"Resources For Songwriters"
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Music Publishers |
For successful songwriters, it's important to keep up-to-date on events within the music industry, current trends, to find sources for trusted commentary and support, and to obtain other useful information. Included here are just a few resources that may prove helpful to your songwriting endeavors, and provide you some of the information you need to take your songwriting to the next level.
All You Need To Know About The Music Business, a book written by Donald S. Passman, has for nearly twenty years been considered a definitive guide on the business of music. First published in 1991, the guide has currently been updated with a sixth edition, and contains information covering a plethora of subjects from choosing a manager or agent, to royalties and advances, to album covers and joint ventures. Updated information also includes the subjects of music downloads, podcasting and streaming on demand. If you want to know anything about the music business, this guide offers plenty of credible help and information.
Another great resource for beginning, as well as more advanced, songwriters is Band In A Box 2007 by PG Music Inc. Band In A Box is a software program that provides professional quality music arrangements in a wide range of music styles. The software which can be installed with Windows XP, is available for under $100, and provides an inexpensive way to produce professional quality song arrangements.
The American Society Of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (http://www.ascap.com) is a 93 year old membership organization of 300,000 strong that offers a source of support and information for songwriters. ASCAP's members are individuals who make their living from writing and composing music, and its membership boasts some of today's best-known names. The organization covers the entire music spectrum, and was organized and is controlled by composers, music publishers and songwriters. It protects member rights through licensing and royalties distribution for public performances of copyrighted works.
And finally, the Great American Song Contest (http://www.greatamericansong.com/) offers songwriters an opportunity to compete in nine categories of music for five different awards given in each category. Contest judges, including some of the music industry's most well-known and highly respected professionals, have worked with many of today's top artists. Entrants of the competition receive written critiques of their songwriting work, and have the opportunity to win a number of prizes and awards including gift certificates, free memberships, software, tools and more.
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Brian Cook is a freelance writer whose articles on music and songwriting have appeared on many websites.
You can find more of these at SongwritersGuide.com.
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