Bernd

A good start, I'd say. Just a second verse - that could be it*. Maybe a little instrumental interlude or so. My own songs often are rather short. I don't mind. I don't need a bridge then, or a solo. Just ABABAB - done. If it's only one and a half minutes that's okay. How about performing in your vicinity instead of trying to 'pitch' songs or making it big? You grow from what you're doing. Since you have performed a lot it should be much easier for you than it was and is for me. I've begun performing my acoustic songs a year ago, the response is rather mixed; but I'm reworking and improving my set list and will keep it up. And then there is the little pocket money on the side (what's in the hat and the royalties)... *actually, your verse has got the content a chorus might have, and vice versa. In a typical song the verses would tell the story, and the chorus convey the sentiment. You could try to post your lyrics in the lyrics section and ask for corrections (a few are needed) and suggestions there.

Welcome! What do you offer - what do you want? Like most people on the forums I mostly write lyrics for nobody in particular or for songwriting partners. As for the latter I prefer working with live performing artists - because of the royalties ;-) But often also just for the fun of it - there are many great non-commercial song posts on the internet to stroke my ego ;-) So that's fine as well. Although I also write songs nobody seems to be interested since I'm a rather lousy musician myself. I would love to find other people who could play and produce my own songs better than I. But my favorite genres are rock and (sometimes) folk which are genres where people write their own stuff (other than pop and, to a lesser degree, country). Cheers, Bernd

Hello Sunflake (nice nickname!), and welcome aboard! No need to be shy, we're all laymen here (that's my guess, maybe let's say "most are laymen"). I've written songs and (mostly just) lyrics since about 20 years and only started performing publicly last year at the age of 64. My 4th concert will be on Saturday - you might imagine how nervous I am... In comparison I consider posting and discussing lyrics and songs a purely recreational activity. Nice people all about here 🙂 Bernd

> but im tired of worrying about whether people will like it ima just start showing everyone and just practice and learn < that's the spirit - just go for it. Many folks post there stuff on SoundCloud (I use SoundClick myself) and just link to these posts on songwriting boards to have them discussed. Or you can use YouTube, of course. WELCOME Bernd

> I am trying to get some exposure and feedback for my songs < Perform them to an audience (on an open mic evening or so). That's the best was to see if and how they work. Have fun! Bernd

Welcome! What would be wrong with collaborating? My strength is lyrics writing, my weakest points are playing instruments and singing, hence I've written many lyrics for rock bands* - normally to match their music. I have also written quite a few songs that lack a proper performance, though. Have fun! *MotorPlanet (blues rock through hard rock); Hot Mama (Djent); Melon Gallery (punk and rock); Selfastrays (punk) http://bernd-harmsen.com

Hello, and Welcome! Should you ever need (English) lyrics for your music... Check me out when you have a free minute ;-) http://bernd-harmsen.com here are some references: http://bernd-harmsen.com/old/references.htm My lyrics are free for non-commercial use on the internet. As for performances and 'commercial' productions I expect the resulting songs to registered with a PRO (SIAE in your country). Have fun, Bernd

I have reinstated my old blog “lyrics in progress”. After discontinuing the blog on Overblog because of their aggressive advertising it lived in the shadows of my homepage as a kind of news box. These days I replaced my homepage with a new blog to begin anew: basic articles on approaches, song structures, or rhyming, and of course insights into my ongoing projects. I may not be THE expert on songwriting, but I don’t mix up bridge and lift either, or teach people obscure British vocables - no offense meant, should the person concerned read this ;-) One of my first articles is about the “lyrics first approach” that most (hobby) lyricists seem to favor yet which might not be the most promising road. http://bernd-harmsen.com/index.php?/archives/7-approaches-I-lyrics-first.html I look forward to hearing from you. Bernd

Midi crap, I guess. ALL my stuff sounds like sh... I hate the production side of things, that's why I don't normally follow even the most basic advice: 1. convert MIDI to audio before you begin to mix 2. use a reference track from a professional recording that is to your liking and compare the sounds; EQ your sound, add reverb etc. until it gets close to the reference sound Then mix the lot. Good luck! Bernd

Am I too late? No Am I being naive? Yes Did I discover this dream too late? No Am I taking the saying, "follow your dreams" too closely to my heart and really preparing myself for failure and destroying my life? You'll have to answer that one yourself. Welcome and good luck to you! http://www.facebook.com/RockBernd who began his musical life at the age of 45 and is still just beginning - sort of ;-)

I assume that quite a few of us will have a Facebook account. How about staying in contact via Facebook, too, by becoming 'friends'? This is my personal account: http://www.facebook.com/bernd.harmsen And this is my band or artist's page: http://www.facebook.com/RockBernd I love 'likes'! But then, who wouldn't? See you here - and see you there! Cheers, Bernd

Folk Rock sounds interesting (I love this old Jethro Tull stuff, one of my favorite albums is "bursting out"). Do you have a link to your recordings? Ah, and, oh ehm, welcome! Bernd

"To use the song composition, you need to negotiate a synchronization license directly with the music publisher. " As the others mentioned that is actually handled by collecting socienties (Harry Fox Agency in the US for 'mechanical' rights). "However, many music publishers have entered into license agreements with YouTube permitting the use of the songs they control in exchange for a percentage of any advertising revenues (although in some cases the publisher may set a policy that a particular song is blocked from use)." That's correct but has nothing at all to do with privat users who upload songs. The Youtube conditions that you have to agree to before uploading anything require that you have cleared the rights beforehand. "So, the main thing I'm after is finding a way to determine if a particular song falls under the "already existing agreement" with YouTube." See above. "I'm guessing that all the people who do jazz standard covers on youtube have just uploaded them without worrying about it, and if they happen to get a take-down notice, so be it." That describes it correctly. The 'risk' when uploading songs that have not been licensed is that the files will be deleted if the owner (usually represented by the collecting society) demands it (they hardly ever do). Have fun, Bernd

> Hi Bernd & S, the only problem is I have to pay for a 50% mechanical licence upfront, if i want to use the song that in itself is not a big deal normally i would be exempt as I am the creator. < In Germany you have to pay license fees whenever you produce a registered song - if it's your own you will receive as royalties what you paid up front. No problem (except you#d be losing the share that the publisher gets), no big deal. >Also I have been activly promoting the two of the songs and have gotten them to two major artists without any help, so i am doing all the work at present and paying all the costs on behalf of my co-writer and his publisher ...> correct. That's why I do NOT work with publishers (I do not care what my partners - the composers - do, may they split their shares - I'll keep mine). > they could have shown some appreciation for my work. < Sure. But you are expecting a lot. It's business, after all, isn't it? At least that is how publishers look at things. BTW, you will probably get your share when royalties are distributed. Check your PRO's schedules when that will be. I'll receive my royalties for a CD that's been on the market since June in January next year. Royalties for live performances are handed out in April. But that's GEMA in Germany. Different PROs may handle that differently. > I have a meeting tomorrow with the Chairman of a PRO who is a friend, he will advise me how to handle this. < That's the way to go about it! Good luck! Bernd