[Colleges And Getting Into The Music Scene]

Hi! I'm a junior in high school and I really want to be a songwriter, but I really don't know how to get there. I've found a couple of colleges that offer a songwriting major, but obviously they are rare and I can't go to those schools because of location/money reasons. So my question is what major could get me recognized in the music industry as a songwriter? I've found majors in music production, composition, English, and creative writing but I don't know what would help me the most as an aspiring songwriter. The music production curriculums are all mostly about the technology and physics of sound, which are very important but I would not enjoy it or be any good at it. As for composition, all the programs I have found would be extremely classical and I would have to focus on a classical instrument, which would mean I would have to be very good at a classical instrument to get into the program and I am not interested in writing classical music. Then when it comes to English programs and creative writing programs, they won't teach me the music side of songwriting, only the lyric side which is only half the battle, and to me personally the lyrics side of that battle is the easier part for me. So as talented songwriters and maybe as people who went through the same struggles I am right now in trying to go to college to be a songwriter, what do you think would be the best route for me?

[Feedback On My Acoustic Performance- Holding On Too Tight]

Hi! This is a video of a talent show I was in. I wrote this song called "Holding On Too Tight" and I performed it with just my guitar since that's all I really have! I ended up getting second place out of 21 (!!!!!!!!!) so I wanted some more feedback on how I performed and how I sounded and I guess the song in general! This was my very first time performing at all so I am definitely a beginner, but I really want hard honesty since I'm pretty sure my grandmother has to tell me I was great! Thank you!

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjUEycxvwhE&feature=youtu.be

 

[Advice For A Beginner]

Awesome thank you guys so much! To Tom, I guess I haven't exactly tried to branch out and try different processes since the one I was using was working for a while. I will try my best to open my eyes to the options I have! And to Gary, I'm very interested in the online music course from Berklee, so I will definitely check that out so thank you! I have also read your lecture notes, and they are very informative and I will be going back to them many times!

 

Mary

[Advice For A Beginner]

Hi!

I'm sort of new, and sort of not new to songwriting. My problem is that for some reason I can't finish my songs. Like I'll get a stroke of inspiration and I'll write and organize all my ideas, but then when I start the actual lyrics process, the rhymes and rhythms get lost and messed up. And as I work out all the technicalities, my lyrics get lost and I never actually say what I want to say. So it always turns out that my songs just don't get finished. Like I have a notebook full of ideas and two lines of a chorus.

My second problem is that as time goes on, for some reason I find it difficult to tackle the actual music aspect of the songwriting. When I do finish the lyrics and get them in a place that I like them, I sit down with my guitar or at my piano and my mind goes completely blank. Then when I have an idea of a general thing I want the song to turn into, I can never get it to work out or make it sound like it does in my head.

I'd really appreciate some help because I don't know how to improve as a songwriter if my songs never get finished!

 

Thank you so much for you help, every topic I start I come out a better writer, thanks to all of your help!

Mary

[I Want To Learn Guitar]

I actually mainly learned online. if you have a guitar, look up how to tune, then look up the basic chords like G, E, D, and C. Then if you go on youtube and search on tutorials on how to play a specific song they will show you not only the chords and strumming patterns but also how to play the chords if there is any chords you do not know at that point. I would suggest getting to know the basics first, though, by again searching on youtube the basics of playing the guitar. when I initially learned last summer, I did have a teacher for a week that taught me my first chords, how to tune, and how to strum correctly. After that first week I taught myself everything and I guess I'm not too shabby!

I hope I could help just a little!

Mary

[Broken Strings?]

Thanks everyone! My guitar is all fixed and it only cost me $10! I also got a bunch of spare strings so I should be set for a while. Thanks again for saving me!

Mary

[Broken Strings?]

Thank you both! I'll get straight to the music store and get a bunch of strings to fix it up! I just wasn't sure if fixing it myself was safe but now all my doubts are gone! Thank you again!

Mary

[Broken Strings?]

Hi there!

So I'm a beginner at guitar, and today my second E string (as in the smallest and highest string) broke completely in two. So as a beginner, I have no idea how to fix it! I'm guessing that I have to take it down to an instrument repair place, but then I heard someone talking about just stringing a new string right on. Also I was wondering if breaking a string in less than a year of owning the guitar is a normal thing or not!

So basically I just need to know how to fix my guitar before I break it some more!

Thank you!

Mary

[Vibrato]

Thanks so much! I'll definitely try to find someone helpful, but you both really helped me out a lot! Thanks again!

Mary

[Vibrato]

Hi! I was wondering if anyone out there could give me any sort of advice on vibrato when singing as you could tell by the title! I'm on the right track with it and there are times when I'm holding out a really long and high notes it comes out really well but a lot of the time it sounds like sort of a nervous shake which I am NOT very fond of. I was just wondering if there was any advice that could be given over the forum without having to pay for a vocal coach which I don't have the money for?

Thanks so much!

Mary

[How Can I Become A Good Singer?]

Hi!

Well if you're looking for advice right here and right now instead of going out and looking for books or teachers, this may help.

 

The first thing that my teacher always tell me is the the breathing and support of your singing is always key because it is the backbone of your singing. So before you sing anything I would do some really good breathing exercises and make sure you're breathing correctly and with good support throughout your singing, and not just when you're warming up.

 

Second thing I would do is try to see what your range is just because I feel like that's important. Just go to a piano and play a single note, match it with your voice, and see where on the piano, high and low, you cannot sing any higher or lower. This will give you a good idea of your current abilities and maybe your goals for the future.

 

Then I would focus on hitting notes and tuning dead on so you're not pitchy and all over the place. You basically have to train your ear which is difficult but all you have to do is just take the piano and practice playing notes, riffs, and melodies on the piano, easy and hard ones, and make sure you hit all of the notes. If the note sounds right to your ears, get a tuner and check because your ears may not be right.

 

Other than that all I can tell you is to really get a teacher or a book or something official to help you. Also, focus on the breathing that I was talking about because with proper breathing and support at all times, you will be more in tune, will be able to hit higher and lower notes, and your tone will be better.

 

I really hope that I helped in some way!

Mary

[Getting To Know You]

1. Do you sing, play an instrument or instruments?
Yup!
What instruments?
I play the piano, guitar, oboe, and alto saxophone!
When did you start playing?
I started play the piano at age 6, oboe at age 9, guitar at age 13, and saxophone at age 14.
Did you teach yourself?
I teach myself guitar and saxophone.
2. Are you in a band or bands?
No. I really want to start a band over the summer though!
What is the name of the band?

What do you play?

What other instruments are in the band?

Do you have a band website?

3. Do you write songs?
Yes!
Do you write lyrics, music or both?
I do write both but sometimes it's much easier for me to write lyrics rather than music.
Do you have a writing partner?
Nope just me!
4. Do you record your music?
Unfortunately not!
Do you use a home studio? If so what gear do you use?

Do you use a recording studio?

Do you have music available on the web? if so where?
I post videos on YouTube of covers of songs I do but I haven't actually posted anything yet so... :?

5. What other roles do you perform in the music business?

Management? Label owner? Publishing? Promotion? Other?

6. Are you a tech head?
Technology hates me
7. What country do you live in?
USA
8. What are your ambitions?
To become a famous singer/songwriter who is known for her words and her emotions rather than her scandles and gossip.
9. Do you draw/paint/write stories/computer art/dance or other creative pursuit?
I write stories but those are definitely no good! I also dance but I'm so horrible just no.
What are your pastimes?
Reading
10. What would you like to get out of Songstuff?
I really want to expand my songwriting skills because that's really where I struggle musically. As a musician I think I am fine, as a performer I just need more experience, but my songwriting is where I need to improve.

 

 

Thanks for reading! It really means a lot to me!