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Songwriting Tips
While enrolled in college in 1972, Rex Benson began a songwriting career. He subsequently opened his first publishing company in 1979, and his first big break came when he signed a co-publishing deal with Famous Music in 1982. Rex has opened 4 other publishing companies since. This led to his first Nashville cut, followed by his first trip to Music City in 1983. Rex has written and/or placed songs for Network Television (NBC/CBS), The USA Network, The Disney Channel, The WB, and Film, and is currently aligned with PEN Music Group Inc. in Los Angeles, for Film and TV placement and administration.

Rex was kind enough to give Broadjam some basic tips for competitive songwriting, especially with music licensing opportunities in mind:

In any of the true SONG formats, the following tips may help you become more competitive as a Songwriter:

1. Write from titles. The more visual, the better. Visual titles will tend to be more unique, will create an image in the listener’s head, and will attract associated visual lyric.

2. Think CHORUS. Radio nearly demands it these days as this is the part of the song that the listening audience easily learns. Allow your CHORUS to be the Star of the song. It should appear early and often and with clear melodic lift at its entrance – the A-B-A-B-C-B CHORUS structure works well (w/ 4-line verses, 4-line choruses, and 2-line bridge).

3. Keep intros short (15 seconds is ideal Max) and allow first chorus to enter no later than 45 to 50 seconds into the song. Remember, "We came to hear the chorus."

Pianist and composer Alva Nelson also plays a pianist in current TV hits Gossip Girls and Lipstick Jungle. He has performed at the Montreux Jazz Festival, North Sea Jazz Festival and led his own group at New York’s Blue Note club. Nelson has received multiple honors (from the NEA, IAJE and others) and was awarded three Meet the Composer commissions. Yet, despite the accolades, global experience, and wide-ranging background, Alva Nelson is most at home when he is seated at the piano, leading his own jazz trio, engaging in a musical conversation with his band mates and audience. More than anything, Nelson is proud of his new CD, Soul Eyes, on his own Kilosi Keys Music label.

http://www.broadjam.com/alvanelson

ACIDplanet.com is the Internet's premier site for music, video and unique artists. It's home to a growing online community of exciting, individual digital musicians and videographers. You create and upload your own music and videos for the world to experience. Or, listen to music created by others, and check out the most popular videos. ACIDplanet also sponsors the Broadjam Song of the MonthSong of the Month Contest. The winner of every Broadjam Song of the Month Contest has their winning song turned in to a remix contest on ACIDplanet.com! It's all about the music, the video, the artists and the community, all the time.

ACIDplanet.com