You've probably heard the two radio companies Sirius Satellite Radio and XM Satellite Radio, but you may not know much about them as much as all costs or what radio talent is always on. Many people are tired of hearing the reasons for regular AM and FM stations for many. It may be that they are tired of being bombarded by advertising. It may be that they do not like the programming available to them. On the other handHand, may simply be that they are in a rural area and tired of losing their radio signal all the time. Whatever the cause, many consumers are turning to satellite radio as an alternative to regular radio stations.

Both companies are offering free satellite radio static. XM (based in Washington DC) and two Sirius (based in New York) has three satellites in the United States. Both companies offer commercial usersFree Radio. Sirius offers 125 channels, XM offers 160 different channels. There are fans dedicated channels for genres such as jazz, folk, country and pop for diehard. An interesting feature of satellite radio, you can track, click the artist name and play the song. So do not ask to spend time, who sang the song you just heard! There are also channels for weather and traffic, sports, entertainment, womenQuestions, talk shows, even old-time radio shows. It may soon be able to listen to your satellite radio audio and video to be seen.

There are also celebrity shows for satellite radio, both companies. Martha Stewart recently signed an agreement with a radio channel to initiate a 24-hour Sirius Satellite Radio. And almost everyone has heard that Sirius Howard Stern – uncensored. Once we are still in trouble with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) forhis radio talk show, has decided to jump on the respiratory system of uncensored satellite radio. Since his show started, the Sirius customer base increased by at least 2.7 million. If satellite radio and do) listen to National Public Radio (NPR, you must subscribe to Sirius, NPR as the only bidder. But Sirius XM is not being left behind. XM signed Snoop Doggy Dog, but the great Coop Oprah is. In September 2006, users will be able XMTo set Oprah & Friends. The new channel will offer broadcasts of The Oprah Winfrey Show, O, The Oprah Magazine and programming on fitness, health improvement and self-determination.

All this sounds good, but what you really need to get satellite radio? Need an XM or Sirius radio. This does not necessarily mean only radio for use in a car. There is also the radio home today and there are available radioYou can use both at home and in cars. The price for a basic radio offered by both Sirius and XM is as low as $ 49.99. You must also register for a service. Both Sirius and XM charge $ 12.95 per month you can receive radio signals to your satellite. However, if you have multiple cars with satellite radio, you can choose family planning available to save the two companies.

How popular is satellite radio ever? In March 2005, Hyundai announced that they did sell the car first, the satellite radio in all its models in the United States. Each Hyundai, including the popular Sonata, Santa Fe and Elantra models will be equipped with an XM satellite radio. When this was announced, the parent company XM shares rose more than 8 percent. Jaguar and Mercedes-Benz also announced in March 2005 that Sirius radios would have been a dealer installed option on some of their models.

These satellites> Radio choose? This depends on you. You should check the layout for stations to go and see all the companies before making a decision. Both radios offer at prices comparable, so it all depends on what you want to hear. If you are a fan of Stern? Then you have to go with Sirius. But if you love Oprah, you may just feel like on XM. No matter what you choose, it is undoubtedly Radio satellites are very pleased with the performance and reception.

For music lovers who love the melodies surrounded themselves with the uninterrupted sound of their favorite television satellites can provide the perfect diversion. As satellite radio popularity in 1992 in full, as it was found that the format offers almost unlimited possible way to listen to hundreds of stations that account for almost all genres of music. Like millions of customers know that the commercially available satellite free-form> Radio offers a pure listening experience of any conventional radio receiver.

But money problems or many price-conscious consumers, satellite radio switch was delayed. For them, the additional purchase of a box and the monthly fee for the service of their entertainment budget. That is more hesitant buyers satellite TV is obviously able to step in and fill the empty sound.

Satellite TV providers have beena quiet little 'has satellite radio, his client for a number of years. Dish Network, for example, 2004 includes over 60 channels of Sirius satellite radio in many of their packages to their customers at no additional cost there. This is in addition to a similar number of channels, dishwasher, music and CDs. The combination of different free satellite radio and commercial services and the excellent quality digital audio CDsatellite television is the perfect partner for all audio enthusiasts.

Be a fan of contemporary or classic pop, rock, soul, country, can Hip Hop, R & B, Christian, Dance and Electronic channels Sirius offers a sound that is required. The holes in the music program of the TV satellite providers are quickly filled by jazz music and CD Dish channels offering everything from children to the tracks.

Certainly, the purchase of a majority of consumers in the U.S., a kind ofPremium TV service like cable or satellite TV to enjoy in their homes. For those who are passionate about music, satellite TV will cost a great way to get in addition to some of the advantages of satellite radio without. Great TV and great music at a price that is not to love?

Remember the days when it was almost impossible to be able at any time to listen and a good mix of music or other radio programs you wanted somewhere? I think, and believe me, if the value of your news and talk radio the way I was a time that you want to return. In those days I spent more time browsing the channels and seek between AM and FM and to be able to use the content they want, when I heard they have access. Since Sirius PortableSatellite Radio in the mix a few years this is no longer a problem.

I like to talk about the situation of having immediate access to news, music or radio at any time. I personally use the Sirius Stiletto 2, which gives me more features than I could ever use. This thing brings me crystal clear all programming, no matter where I am. This portable Sirius satellite radio makes the drive from my house, my car, my job every day.

Thewhole family enjoys the satellite radio if it is at home. My wife likes to listen to the radio Martha Stewart, my sons love the Disney programming, and the rare occasion that I get my hands on my portable satellite radio, Sirius home I have the news and talk radio, is not currently available FM or AM dial.

This thing is priceless commuting. I spend at least two hours a day in my car on the road driving to and from work through the more ruralAreas. If it were not for this Sirius radio I had to change radio frequencies for several times to see programming that, when all I could about it.

My favorite feature in this portable Sirius Satellite Radio is the built-in MP3 player. Like most people, I have my favorite talk radio hosts and news that I feel like I feel every day. The Sirius Stiletto 2 should not be on the radio when they are. ThisSirius portable satellite radio that can be up to 100 program hours! So when I am in a meeting or doing honey dos I set my Stiletto 2 to record my favorite shows are, then go back and listen when it's convenient for me.

This portable Sirius satellite radio units can only be purchased in a package including car, home or car kit installation, or may acquire as. I personally found it worth my money to buyStiletto 2 with Car Kit. I am also the kit home wherever my ability to complete this great radio to use satellites. There are also many other accessories available for this receiver.

As you know, there is a small monthly fee to access the Sirius satellite radio, but I found my investment is worth it. For the price of one and a half lunch at McDonald's are able to pick and choose from over a hundred channelsTo ensure that content simply is not constantly on the AM-FM radio.

Because this is a review I want to emphasize the bad points of a portable Sirius satellite radio, but honestly I have no complaints with my device or service. I could not be happier. If you like the quality of information or music on the radio it receives is the only way to go.

Millions of radio listeners in the United States and all over the world have become so much happier with the introduction of satellite radio. Now, people can listen to literally hundreds of stations that offer music, news, radio talk shows and more in virtually real-time and at a much higher audio quality than that which FM or AM radio provides.

With conventional radio, land-based stations broadcast their signals to your boom box, computer, or car radio via the earth’s airwaves. With satellite radio however, providers transmit encrypted signals to satellites they launched in outer space; these satellites in turn beam the signals to customers’ listening devices. But you can’t use just any radio; you need a special receiver (which is available at electronics retailers) and a satellite radio set. You can also listen to satellite radio broadcasts in your car since many new cars rolling of the assembly lines have satellite-ready equipment already installed. All you would need to do is pay for your monthly subscription.

In the United States, service is offered by XM Satellite Radio and Sirius Satellite Radio. Sirius, a company based in New York City, has over 125 channels from which to choose, 67 of them dedicated to commercial-free music and the rest to various other content. XM, on the other hand, offers more than 160 channels, which offer content that is as diverse as that which Sirius extends to its customers. The services are available coast-to-coast, so geographical availability of programs is not an issue. A customer in Los Angeles, for example, can listen to the same talk show that another customer in say, Boston, is listening to at the same time, and with no degradation in audio quality. Remember that satellite radio also means digital radio — sound is crystal-clear. There’s none of the static or hissing you would sometimes hear on FM or AM radio. Non-US residents can also take advantage of the benefits of satellite radio; XM and Sirius offer their services in Canada, while WorldSpace broadcasts its service across Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. Australia has several providers of its own also.

Factors that attract people to sign up for satellite radio subscriptions are numerous. For one thing, there’s the pleasure of listening to commercial-free music. Since the providers make their money from subscriptions, there is still no pressing need for advertising revenue. Another attractive feature that this service offers is that information about the song being played at the moment is displayed on your radio set — a small convenience for those people who have to know about who is singing what song right-now. The fact that satellite radio programming is completely uncensored at the moment is also a draw for many people. Noteworthy personalities, such as shock jock Howard Stern (who was kicked out of network radio programming) has made satellite radio his new broadcasting home. Whether you want to listen to hip-hop music, stand-up comedy shows, or news programs, satellite radio offers them — all completely uncensored.

Because Sirius, XM, and other providers are the ones who set the channel selections, some people might find it a bit inconvenient that they won’t be able to listen to their local radio stations and get information on local goings-on. However, Sirius and XM do provide traffic and weather data for major cities, so that should be a bit of a relief for city residents. And if you think about it, not getting access to one local radio station wouldn’t seem to be such a bad deal if you compare it to the ability to listen to hundreds of channels of commercial-free music and unregulated non-regulated shows.

Sirius and XM plan to add even more features and functions to offer to their subscribers. Sirius, in particular, is readying the launch of a Windows Media Video 9 service and the company plans to offer several channels dedicated to children. That’s one more thing to keep the kids occupied and not distract their parents on long road trips. XM plans to release a similar video service. The two companies are anticipating that this will add to the number of their subscribers — Sirius has over one million, trailing after XM which has more than three million.

If you’re an avid radio listener and you’re finding yourself becoming fed up with the constant barrage of commercials on regular music stations or if you’re looking for more no-holds-barred commentaries or radio talk shows, you probably wouldn’t mind forking over the $12.95 monthly subscription for satellite radio service charged by Sirius and XM. And with the increases that the two companies see in their subscriber numbers, it’s evident that a lot of people feel the same way.

Your choice of listening options are continuous. With the traditional "terrestrial" radio options, XM and Sirius, you have a number of different ways. Why choose one over the other, when? What Sirius offer them apart from their competition? Let's see what is available.

Terrestrial Radio: What do you get with terrestrial radio? Local programming with local news, a variety of musical choices and talk radio is common. YouSignal also get hurt when you're too far away the source code signal, radio programs and commercials terrible. Many commercials! Other than that, it really is not much that this form of radio has to offer. Indeed, terrestrial radio broadcasters are spending more and more money for Internet radio applications in an attempt to increase their popularity.

XM Radio: XM is a trademark of satellite radio, which means that they offer the sameService throughout the U.S., if you are in Bangor, Maine or LA They offer a huge amount of planning to do mostly commercial-free (some stations have commercials). They also offer a number of ways that you are in tune, built radios in new vehicles for personal listening devices and bugs inside.

XM has some programming languages that only pass, even if they are not as popular as those offered on Sirius. In addition, XM boasts more stationshow does Sirius.

Sirius [http://www.tabs-lyrics.com/sirius.jsp] Radio has many similarities with XM Radio. They are both satellite radio providers, both offer coast to coast, programming, and both work in your vehicle. That is the extent of similarities between the two companies. Sirius has a much more original (exclusive) the programming of XM ago. Experience the incredible popularity of both The Howard Stern Radio Show and NASCAR.

There area number of other options for providers of popular radio are also found inside. Sirius XM offers more possibilities does not listen well. Sirius has a wide range of sophisticated equipment, from simple car kit designed to meet the unity of the work, both by car and your home, personal music devices, the pale can wirelessly to your car stereo and home Tuner systems that others do. Do not forget the slim Stiletto 2, which doubles as an MP3 player and allowsHe feels people to satellite radio as a walk Fi wherever you have access to Wi.

Apart from the music provider is selected, a cost. With Sirius and XM Radio, the cost comes in the form of a subscription. With terrestrial radio, the cost comes in the form of commercials, bad planning and lack of signal strength. With satellite radio, which costs less than you pay for deals Coast to coast service and high qualityPrograms. Listening to the type of music, talk radio, news or sports programs you want, when you want, is the biggest reason to change.

Sirius Radio offers the best opportunities, both for listening and methods for listening. With them you can find the best system configuration for your needs, whether alone in a car, or a combination of different places.

Music licensing can be a very confusing subject. My intent with this article is to give you enough details on what music licensing is and what are your rights to use music in advertising and / or video productions.

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A few months ago I was contacted by a company that was celebrating 20 years in business. They wanted to put together a radio commercial that highlighted their celebration. Their request was to use Kool and the Gangs song Celebration in their radio spot. I explained to them in order to do this they would have to obtain a licensing which would cost them quite a bit of money. This was not an option for them due to their limited budget and ultimately they told me that they ?went another direction? with their advertising.

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If I had agreed to use this song without obtaining a licensing I would have put both of our companies at risk. It was not worth the risk just to make a sale. Beware that there are unscrupulous production companies that will do this type of illegal activity so the best protection you have is knowledge.

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The copyright law protects writers of music by giving them exclusive right to their music. Once a piece of music is under copyright protection it is illegal to use it without getting permission to the owner of the copyright.

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There are actually two types of copyrights in the United States. One is the actual copyright which is denoted with the familiar C with a circle around it. This protection is for the actual melody, lyrics and arrangement of the music. The copyright is usually owned by the actual artist that wrote the piece or their publishing company.

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The second form of copyright is the actual recording itself. This is denoted by a P with a circle around it. This protection covers the performance of the song caught on tape or digital media and released on CD or other media. Many times a record or production company will own this performance right.

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If you want to use a song in a production, you need obtain a Master Use license from the owner of the copyright and a Synchronization license (often called a sync license) from the owner of the performance of the song.

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The fees for synchronization licenses vary greatly. Low-end TV usage (music is playing from car radio in a scene) can cost up to $2,000. In a film, the fee may be as high as $10,000. A popular song is worth more, possibly $3,000 for TV and $25,000 for film. A song used as the theme song for a film might get $50,000 to $75,000. Commercials can get even more money. Fees for a popular song can range from $25,000 to $500,000 plus per year. The typical range for a well-known song is $75,000 to $200,000 for a one year national usage in the United States on television and radio.

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I think you will agree with me that that is allot of money and usually way over budget for many video and radio productions. ?

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To get around these outrageous fees, music production companies sell buyout music. When you purchase a buyout CD you do not need to obtain a licensing to use the music. You can use the music hassle free and at a much lower cost.

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Buyout music or royalty-free, as it applies to my products, means that for your one-time purchase price, you can legally use the music in your productions for life of ownership. All copyrights of the music remain with Zebra Music LLC. My jingle licensing agreement allows a protected area of 200 miles. By doing this no other companies in a local market will have the same jingle.

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Many other production companies offer a similar buy out music licensing. I would advise you to read the licensing agreements with other production companies and ask questions if you have concerns.

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Network broadcast and international broadcast of buyout production music is cleared through a performance organization (like BMI or ASCAP). ?The revenue that these songs produce when they are aired is paid directly from broadcast station licensing, NOT from you as a producer. These performance organizations then in turn pay each artist based on the amount their song or songs were aired on the radio or TV.

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I hope this article has cleared up any confusion or questions that you have had about copyright and music licensing.

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Steve Veloudos owns and operates Zebra Music LLC.? It?s a one stop shop for jingles, radio production, custom music, library music, and sound design. Visit Steve?s web site and get free monthly music that you can use for your productions.
http://www.zebramusic.com

zebra24@msn.com

480-540-7768

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In the early and mid-90s, I did quite a bit of promotion work with local musicians. At that time, I was helping musicians who primarily played in coffeehouses get their first CDs played on college/public/community radio stations. We thought that with all the radio DJs out there in that market, we might find some who might be willing to listen to and take a chance on giving some unknown but talented person some airplay.

The scene has changed a lot since then. You now have the explosion of the Internet and streaming MP3 sites in which anyone can upload their music and be heard anywhere at any moment. Yet, some independent artists still do pursue radio airplay as part of their career strategy. In fact, I get unsolicited inquiries fairly often to this day. I thought I would take a look back and share some details on how some artists had some success…a few a bit beyond their expectations.

Most of the artists I assisted were folk/acoustic musicians. The first thing we did was try to identify stations that would be willing to hear them. Through the help of a folk dj e-mail list which posted digests of radio show playlists, we had an idea of what was being played and who was playing it. We then contacted the show hosts or music directors first by e-mail, providing a musical description of the artist and the CD (without flowery hyperbole about how fabulous the CD is), and asking if there would be interest in airplay. If they responded positively, we sent a CD and short bio. We did not just blindly send out CDs to an address just because it was on a list of folk radio stations. We wanted to be sure that money and time (both ours and the DJs) was being spent wisely by going to the people and places that would give the best possibilities for airplay.

After a few weeks, we would check posted airplay lists or send follow up e-mails to see if the CD was being played. On the average, about half of the stations we would send a CD to would report airplay. We had some heartening success stories. Some local artists were getting international interest as well as national airplay. A couple even got reviews in folk magazines such as Sing Out! or Dirty Linen. One musician’s CD ended up on a radio station’s top 40 year end best of list. I also offered additional help to a regional artist who already had a respectable following in her marketing efforts. Eventually we lost count of all the stations that played her CD and she ended up being signed to a folk label.

Lessons here: 1) Do your homework first–it’s worth it. (Unfortunately, people who still send me unsolicited and inappropriate material haven’t learned this one. ) 2) Never say never…unless you at least try, you just never know who might hear you, and where.

Wendy Vickers is a writer, encourager, life coach, and speaker. Wendy offers resources, encouragement and support for musicians at her websites http://wendyv.com and http://embraceencouragement.com

My niece loves Indian films and Indian film music. To her, as to most of the world, this exuberant, colorful, romantic and just-plain-fun genre is summed up in one word: Bollywood.

I confess that I’ve become taken with Bollywood as well, though not to the same extent as my niece, who owns a number of Indian movies and regularly rents others. The Bollywood well is so deep that I have to confine myself to watching those few of its productions that bubble up to catch the attention of American movie reviewers. Otherwise I would be lost in Indian ocean of unfamiliar movie titles, actors and actresses.

My niece also collects CDs of Bollywood music. There’s an Asian market near her home that offers a cornucopia of them. But she has the same problem choosing CDs to buy that I do deciding which Bollywood movie may be worth my time. Unless she’s seen the film from which a soundtrack derives, she’s usually in the dark as to whether a particular CD’s songs and artists are ones she will enjoy.

At her request, I set up a way for her to preview a variety of Bollywood songs and even to live with them on her iPod for a while, all for free. This way she can make informed decisions about which CDs she ultimately purchases.

First, I searched for Indian music Web sites, and specifically for those devoted to Bollywood, or at least modern popular music (as opposed, say, to classical Indian ragas). I found several good ones, with names such as Bollywood World and India FM.

Most of the Web sites I found offered song samples, meaning 30-second or 1-minute snippets. Some had full audio streams that allowed the visitor to listen to continuous Bollywood music for as long as she or he might want. It was these latter that provided the first half of our solution.

Normally, streaming audio, such as what you hear over an Internet radio station, cannot be saved or downloaded. New software, though, makes it possible to record the stream to your hard drive for replaying as often as you like.

Even better, some of the newest audio capture software incorporates something called an mp3 splitter. This software is able to break the audio stream into separate mp3 song files. By the way, this is perfectly legal, because you’re simply recording a broadcast, the same as when you record a TV show on your VHS. Voila — we had the second half of our solution.

Between the audio streams and splitter/recording software, we created our own virtual Bollywood mp3 download sites.

Now whenever my niece is in a mood to explore the latest tuneful offerings from Bollywood, she clicks on her favorite Indian-music Internet radio station, then starts the recording software. Pretty soon she has enough Bollywood mp3s to shuffle through for the rest of the week, and she’s almost guaranteed to find two or three that will spur her to make a trip to the CD bin down at the Asian store.

Hey, nobody said the music business was going to be easy. It truly is a jungle out there filled with: snakes, rats, rabid carnivores, sharks?well, you get the picture. In the course of your musical journey, there will be confrontations, arguments, misunderstandings, and miscommunications. You?ll get jerked around, screwed over, ripped off and disrespected. So, you want to be a rock star? Welcome to your nightmare.

But this is also a business of good people, who?ll give you opportunities and chances and help you out when you least expect it. That?s why it?s so important that you, as musicians and as a band, act professionally and respectfully regardless of the behavior of those you encounter. You don?t have to be a pushover and of course, you have a right to defend yourself against the questionable actions of others, but the music community can be a very small town and the behavior you exhibit will follow you throughout your musical career.

On the flipside of that, there are musicians out there who, either knowingly or unknowingly bring negativity on themselves through their own actions. Short temperedness, egocentricism, brazen entitlement, compulsive lying and just plain old psychotic behavior can brand your band as troublemakers and deprive you of important opportunities that you need to move forward in this business.

So, how can you make sure that you?re doing onto others as you wish they would do onto you? What can you, as musicians do, to eliminate aspects of your personality that may be causing bad blood between you and the people you run across on your way to superstardom?

The following are a few tips that may help you to make sure you?re exhibiting professional behavior at all times:

1.)Be Timely And Courteous—Whether you?re playing out live or emailing booking inquiries from home, there is never a substitute for courteously or timeliness. At gigs, show up when you?re supposed to, be friendly, treat others with respect, set up quickly, end your set on time, break down quickly, be mindful of other bands on stage, compliment those around you and don?t forget simple things like, ?please? and ?thank you.? When you leave a positive impression in people?s minds, you?ll be high on their list when it comes time to fill an open booking slot, recommend a band for a review, etc.

2.)Make Sure Your Actions Match Your Words—It?s such a simple thing but you?d be surprised how many musicians seem incapable to doing what they say they?re going to. If you book a gig, show up and play. If you say you?re going to bring twenty friends and fans to your gig, do it. If you reserve an ad in a local music magazine, pay for it. If you write a check, make sure that it doesn?t bounce. If you say you?re going to send out a press package or a CD, mail it. It is true that many people in the music business are distrustful of bands that they don?t know, and with good reason in many instances. Build your good reputation in the industry by proving that you will do what you?ve promised. Start small. Once you?ve gain people?s trust, you?ll see more and more doors opening up for your band.

3.)Take The High Road—It may be tough but there?s nothing to be gained from returning someone?s improper behavior with a heap-load of your own. That doesn?t mean that you need to let every industry slime-bag from New York to LA ride roughshod all over your music project but there are ways to deal with the negative behavior in this business without branding yourself with a label equally as negative. Sending firm yet professional letters, making intelligent and informed phone inquiries and, if need be, taking legal action against those who have acted inappropriately are ways to handle unpleasant situations without drawing negative attention to yourself. Public scenes, yelling and screaming, long-winded and ranting emails, threats and accusations and spiteful actions may make you feel vindicated but it may chase away the good people as well as the bad and that just sets your band back.

4.)You Can?t Undo What You?ve Already Done—It?s much harder to undo past bad behaviors, or reverse negative reputations than it is to foster positive ones. It?s best when starting out to avoid acting rash as a rule. If you have a band member that is incapable of keeping his or her cool, perhaps it?s time to rethink his or her place in your group. The entertainment industry has a long memory and a spiteful tongue. Make sure when people speak of you, they?re speaking well.

This may all seem like such common sense that it isn?t even worth mentioning but you?d be surprised how many shows, interviews, tours, and record deals have never materialized because of burned bridges. You may have talent and great tunes, but if your attitude sucks you?ll get passed over time and again. No one wants to work with rage-aholics, egomaniacs or crazies. Don?t let anyone think that?s what your band is about. Sure it?s important to be creative geniuses but if no one likes you, you?ll be performing your masterpieces in the garage for grandma and her Pomeranian. Get smart and treat people right and you may find yourself rockin? all the way to the bank.

Sheena Metal is a radio host, producer, promoter, music supervisor, consultant, columnist, journalist and musician. Her syndicated radio program, Music Highway Radio, airs on over 700 affiliates to more than 126 million listeners. Her musicians? assistance program, Music Highway, boasts over 10,000 members. She currently promotes numerous live shows weekly in the Los Angeles Area, where she resides. For more info: http://www.sheena-metal.com.

For a musician, your songs are your art. They are the physical embodiment of your creative gifts. Every bit of anger, happiness, angst, joy, pain, elation, knowledge or humor goes into the story known as your song. You write and re-write it, scouring over each note and word?perfecting it for recording and live performance.

But when you play it for others, you?re not getting the reaction you expected. Your friends, fans and family seem less than enthusiastic as they dully respond, ?Yeah. That was?um?good.? How could this be? You poured your soul into this piece. This was your ?Stairway To Heaven?! This was your ?Smells Like Team Spirit?! It?s a lyrically amazing ode about the persecution of pagan midwives in grass hut tribes! It flows, it breathes, and it?s seven and a half minutes of pure musical perfection!

Whoa. Stop right there, Mozart. You wrote a seven and a half minute song about the persecution of pagan midwives in grass hut tribes and you?re wondering why you?re thirteen year-old cousin fell asleep in the middle of the fourth verse? You wrote a seven and a half minute song about the persecution of pagan midwives in grass hut tribes and you?re confused as to why your drummer?s girlfriend began calling her friends on her cell phone before the song had reached its bridge?

It may be hard to believe when you?re penning an opus such as this, but the normal human brain is wired a little differently than an accomplished musician?s, like yourself. And although music is art, it?s also popular culture and the goal should be for others to enjoy your creative efforts as much as you do.

So, how can you make sure that your writing experience is as positive as your audience?s listening experience? What can you, as musicians do, to eliminate aspects of your songs that may alienate, confuse or just plain bore your fans?

The following are a few tips that may add success to your songwriting experience:

1.)After Four Minutes, It Becomes Background Music—Music aficionado?s aside, the average person has roughly the attention span of a young adult hummingbird. As a songwriter, you need to grab your audience?s attention and hold it until the end of the song before they flit off to something else more interesting to them. Although four minutes (or less) may seem like the blink of an eye when a songwriter is storytelling, it?s a very long time to expect your run-of-the-mill club-goer or web-surfer to stay fixated on your music.

2.)Tell Your Story As Directly As Possible—We all love allusions, allegories, vague references, and subtle metaphors but use them sparingly or become a beat poet. A little abstractness goes a long way when writing a popular song. Song lyrics fly into people?s minds as quickly as the bassist plucks out quarter notes. If you make your lyrics too complicated, then your audience may still be trying to figure out the verse when you?re already playing the chorus. This could prompt the average listener to tune out your masterpiece, order another beer and switch on their Ipod.

3.)If English Is Your First Language, Use It In Your Song—It?s great that you?re an educated, cultured, artistic intellectual sponge. But remember that most people who hear your music are not book worms or art whores. Big, involved words make for memorable song lyrics but use them occasionaly. It?s good for your fans to ponder the meaning of a particular lyric but give them too many to ponder and they?ll get so caught up in the words that they may forget your song.

4.)Obscure Musicality Can Be Confusing Too—Lyrics aren?t the only way to confuse the average listener. Obscure time signatures, discordant instrumentation and avant guard drum lines may seem like genius to your fellow musicians, but if your listeners can?t tap and/or hum along, you may find yourself only invited to perform in underground opium bars where the audience members have all had one too many hash brownie.

If you?re not sure where to begin, start simple. Write a short, but sweet, song that packs an emotional punch in a universal way. Write about something everyone is familiar with: love, politics, lifestyle issues or the sociology of being a human being on the planet. Once people have fallen in love with your music, it will be easier to get them to give the extra listen to your more complicated, artistic pieces.

Remember that just because a song is popular or easily understood, doesn?t mean that it?s not good creativity. Art is subjective, and truly in the eye of the beholder. Your least favorite song could be someone else?s favorite. You never have to stop being creative or artistic, just acknowledge that there?s an audience out there that wants to hear what you have to say?but they?ll need to be able to comprehend it first.

Sheena Metal is a radio host, producer, promoter, music supervisor, consultant, columnist, journalist and musician. Her syndicated radio program, Music Highway Radio, airs on over 700 affiliates to more than 126 million listeners. Her musicians? assistance program, Music Highway, boasts over 10,000 members. She currently promotes numerous live shows weekly in the Los Angeles Area, where she resides. For more info: http://www.sheena-metal.com.