What Makes A Great Song

What makes a great song? not over production

I have written over 2,000 songs, 1,000 are recorded, 500 music only and another 500+ just lyrics, I have taught others what It takes to make a great song, what is the test of a good, or great song.
First to tell if a song has potential you must hear it in it’s simplistic from. I have heard and advised many on how to write better songs and consulted, critiqued many, many songs.I have learned over the years as An Indy Record Label owner ,A&R exec., a songwriter myself, what a good or great song will sound like.
A great song with only one vocalist and one instrument,say piano or acoustic guitar.Many take sub par songs that are called filler songs, meaning songs needed to have a full CD, while the CD may have one or two good songs on it.What many try to do, producers,managers,engineers, is take a sub par song, not a hit song, and record it with a big production, effects and the like.
A song that is over produced Will not make a OK song a good song and certainly not a great song no matter how much fancy production is used.So what makes a great song?
A great hook is essential, not over rhyming as this is the sign of a novice, unless its rap music.A good melody and chorus  after hearing it, one wants to hear it again and again.Lyrics should be one of the main concerns, if your a great lyricist, but not even an OK composer, this is where collaborations come in, know your weakness, and build on your strengths.
When submitting a song to a song publisher they want the voice clear, the lyrics to be heard and the simple accompaniment of the song, not a polished produced full song, those songs go to the A&R department, or agents, they want a finished product, so know your target audience and what you plan to do with that great song.The lyrics should flow effortlessly, they should read with a natural rhythm and have a strong hook that stands out.
As a pro song writer I start with the hook, this is not easy and takes practice, a strong hook and great chorus is what will drive the song, I take my great hook, and write the verses around that.
Let me give you an example of what I mean about a great lyric that flows well with out any instrument.The song I wrote and recorded back in the 80′s while I was in a music ministry called Mantle, the songs title is ‘The Winds Of England’
The Winds Of England by Danny Louis abaldo
Verse1 A long time ago from the shores of England
Came missionaries,mighty in the lord
They came in power,they came in holiness
Proclaiming the gospel of the scarlet cord
Through the Wesley’s,by the word of God
Came to us the winds of change
Chor Don’t let the winds die down, grace still abounds,
We’ll make a might sound like the winds of England.
Let it burn in our hearts,fan a new start,
We’ll do our part with the winds of England.
Ver2 The winds of Africa, the winds of Asia,
Bring the winds once more to America.
We need revival like the days of old,
Though the stories been told , we need to hear it again.
Chor repeat Don’t let the winds die down, grace still abounds,
We’ll make a might sound , like the winds of England.
Let it burn in our hearts,fan a new start,
We’ll do our part with the winds of England.
Yes, we’ll do our part with the winds of England.
You may not be into, or like Christian music, but I do.
This example is one of the best I could post to let you read it aloud and see how a great lyric flows with no music.Now some modern songs and experimental songs may have no flow, no rhyme or reason, as you read modern music lyrics they seem not to flow, but this is where the proper music composition comes in and whats called singing the words with proper Phrasing.
Read some of David Bowie’s music, or U2, anyone you like, and when reading the lyrics, BEFORE hearing the song you may say to your self wow, this does not flow or make sense, after the song is heard and the seemingly out of sorts lyrics are heard in the song it blows your mind, that those lyrics make such a great song
My second point is that many times people  write the music first than the lyrics and this is where vocal phrasing comes in, meaning certain words extended, other words run on and than are short and than a long word sang out again and repetitions of this, so there are many things that make a great song, the first example was a lyric with no music it flows has a good hook and is pleasant to read, the other great songs may be almost unpleasant to read alone, but the whole of the song is great, so if you write music it works like the flow of lyrics, it should have a strong music hook maybe several, and the melody should be so memorable you find that you are thinking about the melody or humming it, as it is catchy.It is a song writers dream to hear some one whistling or humming a tune they wrote, as this tells you Job well done, you achieved your goal.
If you have never gone to one of the music capitals and shopped your song, it can be a hard and discouraging thing, as an A&R exec., or music publisher will put your CD on and listen to 30 seconds of your song if your lucky, that’s just the way it works, so word of advice ,if your song has a long music intro and no hook your done, re record the great intro or shorten it dramatically and get right in to your hook a good strong lead. Could you imagine being the first A&R exec, that listened to PINK FLOYD, I mean talk about long intros, all outstanding by the way, as well as Supertramps ‘Crime of The Century’ one of the greatest and first Rock Albums of the 70′s that used a lot of classical music in their unique style, no one has come close to original composition and mixed POP- rock and 100% different from any one in the 70′s and may I say even to this day.
So make your mark, follow your heart, If your stuff is non commercial as a lot of my music is not, that’s why I am an Independent INDY music artist,But a word to the INDY artist, just because it’s an INDY production, or CD does not mean it should not be well written, thought provoking lyrics.
So, what ever style you do, start with the basics, once those are mastered like in English composition, break all the rules to the content of your heart, a song is a form of art and even producing and engineering, so who is to define what art is,I will  be creative, be different and make sonic Pisces of art.

You can hear my different styles of music by going to the bottom of the blog and follow the links to my stuff, see what I am saying how some INDY music can be way out there, but still great to listen to, hope you take a listen.
www.soundclick.com/d’abaldo

Bit's Are Important PT 1

Bit’s are important PT1

The all important Bit

When I was starting out in recording the bit rate was so low, super Mario brothers was the best bit you could find in electronics and MIDI music LOL. I mean when 8 bit came around we had a big celebration, than came along later 16 bit and we in the recording business almost passed out.
Bits and sample rates are all important in making a good clean digital recording or a pro polished recording.
Most table top digital multi track recorders record in 16/44.1 KHZ
16 is bits you will always see in spec sheets this format, 44.1 KHZ are important.
CD quality audio is recorded in red book value at 16/44.1Khz
this is a good clean digital sound but, if you want a recording to sparkle I highly suggest 24 bit, pro industry standard, 24/97KHZ. A higher sample rate brings out many sounds you would not hear as good or at all in 16 bit, my PC recorder and sound card are 24/192KHZ, now 192Khz is not needed for a typical home studio and used sparingly in a pro studio,so you want 24 bit, some recorders, not many have 24 bit and at least 48Khz sample rate, the slight higher sample rate and the 24 bit will make your recording shine. Many sound cards, sequencer,recording software for audio will have 24 bit with 97KHZ and this is what you want.
M-audios cheapest sound card is about 100.00 new and can produce 24/97KHZ and is a pro quality sound card. Trust me .Whatever sound card and PC recording software you choose, look at the sample and bit rate when shopping, go 24 bit.
When you get to the final mix and the mastering part you will be so glad you choose 24 bit and not 16.
But wait if a CD is 16 bit by 44.1 KHZ, why does it matter if I record in 24 bit? and 97KHZ?
Read the next blog for the info in greater detail with pics of music software and gear.

Announcing My Soon To Be Interactive E-Book On Amazon

I am in the process of writing a e-book package for ministry to be sold on Amazon, but also A new e-book package for only 19.99 coming out soon.
The Poor Man’s Guide To Making Pro Recordings At Home ( For Pennies On The Dollar)
I have put out a free e-book titled Poor Man’s Guide To Marketing Your Music For Pennies On The Dollar, it is free, it is useful. I had my old blog on blog spot, but am focusing on this, word press blog as another place to post.
http://www.scribd.com/doc/46901405/Poor-Mans-Guide-to-Marketing-Your-Music-For-Pennies-on-the-Dollar
I complied this short e-book from my long, 500 plus page manual I wrote for my music business, when it was thriving, I just put main details from my own experience and tried and proven ways to get your music sold. It is short and filled with a lot of info, and real ways to make money with your music.
I was very active in my own recording arts school and on-line marketing and promotion for bands in the Indy Field. So, its free, a good amount of ideas, and examples. The e-book gives the old URL to my blog spot site, now its word press, or maybe I will copy all hear and re-do my blog spot site as well?
The economy has been killing my music business, so I decided I would teach and write, pass on what I learned as an Industry pro in the Indy field over 33 years of working in pro audio, recording Engineering, Master Engineering, writing, teaching, owner of a small record CO. Urgent Mission Records, and owned a few pro home studios.
Pass it on, that’s what it is all about. My passion is to teach, develop , advocate all I can, for those many, many Indy artists.
If you have any questions, email me at
digitalgoatee@yahoo.com
I am here to give FREE help, so why not , I have nothing to sale, I will soon have my first e-book  interactive course on amazon, but to date, and to present, all I do is FREE, Hope to here from you soon, as I help you take your talent to the next level.

Starting From Scratch, New Blog, New Look New Start, Also My New Free Muisc

My Blog used to be called Digital Goatee Productions, it is now Urgent Mission Records, the title of my small Indy Christian music label. I am a F.T. Minister, Teacher, blogger, author, recording artist. I have been in many ministry bands, and solo work. At 52 years of age, and out of the music business, I wanted to pass on the many things I have learned in the Industry. I want to help others make real radio ready pro recordings at home. Show them from tried and true methods how I marketed my music, promoted my music, and ways to make a living with music even with out a record deal. The days we live in, most people get the music they want in MP3 format. Gone are the days of the CD, we can still make great use of all new marketing and promotional techniques.


I have my new CD going, I never will stop recording my own music and giving it away for free.I am all about the Independent music scene. This is a Family friendly site. I am a minister, but the closer you get to the creator, the more creative you will be.
This blog talks about music, not ministry, my other sites handle that end, and so any musician, singer, artist, home recordist will find help and insight on this blog.


My free short e-book
'The Poor Mans Guide To Marketing His Music- For Pennies on The Dollar'


Is from my own 200 page plus manual I wrote and used while I was in the music business.I took some main points, some great ideas, and give many things to do and try in a small booklet. It is packed with information.


This blog will continue giving readers ideas, and insight on on line marketing of music, but also basic recording skills for the Home recordest, home studio owner and PC topics and software tutorials. In the links section to the right you will find links to free software and free virtual instruments. There are thousands of them online, I have chosen the best of the best, and they are all free, I strive to teach how to do it, take your music to the next level using free software, free websites, and very low priced home recording gear you will need.

I hope you will find all you need on this site. I have my own music on many sites. I will end with posting my new song, from my new CD called 
'A Vow Of NO Silence"

Till next time. This is Dan Abaldo saying, have a great and creative week, if you have any questions at all, need some help, ideas, consultation, mentoring, anything, drop me a line at the above email at the top of the blog.