Musicians Empowered

Thursday, October 10, 2013

Thursday, October 3, 2013

How to Create an Online Presence

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INCREDIBLE RESOURCES:

http://www.blogbeast.com/?id=americansongbird

From the blog: http://sarahpopejoy.com/musicians_empowered/

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

How to Make An Amazing Electronic Press Kit EPK

CLICK HERE FOR THE EMPOWER NETWORK BLOG BEAST:
http://www.blogbeast.com/?id=americansongbird

Monday, September 30, 2013

Timing is Everything

In a few days, October 11th, 2013, Empower Network is going to be releasing a blog platform called the BlogBeast. Right now there is a wave of momentum that is being created because of this and timing is everything. If you are a musician or business owner, there is no better timing than right now to get all in. In a few days you'll be able to market your music/business for little money and maximum impact. Unlike other systems that are currently being used, (and I've used most of them) you will be able to quickly connect with your listeners and target market from you're mobile phone. This launch I believe will be the biggest impact on musicians since twitter. But the great thing about this platform, you'll be able to connect in a much more engaging way than twitter. For a much smaller percentage than you spend on things like Reverbnation, Sonicbids, and Press Kits, musicians are going to be able to create a greater reach and more professional presence than the current platforms we have available. I've created a youtube video and a link below that youtube video that will show you how to be a part of this great opportunity to get your music or business out there and really finally get heard. Timing is everything so don't miss out on this amazing opportunity. Because waiting on the sidelines, may cost you really breaking free and getting to the next level!

Timing is Everything

CLICK HERE NOW

Hope to See You There!

Sarah, Timing is Everything

Timing is Everything: GET IN NOW

SARAH'S BLOG: http://www.empowernetwork.com/americansongbird/blog/timing-is-everything

Thursday, September 26, 2013

MUSICIANS: THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED BY

MUSICIANS, THE REAL STORY BEHIND THE SONG

Being a musician can be rough at times. Sure it's a blast performing and creating. I mean, they call it a "gift". What a lot of people don't see though is the ugly road taken that musicians take to find their way. Sometimes that includes spending all your hard earned money to make a cd that never recoups. Sometimes it includes sleeping in your car to get that one last gig in and save on the hotel room, or staying up until three in the morning to send hundreds of press kits out the next day. It may include knocking on doors and having people tell you you suck, when they've never even heard your music. Or even driving 10 hours to play to a room with 5 people in it. Yeah, being a musician is definitely not for the timid of heart, and I have no doubt that there are those with even worse war stories than that. It's not like becoming a doctor where you have the road laid out in front you, and you either pass or fail. No being a musician is much, much different. There are suggestions, but no sure signs. And you are never really sure if you ever pass or fail because, other then getting a record contract, (which you soon find out could still be failing), there are no clear road markers. There are really only two types of musicians. The ones who keep plugging away and doing it and those who go home and quit. The only other distinction is who makes a full time living at it, but even that changes from season to season for some. I don't have all the answers, but the one thing I've learned is that as long as you're playing and getting your stuff out there, you are a musician. And so my goal here with these notes I've been writing is to encourage musicians as much as I can, and everyday if possible. Because, Lord knows, that we need it. And my other goal is to help give you the tools you need to be a better musician and get your stuff heard!

Hey Musicians, Check out these sites for some awesome tools:

MUSICIANS EMPOWERED

NEW PRODUCT FOR GETTING YOUR MUSIC HEARD

Musicians be empowered!

Sarah, EASY MONEY

"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference."
- Robert Frost

https://www.empowernetwork.com/americansongbird/?p=159

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

A NEW AND COST EFFECTIVE WAY TO PROMOTE YOUR MUSIC

MUSICIANS COPY AND PASTE THIS LINK: http://blogbeast.com/?id=americansongbird

Monday, September 23, 2013

HOW TO WRITE GREAT LYRICS

How to Write Great Lyrics

Definition of Lyrics

Wikipedia defines lyrics as "a set of words that make up a song, usually consisting of verses and choruses."

How to Write Great Lyrics

There are six things that I believe helps make good lyrics great. Whether just putting together a story or writing straight from your creative brain these will help bring your lyrics up a notch.

1. Senses - Try to use all five senses when writing lyrics.

§ Sight

§ Sound

§ Touch

§ Hear

§ Smell

Mary Chapin Carpenter "I am a Town"

2. Slant Rhyme - By using slant rhymes in conjunction with other rhymes you can really open up the vocabulary of your song and not be confined to straight rhymes. Dictionary.com defines a slant rhyme as a "rhyme in which either the vowels or the consonants of stressed syllables are identical, as in eyes, light; years, yours."

Nanci Griffith "Love at the Five and Dime"

3. Oxymoron - like before and after, empty and full. Using these in lyrics together can really catch the listener's ear.

Alanis Morissette "Hand in My Pocket"

4. Alliteration - Merriam Webster defines alliteration as "the repetition of usually initial consonant sounds in two or more neighboring words or syllables (as wild and woolly,threatening throngs)". This is a great ear catcher for your lyrics.

Ani Difranco "Buildings and Bridges"

5. Repetition -If done right repetition can create interest and help keep the listener's attention.

Lucinda Willimas "Are You Alright"

Patty Griffin "Every Little Bit"

6. Format of the Song - There are many types of formats to different songs. The most common is ABABCB and ABABB. But you can pretty much place a song in any type of format you want. The lyrics usually drives the format for me when I'm writing. Another fun tool is what's called an outro. It's kind of like a big finish to the song, or really it could be a small finish too, just depends on the song. You can also skip the chorus entirely. This works well when you've got your hook already in the verses.

§ A=Verse

§ B=Chorus

§ C=Bridge

Sheryl Crow "If it Makes You Happy" (outro)

Shawn Colvin "Poloroids" (no chorus)

7. Descriptive Color - Lyrics are much

§ Red - flaming, cherry, ruby, blood, crimson, burgundy, brick, cardinal, magenta, maroon, strawberry

§ Orange - apricot, peach, beige, tangerine, sun

§ Yellow - lemon, golden, canary, blond, amber, chrome, sand, cream, gold

§ Green - forest, kelly, irish, spring, olive, chartreuse, peacock, lime, grass, jade, emerald

§ Blue - navy, indigo, cobalt, sky, marine, aqua, royal, sapphire, teal, turquoise, azure

§ Purple - violet, grape, mulberry, lavender, lilac, mauve, plum, wine, orhid, amethyst