THERE ARE NO RULES IN SONGWRITING --but there are "tools" that can help you achieve your goals.
There are reasons why certain melodies stick in your head – and reasons why some lyrics resonate with millions of listeners. It doesn’t happen by "magic," luck, or coincidence.
There are "common denominators" that occur over and over again in successful songs – songs that touch the hearts of audiences. As a songwriting teacher for BMI and NSAI, as well as a staff-writer for twelve years, I’ve examined those elements that seem to recur in great songs in every genre. By incorporating these tools into our own songs we can express ourselves in such a way that our listeners feel what we intended – and that kind of communication is the essence of great songwriting. It doesn’t matter what you feel – if the listener doesn’t get it.
There are no magic answers or quick roads to songwriting success; steer clear of anyone promising them. But, with hard work, practice, and perseverance, I’ve seen my students sign staff-writing deals, publish their songs, win contests and festivals, have their songs recorded, and become hits. It’s not easy – but it is possible.
There’s nothing in the world like hearing our songs on the radio. I hope my books, instructional CDs, workshops, and critique service will help you to achieve your songwriting goals.
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IMPORTANT ROYALTY INFORMATION
The Copyright Royalty Board has determined that the 9.1 cent mechanical royalty rate for both physical and digital singles and albums will remain in effect for five years. It has set the mastertone (ringtone) rate at 24 cents.
A mechanical royalty rate of 10.5% of revenues, less composition performance royalties, has been established for interactive streaming (such as Napster) and limited downloads (such as Rhapsody to Go).
The physical and digital album rates and the mastertone rates are retroactive back to Jan. 1 of 2009, while the settlement goes back seven years. The 10.5% rate applies to this year and an 8.5% rate applies for the preceding six years.
This decision has been hailed as a positive development for all songwriters and music publishers.
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JASON BLUME CELEBRATES 15 YEARS OF WORKSHOPS WITH BMI
Songwriting tutor and cross-genre hit maker Jason Blume recently celebrates fifteen years of BMI-sponsored workshops and seminars. Since the BMI Songwriters' Workshop inception in 1997, Blume has mentored more than 6,000 aspiring songwriters from at least 38 states. More than 120 workshops have been held in music hotbeds and invigorating locales including Nashville, Austin, San Juan (Puerto Rico), Kauai, and Atlanta.
Held each month from 12:30 to 4:30pm in the BMI Nashville office, the Songwriters Workshop with Jason Blume is open to all songwriters who are serious about and committed to successful commercial songwriting. Registration is explained on the "Workshops/Events" page.
Check out the terrific new interviews and listen to Jason's songs at
http://www.myspace.com/jasonblumesongwriter
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2MrG8bxR_Y
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JASON BLUME is one of the few songwriters to ever achieve the distinction of having his songs on Billboard’s Pop, R&B, and Country charts - - all at the same time. With his songs recorded by pop superstars Britney Spears, the Backstreet Boys, and Jesse McCartney as well as country stars including Collin Raye, the Oak Ridge Boys and John Berry, and international artists like the Gipsy Kings, and Japanese superstar Tomohisa Yamashita, Blume’s songs are included on albums that have sold more than 50 million copies!
One of the nation's most respected songwriting teachers, when he is not writing hits, Blume teaches others how to do so. He developed and teaches the BMI Nashville Songwriters workshops and has taught his songwriting techniques as a guest lecturer at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (founded by Sir Paul McCartney), U.C.L.A. and Vanderbilt University, as well as a member of the faculty of Los Angeles' Pierce College, Nashville's Watkins Institute, and internationally in Australia, Norway, Ireland, Jamaica, New Zealand, the U.K., Canada, and Mexico. His lessons are used by the Nashville Songwriters Associations members throughout the U.S. and internationally.
Formerly Assistant to the Director of A & R for RCA Records, Blume has worked with artists including the Judds, Alabama, the Pointer Sisters, Eurythmics, Diana Ross, Dolly Parton, Starship, and Kenny Rogers. He has been Production Coordinator for artists including Aaron Tippin and Engelbert Humperdinck.
The best selling 6 STEPS TO SONGWRITING SUCCESS: The Comprehensive Guide to Writing and Marketing Hit Songs and INSIDE SONGWRITING: Getting to the Heart of Creativity (Billboard Books) by Jason Blume take you step by step through everything you need to know to write successful songs - - and get them published and recorded. Jason's newest book, THIS BUSINESS OF SONGWRITING (Billboard Books) has received phenomenal reviews and is now available as an E-book. Read what the experts are saying about Jason's books:
“Author/songwriter Jason Blume has produced one of the most comprehensive, no-nonsense, true-to-life guides for understanding and succeeding in the highly competitive world of professional songwriting and music publishing. For anyone seriously considering a career in professional songwriting, This Business of Songwriting is “the quintessential resource” you don’t want to be without.”
-- Kirk Boyer, Director, A&R, Disney's Lyric Street Records
* * *“If you are serious about being a professional writer, Jason has compiled the most comprehensive how-to guide I have ever read. All the way from getting a writing deal to understanding it once you get one. This is a must read!
-- Tom Luteran, Director of A&R, EMI Music Publishing
“There are so many truly awful books out there that promise even the untalented success in the field of music. Having read 6 STEPS TO SONGWRITING SUCCESS, though, I’m impressed with the quality of Jason’s research and the handy guides to everything from making demos to figuring out where your money comes from.”
-- Janis Ian, nine-time Grammy nominee
INSIDE SONGWRITING is terrific. Jason Blume regales the reader with funny stories, practical exercises and hard-won wisdom. Bravo!
-- Melissa Manchester (Grammy Award –winning Singer/Songwriter)
INSIDE SONGWRITING is a wonderfully honest and deeply insightful look at the challenges that face the professional songwriter. Jason’s innovative exercises blend creativity and technique, inspiration and perspiration, to turn aspiring tunesmiths into master craftsmen.
--Eric Beall (Vice President of A & R, SonyBMG Music)
