketing Plan With Promise (Join Me)!

Focus on Real Success (Musically and Personally)

Corey Koehler — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 12:24:51 +0000

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?“

Russell noted what many of us have felt after the euphoria of the moment is over: a feeling of emptiness. Further back in history a King named Solomon, presumed to be the richest man of his time said he indulged in every pleasure and bought every nice thing, yet in the end it was like chasing the wind.

Now, I’m not knocking nice things (considering that everybody that knows me would say I was fronting if I did – I LOVE NICE THINGS!!) I’m merely attempting to shed some light on what we’ve been taught or has been suggested to accept as success and what really is success. I’m going to leave the defining of success up to you; however I offer these thoughts for your consideration.

One of the most important questions to ask is; why am I doing what I’m doing? Whatever you’re reasoning is fine if it works for you, however, if in the end your sense of satisfaction doesn’t match up to what you thought it would, you have not really achieved what you set out for.

The shame isn’t in discovering that your judgment was wrong, we all go through that; the shame is in going hard for things that if we had deeply considered the cost would never have been pursued. I produce music because I can’t “not” do it! Music lives in me. I compose melodies because I hear their beauty in every hour of my day.

As a grown man I occasionally receive odd looks because I walk around ‘beat boxing’ when no one else hears any music. The drums are in my soul. I have been blessed with a gift that is so evident that even when I have performed well in other occupations the screaming question in my mind was: “What the hell are you doing, doing anything other than music?”

The world has over seven billion people. It is scientifically and mathematically impossible for you to walk in your gift and not have the life you desire. However, if you don’t know why you are pursuing a thing; “You may just be chasing the wind!”

My passion is creativity itself. My desire is to release excellence from my mind, my heart and my hands and to help all those that I can to do the same. These things I have discovered through shame, experience, deep thought and a little wind chasing of my own. I thank God for my current understanding.

One of my all time favorite rappers said this: “I’m focused man!” -Jay Z Ask yourself; are you focused on real success? True success will never leave you with an empty feeling.

About the Author:

Roger E Lear, also known as REL, has been creating and producing music for over 22 years. He has helped many new as well as established artists create money making music. He has built his career as a full time music producer by providing excellent quality music production and song writing services.

REL publishes a free weekly newsletter with helpful tips for aspiring artists at http://www.BanginBeatsByREL.com. Included with all subscriptions are free sample beats. You can learn more about REL at http://www.BanginBeatsByREL.com/About-REL.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Focused on Real Success

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How To Write A Song – Study The Masters

Corey Koehler — Sun, 17 May 2009 19:09:16 +0000

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.

Think of a craftsman, say, someone who is good with wood. He may have a natural ability to carve or construct things from wood. If he does it all the time he’s going to get really good at it.

Now, if that same person studied woodworking as an apprentice, imagine how much faster he will learn his craft. By studying with the masters, he will learn shortcuts and techniques that might take him years longer on his own.

Same with songwriting.

By studying the techniques of hit songwriters, you learn what works and what doesn’t. You learn how to write songs. That doesn’t mean you have to give up your natural style, or change who you are.

It simply means you learn better ways to present your unique ideas.

By studying song form you can learn to better express those ideas which are unique to you. You learn to build a better vehicle to take your song ideas where you want them to go.

So how do we study hit songs?

Listen to the radio! Listen to the radio with a critical ear. Listen closely and ask yourself a series of questions:

1. Why does this song appeal to me?
2. What is it about the chorus that I find so irresistible?
3. What emotion/s does the melody evoke?
4. Why do the lyrics speak to me?

Keep on asking yourself these questions. Keep digging deeper for more answers. There can be many reasons why a song is so appealing. Find and analyse the reasons why it appeals to you.

And when writing your songs, don’t underestimate the importance of rewriting. Never settle for the first draft. You can do better.

That’s what all great songwriters have done and continue to do.

Songwriting is an ongoing process. There is always something new to learn. You never stop learning. So please don’t ever think you’re done!

About the Author:

Richie Gilbert has been passionate about writing songs for many years. He spends too much time in his home recording studio, and is active in pitching his songs to music publishers.

To learn more about the craft and business of songwriting, please visit his website at http://www.inspired-songwriting-tips.com

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – How To Write A Song – Study The Masters

Three Ways to Learn Guitar Online

Corey Koehler — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 14:17:51 +0000

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 [...] Related posts:

Free Professional Music Instruction for You

Corey Koehler — Sat, 07 Jul 2007 15:52:12 +0000

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 [...] Related posts:

Three Ways to Learn Guitar Online