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NEWS   2010/09 WINNERS NEW! ...RESOURCE Page

Why join Song Central ?

What does membership do for you?
I am a professional singer/songwriter - what can Song Central offer me?
How do I become a member?
What can I do once I become a member?
What are the Membership terms /FEES ?
What is the special discount for showcasing offered
to new members when they sign up ?
When should I SHOWCASE my songs and why?
What if I want to SHOWCASE more than 20 songs?
Who are the professonal REVIEWERS on Song Central?
Producing Song Demos - Some DO's & DON'Ts
Classifying your music - view our song genres and sub-genres
How do I pay? What are the payment options on Song Central?

As a Member of SongCentral, you become part of an online community of new and established songwriters, composers, lyricists and members of industries that use original music. Song Central is a platform that puts professionalism and resources right at your fingertips. Membership fees start from $15 per annum (excl. gst).

What can membership of this site do for you?

By becoming a songwriter/composer member you will be able to upload, back-up store and playback (online) your MP3 files and/or upload and store your lyrics (only) material. You can manage your material and potentially find co-writers and other creatives and performers to help you develop and/or record it. You have access to the non-public areas of the site where you can find out about news, competitions, industry briefs or tenders.

Fees range from $15 per year to $240 per year. Members select their Level based on the number of songs/music or lyrics (only) pieces they expect to upload and Showcase.
See our new member terms below.

What can I do once I’m a member?postit

Once a songwriter/composer member you are able to:

  • edit your personal profile at any time
  • upload your MP3 files & key in your lyrics, attribute all song
    details & classification criteria etc.
  • edit your song details information at anytime
  • playback (listen) to your own songs online anytime
    over the internet
  • manage versions of your songs (eg store an early version
    of a song as well as a later (or developed) version of a song)
    with Song Central's version management tools
  • access news, announcements, songwriter competition
    information as well as all 'tender' opportunities
  • submit your song(s) for REVIEW by one of our professional
    reviewers (see our reviewers' details)
  • submit your song(s) to SHOWCASE ie make them available
    for our registered industry user members browsing the site
    for a year (fee below)
  • respond to any industry tenders on the site with songs
    (in showcase) that are suitable for the brief (for free)
  • be contacted directly by any industry user interested in using
    your material to discuss their interest and your commercial terms

How to become a Member?

  • first, get your login by registering some quick details & your email address & password
  • then, login to the site & you'll go to a ''members area'' where you can choose your membership type eg songwriter/composer member
  • next, select your membership level based on your number of songs and how many you will want to showcase (see membership terms below)
  • then make your first annual subscription payment via PayPal on the site
  • you'll be sent a confirmation by PayPal & shortly a welcome email from Song Central along with notification of your ''gifted tokens''
  • next time you login you'l go to your personal home page & can start uploading your songs etc.

NEW Membership Fees (effective June 1st 2009)

Songwriter/Composer
Membership Options

Costs

(excl gst)
per annum

GIFTED TOKENS

No. of Free
Showcased Songs
Level 1

Storage for up to 4 songs/music/lyrics (only)

$15.00

1 x $5 token
$5.00 discount for showcasing

 
Level 2

UNLIMITED storage for your songs/music/lyrics (only) pieces

 
$30.00
6 x $5 tokens
$30 discount for showcasing
1 song
Level 3

UNLIMITED storage for your songs/music/lyrics (only) pieces

 
$50.00
12 x $5 tokens
$60 discount for showcasing
2 songs
Level 4

UNLIMITED storage for your songs/music/lyrics (only) pieces

 
$75.00
18 x $5 tokens
$90 discount for showcasing
3 songs
Level 5

UNLIMITED storage for your songs/music/lyrics (only) pieces

 
$135.00
36 x $5 tokens
$180 discount for showcasing
6 songs
Level 6

UNLIMITED storage for your songs/music/lyrics (only) pieces

 
$240.00
60 x $5 tokens
$300 discount for showcasing
12 songs

If you are a little confused about the different membership options, or you would like to talk to someone about what would be the best option for you, just email admin@songcentral.com.au and we will get back in touch with you. You could also give us a call on 02 9402 7349 to chat in person.

How do I pay? What are the payment options on Song Central?

You can either pay by:

If you are happy to proceed then just Click here to register

When to Showcase Your Songs/Music/Lyrics (only)

Showcase your BEST material!

It is your choice which songs/music/lyrics (only) you showcase and when, but it is wise to showcase your best material - that you consider finished and in a good demo format.

What do NEW members receive with regards the discount for showcasing?

All new members who sign up with Song Central are gifted $5 online tokens to help them with their song showcasing. The number of gifted tokens depends on the level of membership you sign up for eg Level 3 Members are gifted 12 x $5 tokens ($60) that enables them to showcase two songs for free. The chart of fees above outlines the number of gifted tokens gifted to new members as per their membership level.

Why showcase songs?

Because showcased songs/music and lyrics (only) pieces :

  • become available to any industry users on the site (just think of a library ... where music searches can be conducted as people look for different types, genres, subjects of songs or music ANY time and, OVER time eg over a whole year!)
  • can be submitted (FREE) to industry tenders providing they suit the brief
  • can be found by professional co-writers (or collaborators) for further development thus enhanced commercial opportunity

    Showcasing Fees

SONGS/MUSIC

Showcase period - 1 year
$30 per song (6 Tokens)
See new members discount
for showcasing (above chart)

LYRICS (only)

Showcase period - 1 year
$15 per piece (3 Tokens)
See new members discount
for showcasing (above chart)

What happens if I want to Showcase more than 20 songs?

If you join us on Level 6 and have more than 20 finished songs ready in a good demo format that you consider have commercial potential and that you would like to SHOWCASE, then contact admin@songcentral.com.au to discuss a bulk discount rate for showcasing your songs.


Showcasing Professionally Recognised Material:

All songs and music are stored in Song Central’s showcase database. However, material that has been written by a professional songwriter/composer or that has received professional recognition is distinguished by a "P" symbol.

Professional recognition means that the material has:

  • achieved a successful result in a known songwriting/music competition
  • been jointly composed with a professional or had professional input
  • been deemed to have commercial potential by a professional song/music reviewer


What is a Professional Songwriter?

Songwriters/Composers are considered to be Professional Songwriters if:

  • their major source of income is derived from writing songs and/or
  • they have, or have had, songs released commercially by record label/film or other and/or other commercial entity and/or
  • they are listed as a professional in a published music directory


Benefits of Authenticating Yourself

Industry Users like to have some assurance they are dealing with people who ‘are who they say they are’. So, if you provide us with the requested proof of identity and we will add authenticity to your songwriter profile which will be visible to industry users as they sample your song(s). See FAQ for more details.

 

Meet Our Professional Reviewers

reviewers

 

A great way to develop your songs/music and/or lyrics is to have your material critiqued by someone able to offer the benefit of their experience. We are proud to present our current panel of reviewers who have a specialty in the following music genres:

Kim Cheshire - country, blues&roots
Kevin Bennett - blues, pop, country, rock, folk
Lawrie Minson - country, blues&roots, bluegrass
Wendy Morrison - pop, alt pop, folk
Brendan Collins - classical, big band
Noah Shilkin - pop, rock, HipHop, alt rock, jazz
Bill Bridge - country
Ken Sheppard - rock, pop
Graham Green - rock, metal
Roxanne Kiely - rock, pop, country, R&B
Stephen Kiely - rock, pop, country, R&B

Our reviewers are paid for their time listening to and critiquing your song(s). If you wish to have your material reviewed you will be asked to purchase 7 x $5 tokens ($35 per piece) and your material will be assigned to one of our reviewers. They will provide written comments and feedback on:

        • Lyrics
        • Melody
        • Song Structure
        • Song Feel
        • Arrangement
        • Originality
        • Demo
        • Commercial potential

Once the review is complete you will receive an email advising your review is complete and can be viewed and printed from your home page. If you want to know more about our reviewers - read their bios. in our latest newsletter, or the review process, just email admin@songcentral.com.au.


Producing Song Demos - Some DO's and DON'Ts

Song Central industry users provide some TIPS on things that can work for and against your song demos ...

Your song demo is a opportunity for showcasing your lyrical and musical songwriting ability to industry users. A good song demo should be successful in showcasing both your song as well as its 'potential' for further use and/or adaptation.

The best song demo is one that has been produced by a professional producer. However, this is costly and not always an option for many songwriters. So, in the absence of a producer, your song demo needs to be the best YOU can make it both vocally and musically.

Here are some dos and don't worth considering when producing your own song demos.....

DO's

DONT's


DO Find the best vocals for your song...

"One of the most important aspects of creating interest in your songs is the quality of the vocal performance. If you aren't the best singer (or don't have the appropriate voice for your song) resist the temptation to sing it! Remember, first impressions are hard to replace. It's hard enough getting someone's attention in the first place, trying to get it back once the damage is done is virtually impossible. It is far better to find someone else with the appropriate voice for the type of song your are recording with the skill to be able to get the song across.

Kim Cheshire, Ocean Road Music Pty Ltd

 

"It is important that the vocalist should have clear diction and excellent pitch''

Monica O'Brien, Willow Publishing Pty Ltd


DON'T Try and become a producer yourself...

Unless you are a professional producer, don't try and become one. The temptation to fill your song demo with (unnecessary) instrumental tracks and/or sound effects is generally a good way to bury your song (and its potential).

It is a bit similar to ''showing a house'' with view to selling it. If the house is cluttered with too much furniture and bits and pieces, it is hard for viewers to see the house (let alone imagine its potential) So, keep it simple....

Sue, Song Central Pty Ltd


DO Provide the listener with a good ''feel'' for the song...

"A good song should take you on an emotional journey ... make you think about other things that are not necessarily in the moment ... a good story and melody will do that!

Dig deep into your soul ... if it's there you'll find it..."

Larry Tyler, Larry Tyler Artist Management

 


DON'T Record all your new songs, be selective...

"If you have ten new songs to record but a limited budget, don't record them all (quality before quantity). Instead, pick the best one or two (depending upon your recording budget) and invest in the best possible recording of these songs. Most writers are unable to have enough 'distance' from their compositions to make that decision alone. I always suggest solicitng opinions from others (like Song Central staff) as opposed to just family & friends (who are unlikely to have either the right skills or the nerve to tell you the truth) and then make your best songs sound as good as you can make them."

Kim Cheshire, Ocean Road Music Pty Ltd


DO Record your song with appropriate accompaniment...

"As a demo (only) no-one is expecting to hear multiple instrumental tracks (unless a producer has been involved). The accompaniment (whether it be just guitar or keyboards) should be appropriate to support the vocals. So, if your guitar or keyboard skills are not really up to the job - then it woud be much better to find someone else to play the accompaniment."

Gary Keady, The Moongroup Pty Ltd

DON'T Have a long introduction to your song...

This is one of the most common pitfalls made by songwriters producing demos and is one of the surest ways to limit your song's chance of being heard. Always remember, everyone listening to demos of songs & music have very limited time to devote to hearing your song. So, it is vital they hear the best part of your song as quickly as possible. If you have a great hook and chorus don't waste ten or twenty seconds of the listeners time on an introduction (and waste 20 seconds of their time) before they get to hear the best part of your song.

"Industry users will only spend a few moments reviewing your submissions so give yourself the absolute best chance to be heard. In other words ... forget (or limit) introductions."

Monica O'Brien, Willow Publishing Pty Ltd


DO Provide a compelling performance of your song...

"When I listen to demo songs for the first time, the things I find a turn off would be ... long winded intros' ... banal lyrics and no conviction in the performance.... if you don't believe what your singing then how do you expect anyone else to believe it''

Larry Tyler, Larry Tyler Artist Management

DON'T Provide a rough recording...

Don't risk producing a rough recording of your song. For example, some of the live recordings found on YouTube and other video sharing websites are fine for showcasing 'performances' of songs (providing the performance of great) but they are not the best way to showcase your song's potential for consideration by recording artists. It is important to make sure you have a quality recording that clearly showcases your melody and lyrics as well as the song's ''feel'' etc. This requires either good musicianship or programming skills and most importantly the technical and emotional vocal talent to captivate the listener and to make clear the qualities inherent in the composition.

Kim Cheshire, Ocean Road Music Pty Ltd

 

 

Song Central Songs/Music Classification.

Click here to view our Song/music classification

Back to top...

 

 

 
FEATURES…

More coming soon...

 
Current Tenders…

Full details in member home pages...

1. Songs req. for IDOL winner Stan Walker...

2. Songs req. for IDOL runner-up Haley Warner...

3. SONG req. by film producer for close of film..

4-10. FILM Producer looking for 7 music tracks to support movie segments...

11. Int. record prod. req. songs for debut album

12. Producer seeking songs for male pop/r&B - new album

13. Producer req. songs for 2 artists

14. Male country artist req. songs for new album

15. Songs req. for album for female recording artist....

16. Prod. Instrumental music req.....

17. HIP HOP Electronic music req.....

18. Pop /country - commercial songs req….

19. Country/Pop/female artist - song req….

 

 
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