'One Minute With Dec' 10 Jan 2010
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[-The views of any contributor to 'One Minute with Dec' are not necessarily the views of Dec Cluskey-]
"All great songwriters were bad songwriters at first” Dec Cluskey
Menu:
- Best time to write a song? [ how cold is it in the UK ]
Gibson Custom Shop announces the Jimmy Page 'Number Two' Les Paul [this is something special] Twitter can maximise your web site earnings [a good trick and easy to implement] Testimonials [Demo Consultation?] Subscriber's Section [ What music should I write and create? ] The gags: ..... [ Pensioner Health Care Solution from Phil ]
Best time to write a song? [ how cold is it in the UK ]
Whew! That’s about all I can say … I nearly trod on a frozen bird yesterday … next to the frozen road .. it was on the frozen footpath … the pelican didn’t look too good either.
I ventured out in my car [the DFS should work?] … never been let down by a BMW before. I managed about half a mile and turned back … didn’t make it home … first time in my life I had to abandon the car … “nice parking” said an amused pedestrian … yep, it neatly slipped sideways and parked itself smack up against the kerb.
So what to do? Stuck in the studio for days now? Write a song.
The temptation would be to write a ‘stuck in the snow’ song … don’t! The temptation would be to write a Christmas song … don’t! Write a commercial, gob smacking song that will stand beside, Christina Aquilera and Beyonce at the top of the chart … if you are going to write a song, might as well write a hit song. Sensible? Someone has to.
It’s easy to write a mundane ordinary toon … it’s hard to write a good toon …. but it is incredibly difficult to write a potential hit toon ….
Is it only me who realises that a pilot would never take off without a map and instructions to tell him where to go? Yet thousands of writers, in the UK alone will set out to write a toon with no instructions, no map Nothing. That fact alone amazes me, in this Industry.
A builder would not start to build a house without a plan. A doctor would not dream of offering a diagnosis to a patient without all the knowledge available. A painter would not begin a creation without all the planning [and the skills] necessary to complete the project.
Where to learn? Where to get the skills? Where to get the information? Do I need to say?
PS: My daughter just called to say she has been strolling on the beach this morning with her tiny daughter … “lots of folk there” she said …. I might venture out … after I have written that hit toon.
"No matter how you feel – get up, dress up and show up" Dec Cluskey
Gibson Custom Shop announces the Jimmy Page 'Number Two' Les Paul [this is something special]
Jimmy Page played on one of my band’s hits … whenever we meet we have a laugh about those days … his session playing days. With Vic Flick, Jim Sullivan, Ernie Ford, Brian Daly - he realised that the way to sizable income as a guitar player was to know how to read music and read it as if it were the daily newspaper … the first run through had to be as good as the final take … and the top UK session guys could do that … check out http://www.makehits.co.uk/art022.htm
Gibson have now teamed up with Jimmy for a sure-fire guitar winner .. I would dearly love to own one of these. In fact, I probably will!
Produced in strictly limited numbers, with two levels of aging, this guitar captures the look, feel, sound, and versatility of one of the greatest artist-owned Les Pauls of all time, and it is likely to disappear from authorized Gibson dealers in record time.
Read on:
"I only commanded heroes" British commander in Afghanistan
Twitter can maximise your web site earnings [a good trick and easy to implement]
If you are a musician, singer, songwriter, rapper or anyone else looking to get more exposure and make more $$$ with their music, check out this neat trick. In fact, if used correctly, this one tip could add a few hundred dollars or more to your music sales on a regular basis, so pay very close attention and keep it to yourself.
The first thing you need is a Twitter account, hopefully you already have one. It’s easy to set up.
Now, along with a Twitter account of your own, you should also have your own website (not just a MySpace page, but your own www.YourName.com). Again easy to set up … best site to get a domain name and get up and running is http://www.1and1.comThen you can get in touch with Makehits and we will give you advice on the best type of music site to have …email dec@makehits.com
Having your own website makes what you are doing musically look 100% times more professional than just having a MySpace page, plus it will get people to take you a lot more serious and that is what you want!
So, here is the secret method.. There are many Twitter contributors who will grab the data, including your website URL from your "Official" Twitter profile and place it on their site, which means more incoming links to YOUR website...
The very first website address that you enter into your Twitter profile area must be YOUR website or at least the website where your music can be purchased, downloaded or heard. Doing this helps to dramatically increase your search engine rankings and visibility on top money sites such as Google, Yahoo and Bing (MSN) for that page, so you want to make it a high value page.
Well, that's it, seems simple enough? Do that, watch the results for the next couple of days / weeks and you'll be amazed at how well this little "Trick" works...
"Don’t take yourself seriously – nobody gives a sh*t” Dec Cluskey
Testimonials
“Hi Dec,
I thought you & the ‘One Minute’ gang might enjoy this video for a song I co-wrote with extraordinary Dutch singer Jenny Lane. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVU5K3NMX7M Be sure to click on HD for better quality & the little button next to that for full screen. I have 2 co-written songs on her great new album Monsters. Thanks for all the continued support & advice. Have the wickedest Christmas & New Year. Mick Lee.” |
"Get rid of everything that isn’t useful, beautiful or joyful" Dec Cluskey
Subscriber's Section [ What music should I write and create? ]
“Hi Dec,
I need your advice.
I simply don't know which style to choose from to write my 'hit'.
Like a Jack-of-all-trades I had a go at such diverse styles as Nu-Metal, Indie Rock, Pop, Funk and even RnB. Needless to say that none of these have worked out - otherwise I wouldn't be writing to you.
My main issue is that I find it difficult to find the right people to work with. My voice comes with a disclaimer so I have to use a singer - the last one I worked with threw a strop because I suggested some minor rewrites of his lyrics (the-thousand-words-problem). Others (not only singers) are just unreliable, lose interest, have different ideas, won't compromise, have smelly feet, whatever - well you know the deal. I don't want to sound whiny I'm just a bit fed up.
Yeah, I know what you're gonna say - I haven't tried hard enough, giving up six inches before the finishing line, no determination. Well, maybe - on the other hand: do I really want to waste my time waiting for others? Or should I concentrate on my assets and talents and use them? Given that choice I go for the second option.
I'm primarily a guitar player and to get on with things I'm thinking of perusing the road of instrumental guitar music so I'm thinking of combining instrumental guitar music with Drum'N'Bass, Chill Out/Ambient and Trip Hop elements to create something that's a bit more cutting edge then the stuff that's currently available. Obviously I will have to test the water through live gigs to see how people react to it. And of course I will have to create the Image, clothes, live show, merchandise, etc to go with it as well.
The market for instrumental guitar music is rather small so breaking into it hopefully isn't too hard - at least compared with mainstream pop. Of course library music and TV/Film/Advertising music are other avenues to explore. I feel especially TV and Ad music would appreciate the cutting edge factor.
This is my 'business plan' in a nutshell. And that's where I need your advice. I won't ask you what you think. I won't ask you whether the world needs another 'Steve Vai' or 'Eric Johnson'. Nope - the magic question is: With all your experience and know-how, do you think this will make money? And why? (just to avoid a one syllable answer :-))
Looking forward to your reply
Best regards C********
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My Reply:
Our rules are "one short reply to ONE question on music FOR NON-MEMBERS, Members of 'The Serious Writers Guild' have unlimited personal access to Dec by direct telephone, Fax and Email, apply at https://secure.mistral.co.uk/makehits/swgappsecure.htm ".
[Any advice given here shall not be deemed as financial or legal advice under any existing or future laws of any country]
C********
Your problem is not unusual.
You may be starting from the wrong premise.
The record/music industry is simply trying to market and sell desirable, money making music. Therefore it makes sense to write and produce music that is 'wanted' ... not what you perceive the public 'need'. [guitar based 'chill'?]. The core of your music business should be what the masses want [12-18 year olds] then you can take a chance on creating a future trend [guitar chill]
Simply put yourself in the place of Mercedes or BMW ... they would not survive if they gave the public what they perceived they 'needed' ... MacDonald’s tried that with healthy burgers and recorded the first yearly loss in their history.
It appears to me that you need a plan.
Asking non professional guys to sing/play for you is a recipe for disaster. You need to employ proper, commercial, modern day 'pros' who are used to studio work .... they will work for surprisingly little money if your stuff excites them [but don't insult them with tiny fees] ... if they sense that you 'know' your business...as you should from studying 'How to Make A $Million From Your Music' then they will respect you. Always deal them in on the writing if they contribute .... use the 'manila envelope' system I have given so often. Study '57 Secrets of a Hit Record'http://www.makehits.com/57Secrets.htm so you really know what a money making track should be.
It seems you don't write lyrics?
There are always in excess of 100 members of The Serious Writers Guild actively looking for collaboration .... every hit CD has at least two, three even six writers ... so trying on your own, again, is a recipe for disaster. Go to http://www.makehits.co.uk/collaboration.htm
The biggest selling music today is Hip hop ..... buy it, learn it, digest it, make exact copies in your home studio set up [to show the complexity of it]
Use the 'Demo Consultation Service''Demo Consultation Service' ..... at school you only know your progress by your material being examined by the expert teachers... likewise, it is impossible to know that you are going in the right direction without constant examination [the best £47 worth in the world of music]
When you 'have one' ... that I feel has got potential, I can put you in touch with sh*t hot production teams ... if they like the material then they may want to work with you .. that is when you take a quantum leap into the big time ... other Members are finding that out now. They are shocked with what these guys can do with their songs.
I make the promise that if you send a potential hit demo to our consultation service I will definitely get it to the right people.
Library music is very lucrative, but you have to have the grounding in 'today' music .... advertising music has always been more forward thinking than even the top three ... always. It is also an extremely difficult area to get into .... your material has to be 110% 'in yer face' right for the job. Gone are the days of orchestral film scores and cheesy jingles. It is Hit toons that are required for film and TV background.
Regards
Dec [Cluskey] dec@makehits.com
2 Gold discs in 2008! Decca have relaunched their ‘World Of’ series on the back of those hits. Readers Digest are now promoting a triple album set …. Do you think I can help your music career succeed?
Check out 'How to Make A £Million From your Music' at http://www.makehits.co.uk. Secure purchase at https://secure.mistral.co.uk/makehits/swgappsecure.htm or fast cred*it card line: +44 1323.728005 or UK 01323.728005
“3 Minutes on the Radio with Dec” …. Available immediately at http://www.myspace.com/makehits
“I have a voice that has nothing to offer” Sandra Bullock on Jonathan Ross show
The gags: ..... [ Pensioner Health Care Solution from Phil ]
So you're a senior citizen and the Government says no health care or pension for you, what do you do?
Our plan gives anyone 65 years or older a gun and 4 bullets. You are allowed to shoot 2 MP’s and 2 Senior Government Officials.
Of course, this means you will be sent to prison where you will get 3 meals a day, a roof over your head, and all the health care you need! New teeth, no problem. Need glasses, great. New hip, knees, kidney, lungs, heart? All covered.
And who will be paying for all of this? The same government that just told you that you are too old for health care. Plus, because you are a prisoner, you don't have to pay any income taxes anymore.
IS THIS A GREAT COUNTRY OR WHAT?
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