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Its Official. I have secured the blessings of some key folk who will offer support... for my Song writing Contest. I have the venue, I have some of the judges panel assembled... I have a literary club coordinator willing to collaborate with me... (and admin superman)

I even have a full organizational plan/budget drafted... The plan really fell into my lap...rather clear and easily.

The contest will be semi-annual, and will bring musicians together for a food fight...no wait that's another plan of mine......It will bring musicians together to compete for some cash prizes and free recording time at a professional studio.

I am open to any and all suggestionst. For logistics reasons, I am keeping entries down to 5 genre categories. There are associated fees to cover costs only( i.e NON profit)

Here are my questions:

1) Should I insist on presentation in Acoustic format. (Since its the song composition itself and not the instruments or advanced playing skills being judged?

2) How do I prove the entries are originals? (Or can I?)

Someone once said that if you can't play the song on solo acoustic guitar it's probably not a very good song. There may be some truth to that but I wouldn't put such a limitation on your potential contributors. As far as proving that the song is original, there is software that will allow you to do that, but why? Just make the contestant sign a statement of originality and be done with it.

Ineresting delema on both issues , I can see some benefit to the acoustic only thing. the main one being bands hauling equipment in & out can be a logistical nightmare , not to mention distracting & uneven perspective for the judges. the other issue ? I'd probably leave to the judges . If their good they'll be able to tell if; its bad because its a rip off or it cool because it reminds me of....

Pretty cool Dog. As to acoustic guitar - I don't even own one. Am I the only one like that? Perhaps. But acoustic just never did anything for me.

Talbot

Anyone can play an electric guitar. Only manly men can play an acoustic for more than five minutes.

The sound of an acoustic is awesome when you're the one hitting the strings. Sitting crouched over the sound hole is the best seat in the house.

Anyone can play a electric guitar?

I don't own a acoustic, but I kinda like the
cigar box guitar.

John Belushi on Animal House with that acoustic
guitar is classic.

jimmydanger wrote:Someone once said that if you can't play the song on solo acoustic guitar it's probably not a very good song. There may be some truth to that but I wouldn't put such a limitation on your potential contributors. As far as proving that the song is original, there is software that will allow you to do that, but why? Just make the contestant sign a statement of originality and be done with it.

Thanks Jimmy,

I agree about the statement/Signature thing... I can also put out the subtle warning that we have experts in the house who'll know...

As for the acoustic... I forgot to consider that a bass player might have written one, and would probably need accompanyment. So it stands to reason, bring the song and 'some' minor production if it helps represent.

MikeTalbot wrote:Pretty cool Dog. As to acoustic guitar - I don't even own one. Am I the only one like that? Perhaps. But acoustic just never did anything for me.

Talbot

Nah Mike You aint the only one like that However, I was told once that the acoustic is how to build the strength in the fingers, and the electric is how to show off the muscles

Actually, There really shouldn't be any substantial diff between writing on an acoustic and on an electric. But there are properties of sound in an acoustic that simply cant be had in an electric. I think, for me, the acoustic's sound is 'natural' and with that, I can get a foot in on a song idea that sort of organically unfolds...Whereas, with an electric I can leverage the composition by putting some teeth into it (after the fact)

PD,
I say scrap the "Acoustic only"
You may have keyboard/elec. piano, players being left out. You wouldn't want to do that now would you? But you can seperate Acoustic from Electronic by categories.

So true about building the muscles in your fretting hand. It's also good for your strumming/picking hand. When hanging out I usually play acoustic, in fact I hardly ever play an electric unless it's at rehearsal or a gig. I usually take an acoustic on vacation with me, you can't beat sitting around a campfire drinking some beers and playing some tunes. And of course they're very handy for open mics and song writing. If you call yourself a guitarist and don't play one I think you're half right.

jimmydanger wrote:Anyone can play an electric guitar. Only manly men can play an acoustic for more than five minutes.

lol IMO anyone can play an acoustic guitar that sounds like a tin can. Only manly men can play an electric well for more than 5 minutes.

You can keep your tin can, unless it a 1000$+ tin can and it sounds like it should.

this is a song writing contest not a battle of bands , but I guess you would have to consider keyboard players

How would I enter a original writting? I have a few I have that I think would be good However I dont play but very interested in joining the competion. Is it only open to Texas members? I live in Morgantown WV

Two things nix acoustic's for me. Neck is too short - that's a big one. And it's a different neck.

Since I play bass and guitar I'm already dealing with two different neck types and that's enough.

And they don't sound like I wish my guitars to sound. If I want to sit around a campfire and play I've got a teeny weeny Marshal battery powered amp that does just fine.

I did own a Fender twelve string guitar years ago which was pretty nice but one morning I woke up and the neck and broken off. Lot of pressure on a twelve string I guess.

Talbot