midsummermagic1111

Hi there, I am a noob. I hope to learn, share, and be inspired. It seems this is a warm and active site. Blessings <3 1. Do you sing, play an instrument or instruments? What instruments? Piano/Keyboard (used to play Oboe, Flute, & Clarinet). Wish so bad I could sing better... When did you start playing? Age 6 (almost 40, now) Did you teach yourself? Started with a teacher and then taught myself. I am learning the most by teaching! 2. Are you in a band or bands? Yes What is the name of the band? Joey Venom What do you play? Keyboards / Backup Vocals What other instruments are in the band? Guitar, Drums, Bass, Lead Singer Do you have a band website? Yes.. but I have been slacking on working on it. 3. Do you write songs? I want to... Do you write lyrics, music or both? Both Do you have a writing partner? No 4. Do you record your music? Just starting to... Do you use a home studio? If so what gear do you use? Yes. I have Pro Tools with a FastTrack Ultra interface.. though I end up using Mixcraft a lot, and a usb cable, and my Zoom H4n. Do you use a recording studio? No. Do you have music available on the web? if so where? Not yet... 5. What other roles do you perform in the music business? I am a web designer & do SEO/online marketing. I am also a piano teacher. Management? Label owner? Publishing? Promotion? Other? 6. Are you a tech head? Not really.. only if it's attached to something colorful.. 7. What country do you live in? US 8. What are your ambitions? To write and sing & play my own songs in front of people and to get genuine good response. 9. Do you draw/paint/write stories/computer art/dance or other creative pursuit? I do Photoshop a lot. What are your pastimes? Cooking, Gardening, Working on My House, Going to the Beach, Bike Riding 10. What would you like to get out of Songstuff? I have wanted to write and sing my own songs for a long time, I have read a TON of books about how.. but I have been chicken to start.. I am break through to my creative side and start creating.

Learn chords!!! It's actually really easy. I learned classically and pop music was a far away nebulous place in the sky to me until I found out it was so simple I was missing it. Here is the system I use for my students. Even the little ones pick it up quick. Requirements: know the names of the white keys so you know where to put you hand. CHORDS are COLORS to put in your SONGWRITING TOOLBOX. Happy Sounding Chords: All White Key Chords: [C] [F] [G] (3 individual chords) To find each of the chord sounds above, place the thumb of your RH (right hand) on the letter name of the chord you want to play. Fan each finger up consecutively. Push down your thumb, middle finger, & pinky to play the chord. Play these three chords up and down the piano so you can get familiar with them. White Black White Chords: [D] [E] [A] Again (same as above), place the thumb of your RH on the name of the chord you want to play. Fan your hand out so each finger is on a consecutive white key. Your thumb & pinky will play the white key that it is resting on. The middle finger needs to be on a black key. The black key will be located right next to where your middle finger is already. Put your middle finger on the black key directly to the right. Play these three chords up and down the piano to get familiar with them. White Black Black Chords: is different than the rest. It has two black keys Follow the instructions for the above only your middle and pinky finger will play the black key to the right of the key it's resting on. Sad Sounding Chords: After you have learned how to make happy chords (major) you can turn them into (sad) sounding chords really easy. To do this first play a happy chord. Take the note your middle finger is playing and move it to the key directly to the left. So if you are on a black key the key directly to the left will be a white key. Applying Chords to Sound Like A Basic Song Now you have your toolbox stuffed with sound colors. Here is how to Generate Some Energy for a song: Songs can easily start from two chords. Three is probably more interesting, but two will get you going. Pick two chords (of any quality) that you like how they sound next to each other Play the first one with your right hand In your left hand copy whatever note your thumb is playing in the RH (the note name of the chord). That kinda beefs the sound up a little. To beef the sound up even more double up the note your left hand is playing - meaning find another of the same note and stretch your hand so your pinky is on one and your thumb is on another (so if the chord is [C] your left hand pinky will be on a C and your left hand thumb will be on another C). So you've got your right hand on a chord and your left hand is emphasizing the chord by playing the first note of the chord. Hold the right hand chord down and let it ring. While you do this tap the LH notes in a steady tapping rhythm. Now switch to your second chord and do the same thing. It's really a basic start.. but a considerable amount of inspiration can be had with a few more basic rhythm patterns and ways of playing the simple chord tones. If you've listened thus far and want more let me know.. I don't want to bog down this topic. Hope it helps

I never saw Baroque music in that light. Nice job! I took a composition class, but found it difficult to think so logically. I felt like I was just trying to select notes from a certain criteria rather than listen to the sound.. My favorite song I created in that class was when we did the stream of conscious melody writing.

How is your rut going..? New idea for a song.. The Rut! Lol. I'm just a baby hatchling.. I've only written three songs and they are embarrassing so don't feel so bad. Notice the good things and grow on that. New advice for myself. There is a really cool book called the Frustrated Songwriter's Handbook.. they have a lot of ideas how to shake yourself loose.. I vow to try it sometime.

If I follow the signs reading between the lines the meaning shouts so clear though my heart stays true Love will come through You'll wait for me I know you'll wait, or I will be blue...