Rebekka's Corner

Hello and welcome to the website for Women in Music Minnesota. We are a non profit 501 C 3 to help women and girls in music. I hope that you will have a chance to browse our site and be able to attend a show, write in, or take a look at our forum!

We have a web broadcast LIVE show Sat. Feb. 27th and Sat March 27th. Both will be broadcast from www.TwinCitiesRadio.net from 1-3pm Central time. I hope that you will be able to see the show. We will be showcasing some talented women songwriters from many generations who will play both current and older songs.

Sunday, March 28th, is our Women's Jam! It will be at the Mainstreet Bar in Hopkins, MN. It starts at 7:30pm and it's free, open to the public and all ages. You can also tune in live at the link in the middle colum that says "live webcam". (make sure to allow pop ups)

WIMMN has also been very active in many other projects as well. This summer is our music camp for girls to play in a band that will take place at Perpich Center for the Educational Arts in Golden Valley. You can get more information at www.PopRockers.org . We can only take 35 students, so make sure to sign up early before you lose your spot.

Please check out the Minnesota Women's Music History website; we are gathering stories from folks who had Moms or Grandma's who have played professionaly in Minnesota or friends who have made a significant impact on the music scene for Minnesota. So, take a loook and see if we have forgotten some folks, or bands, or stories that should be included.

Take care and check back again next week for an update!
Rebekka


Questions? Leave a message on the hotline: 651-649-4877
rebekkafisher@comcast.net
Rebekka Fisher



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Songwriting Tip of the Month
by Jill  Holly

We’ve all heard songs on the radio and thought, “I can write a better song than that,” or “I wish I had written that song,” or “great hook, but stupid song,” and lastly, “Wow, what a great song, what was the name of it?”

There are basically 3 things that drive a song on the radio.

1. THE ARTIST- Often and artist will come out with an album having only one or two radio hits out of the 10-12 cuts that are on the CD. If the first song becomes a hit, then the DJ’s have to figure out what other cut to play. They collectively decide, unless the label has instructed them otherwise. Sometimes the demand for the artist is so great among the listeners, they can’t wait to hear the next song. If the album was launched with only one bonafide good song, then we are subject to hear those “other” songs. Usually the “hit” is written by outside songwriters and the rest of the compositions are written by the recording artist. Then you ask: ”Why would they sign the artist?” Perhaps great vocals, personal appeal, or having the “it” factor.

2. THE STORY- Sometimes a song has such a powerful message and lyrical flow that the listener is spellbound by the song. Sometimes the individual lines are not as memorable as the story itself but full of impact. Often the story is so compelling we don’t pay attention to who the artist is that’s singing the song. These are the kind of songs that launch artists.

3. GROOVE- Throughout history, and nearly every 2-3 years there are a few songs that make the listener bob their head to the beat before the third note of the song. Great groove. The groove often becomes more famous than the song. Often the bass line is delivering a powerful, hip shaking, hypnotic pulse that stays with the listener long after the song is over. I can think of a few off the top of my head…”Brick House,” from Lionel Richie, “Cocaine,” from Eric Clapton “Every Breath You Take,” The Police, and U2 has at least one on each album, such as “She Moves in Mysterious Ways.”

My point in all of this: concept songs #2 & #3 stay with the listener long after the songs are over. How does your writing add up? What can we learn from this?

Unless you’re famous, #1 won’t pertain to you unless you’re writing for artists other than yourself. Most of you are not in a band, so #3 doesn’t pertain to you either but #2 does!

The story is the most important concept for you to focus on when trying to get your songs on the radio. This is where uncut writers should focus their attention anyway. Even if you’re not writing that kind of a story song…paying attention to how you’re going to move your audience is time well spent. Ask yourself, “What do I want my listeners to feel? What do I want them to see? Have I fulfilled all that the listener is asking of me? Meaning, did I give them an unsatisfying ending or did I answer and fill in all the holes so that they love the song and can’t wait to hear it again?

Pay attention to the story line of your song. Remember that you are writing a 3-4 minute movie via your lyrics and music. Just like a movie, you have an intro, introduction of characters and situation, the chorus is a proclamation of the outcome your story is trying to achieve, the 2nd verse helps drive the point home with additional information and sentiment as to why we should care about this song, the bridge is the pinnacle of the film i.e. the car chase scene, perhaps the reunion, or answering any questions you may have posed throughout the song, & tying up loose ends. The last chorus (even with the same words) should satisfy us that the point you made was valid and worthy of us listening to your 3-4 minute movie.

Sometimes asking yourself questions about your own composition will teach you where your strengths and weaknesses lie. If you see an opening to make things better, then re-write, re-write, re-write.

© 2010 Jill Holly

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WIMMN Bulletin Board
Updated 12/23/09

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Pop Rockers is a week long summer music program for girls
Girls can learn pop music and be in a band. July 26th to July 30th (9-3pm) at Perpich Center. More information at www.PopRockers.org This will fill up fast because it's a limited number of students.


Monthly TV/Web show sponsored by WIMMN. The fourth Sunday of every month from 1-3pm, tune in on our webcam to see our show. Or click on www.twincitiesradio.net to get a better picture. To sign up for the show, you must have performance experience and have a demo to submit for consideration to be on the show. Send submissions to WIMMN, PO Box 7152, St Paul, MN 55107 or e-mail rebekkafisher@comcast.net 


Visit "Women's Music History of Minnesota".  Submit a story of your Mom or your Grandma's musical performances here in Minnesota to use and be documented for publication. Don't let these stories die away. Please share them with everyone. You can visit the website (which is always being updated) at MN Women's Music History web site


Our very own member of WIMMN is hosting a jam in Apple Valley on Tuesdays from 7-10pm. It's at the Apple Valley American Legion Post, 14521 Granada Drive. www.post1776.com They are blues, rock, country, bluegrass, etc.
bring your axe!!


The Minnesota Association of Songwriters (MAS) meets in St. Paul at 7 pm on the last Wednesday of each month in room 206 of the McNally Smith Music College at 19 Exchange St., across from the Fitzgerald Theater. Meetings include educational modules for improving songwriting skills, guest speakers and song critiques. Membership is only $25 per year. For more info, please visit http://www.mnsongwriters.org
NSAI meets the 1st Tuesday of the month and the 3rd Wed of the month at 989 Selby Av in St Paul at 7pm. It's free


List your gig on our calendar: e-mail your schedule to Rebekkafisher@comast.net

to see the calendar of gigs, click on WIMMN Forum (upper right corner) and then click on "Calendar" (upper right corner)


Want something posted on this bulletin board? e-mail your information to rebekkafisher@comcast.net