Categories
I joined SongRamp back in the Early 2000s. I amassed so much inspiration from the other writers here; principal muses include but are not limited to: Ralston Bowles, Michael Campbell and Lucy Webster. But, just like any edifice that has fulfilled the measure of it's creation.... constructs de-materialize and other forms supplant them. I will miss the intimate way in which we could bounce ideas and visions off of one another and then swing around and share them with the rest of the community. I k...
1.7k+ views
2 likes
Check out this guy, Rick Beato and also Recording Revolution. Some very useful tips and lessons.
772 views
3 likes
I never met John Westwood in person but I sure do miss him. Many years ago, while reading song lyrics in a now defunct Songwriters Forum, I ran across a member who was constantly catching hell for commenting and providing constructive criticism on fellow members song lyrics. He wasn't consumed with telling people what they wanted to hear about their songs but he offered heartfelt suggestions and critiques. If the song was good ... he said so. If the song needed a line here or there ... he said t...
819 views
6 likes
Here is the Official Press Release for The Josie Music Awards.. Wow..Congratulations Josie Passantino, Tina Tinamarie Passantino, Team Josie and All who Attended This Amazing Event.. Thank you for my Beautiful Award for Songwriter of the Year Country ( Female )
The Josie Music Awards to The 2016 Josie Music Awards
11 hrs ·
Here it is! The official 2016 Josie Music Awards press release. Check it out: https://www.prlog.org/12589154-the-2016-josie-music-awards-…
709 views
1 like
"Music" there are so many ways to be a part of it. A listener, producer, writer, musician player, arranger, singer, and the list goes on. I just want to give my two cents here. Once a song is written and then recorded; it is then shared with an audience. It ain't complete until it is! Yes, I do believe in re-writes and I do believe in honing your craft. But, while we're down that path and growing to be even better; it's okay to share. Music is about sharing! I remember when I was afraid. But, si...
845 views
5 likes
I`ve only recently started writing songs,after a lifelong Passion for all types of Music.Now I know Country Music is an Aquired Taste,and probably has a minimal following amongst the "Younger" Generations.But Country Music tells stories of real life and loves,sometimes not all good!Somebody asked me" Why dont you write more cheerful songs?" The answer,because life is NOT all cheerful.The depth and Soul of life is far more interesting than meaningless waffle!I try to bring to life in song.experie...
736 views
0 likes
Song Title " The Turmoil, As Long As Im Living, Ill Like You Forever Love You For Always. Wrote part of this piece as a young pre HighSchool Grad. Completed it many years later. Honest critique and open suggestions are very welcome. Lyrics have been established but just the same I am open to the possibility of other lyrical content."Ill Like You Forever, Ill Love You For Always, As Long As Im Living Your Baby Ill Be."https://www.facebook.com/DemurityRecords/videos/1729664817302060/- Jhenny Nelso...
771 views
0 likes
I'm just spreading the word of my new blog "The Melody Of Success" which contains articles and information on the happenings in todays music industry. There are career tips of all kinds including product reviews and musician's resources of all kinds. Please feel free to drop by and feedback of any kind is welcome. Thanks ahead for any and all interest from the Songramp community.themelodyofsuccess.xyz
829 views
0 likes
Artists today need their tracks to compete with what they are hearing on the radio; there is just no excuse for a crappy sounding track. In fact, if you’re track sounds like shit, then it’s our first red flag as to just how lazy, un-resourceful, clueless, and out of touch you are with the music business these days; kinda like showing up to a gun fight with a butter knife. Today’s music is consumed so fast and there is so much of it available that YOU HAVE TO BE FREAKING AMAZING in every way t...
800 views
2 likes
Having spoken to hundreds of musicians throughout my music career, it is interesting to note how some have let the dream fade into the past in favour of a life of normality, whilst others are still walking the yellow brick road in search of stardom. The question we ask is, why do people give up and what happens next?
1. Finances.
If it's not already hard enough having to be the one man band in every area of musicianship, consider the amount of money which needs to poured into a single act in o...
871 views
2 likes
It sure seems to me that there is very little to be happy about these days ... it's a challenge just to watch the news without reaching for the prozac jar. Anger, hurt and disappointment. Violence, murder and hate. Crime, drug abuse and hopelessness. One tragedy after another stacked upon a mountain of catastrophe, calamity and despair.I'm not what would generally be classified as a very religious guy. That is not to say that I'm not spiritual, but you won't find me in church very often. When I ...
562 views
2 likes
Here is how I use Open Mic. I don't have time to listen to all the new songs and catch up on all the old songs I've missed. I select "Play All" from Open Mic and go about my tasks. The volume is loud enough that I can hear from wherever I am and if something grabs me, I go and replay it . If I replay it you get 2 listens and if I "like" it you get a "like". If I have a comment to make I do so . This way every new song gets a "listen from me ...or more . How do you us...
636 views
6 likes
I've said a few times that I like Sunday Morning because that is when I take a little time to listen to the songs on the Songramp Open Mic.It's not the only time I listen but it's my favorite time to listen. When I was younger, I usually missed Sunday morning, if not the entire day, because of the antics of Saturday night. I never really felt very good on Sundays. I'm older now, and although that still happens from time to time,it sure doesn't happen like it did when I was a dumb kid who though...
419 views
4 likes
Okay, so I wrote a song about divorce and drinking though I have no personal experience with either one. So how did I come up with a divorce/drinking song? I've got a brother and friends that are pretty much experts in both and they "volunteered" their expertise. The jest of the song is that a guy getting a divorce seeks out a lawfirm at a local bar and finds the “Highly successful law firm of Walker, Daniels, & Beam”. After I finished the song I went on a golf trip to Arizona with the “muses”, ...
276 views
3 likes
I recently started reading MAB's Questions and Answers thread found in the Songramp Music Industry Insider Forum. All 104 pages and getting bigger everyday, where you can find the do's and don'ts, ins and outs, ups and downs of becoming a songwriter in Nashville, Crashville write another Smashville, Music City, Tennessee, USA.Moderated by Marc-Alan Barnette, a fella who genuinely loves the music business, knows it inside out, and has successfully earned a living as a writer, performer, mentor, a...
364 views
1 like
I will admit to being a “basement musician” most of the time – when I can even find time for that. But, lately, I’VE HAD THE BUG TO GET OUT THERE. Sure, I am known to grab my harps and sit in with friends. I’ve done that for years. But, that’s a bit different than being in the main spotlight, ya know?Recently, I’ve attended a few open mics and songwriter nights and it just feels so damn good! I find myself thrilled at the prospect of bringing my guitar to play – my harps, too, of course, but thi...
772 views
1 like
As I sit here, the morning of my birthday, reflecting on this constant compulsion to create songs, I've come to the conclusion i can't live without it. It's a sweet affliction - an addiction. But one that I would never want to changeSongwriters and poets suffer from the same affliction . . . they both believe they have something to say. I'd bet a buck that most of the following statements describe you:
"I spend a large portion of every day thinking about writing songs.""I read scripture and t...
364 views
5 likes
Everyone needs a hobby and some need cuts ... whatever the reason is you're here writing songs this is how I got here.I started stringing words together on paper as a form of self-expression when I was just a teenager. The idea of leaving something tangible, that wasn't there before, through writing has always been a way for me to blow off steam and have a little fun.
I guess I was writing a primitive form of poetry back when I was a youngster (45 some odd years ago), and it wasn’t a far leap t...
351 views
5 likes
Everyday, tens of thousands of songs are written, all over the world. Most will never be heard. Many more will only be sung by the songwriter, either in small circles of friends, or on a small stage somewhere. Very, very few will ever make the mainstream of radio. But, that doesn’t stop the songwriters of the world from turning out new creations. From baring their souls, from sending their messages, from answering the call of the elusive Muse. Why? For the Sake of the Song.
“Maybe she just has t...
324 views
4 likes
Prior to leaving England 1972 for Australia, I had been a bass player for a couple of bands between 1964 to mid 1967. I was never very good and mainly a plonker around the root notes.I still have contact with the singer and drummer of the main band and when we get together we reminisce about the good old days.
Over the last couple of years I have lost touch with the only surviving guitarist.
In 2003 I met the drummers partner who was unable to work and when I asked her how she filled her day she...
236 views
4 likes
This is the revised version of a lesson I'd posted previously here on the Ramp. I came up with this particular lesson - geared for songwriters who use the guitar when writing - to give them a "reference" tool of sorts which shows all the chords available to them in the five "guitar friendly" keys of C-A-G-E and D. Chances are, if you're looking for that cool "elusive" chord to use, it'll be here. I've provided a table for each key, showing all the different chords that can be derived from th...
302 views
4 likes
This particular lessons offers some different useful ways that you can use to find different notes on the guitar neck.
254 views
2 likes
I’ve always loved Physics – not just a good idea, it’s the law!
For example, a “RAMP” is defined as an inclined plane: a supporting surface tilted at an angle, with one end higher than the other, used as an aid for raising or lowering a load. Ramps are widely used to move heavy loads over vertical obstacles; in our case, The Ramp is designed to help you move your songwriting skills from one level to a higher level.
Scientifically speaking, moving an object up a Ramp requires less force than li...
367 views
2 likes
Here's another reference tool I thought I'd share with everyone here on SR. This is a chart showing different ways that you can modulate (change key) in your song. It shows the original key, the key that you want to move to, and the "transition" or "pivot" chord(s) you could use to move you into the new key. Hope you find this useful!
6k+ views
2 likes
I thought I'd share this capo placement chart for all the guitar players here on the Ramp. It takes the guesswork out of knowing where on the neck to place your capo to play in different keys. Hope you find it helpful!!
308 views
3 likes
I was going through some of the lessons I'd done in the past about different guitar and music theory topics, and I ran across this one. I thought I'd share it here on the Ramp. It basically shows how a chord can be played up and down the neck in different voicings, using the basic open chord "forms" C-A-G-E-D.
280 views
2 likes
I've had a few people ask me about "slash chords", and I thought that it might be a good topic for a lesson to share here on the Ramp. I've attached the lesson as a PDF file.
256 views
3 likes
With SongRamp being a site in support of all things songwriting, I thought I'd offer some "lessons" from time to time (as PDF attachments) about different musical aspects of songwriting, specifically dealing with chords. I got the idea of this first lesson when I remembered a question a songwriter had asked me several years ago about "spicing" up her chord progression. She already had basic chords for her song, but she wanted to add some "color" to them, to make her existing progression a litt...
214 views
1 like
Like millions of fans and admirers, I was in a state of total shock and heartbreaking disbelief when I learned of the death of comedian and actor Robin Williams yesterday. As the all the news reports have stated, Robin's death is being ruled a suicide from asphyxiation. At first, my initial response was "Why, Robin? With the wonderful career that you've had and the millions and millions of people who's lives you've touched with your comedic genius, why did you do this?" As more details of the...
236 views
1 like
The Path Chapter Three
© 2014 by John Kenney
We went past the garden and I got a better look at it as we did. All of the rows were so perfect, very few weeds, so it was clear this was a well tended to garden. It takes time, effort and diligence to keep a garden looking this good. I know because dad and I wo...
239 views
3 likes
So, here we go on our new adventures in SongRamp - new look, new feel - but the same cool folks and laid-back atmosphere. That said, I know that some of you are asking: "WTF?? Why did we do this?"
The Admins and I have been posting about this on the legacy site for a couple of years now. The original developers of SongRamp - Bondware - made a business decision to focus on their more profitable lines, which are heavily directed at the newspaper and magazine businesses. That decision left...
477 views
3 likes
BERT
By Paul Evans Pedersen, Jr.
It's amazing how many thoughts can go through your mind after seeing a face you're sure you think you know, but yet aren't sure enough about it to assign a name to it.
As I stood at the front counter that cold, snowy Monday morning in my White Horse Pike jewelry shop in south Jersey, re-arranging the jewelry I'd been making for the Christmas season that was upon us, the old gal happened in from out of the snow that had been falling since before dawn. She ...
213 views
1 like
The Path
Chapter Two
by John Kenney
© 2014
The inside of the cabin was unremarkable for the most part as I recall, but warm and comfortable.
‘Now Nathan would you care for some tea?’
‘Thank you yes sir.’ I replied, still looking around to see what treasures might be in this home of a man who was gradually enthralling me.
There were no appliances as I recall. By that I mean a refrigerator or such. Just an old iron stove, a large bowl, some shelving, a bed, and table and chairs that very...
211 views
2 likes
The Path
Chapter One
by John Kenney
© 2014
It was very early morning, school finished for another year. One more summer of my youth about to begin. Waking to the ticking of old Dimes toenails on the hardwood floor, the day begins. A pretty normal night's sleep
with ‘those dreams’ again. The good ones, where you don’t remember your feet touching the ground and all the colors are sharp and clear. Another breakfast, another day where all the parts inside wake up one at a time. The sun...
257 views
3 likes
I've never done a blog before...perhaps I'm doing it all wrong, but....... that has never stopped me in the past.
Phase 1 (background)
I decided I wanted into music on February 9th 1964 (google that date). By into I mean...somehow, someway, I wanted to go in that direction. I didn't think "yea drums!" or "yea guitar player!" simply "yea!" A recognition of huge proportions to my 14 year old mind, dare I say the first! (Ok girls were neat but this seemed attainable.) Never fancying myself a gr...
322 views
5 likes
Top Bloggers
