THERE ARE NO RULES IN SONGWRITING --but there are "tools" that can help you achieve your goals.

There are reasons why certain melodies stick in your head – and reasons why some lyrics resonate with millions of listeners. It doesn’t happen by "magic," luck, or coincidence.

There are "common denominators" that occur over and over again in successful songs – songs that touch the hearts of audiences. As a songwriting teacher for BMI and NSAI, as well as a staff-writer for twelve years, I’ve examined those elements that seem to recur in great songs in every genre. By incorporating these tools into our own songs we can express ourselves in such a way that our listeners feel what we intended – and that kind of communication is the essence of great songwriting. It doesn’t matter what you feel – if the listener doesn’t get it.

There are no magic answers or quick roads to songwriting success; steer clear of anyone promising them. But, with hard work, practice, and perseverance, I’ve seen my students sign staff-writing deals, publish their songs, win contests and festivals, have their songs recorded, and become hits. It’s not easy – but it is possible.

There’s nothing in the world like hearing our songs on the radio. I hope my books, instructional CDs, workshops, and critique service will help you to achieve your songwriting goals.

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To read an excerpt from Jason Blume's THIS BUSINESS OF SONGWRITING, (Billboard Books), click on "Songwriting Tips."

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NEW Taking Care of Business Instructional Audio CD 15% OFFwith free U.S. s/h This coupon is good for 15% off the regular $19.95 price on the just released instructional audio CD - "Volume 3: Taking Care of Business with Jason Blume". Not good in combination with any other coupons or offers. Coupon Expires 1/1/09

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IMPORTANT NEW ROYALTY INFORMATION

The Copyright Royalty Board has determined that the 9.1 cent mechanical royalty rate for both physical and digital singles and albums will remain in effect for five years. It has set the mastertone (ringtone) rate at 24 cents.

A mechanical royalty rate of 10.5% of revenues, less composition performance royalties, has been established for interactive streaming (such as Napster) and limited downloads (such as Rhapsody to Go).

The physical and digital album rates and the mastertone rates are retroactive back to Jan. 1 of this year, while the settlement goes back seven years. The 10.5% rate applies to this year and an 8.5% rate applies for the preceding six years.

This decision has been hailed as a positive development for all songwriters and music publishers.

JASON BLUME CELEBRATES 10 YEARS OF WORKSHOPS WITH BMI

Songwriting tutor and cross-genre hit maker Jason Blume recently celebrated ten years of BMI-sponsored workshops and seminars. Since the BMI Songwriters' Workshop inception in 1997, Blume has mentored more than 6,000 aspiring songwriters from at least 38 states. More than 120 workshops have been held in music hotbeds and invigorating locales including Nashville, Austin, San Juan (Puerto Rico), Kauai, and Atlanta.

Held each month from 12:30 to 4:30pm in the BMI Nashville office, the Songwriters Workshop with Jason Blume is open to all songwriters who are serious about and committed to successful commercial songwriting. Registration is explained on the "Workshops/Events" page. 

 

Above: Pictured are (l to r): BMI's Perry Howard, Lauren Holland and Jason Blume, with BMI's Mark Mason and Bradley Collins.

Photo: Photo by E. Dawson

Check out the terrific new interviews and listen to Jason's songs at

http://www.myhitonline.com/Interview.aspx?id=13

http://www.myspace.com/jasonblumesongwriter

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2MrG8bxR_Y

and

http://www.nashvilleedge.com/

or

http://www.nashvilleedge.com/video/index.php?vxSiteId=5368cae8-5604-4125-8e4d-e5cf754720ac&vxChannel=Hear+-+Local+News&vxClipId=2189_202219&vxBitrate=300

UPDATES

Copyright Registration Fees Increased

Effective July 1, 2006, the Library of Congress has raised copyright fees to $45. For more information, visit the US Copyright Office website, www.copyright.gov.

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JASON BLUME is one of the few songwriters to ever achieve the distinction of having his songs on Billboard’s Pop, R&B, and Country charts - - all at the same time. With his songs recorded by pop superstars Britney Spears, the Backstreet Boys, and Jesse McCartney as well as country stars including Collin Raye, the Oak Ridge Boys and John Berry,and international artists like the Gipsy Kings, Blume’s songs are included on albums that have sold more than 50 million copies!

One of the nation's most respected songwriting teachers, when he is not writing hits, Blume teaches others how to do so. He developed and teaches the BMI Nashville Songwriters workshops and has taught his songwriting techniques as a guest lecturer at U.C.L.A. and Vanderbilt University, as well as a member of the faculty of Los Angeles' Pierce College, Nashville's Watkins Institute, and internationally in Norway, Ireland, Jamaica, Canada, and Mexico. His lessons are used by the Nashville Songwriters Associations members throughout the U.S. and internationally.