Author: mmp
Exposure that Pulls
A (Brief) Lesson in Working Smart I used to buy $5 sunglasses from the guy at the flea market. He wasn't even the guy near the front entrance with a huge booth and three employees. (They were more expensive and did not have my FAVORITE style.) After leaving a few expensive pairs here and there – I finally wised up!
Collaborative Songwriting Strategies
Musical Excellence through Teamwork
Songwriters need to recognize that much modern music ( including the Beetles sound ) is the result of a committee-style creative process. The guys from the band would come up with the brilliant stuff and their producer George Martin would structure it into a coherent musical statement. Neither could exist without the other.
The No Airplay Opportunity
Promotion If you really care to know the dirty details about how the big business music machine operates, go ahead and get a copy of "The Hitmen" by Frederic Dannen".
In summary, it's impossible to get any kind of serious radio airplay unless you are prepared to pay somewheres in the ball park of at least half-a-million bucks. In the industry these fees called PROMOTIONAL EXPENSES.
Performance Testing
BEFORE you go and invest a ton of money on studio time, session-musicians, or shrink-wrapped CD product: it makes total sense to test-market your material in the real world, and then keep evolving it until you have the sales numbers to back up further investment.
Your Unique Sound
The right techniques never change Your Sound – They UNLEASH it.
I’m hearing from extremely talented musicians who have sufficient smarts to actually get a composition all-the-way from idea to recording. However it’s these exact people who tend to be living much more in the analytical half of their brains.
A Better Way to Go Big
The new (smart) way to go big!
Let's just assume that you have been carefully reading these articles and have started to realize that music is a business. Real business boils down to taking calculated risks – not gambling.
You've gone through a process of development and you are starting to see the sales to prove it.
Making Sense of Digital Recording Technology
With a plethora of choices for project recording available on the market: it can be tough to understand which options will give you the best results & be easiest to learn. With all the hype (and potentially high price tags) WHICH choices give you a world class sound at the best value?
What is the difference between an audio interface that cost less than $1000 and the ones that are used in million dollar pro studios?
Know Your Royalties
Gotta know royalties
Intellectual Property
Remember this! Songs are properties just like real estate. The rental price of a song is called a Royalty. (Kind of like those folks wearing the crowns in Europe.)
The ownership of a song can be sold or transferred just like any other piece of property.
Note: The word "Real" in Real Estate, is a really just an old spelling of the word "Royal".
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Guitars that Inspire
Powerful instrumental tools of expression
Talk about a musical sanctuary!!
Take Lessons online from Jody Fisher (featured in this video) or Rock Legend Joe Satriani and hundreds of others at WorkShopLive.
Finding the RIGHT Guitar or Bass
Half the battle of reaching into your musical soul is having the RIGHT instrument. Something that fits with your body and awakens your FIRE. One size or style does NOT fit all. Even the feeling of the keys on a keyboard, or the strings against the frets of the guitar… the tightness of a drum head… the weight of the sticks… are all very personal.. even more is the resonance of the tones produced - that must first speak to the depths of YOUR being… before they can stir the soul of your audience.
These specific instruments stand out: because they are universally LOVED by musicians the world over. In each case they are NOT the most expensive option out there: but we suspect that they are definitely among the most satisfying models in a plethora of choices.
Acoustic Electric Guitars:
1. The Epiphone AJ-100CE acoustic-electric guitar – $169
This guitar has received rave reviews from it's users who say they would gladly have paid $500 for such a high-quality, rich-sounding, down-right SATISFYING instrument! Since it has built-in pickups you don't have to worry about becoming a microphone expert, in order to get started right away recording beautiful sounds.
2. Washburn D10CEQ Dreadnought Cutaway Acoustic-Electric Guitar (with Case) – $419
For those who want the very BEST: consider the Number One Selling Acoustic Guitar in the World. Hand-crafted mahogany back and side body with a quilt maple top that is absolutely stunning! Features built-in pickup and Equis Extra Preamp for recording or performance. Bonus #1: Chrome die cast Grover style tuning machine comes in very useful! Bonus #2: FREE Case!
I once heard a female performer playing this guitar at a street mall in Santa Monica. The sound was so unlike any I've heard that I had to go up and find out what kind of guitar she had. I was able to HEAR the harmonics in a way that sounded truly beautiful. Most owners rate this beast 10 stars!! It's light weight to handle and one of the easiest guitars to play (fret).
Two Models to Choose From:
Ovation CC48 Celebrity Super-Shallow Bowl Cutaway Acoustic-Electric Guitar – $399
Ovation AE148 Celebrity Super-Shallow Bowl Cutaway Acoustic-Electric Guitar – $259
Electric Guitars:
1. Dean Baby Z Electric Guitar – $199
What do its owners say?
"This thing is amazing, great tone, pickups scream, great action right out of the box. Probably the most comfortable guitar, whether standing or sitting I have ever played,very light." Nuff said!
Has that shape that says "edge". Comes in Powder Black, Metallic Red, and Titanium Ice… Make a statement! Guys – Girls DIG this guitar, but I honestly think a chick would look totally SEXY playing one of these! Genres: Rock, Metal.
2. Epiphone Goth G-400 Electric Guitar – $299
"It has a really fast neck smooth as hell…" Over and over musician's say they LOVE this little vamp! Why? It's a subjective experience! Something personal that can't always be put into words!
"This guitar has amazing looks and an amazing sound (tone.)"
"The action on this guitar is just perfect for me, it just feels so natural with my hands on the frets."
"This guitar is more than worth the price!"
Sounds and looks great for rock,metal,death, and **surprisingly** Country!
3. Rogue HH Ash Electric Guitar – $199
This one is another insider's classic. Worth five times the price with that natural wood finish and pickups designed by long time guru Bill Turner, co-founder of EMG, and pickup designer for Fender's R & D department for 8 years. Special Feature: A 5-position switch with specialized combos provides an abundance of tone combinations including single coil sounds. Les Paul. Genres: Acoustic blues and slide, Country, electric blues, rock, jazz. If you can only get ONE guitar: this is IT.
( Note: This guitar was $179 when we first put it on our list just two months ago. It appears that the word is getting around and the price is already going up. Do your self a favor and be decisive on this one. )
BASS LEGENDS (It's where the groove REALLY comes from.)
1. Epiphone Limited Edition Les Paul Special Bass Guitar Transparent Black – $249
You know: it goes against our gospel religion to put cheesy product pics on this website. But on this one we made a rare exception – Cause just one look at this devil makes you want to play bass! Users say that it comes with a loser set of strings from the factory, but once you get a nice set installed, it plays BETTER than bass guitars that are much more expensive. Not recommended for slap style bass playing – but takes the cake as far as tone all up and down the neck. This is one BASS that you want to keep on playing the minute you pick it up! Also available in candy apple red! User-Rated 5 stars all the way!
2. Ibanez GSRM20 Mikro Short Scale Bass Guitar Amethyst Sky Metallic – $169
Finally a bass guitar that is comfortable to play for those of us who are blessed with shorter arms. This instrument is beautiful and well put together.
Musicians Say:
"This bass is amazing for it's price and is amazingly easy to play."
"With the P/J pickups, It has a nice tonal variety. There are smaller basses out there, but this one strikes a happy medium between portability and tone. I would immediately replace it if it were lost/stolen."
"I am a short woman with short arms and fingers. I have no problem with the length of the neck or the weight. It has a great sound. It is very easy and fun to play. It has a big sound if needed or gentle. I love this bass and I just bought another one. One for church and one for home."
"A friend of mine played it and was so impressed he bought one for himself. Overall, a good bass at a great price, I love it!"
A Note for the Brand Snobs:
You may THINK you can afford more – like a $3000 robotic guitar! And what are you GETTING for that money??
How about investing in something that can actually HELP your career get ahead?
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Mac or PC for Music Recording?
The nice thing about a Mac is that it comes ready to record: right out of the box.
Windows PC Advantages
- You could get a fully-loaded recording PC for the comparable cost of an entry-level Mac.
- Specialty PC's makers can use the proper chipsets which support the best audio recording interfaces.
- Having a PC that is designed for recording can get you a pristine sound without pops, clicks and other interference.
Sell Your Music NOW!
