AboutPenny Nichols Expertise I can answer all kinds of questions regarding singing techniques, practice, performance, vocal recording technique and harmony vocal arranging.
Experience I have been a professional singer/songwriter and vocal arranger and teacher in the music business since 1965.
Organizations BMI, Folk Alliance, SummerSongs, Inc. (I am the founding director)
Publications Singer Magazine
Education/Credentials I have a doctorate in Music Education from Harvard.
Awards and Honors Platinum record for my vocals on Jimmy Buffett's Son of a Son of a Sailor, 3 times nominated for a Grammy in the background singing category, MVP in the motivational singing category of the Assoc. of Multi-image Assoc. Annual awards two years in a row.
Past/Present Clients I have sung with, recorded with or opened shows for Mort Sahl, The Byrds, The Dillards, Dillard and Clark Expedition, John Kay
(Steppenwolf), The Association and Big Brother and the Holding Co. (Janis Joplin), Steve Miller, Quicksilver Messenger Service, 13th Floor Elevator, Chocolate Watchband, Jefferson Airplane, Dan Hicks & his Hot Licks, Cream (the Santa Monica Civic auditorium 1968),
Little Feat in concert. I wrote and performed commercials for Toyota's campaign to plant a tree for every car bought, Carnation Dairies, and produced a public service announcement for the
Navajo Nation called "Black Mesa" to protest the misuse of the land around the Four Corners power stations in Arizona.
In 1977, while working with Emitt Rhodes on a record for Elektra, I joined Jimmy Buffett & the Coral Reefers. I appeared in the movie FM with the band, toured the U.S. and earned a Platinum Record for my singing on Son of a Son of a Sailor. Also, I've recorded with Art Garfunkle (Fate for Breakfast) Suzi Quatro, Danny O'Keefe, Yvonne Elliman, Jennifer Warnes, Albert Brooks, The Credibility Gap, Steve Gillette and earned a Grammy nomination for my work on Arlo Guthrie's album The Power of Love. In addition, I have recorded a series of singing lessons which have been sold world-wide by Homespun Tapes since 1985.
Question Hello and thanks for taking the time to read my question.
I am a songwriter, that is to say, I write lyrics and I have the melodies in my head, but I lack the knowledge of music-writing to write them down. I have about 20 original pieces that have the lyrics and melodies all set in my head.
I would like to record them on some sort of computer program, and add in background music. Nothing fancy is necessary, I don’t need an orchestra backing my vocals, just a little something to flesh out the lyrics. As I said, I can’t write music, but I’d like to be able to ‘compose’ the instruments, by clicking here and there till I find what sounds good. Is there a type of program that fits what I am describing? What would something like that be called?
With this music recorded, I would then like to take the vocals out, so that I could burn the music (without lyrics) to a CD and then take the music along with me to open mic nights and try my hand at a ‘live gig.’
Honestly, I’m not sure if I’m any good (although my husband is a huge fan *smile*) but to at least get something out there, and to try, would mean the world to me. Even if I totally suck, at least then i would know. I love to perform, and I love the songs I’ve written, I just don’t know if anyone else would. But I’d really like to try.
Do you have advice for someone in my position?
Thank you so much for taking the time.
Answer Hi there Faye:
I am afraid that I don't know of any computer program that would play music for you just by "clicking here and there". You could try writing in Sibelius, a sheet music software program that does have different instrument sounds in it, but you would probably need to be able to attach a synthesizer to the computer to do any kind of real playing on it.
My advice to you is to hire an arranger to work with you on your songs and then go to a nearby studio and record them. You can find recording studios listed in the phone book and they can usually recommend an arranger, depending on where you live.
