Richhoncho's
Songwriters Links
Articles
copyright
- the legislation, the options, how and when to register
rhyme
schemes - list of the names and types of rhyme
song
check list - A list of questions to ask yourself to help you decide
whether you have written a classic song.
Chord
Map in the key of C - Copied, with
permission from Steve Mugglin's wonderful site "Music Theory for
Songwriters."
10
song writing blunders - a comparison between classic songs & indie/demo
recordings - kindly supplied by Roedy Black.
36
rules for bands - a light-hearted look at things to avoid.
Publishing
basics - kindly supplied by Irene Jackson
How
to make a $million from your music - the secret information they don't want
you to know.
How
to make a $million from your music Part II - A list of some of the more
dubious ways to part a musician and songwriter from their hard-earned cash.
Links
The Creative Bit :-
For
the Wordsmith
For
the Music Master
General
Songwriter Advice Groups
Songwriter
Web Rings
Fellow
Songwriters with helpful tips/links
Musicianship/Tutorials etc :-
Singing
Piano
Guitar
Drums
Harp
Ear
Training
Online
music stores
The Recording Bit :-
Software
Samples
Home
Recording Advice
Singer/Songwriter
Services
Preparing
for the studio
Recording
Studios
Getting Heard :-
Places
to upload your music
Promotion
Critique
Boards
Information Overload :-
Band
Name Registration Sites
Miscellaneous
Links
Lyric
Sites
Further
Link SItes
Genre
Specific Sites
Odd
Jobs/Humour
Online facilities- radio &
magazines
Internet
Radio
Magazines
Some more useful addresses :-
Copyright/Royalty
Collection Agencies
Songwriter
& Musician Organizations
Legal
Advice Sites
UK
sites
Chat rooms and message
boards :-
Message
Boards
Chat
rooms
Where a copyright is claimed
be sure to ask the copyright holder, other than that, you are welcome to use any
other page for your own site, please let me know so I can add a link to
you. E-mail
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Richhoncho's
Songwriters Links
Songwriting
Checklist
I don't think you can be a good
songwriter without knowing all of the following, equally I don't think you
can be great songwriter adhering slavishly to every point.
This list was supplied by Bob Dobbins who approves of it being freely
circulated.
FORM:
1. Is the first line original and catchy?
2. Is the song form appropriate to the story and the song style?
3. Does the story progress logically?
4. Does the bridge (if it exists) add a new dimension to the plot?
5. In a verse/chorus format, is the chorus the logical conclusion to all
the verses?
6. Is the title a synopsis of the story?
7. Did I repeat the title enough so that a listener would know the title
after 1 listening?
8. Does the rhythm change from verse to chorus to bridge?
STORY:
1. Is the setting clearly defined? Where is
it?
2. Does the location or time change during the song and (if so) is it
clear?
3. Does the plot develop with each verse or is it a restatement of the
same idea over and over?
4. Halfway through the song are the questions (who, what, where, when and
why) answered?
5. Does the dialogue/monologue maintain consistency throughout the lyric?
6. Is there one single idea in the song?
7. Are any aspects of the plot unstated? Are any questions left?
8. Is the lyric male/female or unisex?
EMOTION:
1. Is the tone and language consistent?
2. Do any lines call too much attention to themselves?
3. Is the singer in an attractive light? (No anger, sarcasm, self-pity)
4. Do I preach or moralize?
5. Is there an emotional payoff? Is it a good one?
6. Is the meaning universal?
7. Can you imagine any artists singing these words?
SYNTAX:
1. Are the verb tenses consistent?
2. Is the language conversational?
3. Are the pronouns in place to show who is doing the thinking and
feeling?
4. Is it clear when someone else is speaking?
5. Are all paper phrases removed (chairman of the bored)
6. Have any natural word orders reversed been?
7. Is every quote clear?
8. Are the clutter words removed (very, a little, sort of, etc.)
9. Have the trendy expressions been removed?
RHYMING:
1. Is the rhyme scheme consistent?
2. Is the rhyme style consistent?
3. Are the tricky/unnatural rhymes removed?
4. Are the types of rhyme varied?
PROSODY:
1. Are the accents on the words
natural?
2. Are any unimportant words on sustained notes?
3. Are there any sibilant singing situations (lots of s's)?
4. Can the singer breathe and phrase?
5. Are open vowels on sustained notes?
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