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"A pessimist and an optimist, so much the

worse; so much the better." Jean de La Fontaine

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A total money back guarantee since we started operations [ but there are thieves about? ]

Be desperately careful! [ your cellphone could be bugged ]

Want to know where to find ‘strange’ guitars?  [the most astonishing guitars]

The noise law in the UK has changed [£20,000 fines now in force?]

Testimonials 

Subscriber's Section [musician rates?]

The gags: .....      [ Nurses aren't supposed to laugh... from Paul ]

 

A total money back guarantee since we started operations [ but there are thieves about? ]

 

We have operated a total money back guarantee since we started operations back in 1996.

 

And may I say that in all those years we have only had 22 refunds in total.  Mostly from guys who expected a ‘get an awful lot of dosh for no effort’ sort of music scheme and were shocked to realise they had to actually work hard to make a $fortune.

 

Only on three occasions have we been the victims of guys buying a complete course month by month for ten months and then requiring the purchase price back … clearly  a scam!  We have even refunded these … only once were our staff so outraged that I would have had a complete walk-out if I had refunded.  Recently a guy purchased ’57 Secrets of a Hit Record’ http://www.makehits.com/57Secrets.htm … then a year later purchased ‘So You’re thinking of Recording Guitar’ http://www.makehits.com/recordingguitar.htm … then months later asked for the dosh back for both the manuals … by the way, this was the first refund request ever for these world-wide best selling manuals.

 

I refunded one … but again for the second time only, the staff would not be taken for a ride ….

 

See what Ty Cohen has to say about these folk:

<<<<  We did everything that we could for this customer

We have tens of thousands of great customers and every once and a while you get one who tries to scam the system by making false and insulting comments in an effort to get something for free. This customer called us up and specifically asked if we gave refunds on our downloadable products.

When the operator said yes, he then placed an order for multiple products of ours and then almost 'Immediately' asked for a refund.

The reason for him doing so is so that he would get his money back, yet still have the products in his possession, since they are digital.

Although we had no problem with issuing the refund, I do believe that it is totally unfair for customers to simply be able to outright 'Steal' products, be it digital or physical. If you go into Walmart and do the same thing you would be put into jail. Stealing is a crime, no matter how it is done.>>>>

 

Well said Ty!

 

"Generalisations are always a bad thing" DAVID FOSTER

 

Be desperately careful! [ your cellphone could be bugged ] 

A pal sent me a link to watch a video of how cellphones can be bugged really easy. 

Your conversations may be listened into by anyone with simple technology.  Even when your phone is off.  Scary or what?  Check out this video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCyKcoDaofg. 

"There is no road of flowers leading to

glory." Jean de La Fontaine 

Want to know where to find ‘strange’ guitars?  [the most astonishing guitars] 

Fascinating guitar site and sales source ... the most astonishing guitars that are so hard to source ... harp guitars, flamenco, 11 string, 10 string ... all the quirky stuff that you hear of but can never find.  Even vintage, ancient collector's guitars. 

The Company is called: Guitarreria de Buenos Aires in Argentina ... Email: info@guitarreriabsas.com.ar and the site is at: http://www.guitarreriabsas.com.ar

 

"It's unlucky to be superstitious" DAVID FOSTER 

 

The noise law in the UK has changed [£20,000 fines now in force?] 

The point above which workers in ANY venue must not be exposed is now 87dB(A) – a level that takes account of any reduction in exposure provided by hearing protection. 

In the UK, at least, there is now an additional legal framework to help support the Noise at Work regulations. Implemented on 16 January 2009, the Health and Safety Offences Act 2008 increases penalties and provides courts with greater sentencing powers for those who break health and safety law. The maximum fine that can be imposed in the lower courts now stands at £20,000 for most health and safety offences, while imprisonment is an option for more crimes related to H&S law in both lower and higher courts. 

Ear defenders [both specialist frequency filters for musicians employed and simple ear defenders for crew, staff, public straying into rehearsals etc.] must be provided and offered to anyone who could possibly hear a sound check or rehearsal.  This includes back-stage, props and scenery crew. 

My band have adopted a standard announcement to start any sound check: “Ladies and Gentlemen present – the sound system will be fired up shortly … it will be exceptionally loud for approximately 5 minutes to check maximum levels.  If you don’t want to be here or need not be here now is the time to leave.  Ear defenders are available from the sound desk position” 

This is both professional and, we hope, keeps us totally within the law.  I don’t fancy £20,000 fine or a spell in jail.

 

"Patience and time do more than strength or passion." Jean de La Fontaine

Testimonials 

“Hi Dec

Thanks for your prompt reply. I have a plan...to start at least; Im going to

re-read and take in and implement ( to the best of my ability) How To Make A

Million.   Thanks for your help.

Kevin”

“Do Nothing, Get Nothing!” Ty Cohen

 

Subscriber's Section [musician rates?] 

Hi Dec, 

Though situations will be different across countries will vary but can you please give me an idea how much a session singer or guitarist will be paid depending on the time of session booked for or time. 

Regards, KK [Nigeria] 

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] 

'KK' 

There is a huge variation in what you can pay, say, a session singer or guitar player. 

First, it has to be understood that if the session is with a reputable record company/Radio Company/TV/Jingle maker then the session 'rates' will be strictly controlled by Musicians Union rules ... see my article on how to be a session guitar player for more on this: http://www.makehits.co.uk/artintro.htm 

The rates are amazingly high and include 'porterage' .... the assumed cost of having the instrument [say Timpani] transported to the studio .... all musicians are entitled to this despite the difference in the size of the instrument. 

Overtime has to be paid if the session goes over time.  In TV there are special arrangements for the show going out 'live' or on a future date and then arrangements for repeats. 

In recording studio work there are arrangements for double tracking and treble tracking etc. [overdubbing] ... there are also arrangements for considerable money to be paid should the musician be asked to 'compose' something .... in other words, to do any playing other than what is on the music [beware asking a guitar player to play an improvised solo] 

However,  

As the level of 'strict Union Rules' comes down ... say a smaller recording studio, then these rules tend to be more relaxed ... 

Sometimes, the rules are totally ignored and the musician or singer makes a 'deal' for either 3 hours [normal session time] or a full day [usually 10am-10pm] or even for the 'tune' until completion.  Overdubbing may be paid for or not depending on what is agreed .... the logic is that one singer can overdub ten times and take the place of a ten piece choir ... so is it right to just pay one session fee? 

In a home studio situation, the rules go out the window and the logic comes in : "the musician went out the door with more money in his pocket than when he came in" 

There has always been a mystique involved with the name 'session player' and musicians will give anything to get that title.  Therefore a lot of musicians will not even ask "how much am I getting" ... they are simply asked to play 'on a session'. 

That said, bad musicians or musicians not suited to the genre of music can waste a lot of time and actually cost the studio a lot of money .... say, other musicians hanging around while he tries his best to play that genre.... and fails. 

So, generally speaking, most studios have their list of fabulous players and singers who they love to use ... they will have a straight deal with the guy and that is it.  No one wants to cheat anyone and the relationship is a fair one.  A lot of the time the studio will barter studio time for playing time ... muso plays a session and the studio allow him three hours to do his own music. 

Many musicians will play any session just to get the experience because they know that TV/Film/Radio work can play fortunes if they are skilled enough and good enough ....

Regards  

Dec [Cluskey]  dec@makehits.com <mailto: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?  

 “How to Make A $Million From Your Music”. To see the course go to http://makehits.com/products090707/million.html   fast cred*it card line: +44 1323.728005 or UK 01323.728005 

To purchase go direct to: https://secure.mistral.co.uk/makehits/swgappsecure.htm 

“3 Minutes on the Radio with Dec” …. Available immediately at http://www.myspace.com/makehits 

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The gags: .....      [ Nurses aren't supposed to laugh... from Paul ] 

"Of course I won't laugh," said the nurse.  

"I'm a professional. In over twenty years I've never laughed at a patient." 

"Okay then," said Fred, and he proceeded to drop his trousers.  

Revealing the tiniest 'man thingy' the nurse had ever seen.  

Length and width, it couldn't have been bigger than the a AAA battery.  

Unable to control herself, the nurse started giggling, then fell to the floor laughing.  

Ten minutes later she was able to struggle to her feet and regain her composure.  

"I am so sorry," she said. "I don't know what came over me. On my honour as a nurse and a lady, I promise it won't happen again. Now, tell me, what seems to be the problem?'  

..."It's swollen," Fred replied.  

She ran out of the room..

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