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Musical Composition, Theory and Songwriting/Questions
| Subject | Date Asked | Expert |
| Familiarizing With Note Sounds | 2/6/2012 | Chuck |
| Q: I'm Ciara, and I'm extremely desperate and hope you can be of some help. It said in your description ... A: Ciara: You are wanting a skill that took me years to develop. If I could give you the ... | ||
| Vocal Arrangement fees | 2/5/2012 | Bill Pere |
| Q: I have been trawling the net to find out what the going rate in the UK is for writing vocal ... A: Martin, There is no precise answer for this question as it involves many different factors: -- ... | ||
| Licensing | 1/24/2012 | Bill Pere |
| Q: I have been reading about the different licenses required for works of music and need some ... A: John, Thanks for your question, This is an important topic that confuses lots of folks. You're ... | ||
| my song | 1/23/2012 | Bill Pere |
| Q: I have composed a nice ballad and played it on a clarinet. What's the best way to get it on a sheet ... A: Dick, Thanks for your question. You're actually asking two questions: The first is how to ... | ||
| Producing "magical" rhythms/beats | 1/20/2012 | The Doctor |
| Q: I'm composing a song, and I guess the concept is pretty good so far, and I hope unique as well, ... A: Trust your gut. If you feel like a certain rhythm or beat doesn't fit with the rest of the music ... | ||
| harmony of jazz fusion style | 1/10/2012 | D C DowDell |
| Q: i wrote before, you said that the chords used in fusion are the same as in some other ... A: com. Extended chords (using 9s, 11s, 13s and their variations) are more often used in Jazz than pop ... | ||
| Transposing and Keys | 1/10/2012 | Dr Colin |
| Q: I know my clarinet is a b flat instrument. I know that piano is a c instrument. I know that if I try ... A: Many thanks for getting in touch. I guess a lot of students find this issue a bit perplexing. Your ... | ||
| Keys and Transposition | 1/10/2012 | Clare Redfarn |
| Q: I played clarinet in high school band, and recently started again after 32 years. I know that ... A: Although the clarinet can play any chromatic note within its range, because of the way it's ... | ||
| chords | 1/6/2012 | Dr Colin |
| Q: When I play the notes C-E-G-B my keyboard tells me it's a "C M7" chord. I thaught that this would be ... A: You are absolutely correct in your undertsanding of the C7 chord. However, there are two types of C7 ... | ||
| How do you get a small choir to sing your song? | 1/1/2012 | Kevin Ure |
| Q: "Dear Sir, I'm writing a hymn for my late father and would like to seek a small choir to sing it. ... A: I’m not entirely sure what you intend to hand the choir, so I am going to make this response more ... | ||
| How do you get a small choir to sing your song? | 1/1/2012 | Phil Kelly |
| Q: I'm writing a hymn for my late father and would like to seek a small choir to sing it. However, I ... A: It would be best if you could furnish a simple 4 voice ( SATB ) arrangement of the song to give it ... | ||
| A chord question about writing hymns | 12/17/2011 | Bill Pere |
| Q: recently I found new pleasure in listening to Catholic hymns, like How great thou art, Abide with ... A: Kevin, Thanks for your question. In writing a hymn, or any type of music, you can always use any ... | ||
| Pedalling in Mozart K.310 | 12/14/2011 | Clare Redfarn |
| Q: Its me, again. Hope you're doing well! I've taken your advice and stuck to Fazil Say's Paganini ... A: You're right, it needs some pedal. Mozart needs absolute clarity and a singing legato that, in his ... | ||
| music path | 12/11/2011 | Dr Colin |
| Q: I have a musical talent (I have to ability to copy concerts , songs with all details on my mind and ... A: Music is obviously very important to you. You say that you started lessons on the organ but didn't ... | ||
| music path | 12/11/2011 | Edward Palamar |
| Q: I have a musical talent (I have to ability to copy concerts , songs with all details on my mind and ... A: MIDI (musical instrument digital interface) allows for you to put your ideas into an editable format ... | ||
| music path | 12/11/2011 | Clare Redfarn |
| Q: I have a musical talent (I have to ability to copy concerts , songs with all details on my mind and ... A: You obviously enjoy listening and responding to music, but so does nearly everyone - loving music ... | ||
| music path | 12/11/2011 | D C DowDell |
| Q: I have a musical talent (I have to ability to copy concerts , songs with all details on my mind and ... A: com. I suggest you contact the counselors at your local colleges and universities and arrange ... | ||
| 8va both clefs? | 12/6/2011 | Clare Redfarn |
| Q: I am referring specifically to piano Sonatina, Op. 157, No. 1 by Spindler, first movement. When 8va ... A: No, the 8ve over a stave only ever refers to that stave so leave your left hand where it is. The ... | ||
| ATCL Program Notes Help | 11/29/2011 | Dr Colin |
| Q: Colin, I was just wondering whether you could help me. I'm going to sit for my ATCL Piano Exam and ... A: First, I must confess that this is not my area of expertise and I cannot recall the pieces you ... | ||
| song writing | 11/29/2011 | Dr Colin |
| Q: my name is esmaa I am 15 years old i love to sing and i have written some songs, i would love to ... A: Many thanks for getting in touch. I am very pleased to hear that you have written some songs. I'd be ... | ||
| meter for a song | 11/26/2011 | Phil Kelly |
| Q: When a song composition is basically 3/4 , how best to decide whether 6/8 or 9/8 is appropriate. I ... A: The defining reason that helps decide which triple meter is best employed is which one best ... | ||
| Does the song length determine whether you have a bridge or not? | 11/16/2011 | Bill Pere |
| Q: I am writing a piano-based ballad (in the style of Jim Brickman) and was wondering if I need to add ... A: Kevin, Thanks for your question. Lots of writers get confused about elements of song structure. ... | ||
| Does a good song needs to be catchy? | 10/29/2011 | Bill Pere |
| Q: My question is about how a song can be seen as being good critically. This question is very broad. ... A: Kevin Thanks for your question. Understand that good songwriting and popularity are totally ... | ||
| songwriting | 10/20/2011 | Chuck |
| Q: I have composed a blues melody, and played it and taped it on a small recorder. (clarinet) ... A: Dick: Thanks for your question regarding ''finale'' a music program> I have friends that use this ... | ||
| sheet music | 10/16/2011 | Phil Kelly |
| Q: I was wondering if you might have any knowledge about if there is any kind of market for older sheet ... A: Jay: My first thought would be to put the material up on eBay or one of the other anline auction ... | ||
| grammar in lyrics | 10/7/2011 | Bill Pere |
| Q: should the lyrics of any song be written in perfect grammar and composition? A: Jovit, Thanks for your question. This brings up an important point that many writers overlook. ... | ||
| Old Masters & composition | 9/27/2011 | Dr Colin |
| Q: Colin, Did the old masters ie. Mozart Beethoven etc. know every instrument in the orchestra when ... A: That's a very good question and one that more people should ask. I am delighted to hear that you are ... | ||
| Writing a song | 9/22/2011 | Phil Kelly |
| Q: Okay, I am completely stumped as to how to write an actual song. What I mean by that is, ive ... A: Tavish: I'm basically a composer arranger ( who has on occasion had to do lyrics ) but I normally ... | ||
| Book of Music | 9/21/2011 | Dr Colin |
| Q: I have used this Music book few years back, but do not remember the title of the book to search it ... A: I think you might have caught me out here. However, I can very vaguely remember a book with those ... | ||
| Whether you can use a fictional detail for your factual song? | 9/18/2011 | Bill Pere |
| Q: My question is about whether you can use a fictional detail for your factual song, especially when ... A: Kevin, Thanks for your question - this is an important topic. Ask yourself if you're writing ... | ||
| Can YouTube help a songwriter to promote his songs? | 9/16/2011 | Bill Pere |
| Q: YouTube is said to help many unknown artists to become famous. But it seems to me that most of the ... A: Han Kim: Thanks for your question. YouTube is certainly a tremendous asset for gaining wide ... | ||
| Pianist seems to be tone deaf | 9/14/2011 | Penny Nichols |
| Q: I have a very gifted pianist (13, female), who I have done a pitch test with twice and she seems ... A: A couple of things to try: 1. Have her put one finger in one of her ears and then try to match a ... | ||
| Brass quintet and voice and possibly piano and organ | 9/8/2011 | Phil Kelly |
| Q: We are planning a big Christmas service and we have a brass quintet, a pianist an organist and a ... A: The easiest way to do what you want to do would be once you find the brass arrangement you like, ... | ||
| 4 part harmony | 9/7/2011 | Dr Colin |
| Q: For a given melody- let's suppose "twinkle, twinkle little stars" on C scale.Which starting note ... A: So you can compose melodies, well, that's very good. Adding harmony to a melody is very much a ... | ||
| 4 part harmony | 9/6/2011 | Dr Colin |
| Q: For a given melody- let's suppose "twinkle, twinkle little stars" on C scale.Which starting note ... A: There seem to be three questions here. If a song starts on the note C (in the key of C) then it is ... | ||
| Future of songwriting as a job? | 9/5/2011 | Bill Pere |
| Q: Could you pls explain a little about the job of a songwriter in the near future. Is it true that ... A: Kevin, This is a very big topic, much more than can fit in this space. As long as music exists, ... | ||
| 4 part harmony | 9/4/2011 | Dr Colin |
| Q: For a given melody- let's suppose "twinkle, twinkle little stars" on C scale.Which starting note ... A: Your suggestion for the voincing of the first chord is correct in principle but not in practice. ... | ||
| Where should you study to become an arranger? | 8/15/2011 | Phil Kelly |
| Q: Is there a common education for professional arrangers who grew up and work in the United States? I ... A: Well, when I was of university age ( 1955 -60 ), there were no dedicated jazz programs to attend, so ... | ||
| What if your song is meant for a choir? | 8/15/2011 | Bill Pere |
| Q: I wrote a song which is meant, for maximum effect, to be sung by a choir. But in this case, I'm ... A: Kevin, Thanks for your question - I've written many songs for choir and have found several paths to ... | ||
| What scales to use for soloing? | 8/14/2011 | D C DowDell |
| Q: I know most of the scales and modes, but have a difficult time choosing a scale to use when soloing. ... A: com. There are 2 factors when deciding what scale to use for a solo. 1.) over Tone Centers (with a ... | ||
Answers by Expert:
Bill Pere
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
Can answer questions on : Technical aspects of lyric and music compostion; How to give and receive objective critique; Arranging and production; Concrete vs abstract imagery; Use of metaphor; Rhyme techniques; Song Structure; Collaboration; Songwriter Associations; Promotion; Guitar technique; Music Business;
Experience
Grammy-Award-winning songwriter; President of the Connecticut Songwriters Association and Director of the Connecticut Songwriting Academy; Named one of the Top 50 Innovators and Guiding Lights of the Music Industry in 2008 by Music Connection Magazine; Author of "Songcrafters' Coloring Book:The Essential Guide to Effective and Successful Songwriting."
Named Independent Artist of the Year,by the 2003 national Independent Music Conference; 30 years as a professional singer-songwriter; 16 original CD's released;
Have had songs placed on other artists' CD's. Twice named Connecticut Songwriter of the Year.
20 years as Executive Director of the LUNCH Ensemble. Have attended more than 200 presentations by top industry professionals and have critiqued thousands of songs. Have written and produced dozens of stage plays and hundreds of concert events; Have coached hundreds of aspiring songwriters, and collaborated with several award winning writers. Have written commissioned songs as an Official Connecticut State Troubadour. Music Director of youth choirs and music camps.
Organizations
Connecticut Songwriters Association (President); LUNCH Ensemble (Local United Network to Combat Hunger -- Exec, Director); CMEA (Connecticut Music Educators Association); Folk Alliance; Association For Psychological Type; Songsalive; WE R Indie; Creative Songwriting Academy;
Publications
Songcrafters' Coloring Book: The Essential Guide to Effective and Succesful Songwriting
Songwriters Market (2001, 2002); Connecticut Songsmith; Contemporary Songwriter Magazine; Songwriters Musepaper;
Songcrafter's Coloring Book; Strategies for Teaching Guitar;
Education/Credentials
Masters Degree Molecular Biology; Certified MBTI Practitioner (Myers Briggs Type Indicator); Connecticut Secondary Public School Teaching Certificate; Author: "Songcrafters' Coloring Book: The Essential Guide to Effective and Successful Songwriting"
Awards and Honors
2012 Grammy nomination; Named one of the Top 50 Innovators and Guiding Lights of the Music Industry in 2008 by Music Connection Magazine; Independent Artist of the Year, (2003 national Indie Conference); Official Connecticut State Troubadour, appointed by CT Commission on the Arts, 1995 ; 1982 and 1992 CT Songwriter of the Year; 2000 Award for 20 years of Outstanding Service to Songwriters;
2002 CSA Award for Outstanding Contribution to Education through Music; Numerous awards for outstanding community outreach through music; 1997 Citation from Connecticut Legislature for exemplary dedication to community outreach through music. 1995 Renaissance Award for multiple music achievements in a single year. Invited Presenter and Mentor at various Music Conventions
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