Looking back over twenty years to my first songwriting efforts, I remember my creative process as so personal and fragile that I was dead certain I would never open it up to another songwriter. This would have seemed like co-painting or more like co-dating…just not going to happen. However, two things DID happen. One, I [...]
The professional demo recording process is a necessary part of the equation for songwriters aspiring to get their material heard by music industry decision-makers and, hopefully, cut by successful recording artists. Despite the fact that hundreds of demos are recorded every week in places like Nashville, New York and Los Angeles, new songwriters often find [...]
Contributed by: Cliff Goldmacher from Educated Songwriter Sometimes songs come easy. You sit down and the whole thing pours out of you almost as if you’re simply transcribing it as it’s handed down to you from the heavens. Those are great but I’ve learned you can’t always count on it working that way. The other [...]
Contributed by: Cliff Goldmacher (EducatedSongwriter.com) For most songwriters in the early stages of their careers, the idea of being hired as a staff songwriter for a publishing company is close to the Holy Grail. It represents that most coveted prize of industry recognition and validation of your talent along with a gateway to cuts, movie [...]
There has NEVER been a better time to spread the word about yourself and music. The internet, with its downloadable digital music files, social networking sites and countless other advances that we can’t even begin to imagine yet, has leveled the playing field in a way that will make the “work” you have to do infinitely more effective.
Who’s the Expert? You’re a songwriter. It’s what you do. It’s what you’ve trained yourself to do through countless hours of study, practice and effort. Your songs are yours and no one can write them for you. In other words, you’ve become an expert at writing your songs. That’s how it should be. However, if [...]
There’s no doubt that being a great songwriter and having beautifully recorded versions of your songs is an admirable goal in and of itself. However, if you’re interested in having your songs see the light of day then your work is really just beginning. This article is the official “chapter after” you’ve written and recorded your song.
One of the single most important elements in a great-sounding, professional recording is the performance of the session musicians. There is a reason that the job of the session musician exists.
I’m going to begin this article by quoting from one of my earlier articles: Your career as a recording artist hinges on many things from the songs you choose to the musicianship on your records. But the single most important thing for your artist identity is your voice. Your ultimate goal as a vocalist is [...]
BMI presents: Cliff Goldmacher’s Demo Production for Songwriters This 2 1/2 hour discussion will cover: Demo production and pre-production Streamlining the demo process Keeping budgets in check Preparing of and pitching of finished demos Cliff Goldmacher has recorded and produced over forty album projects and worked with artists from Emmylou Harris to Chris Barron of [...]
