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Songstuff
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Posts posted by Songstuff
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How does Songstuff help you? Or how has it helped you in the past? Please share your story.
It is useful for members considering joining Songstuff to know if members find it helpful to be active members, and if so, how. Is it purely with writing music? Recording and production? What about marketing and promotion? In any other way, such as personal support? Was it site staff, or fellow community members?
Please go into as much detail as you can. Thanks!
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MOved to the musician's Lounge as that would seem a more appropriate location
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Fan Engagement
Keeping it fresh while engaging your fans isn't straight forwards. At least that's the what many artists tell us. They start a band blog and pretty quickly run out of interesting things to say. They write the odd interesting post, but most posts are boring as hell, or barely related to their band and their music. More common still is their blog just dries up. So what could they do?
Have no fear Songstuffers! We've collected 15 excellent ideas to help you engage your fans using video.
Read "Fan Engagement"
Please share the article on social media!
Comments
Please leave some comments and feedback on this article, and / or suggestions for new articles by leaving a reply below. -
The first challenge will be announced on Saturday 8 June.
The first challenge will be loosely topic based, addressing a common issue for lyricists.
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New Article - The Process Of Writing A Song
A song writing process is used to enhance the quality of your work and the speed that each work is created. This article provides tips on creating and using a song writing process, plus observations and suggestions about writing key aspects of a song. It also gives you a draft process to get you started.
This article is ideal for songwriters who either don't use a formal song writing process, or the song writing process that they are using is not quite working for them.
Read the full article by clicking on the following link:
The Process Of Writing A Song
Comments
Please leave some comments and feedback on this article, and / or suggestions for new articles by leaving a reply below.-
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Just a quick post to ask all members to connect to our "new myspace" page:
https://new.myspace.com/songstuff_club
If you need an invite, please send a PM here with your details and an invite will spin your way.
Thanks!
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New Article - A Guide To Song Form - Song Form Overview
Song forms are generally made up of a number of sections that may or may not be repeated within the same song. Popular music is generally based on the use of traditional sectional song forms, or structures that are derived from those traditional song forms.
This article gives an overview of the different fundamental song forms, and it provides a basic understanding of common modern song forms.
Read the full article by clicking on the following link:
A Guide To Song Forms - Song Form Overview
Comments
Please leave some comments and feedback on this article, and / or suggestions for new articles by leaving a reply below. -
New Article - A Guide To Song Form - Extended Common Song Forms And More
Add some new tools to your song writing toolbox by learning about common song forms. This article describes how common song forms can be extended, and looks at some of the less common song forms, such as through composed songs.
This short article builds upon the AAA, AABA, AB, ABC and AAB song forms, and upon compound song forms, explained in our other articles in this series.
Read the full article by clicking on the following link:
A Guide To Song Forms - Extended Common Song Forms And More
Comments
Please leave some comments and feedback on this article, and / or suggestions for new articles by leaving a reply below. -
New Article - A Guide To Song Form - Compound Song Forms
Have you ever used a compound song form? As a songwriter, I bet you have. Compound song forms are far more common than you might at first think.
Building upon the AAA, AABA, AB, ABC and AAB song form articles from our series on song forms, this article explains common compound popular song forms that you can add to your song writing toolbox.
Read the full article by clicking on the following link:
A Guide To Song Forms - Compound Song Forms
Comments
Please leave some comments and feedback on this article, and / or suggestions for new articles by leaving a reply below.-
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New Article - A Guide To Song Form - AAA Song Form
Popular songs often follow one of the traditional song forms, or one of the song forms that are derived from traditional song forms. One of the main song forms is Strophic / AAA / One-Part Song Form, any of which names are used by songwriters.
This article will explain fundamentals of Strophic / AAA / One-Part Song Form, and provide examples of Strophic / AAA / One-Part Song Form being used in popular songs.
Read the full article by clicking on the following link:
A Guide To Song Forms - AAA Song Form
Comments
Please leave some comments and feedback on this article, and / or suggestions for new articles by leaving a reply below.
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A Guide To Song Forms - AAB Song Form - 12 Bar Blues
AAB Song Form, also called 12 Bar Blues Song Form is one of the main traditional song forms. Both names are regularly used by songwriters to describe this song form.
This article explains the fundamentals of AAB Song Form, and provides examples of AAB Song Form being used in popular rock and blues songs.
Read the full article by clicking on the following link:
A Guide To Song Forms - AAB Song Form - 12 Bar Blues
Comments
Please leave some comments and feedback on this article, and / or suggestions for new articles by leaving a reply below.
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A Guide To Song Forms - AB Song Form and ABC Song Form
AB Song Form and AB derived Song Forms are the most popular traditional song forms. AB is also called Verse/Chorus Song Form, either of which names are used by songwriters. One common, modern, derived song form is VERSE-CHORUS-BRIDGE or ABC Song Form. Directly derived from AB Song Form, ABC Song Form introduces a 3rd "Bridge" section.
This article will explain AB Song Form or VERSE-CHORUS Song Form, ABC Song Form or VERSE-CHORUS-BRIDGE, any common derived song forms, and video examples of those song forms being used in current popular songs.
Read the full article by clicking on the following link:
A Guide To Song Forms - AB Song Form and ABC Song Form
Comments
Please leave some comments and feedback on this article, and / or suggestions for new articles by leaving a reply below.
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Song Building Blocks
Songs use a number of common sections. These sections are the building blocks of songs. When discussing song form these sections are assigned letters as labels, but you will be more familiar with their names such as verse, chorus and bridge.
This article looks at the common sections, what defines them, and how those sections work together to form a working, popular song.
Read "Song Building Blocks" now.
Comments
Please leave some comments and feedback on this article, and / or suggestions for new articles by leaving a reply below.
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The Power Of Song Hooks
Many songwriters don't understand song hooks, the range of hooks that are involved or how to use them. This article takes a look at the different hooks and explains the importance to songwriters of learning about the different types of song hooks and how to use them.
Read "The Power Of Song Hooks" now.
Comments
Please leave some comments and feedback on this article, and / or suggestions for new articles by leaving a reply below.
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Member Ratings
These are stars displayed at the top of your profile. Member ratings are awarded by other members. As these are displayed, and awarded, on your profile page, you'll want to fill out your "About Me" page in your profile settings and answer the questions in your profile settings about your likes and interests. Doing these things can only help your rating.
To set a rating just click on the stars at the level that you rate the topic.
Topic Ratings
Topic Ratings are displayed at the top of topics on the left hand side. Topic Ratings are awarded by members. They are a useful guide when you are doing a lot of browsing.
To set a rating just click on the stars at the level that you rate the topic.
Likes
If you go to your profile, immediately to the right of the "About Me" header you will see a number within a colored rectangle with a word underneath like "Good" or "Excellent". this is your overall like count within the community, as assigned you by other members and site staff.
How Do I Get Or Give Likes?
We award members likes for positive community participation. That means if you make a particularly good or thought provoking post, or you give someone an informative reply, or start a good topic, members will click the "like" button (at the bottom right hand of every post) in that post. Staff will also give you likes when you take an active part in something that is helpful to other community members. So, for example, within the Introduce Yourself board there is a topic called "Getting To Know You". If you answer the questions posed in the first post of the topic, in a genuine way, then when staff see that post they will click the "like" button and you will earn 1 like for each like you receive. Anyone can award these points, it's not just up to staff. You too can assign reputation points.
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Creating A Song Title
Creating a song title that listeners will remember is not as straight forward as it might seem. This article explores creating song titles and describes the various important points that a good song title should deliver
Comments
Please leave some comments and feedback on this article, and / or suggestions for new articles by leaving a reply below.
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New Article - How To Create A Great Press Kit Or Electronic Press Kit
The need for all aspects of a band to be of a high quality professional standard has never been more important. This includes those products aimed at fans, and those products aimed at the music and other media industries. One of the most fundamental of those is the Press Kit or Electronic Press Kit (EPK).
To help you create an awesome Press Kit or Electronic Press Kit we've pulled together some tips to help you make yours shine.
Read "How To Create A Great Press Kit Or Electronic Press Kit" now.
Comments
Please leave some comments and feedback on this article, and / or suggestions for new articles by replying to this topic...
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10 Crucial Components Of The Band Bio
The Band Bio is a fundamental part of the band promotional tool kit. Your Band Bio, or Band Biography, is often the first encounter a member of the press will have with a band and first impressions always count. Follow these simple instructions to create an effective Band Bio.
10 Crucial Components Of The Band Bio
Comments
Please leave some comments and feedback on this article, and / or suggestions for new articles by leaving a reply below.
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5 Tips To Help Your Band Become Successful
A useful collection of 5 tips to help you to achieve success with your band including tips to help you grow your fan bases and how to leverage the benefits of one piece of work to many different areas. The same principles apply to success in other facets of the music industry.
5 Tips To Help Your Band Become Successful
Comments
Please leave a comment! =>
Please leave some comments and feedback on this article, and / or suggestions for new articles by replying to this topic...
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Monthly Song Contest Rules
Please read all rules BEFORE ENTERING. Rules will be strictly enforced.
Submissions- Only one song entry per month per member or collaboration of members.
- You need a MINIMUM OF 30 POSTS on Songstuff to enter the contest.
- You must have been an ACTIVE member for more than 1 month.
- If you submit a song to the contest, YOU MUST VOTE IN THAT CONTEST.
- Do Not submit a vote for your own song. If you do submit a vote for your own song it will be discounted.
You CANNOT enter songs that have been posted on the Song and Recording Critique board on Songstuff.- You CAN post songs where the lyrics have been posted on the Lyrics Critique board on Songstuff.
- You can only submit one piece per contest
- Submit both lyrics AND the recorded MP3 file. MP3 files can also be hosted in your Songstuff Gallery, on ReverbNation or SoundCloud, not on your own site (as a recording on your own site can be replaced but still have the same name)
- Monthly contest winners will be entered into the 20xx SONG AWARD contest held in December of each year (With the exception of 2012 as December is the first month of the competition! In this case this December's winner will be included in next year's annual SONG AWARD).
- Submit songs to the Songstuff Member hosting the contest using the PM system. The host will then post your song link on your behalf. This is to ensure that each song gets the same exposure.
- You can submit a collaboration piece, but the resulting piece can only be entered once. Please credit all writers in your submission. Although songs will be posted with no credits we will retain a record.
- You CANNOT enter songs to the Song Contest that are used in a song in the same month's LyricsContest.
- Please make sure your spelling and grammar are correct before submitting songs. To be fair to all contestants, once posted, changes cannot be made.
Scoring-
Any member can submit scores for each category, between 1 and 10, where 1 is not great, and 10 is absolutely amazing. Whole numbers only. Every entrant must score all entries. You cannot vote for your own song. If you have entered a song and you fail to submit a score, your entry will be disqualifiedScoring is done by submitting your score to the host via PM. This allows easier management of scoring by the host and confirmation of scoring by all concerned.
In other words, give each song, for all categories, a rating between 1 and 10 where 10 is Amazing and 1 is not very good.
Categories:
Sticking To Brief - How well does this song fulfil the contest brief? Whatever the contest brief. It could be a theme, a song form, a rhyme scheme...
Title - Is it a good title? Does it fit with the lyrics? Is it it memorable?
Lyrics - Is the rhyme scheme consistent? Do you connect / identify with them? Is the main lyrical hook memorable? Do the lyrics flow well? Do the lyrics evoke an emotional reaction within you?
Music - Are the main melodies memorable? Do the melodies fit with the lyrics? Do the chords and melody sit well together? Rhythm, did you find yourself foot tapping? Do the musical sections (verse, chorus, pre-chorus, bridge etc.) work together well?
General - Do you like the song? Would you like to have a second listen? Would you buy a copy of this song (assuming the version to buy is a pro standard recording)?
Example scoring:
(song name 1) - STB 7 - T 8 - L 8 - M 9 - G 8
(song name 2) - STB 3 - T 6 - L 7 - M 8 - G 6
(song name 3) - STB 4 - T 3 - L 2 - M 7 - G 4
Where:
STB = Sticking To Brief
T = Title
L = Lyrics
M = Music
G = General
etc. Just replace "song name # " with the actual song name
After the contest the results published will be an average votes for each category, for each song.
For those interested in seeing how we will work out the results, using our example:
Voter 1
(song 1) - STB 7 - T 8 - L 8 - M 9 - G 8
(song 2) - STB 3 - T 6 - L 7 - M 8 - G 6
(song 3) - STB 4 - T 3 - L 2 - M 7 - G 4
Voter 2
(song 1) - STB 9 - T 7 - L 5 - M 7 - G 7
(song 2) - STB 5 - T 6 - L 5 - M 6 - G 5
(song 3) - STB 6 - T 5 - L 4 - M 7 - G 3
Song 1, Average = STB (7 + 9)/2 = 8, T (8 + 7)/2 = 7.5, L (8 + 5)/2 = 6.5, M (9 + 7)/2 = 8, G (8 + 7)/2 = 7.5, Overall score (8 + 7.5 + 6.5 + 8 + 7.5)/ 5 = 37.5/5 = 7.5
Song 2, Average = STB (3 + 5)/2 = 4, T (6 + 6)/2 = 6, L (7 + 5)/2 = 6, M (8 + 6)/2 = 7, G (6 + 5)/2 = 5.5, Overall score (4 + 6 + 6 + 7 + 5.5)/ 5 = 28.5/5 = 5.7
Song 3, Average = STB (4 + 6)/2 = 5, T (3 + 5)/2 = 4, L (2 + 4)/2 = 3, M (7 + 7)/2 = 7, G (4 + 3)/2 = 3.5, Overall score (5 + 4 + 3 + 7 + 3.5)/ 5 = 22.5/5 = 4.5
Song 1 Wins!
VotingVoting has replaced Scoring, using the in-built poll system.
Timing
- Week 1 START - Contest Announced
- Week 1 - Week 3 Submissions ACCEPTED
- Week 3 END - Submissions CLOSED
- Week 4 START - Submissions posted by host, Voting Begins
- Week 4 END - voting CLOSES
The resulting scores will be totted up by the host and the winner will be confirmed.
Keep an eye out for the announcement of contests!
Songstuff reserves the right to change our song contest rules at any time, by updating this page.-
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Monthly Lyrics Contest Rules
Please read all rules BEFORE ENTERING. Rules will be strictly enforced.
Submissions- Only one song entry per month per member or collaboration of members.
- You need a minimum of 20 posts on Songstuff to enter the contest.
- You must have been an active member for more than 2 months.
- You can only enter lyrics that have NOT been posted for critique on Songstuff.
- You can only submit one piece per contest
- Monthly contest winners will be entered into the 20xx LYRICS AWARD contest held in December of each year (With the exception of 2012 as December is the first month of the competition! In this case this December's winner will be included in next year's annual LYRICS AWARD).
- Submit lyrics to the Songstuff Member hosting the contest using the PM system. The host will then post your lyrics ANONYMOUSLY on your behalf.
- To stay anonymous until voting is closed, if you reveal that you wrote the entry BEFORE voting has closed, your entry will be removed.
- You can submit a collaboration piece, but the resulting piece can only be entered once. Please credit all writers in your submission. Although lyrics will be posted with no credits we will retain a record.
- You cannot enter lyrics to the Lyrics Contest that are also part of a song in the same month's Song Contest.
- Please make sure your spelling and grammar are correct before submitting lyrics. To be fair to all contestants, once posted, changes cannot be made.
Scoring
- Voting will be poll based. Choose the favorable entry for each of the questions in the poll.
- Every entrant must score all entries. You cannot vote for your own lyrics. If you have entered a lyric and you fail to submit a score, your entry will be disqualified
- Scoring is done by submitting your score to the host via PM. This allows easier management of scoring by the host and confirmation of scoring by all concerned.
Timing
- Week 1 START - Contest Announced
- Week 1 - Week 3 Submissions ACCEPTED
- Week 3 END - Submissions CLOSED
- Week 4 START - Submissions posted by host, Voting Begins
- Week 4 END - voting CLOSES
The resulting scores will be totted up by the host and the winner will be confirmed. At this stage the writers will be revealed.
Keep an eye out for the announcement of contests!-
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A New Perspective on Writing Lyrics
Starting to write a song can be a tricky business. This article explores approaching the song with the big picture in mind armed with a clear idea of what the song is trying to say, and where it is going. This can all be achieved by asking yourself three key questions when writing a song
Read the article now....
A New Perspective on Writing Lyrics
Comments
Please leave a comment! =>
Please leave Anthony some comments and feedback on this article, and / or suggestions for new articles, or simply showing Anthony some love for contributing this article to the Songstuff Music Community by replying to this topic...
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A Rough Guide To Our Community
in Site Stuff
Posted
Read our Getting Started Guide
A Rough Guide To Our Community
Hubs
The Hubs pull together a view right across our community and beyond. This includes recent forum posts, blog posts, gallery posts, news feeds from various music industry websites, music tools and more.
We have a hub for visitors, but also a specialist hub for members and subscribers. You can find a full list of hubs in the top menu.
Community Features
Featured
Featured includes features about members as writers or artists, interviews, Staff Picks from member posted content, plus content from our social media portals.
Forums
Our forums contain many boards. We have arranged them into categories intended to reflect the needs of different users. There is a rough guide to our forums further down this page.
Clubs
Members can create clubs for their music projects, based on interests etc plus we have several site clubs, for example: for Music Marketing and Promotion, Yard Getty (for Hip Hop) and Songstuff Compilation.
Blogs
Blogs remain a great way to engage an audience and build a following. In addition to site blogs, members can create blogs here, for example: to showcase their music, discuss music, their view of the music industry to discuss their approach to songwriting or as an online journal as a musician.
Gallery
The Gallery is arranged into Albums. Show us your studio, your latest gig photos with you on stage, or upload images the Songstuff staff can use to promote you and your music on social media.
Calendar
The Calendar is loaded with events from BMI. You can also add your gigs, release dates, launch parties, showcases, online performances etc.
Downloads
Coming soon, we will have a Downloads area with templates. diagrams, PDF documents and more.
Forums Overview
Our boards are organised into sections:
Getting Started
Contains links to many section of the site, including boards, articles, hubs and more.
Interest
These boards are about topics and goals. It is subdivided into Writing Songs, Recording and Producing Songs, Releasing Songs, Image and Video, Showcase and Finished Works.
Main Forums
The Main Forums are largely a different view of the Interest boards, though there are a few extra boards that don't easily fit within the Interest view. The Main Forums category has the boards arranged by type. For example Discussion boards or Critique boards etc. In the case where a board "lives" with the Interest area, a simle link to that forum is available within the Main Forums area.
Site Information
It won't come as too much of a surprise that the Site Information category contains news and information about Songstuff!
General Discussion
We have boards dedicated to discussion. The general chat forum is the Musician's Lounge. For discussion about Songwriting we have a Song writing discussion board. A full list of discussion boards is available within the Discussion section of the Main Forums.
Common Places To Post Music
Members have different reasons for posting music. Songs may be at different stages from initial idea through to final release. They might be keen to get detailed feedback or just wanting some plays. They might be showing off work to members in order to attract collaborators. They might be posting to showcase their work in the hope that staff feature their work on social media and on Songstuff playlists. So we tried to reflect that within our boards.
The Collected Works board is intended as a kind of personal showcase to other members. Members don't tend to offer comment there beyond the "I like it" perspective. Start a thread there and just add your songs to the same thread, collecting them all together.
For more detailed critique, post into one of the Work In Progress critique boards. You will find several, catering for the different stages of a song.
The Musician's Lounge is where to post if you just want to get some ears on your song. It's a general chat board.
If you have a formal release of a track / EP / Album, where you would like to showcase it, and perhaps have it selected by Songstuff staff for promotion (in our social media, on Songstuff and Songstuff.co.uk, and our newsletter), then post to the Showcase board. It is strictly for complete, released tracks. Please include links to music, images, bio, press kit, press release etc.
Participation in the boards is a big thing. Generally speaking, the more you put into it, the more you get out of it. Any questions? The staff are friendly and happy to help.