Jan

20

The Crafty Songwriter - Tip #1

January 20, 2008 | 2 Comments

[tutorial, songwriting]

Show don’t tell
by Carson A. Metzger
Exercise #1: Practice writing a song where you avoid telling entirely
How do you do this?
Be descriptive.
Avoid universal statements by grounding or dramatizing your song in the details of a particular scene, character, or relationship between characters.
Avoid using “to be” verbs.
Forgo clichés and truisms by translating things you have […]

Jun

30

Blue Moon Factoids

June 30, 2007 | Leave a Comment

[-crackles!-]

Today is the second full moon of June if you live in the Eastern Hemisphere. For those of us in the Western Hemisphere, it was May 31, 2007. Since I seem to have missed it last month, I’m celebrating it with those of you in the other half of the world. Either way, we both […]

Mar

21

Breathing Space in Music

March 21, 2007 | Leave a Comment

[-essay, music-]
This article reminds us about the importance of listening for those spaces, not only in music but in our lives.
by guest contributor, Edward Weiss
While most students want to know when to play certain notes and chords, it’s equally important to know when not to play. For example, I had a student who […]

Mar

20

Bringing Music to Art

March 20, 2007 | Leave a Comment

[-music, art, inspiration-]
Get your brushes, paints, colored pencils and gel pens ready. When you get finished reading this article you’ll be wanting them immediately!
by guest contributor, Debbie Jensen
“Today, I find myself interested in graphic arts and multimedia; albeit with music written upon my heart and soul.”
As a very young child, I began a long journey […]