The widest read, 'delivered to your Email box', weekly music Ezine on the Music Net.
The Archive
A service from 'The Serious Writers Guild' at MAKEHITS.COM Written by Dec Cluskey with a little bit opf help from his friends.
This Email first mailed to all Members of 'The Serious Writers Guild' and
subscribers to 'One Minute With Dec' on
18.01.03
"Just to say a big 'thank you' for all your help and encouragement. You are like a breath of fresh air. I am no longer going round in circles - I am calm and hopeful and enjoying every minute of the course. Thank you Dec. Thank you for being prepared to share your wealth of experience with us.
Saved by the wise words of Dec contained in my course. Also saved me money - now that can't be bad." [Sharon - Serious Writers Guild Member No. NETO766030W]
"Dec, You are one in a million, obviously!" [John Beecher, CEO Rollercoaster Records]
I've learned more about pop music in 6 weeks of listening to the charts than I had in the previous 10 years, and I've built up more contacts and a better understanding of how the music industry works than I had regarding the film post-production industry, where I had been working in for the previous 7 years! I've started taking proper piano lessons and studying theory - that I'd put off for years. My hands are playing different notes when I hit the keyboard. I know it's early day yet, but things just feel like they are moving. I'm even finding parking spaces more easily!
THANK YOU!! You are an inspiration. [P*** O***** - Serious Writers Guild Member No. NET0******W]
Thanks again for your time last night Dec. As always I really appreciate it. And hey I must be moving forward as I didn't feel depressed after I came off the phone with you! Either you were being soft on me, or I'm starting to get the hang of things. [John Seifer - Serious Writers Guild Member]
"My Emails are written in good humour, and should be read with a smile"
Interesting email this week which may be of use to the 'rock' subscribers:
"The MARKafterDARK cable rock show is currently seeking bands to feature on the new spring season of shows. For more details please go to http://www.markafterdark.com (no emails please)
PLEASE NOTE:
ALL SUBMISSIONS MUST INCLUDE A FEE OF $14.95 TO COVER THE COST OF HANDLING AND A and R ADMINISTRATION."
That last bit worries me! $14.95 for handling and A&R administration? And, 'no Emails'? Does that mean some guy is actually going to sit down and listen to the stuff? The web-site claims to have a couple of reputable guys sit down and do just that. For $14.95? Two high-earners are going to sit down and spend twenty minutes of their time listening?
A choice bit of advice
I will be very honest here [Hey! I am always honest]. I charge £69 per hour for anything I do. That is a choice bit of advice for you, no matter what business you are in. Work out what your 'charge' is. That way you will always know whether you are 'making money' or just 'having fun'. NOW......
Work out the mechanics of these two guys listening to and critiquing your material. How long does it take to pick up the package, unwrap it, get the CD out, read the enclosed letter, get the CD player in action, listen to the toon....get the letter template up on the Computer, word processor....chat to the other guy and argue the toss about the toon...then write the critique? 20 minutes? Half hour?
Realistically, I have found that it takes one and a half hours to do all of that....seriously!
So, that company above are charging $14.95? For TWO TOP GUYS? Do be serious!
Next time you see a 'critique service'....and there are loads of them about, think in the terms I have set out....the REAL situation. then ask yourself the question:
I would suggest the answer is:
I am not blowing my own trumpet [well! Yes I am!] our critique, appraisal, evaluation service has taken off like a rocket! Unbelievable. Why? Because it is for real! Now the genuine Professional guys are using it...true! Just click on the link and go to:
Putting your songs and material up for sale on your own web site
I was on the radio for three hours last night [BBC] mostly talking about my band...but also about the success of 'The Serious Writers Guild' - helping music makers and songwriters [now in 29 countries]....a question came up about guys putting their songs and material up for sale on their own web sites.
Quite by coincidence I got this Email from an Internet Marketing Expert friend...check it out:
To paraphrase what the Cheshire cat told Alice in Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventure in Wonderland, "If you don't know where you are going, it doesn't matter which way you go." Your e-business strategy is your road map to a successful e-business implementation project. Just throwing up a site is not enough, you must give it a strategic place in your company's long range business plan in order to make your investment pay off. If you don't do it right, someone else will and it will be even more difficult to catch up.
J. Paul Getty's rules for success was, "You must have a working knowledge of the business when you start and continue to increase your knowledge of it as you go along."
The latest Marshall catalogue
I got the latest Marshall catalogue from my local music shop [Hello 'Bonners' in Eastbourne!]
Grab one from your shop if you are interested in guitars....
I know I shout their praises - but, now they have just blown the opposition out of the water! Click on www.marshallamps.com or on the logo on any of our site pages. The new Marshall 'Mode 4' has just taken guitar amplification to a new level....even the 'look' is awesome. And I know, as a Marshall user, in the studio and live, what the Marshall sound does for guitar players.
I has a Master Class Member of The Serious Writers Guild complain to me that he could not get a sound from Marshall that he liked. When someone makes a statement like that there is no answer. Well there is:
Marshall Users: Jimi Hendrix, Pete Townshend, Paul Kossoff, Gary Moore, Randy Rhoads, Slash, Jeff Beck, Joe Satriani, Buckcherry, Kiss, ACDC, Reef, Slayer, Ocean Colour Scene, Paul Weller, ZZ Top, Static-X, Skunk Anansie, Megadeath, Muse, Iron Maiden, Blur, Zakk Wylde, Papa Roach, Toploader, Bon Jovi, Ash, Def Leppard, Primal Scream, Terrorvision, Motley Crue....
Oh, I forgot....Dec Cluskey!
Is that a good answer?
Marshall Amplification listen to what guitar players want...and they deliver! I know. When I am in their company, it never ceases to amaze me the way they listen and digest the slightest suggestion, criticism or 'wish-list'...YES, THEY LISTEN! And what's more...they act.
Again by coincidence I got this email:
"Dec,
I was wondering on ways to create great distortion for hard rock - using full chords.
Since I dislike power chords because of the flexibility of normal chords. At the moment I don't have much to complain about now as far as the sounds I use go, but I still feel I need more edge to my sound.
At the moment I run the guitar into compressor (medium set), then into a zoom505II - where I use it's Ms-Drive (usually) for distortion with 26 gain and 40 (out of 50 E.Q.), then I may use a bit of Chorus and always a bit of reverb for depth. So have you any tips or any contacts you think can help.
Thanks Dec
Mark"
My Reply:
Hi Mark
You don't say whether you are using that set up for live work or for recording.
For live and recording I always recommend Marshall JMP1 module plus a good effects unit [I use Digitech]. This way you can have an extremely flexible studio set up which is accurate, quiet, in terms of noise, and is easy to wire up and use.
It is also extremely flexible for stage work. I use this set up in my concerts. The main two left/ right which are 'speaker simulator' outputs, go to the front of house PA and the auxiliaries go to a Marshall Valvestate, rack mounted amp, which drives a wedge speaker directly in front of me so that only I hear it...no spillage to the audience.
As regards power chords....
There is the pro way and the amateur way.
Pros tend to just play octaves and fifths...with no thirds...that way there are no harmonic distortions and the chord is clean, extremely loud and 'in yer face'. Normal, full, chords played with 'distortion', will always have harmonics and will just sound 'naff' and mushy.
All the big players play as above and you will find that if you adopt this way of playing, then your sound will be monstrous - particularly with anything Marshall.
Reverb for depth?
Careful here! Reverb will always push the sound back into the mix. Check out Brian May, for instance, almost everything he plays is totally dry. But then, that is a whole new area....being such a 'perfect' player and yet understanding the complexities of playing 'dirty'...and playing 'dirty' is not a lot to do with using 'effects' or 'distortion'....it's a whole different ball game!
I have written reams about this subject...check out the Q & A's at www.makehits.co.uk/qanda2.htm for a start.
You could also go to www.makehits.com/links%2.htm for the best guitar links.
Regards
DEC
What do I say about success in music?
You will know that I always say that success in our music business is all about being successful at selling your music and basically having a business-like attitude to our first love -"music".
I am lucky to know some great guys who talk the same language as me....check this out....from John Colonzi...follow everything he says...you won't go wrong!
"Successful guys:
They've not only taken the time to learn as much as they can, they also continue to learn.
They know that once they think they can rest on their laurels their business will decline.
They know that nothing remains the same. What worked yesterday may not work today. Even if it still works today, it may not work tomorrow, or there may be a better more efficient way to accomplish their goals.
The internet and music is a dynamic evolving business. As fast paced as modern life is, music and the internet is even faster.
Think how different the attitudes of the top earners are from the average marketer.
The average marketer reads one or two books and expects to know everything there is about how to make money.
They fall in love with whatever promotional method they're using and if it quits bringing the profits they expect, they throw up their hands and cry there's no longer any money to be made.
Maybe, just maybe, instead of throwing in the towel they should be learning new and better ways of conducting business.
Doctors, lawyers and all the other professionals take courses, read the latest research and try to keep up to date on the changes in their professions.
Why do music marketers think it should be any different?
john colonzi"
Regards
Dec
Health Thought for the week: Apricots are available in UK shops at the moment [from S. Africa]. Apricot kernels [the bit inside the nut] are the best known source of B17, the only known cure and preventive for all types of cancer. Proven since 1932.
Me? I'm grabbing plenty while I can....is it part of the conspiracy, by the medical profession against Apricot B17, that they are rarely available on shop shelves? It certainly makes me think!
Gag of the Week [don't know where they get them but they keep rolling in!]:
Q: What's the difference between a sound man and a bagpipe player?
A: The bagpipes quit whining at the end of the gig.
Heard enough, want to apply to join 'The Serious Writers Guild' and receive the award winning ten month program: "How To Make A $Million From Your Music" now?
"as secure as when you buy in your local shop"
I am so confident in the quality of the materials I offer, that if you are not happy at anytime in your WHOLE LIFE with the product then just mail me and ask for a complete, no-quibble, courteous refund! I mean it! Your payment will be returned promptly and courteously and you will OWE NOTHING. In fact, as a complimentary gift from me, I'll even let you keep all the releases that will make your business EXPLODE WITH SUCCESS - totally free of charge.
This is not only a guarantee - it's a personal promise. There's no catch, and there's no risk - I personally take ALL the risk.
We never advertise - I know and you know that songwriters/musicians tend to know a lot of other songwriters/musicians. If you sign up today and you introduce others to this program, I'm going to give you a full 35% commission on the $277 sale price for any of your friends who join. This means you could get the full cost of the program back AND make a profit within your very first month as a member - and thereafter it's pure profit for you. This money can help finance your music career, help pay off debts, or WHATEVER! I only want you to recommend this program to others if you seriously mean it.
When you sign up I'll tell you EXACTLY how to go about recommending this program to others and receiving your commissions - in fact, it's all a completely automatic process and I'll give you everything you need to get started!
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That works out at the equivalent of just $29.70 a month for a value of at least $750,000 over a ten month period, and it's all 100% risk-free with our iron-clad LIFETIME guarantee - you can't lose!
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http://www.makehits.com/180103oneminarchive.htm -- Revised: 2003-01-19
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