February/March 2010 ® A Bi-Monthly News Update for Songwriters & Composers BMIBas r o a d c t M u s i c , I n c.® Bulletinbmi.com Using Notation Taylor Swift Wins Album of Year at 2010 Grammys Software aylor Swift capped off Best Dance Recording honors By Dave Simons her past year of pop and Fame was named Best culture domination Electronic/Dance Album. any of us who Twith four career-defining Colbie Caillat, Jamie Foxx, are songwriters wins, including the cov- T-Pain, Kanye West, Keith have little use for eted Album of the Year for Urban, Lady Antebellum, Mreading or notating music, Fearless, during the 52nd an- Béla Fleck, Eminem, and why should we? Jot nual Grammy Awards, held Rihanna, Carrie Underwood, down a chord progression, Sunday, January 31 in Los Kurt Elling, Booker T. Jones, add some words and a Angeles. She and her pro- and many more also enjoyed melody, and there you are. ducer, fellow BMI songwriter big wins. But let’s say you wanted to Nathan Chapman, took the Wins from Taylor Swift, add a horn part to your new stage, as Swift proclaimed Lady Gaga, Zac Brown Band, aulfield song. Though you could how thankful they were to be C and Colbie Caillat, as well play your idea on a keyboard able to take the trophy “back as the dominance of John for your saxophonist guest, to Nashville.” Michael Legend, and most recently, writing out the section is far A slew Grammys are Taylor Swift chart-topper Ke$ha, as well more efficient. But unless headed for mantle pieces as so many others, under- you’re very skilled, putting in Music City, as several group the Zac Brown Band score the arrival of a new the notes on paper, complete Nashville-based BMI song- claimed the Best New Artist generation of superstars, and with all necessary rests, writers and artists walked prize. also point to the successes repeats, sharps and flats, away with big wins in multi- The Black Eyed Peas, of one of BMI’s cornerstone could be quite challenging. genre categories: Kings of Eminem and Rihanna initiatives. The organization With music notation Leon’s “Use Somebody” walked away with multiple has played an early role as software, your computer earned Record of the Year awards each, while Lady connector and encourager does the job for you. This honors, while breakout Gaga’s “Poker Face” earned continued on page 2 kind of software turns continued on page 6 Song Hall To Induct Leonard Cohen, David Foster

With this issue, the BMI MI legends Leonard musical creators. Already Cohen was inducted into Bulletin introduces a new Cohen (SOCAN) an established poet and the Canadian Songwriters series of articles designed to and David Foster novelist when he turned to Hall of Fame (2006) and the help you further your career Bwill become members music, Cohen has crafted Rock & Roll Hall of Fame through the expertise pro- of the elite Songwriters unvarnished classics (2008), while his world tour, vided by Songwriter101.com, Hall of Fame during the “Suzanne,” “Bird on a Wire,” launched in May 2008, is still a website devoted to helping organization’s 41st annual “Sisters of Mercy,” “Famous drawing sold-out crowd the next generation of song- induction ceremony, slated Blue Raincoat,” “So Long, Fifteen-time Grammy- writers learn the ins and outs for Thursday, June 17 at the Marianne,” “Hallelujah” winner David Foster is a of the business. Marriott Marquis Hotel in and many more. His songs songwriting giant. With Articles will cover a New York City. have been recorded by unparalleled instinct and broad range of topics, in- Leonard Cohen has artists including R.E.M., bottomless talent, he has cluding music publishing, copyright, studio recording long-since defied easy Bob Dylan, Elton John, garnered an unprecedented techniques and other areas, categorization, receiving Judy Collins, Willie Nelson 46 Grammy nominations. all targeted to helping you and surpassing recognition and, most recently, Justin Foster’s profound legacy build a successful career as a of his eccentric brilliance in Timberlakes. A recipient of of song includes an songwriter. stride, only to become one the 2010 Grammy Lifetime extraordinary chain of #1 of the country’s preeminent Achievement Award, continued on page 6

1 What to Do Before You Record Your Demo ®

By Cliff Goldmacher you’re not paying the studio perfect recording but rather an hourly fee. an accurate representation of s a result of record- You can also benefit from the song structure. In other ing and producing trying a few rough record- words, it doesn’t have to BULLETIN literally thousands ings at home before you get sound great as long as the Editor: Robbin Ahrold Vice President, Corporate ofA demos, I’ve learned that it to the studio. The simple act chords, melody and lyrics Communications and Marketing is always better to “Prepare of listening back to a song are correct. The purpose of Managing Editor: Howard Levitt and Prevent” than to instead of performing it will this work tape is to provide West Coast Editor: Hanna Pantle “Repair and Repent.” Here reveal any weaknesses or the demo vocalist and ses- Nashville Editor: Kay Clary are a few steps you can take issues that need to be dealt sion musicians with a final Technology Editor: David F. Bills to help make your demo with before the studio clock version of your song from Assistant Editors: Elisabeth Dawson, Jamil Walker recording experience more is running. The last of these which they can learn. Design: Jenkins & Page successful. rough home recordings will Let’s start with the demo It may sound obvious become the definitive work vocalist: It’s always a good The BMI Bulletin® is published by Broadcast but make sure your song is tape. policy to get a copy of the Music, Inc., 320 West 57th Street, New York, finished. I can’t tell you the This is any simple, in- work tape and the lyrics NY 10019. President & CEO: Del R. Bryant, 320 West 57th Street, New York, NY 10019; number of times I’ve had expensive recording that to the singer a week or so Corporate Secretary: Stuart Rosen, 320 West clients come into the studio you do on a hand-held tape before the session. There 57th Street, New York, NY 10019; Treasurer: Angelo Bruno, 10 Music Square East, only to start rewriting a part recorder, mini disc player, are several reasons for this. Nashville, TN 37203. of the lyric or melody. It is mp3 recorder, etc. Generally First of all, the singer can Permission is hereby given to quote from or reprint any of the contents on the condition significantly less stressful a piano or guitar plus a let you know what key the that proper copyright credit is given to (and quite a bit less expen- scratch vocal will do the song should be in to best suit the source. ® ® ® sive) to write a song when trick. The key here is not a continued on page 6 BMI , BMI.com and Broadcast Music, Inc. are registered trademarks of Broadcast Music, Inc.

© 2010 BMI Taylor Swift Wins Album of Year continued from page 1 BMI OFFICES festivals was one of the ceremony’s New York includ- highlights, underscoring 320 West 57th Street New York, NY 10019 ing CMJ, the late legend’s Lifetime (212) 586-2000 Fax: (212) 245-8986 Lollapa- Achievement Award. Fellow e-mail: [email protected] looza, BMI Icon Loretta Lynn Nashville 10 Music Square East SXSW, the also received a Lifetime Nashville, TN 37203 (615) 401-2000 Fax: (615) 401-2707 Key West Achievement Award, along e-mail: [email protected] Song- with Bobby Darin, David Los Angeles writers “Honeyboy” Edwards, 8730 Sunset Boulevard Third Floor West Festival Leonard Cohen (SOCAN), Los Angeles, CA 90069 aulfield C and the and Clark Terry. A-team (310) 659-9109 Fax: (310) 657-6947 e-mail: [email protected] Austin heavyweight and first

Michael Miami Kings of Leon City Nashville NARAS chapter 1691 Michigan Ave Suite 350 Limits president Harold Bradley Miami Beach, FL 33139 for these and countless other Music Festival. From spot- and legendary producer (305) 673-5158 Fax: (305) 673-8287 e-mail: [email protected] artists back when “up-and- ting and supporting a Florence Greenberg also each Atlanta coming” best described dynamic Lady Gaga when received the Trustees Award. 3340 Peachtree Road NE their careers. BMI’s layered she first electrified small Lady Gaga kicked off the Suite 570 Atlanta, GA 30326 approach to songwriter clubs, to championing the Grammy telecast in electrify- (404) 261-5151 Fax: (404) 261-5152 e-mail: [email protected] development comprises prodigious talent of a teen- ing form, segueing from a London educational, creative and age Taylor Swift, whose charged delivery of “Poker 84 Harley House promotional opportunities, songs somehow both belied Face” into a duet with Sir Marylebone Road London NW1 5HN including the BMI Lehman her youth and embodied it, Elton John (PRS), featuring England 011-44-207-486-2036 Engel Musical Theatre, Jason BMI has been there from the Gaga’s “Speechless” and Fax: 011-44-207-224-1046 Blume Songwriters’ and Jazz beginning, and will remain John’s “Your Song.” Taylor e-mail: [email protected] Composers Workshops; 8 off a steadfast and dependable Swift, Pink, Zac Brown Band, Puerto Rico 1250 Ponce De Leon Ave. 8th, Pick of the Month and supporter. and many other BMI trend- San Juan, PR 00907 (787) 754-6490 Fax: (787) 753-6765 Acoustic Lounge showcase A stirring tribute to setters also delivered dy- e-mail: [email protected] series; and stages at premier BMI Icon Michael Jackson namic live performances. ❏

2

NEA Salutes 2010 Jazz Masters

he National Endowment for the Arts saluted theT gilt-edged coterie of 2010 NEA Jazz Masters Award honorees on Tuesday, January 12 in New York City. As part of the celebration, BMI hosted a celebratory luncheon at the Sheraton New York Hotel & Towers. An overwhelming majority of the honorees are BMI composers, including Muhal Richard Abrams, Kenny Barron, Bobby Hutcherson, Yusef Lateef, Annie Ross and Pictured at the BMI-hosted luncheon honoring the 2010 NEA Jazz Masters Award recipients are (standing) Wayne Brown, NEA Director, Music & Opera; Rocco Landesman, NEA Chairman; 2010 NEA Jazz Masters Award Cedar Walton. Previous honorees Cedar Walton and Bill Holman; BMI President & CEO Del Bryant; and Robbin Ahrold, BMI Vice President, BMI inductees include such Corporate Communications and Marketing; with (seated) 2010 NEA Jazz Masters Award honorees Muhal Richard greats as Sonny Rollins, Abrams, Yusef Lateef, Annie Ross, George Avakian, Kenny Barron and Bobby Hutcherson, seated. Miles Davis, Art Blakey, Max Roach, Lionel Hampton, Ron the retrospective honor are honored at a public the NEA Jazz Masters honor. Carter and Dave Brubeck, applauds the pioneers of awards ceremony, and may The National Endowment among many others. America’s most original art be offered opportunities for the Arts has supported The NEA Jazz Masters form. for participation in NEA- jazz artists and organizations Award is the highest honor sponsored promotional, since 1969, providing bestowed on jazz artists. About NEA Jazz Masters performance, and millions of dollars in grants A tribute to the substantial NEA Jazz Masters are educational activities under and awards. career achievements and selected from nominations the NEA Jazz Masters artistic breakthroughs each submitted by the public National Initiative program. For more information on recipient has contributed and receive a one-time Only living musicians or NEA Jazz Masters, please throughout their entire lives, grant award of $25,000, jazz advocates may receive visit neajazzmasters.org. ❏

Key West Songwriters Festival Preps for 15th Year

he Key West Full band concerts will Malo Band, Randy Houser Bowen, Casey Musgraves, Songwriters Festival bookend the 2010 festival, as Band, Robert Earl Keen, Kim Bobby Tomberlin, Molly will make paradise Universal South recording Carnes, Jamey Johnson, Dean Reed, Dan Adams, Joel evenT sweeter during artist Randy Houser kicks Dillon, Hugh Prestwood, Shewmake, Todd Wilkes, the event’s 15th annual things off with a free concert Scotty Emerick, Shawn Josh Thompson, David installment Wednesday, at the Ocean Key Pier on Mullins, Dallas Davidson, Adam Byrnes and many, April 28 - Sunday, May 2, Wednesday, April 28, 6-8 Chuck Cannon, Chuck Jones, many more. 2010. Presented by Better p.m. The Raul Malo Band Marty Dodson, Rebecca Lynn Specific lineups, Angels Music and benefiting performs at the Ocean Key Howard, Kylie Sackley, Jon venue and additional the Muzak Heart & Soul Pier Saturday, May 1; tickets Mabe, Chas Sandford, Dave ticket information will be Foundation, the festival will are $15 in advance, $20 at Pahanish, Sherrie Austin, announced soon. feature more than 100 top- the door, and go on sale Natalie Hemby, Luke Laird, For a complete list of tier songwriters performing February 2 at keystix.com. Bonnie Bishop, Jaida Dreyer, sponsoring hotels, local most-loved hits. Anchor- Performances will Sunny Sweeney, Kelly businesses and participating sponsor BMI will continue feature an award-winning Archer, Tim James, Ashley songwriters, please visit its widespread support of collection of the world’s top Ray, Heather Morgan, keywestsongwritersfestival. the fest. songwriters, including Raul Emily Shackelton, Will com. ❏

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everything from simple Tom Rudolph, director of notes, accidentals, time aids, shouldn’t be solos to entire horn sections music for the Haverford signature and other fine considered a substitute for into high-quality printable School District, Haverford, detail. Once your notation acquiring and developing transcriptions, allowing PA. “Notation programs is complete, you can hear basic ear-training and you to share your music have many helpful tools for it back using the desired music-theory skills. While with others in a flash. Good creating scores and parts “virtual” instrument learning the software, take software packages offer such as adjusting the look (most programs come some time to refresh your a number of methods for of the printed page, adding with a library of different understanding of alternative getting the notes onto the text, lyrics, chord symbols, instrument voices); you chord voicings, root page. For instance, you can changing the size and shape can also isolate individual inversions, relative minors, enter the notes manually, of the music, creating guitar parts for playback as well. and related concepts — all using a keyboard or mouse. tab, scanning in printed If you make a mistake, you of which can only help you You can connect a MIDI music and much more.” can easily adjust the part broaden your perspective as instrument directly to your Two of the more by grabbing the wrong a songwriter. ❏ computer and play the popular notation software note with your mouse and passage yourself, or output programs are Sibelius moving it into the correct Song Hall To Induct the part to be transcribed from Avid Technology and position. Cohen, Foster from pre-recorded audio MakeMusic’s Finale (the To get the job done even continued from page 1 (that has been saved in newest version, Finale 2010, faster, enter the notes from MIDI format). And like a was released this past June). a MIDI-equipped keyboard, singles from the ’80s, word-processing program, Others include Encore, or any instrument that uses including Chicago’s “Hard notation software allows Notion and Overture. Some an external MIDI interface To Say I’m Sorry,” Peter you to make edits and other packages come in “entry- device. Using this method, Cetera’s “The Glory of adjustments to your work level” or “lite” versions, your music appears on Love” and John Parr’s “Man once the passage has been though may not include the page instantaneously in Motion” (St. Elmo’s Fire entered into the computer, many of the top features as you perform the part soundtrack), as well as later such as relocating notes found in the original. (again, you can make hits “After The Love Is on the scale or transposing Most are compatible with adjustments afterwards Gone,” “I Have Nothing,” entire sections should you both Windows and Mac using the keyboard and “Look What You’ve Done choose the wrong key. operating systems. mouse, if necessary). The To Me,” “The Prayer” and Not to be confused with Using the computer’s latest version of Finale “You’re The Inspiration.” In music-production software keyboard and mouse is allows brass or woodwind 2007, Foster was inducted packages such as Digital the easiest way to get players to enter notation by into the Canadian Music Performer or Cubase (which started with your notation playing the part through a Hall of Fame, while recently, are mainly used for the software. In Finale, for microphone, and with no he produced two top ten processing of instruments instance, a “Simple Entry MIDI interface required. albums on the Billboard Top and sounds), notation Tool” lets you key in Though it is a convenient 200 Chart: Michael Bublé’s software serves as a “virtual notes one at a time, as and flexible tool, notation Crazy Love and Andrea music typewriter,” says well as adding rests, grace software, like all computer Bocelli’s My Christmas. ❏

What to Do Before You Record Your Demo continued from page 2

their voice. This way, if you vocalist. The lyrics should vocalist is recording, the should have no trouble do- end up recording instrument be typewritten and have easier it will be to tell the vo- ing it for you quickly using parts before the singer does each chorus written out in calist what works and what the work their part, you’ll know the full. The reason for this is needs to be fixed. tape you bring to the session. correct key. Secondly, the that you’ll be using these The session musicians After that, it’s up to the more time the singer has to lyric sheets to mark spots do not need a work tape in singers and musicians to learn the song, the less time that need fixing (or spots on advance. They will be learn- bring your song to the next he or she will take to sing the certain takes that you like) ing the song from your work level. There’s nothing more song when the studio clock and having “Repeat Chorus” tape when they get to the fun than listening to world- is running. written for the second and session. You can save a little class musicians and vocalists When you get to the third choruses won’t allow time by writing a chord chart record a song you’ve written. session, it’s wise to have you to take good notes. The of the song if it’s something The more you prepare in ad- printed lyric sheets for the better the notes you take you’re comfortable doing. vance, the more you’ll enjoy engineer, musicians and on the lyric sheet while the If not, the session musicians your studio experience. ❏

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® February/March 2010 A Bi-Monthly News Update for Songwriters & Composers

BMI asB r o a d c t M u s i c , I nc . ® Bulletin bmi.com

T aylor Swift wins Album of Year at 2010 Grammys What to Do Before You Record Your Demo

Taylor Swift capped off her past year of pop culture domination with As a result of recording and producing literally thousands of demos, four career-defining wins, including the coveted Album of the Year I’ve learned that it is always better to “Prepare and Prevent” than to for Fearless. Page 1 “Repair and Repent.” Page 2 Song Hall To Induct Leonard Cohen, David Foster NEA Salutes 2010 Jazz Masters

BMI legends Leonard Cohen (SOCAN) and David Foster will become The National Endowment for the Arts saluted the gilt-edged coterie members of the elite Songwriters. Page 1 of 2010 NEA Jazz Masters Award honorees on Tuesday, January 12 in Using Notation Software New York City. Page 4

Many of us who are songwriters have little use for reading or Key West Songwriters Festival Preps for 15th Year notating music, and why should we? Page 1 The Key West Songwriters Festival will make paradise even sweeter during the event’s 15th annual installment Wednesday, April 28 - Sunday, May 2, 2010. Page 4

® PRESORTED BMI Bulletin STANDARD 320 West 57th Street U.S. POSTAGE PAID NASHVILLE, TN New York, NY 10019 PERMIT NO. 2789