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Joined: Jan 2009
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OP
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I hope this is the right forum-section ... I'm searching for a personal mentor who helps me to develop my writing skills. My native tongue is German - my English is not bad ... but it's still a challenge for me to "feel" what my English words create in the head of a listener. When talking a foreign language you're usually quite happy when you know the words, the grammar and other people do understand what you're saying. But I think this level is not enough for writing lyrics in a foreign language that are - well - at least "good enough". How do I find such a person? And what would be a fair compensation for mentoring? PS: I'm currently working on my next album which will contain several songs with lyrics in English. I have no difficulties writing lyrics in English - but I need someone who helps me to understand what they "feel" like and who guides me towards improving them (so that they match my intention).
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Joined: Dec 2008
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McLight, Post your lyrics in one of the lyric feedback forums. I'm sure you'll receive plenty of advice there. John
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John, thx for your hint. I've posted lyrics in feedback forums and got some good advice. But it's exactly this experience that made me wish for a mentor - somebody who's experienced in writing lyrics AND good at giving advice for developing my skills (not "only" my lyrics ...). Moreover there's a difference (at least for me) between learning "in public" and learning "one on one". I don't know if you have ever written lyrics in a foreign language, but "learning in public" seems tougher when it's not your native tongue.
Last edited by McLight; 03/03/13 03:23 PM.
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Joined: Apr 2001
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The best ever at it recently passed away. John Braheny was the best one on one songwriting teacher ever and was an original JPF Mentor. You could check with Harriet Schock, someone else who has been with us from the start. She did some group mentoring on our mentor feedback forum. I suggest checking out her comments and the depth she goes into for a feel of how she works. It would not be free if you want one on one, but she's worth it if she has the time. If I wanted feedback for myself, she is the person I would go to. Jason Blume is another teacher who does critiques, but I am not sure he works one on one in real time. check out Harriet at www.harrietschock.com and see what she may be offering. She's been doing a lot of film work recently so she may or may not be available. If that doesn't work, ask her to suggest who you might contact and I bet she'll have some options. Another way you could do it is to contact the folks at SongU.com and present them with your needs and I bet they can either help you or know someone else who could. JPF is a great peer to peer or group mentoring option, but our volunteer mentors earn part of their living doing one on one classes, critiques and lessons. If none of those work, come back and let me know and we'll try something else for you. If you do post here, make sure you tell potential readers who will be offering their thoughts, that you are concerned about the transition from German to English so they can watch closely for that. Welcome aboard, Brian
Brian Austin Whitney Founder Just Plain Folks jpfolkspro@gmail.com Skype: Brian Austin Whitney Facebook: www.facebook.com/justplainfolks"Don't sit around and wait for success to come to you... it doesn't know the way." -Brian Austin Whitney "It's easier to be the bigger man when you actually are..." -Brian Austin Whitney "Sometimes all you have to do to inspire humans to greatness is to give them a reason and opportunity to do something great." -Brian Austin Whitney
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Joined: Jan 2009
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Thank you, Brian! That is exactly what I was looking for. I'll get in touch with Harriet first an see if she can help me or refer somebody to me. I understand that such help is not for free - but that's very ok for me! :-)
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Joined: Aug 2008
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McLight, I've sent you a PM.
Donna
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Yes, Donna - and your PMs have been GREAT! I salute you! Thx for all the help!!
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Harriet isn't replying - so I'll contact SongU.
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Really? Send me a PM with your email address and contact info etc. and I will find her. I know she's in the middle of a film (she's acting, doing the music etc.) which they are promoting with live performances at showings I think. She's usually very quick in responding.
Brian
Brian Austin Whitney Founder Just Plain Folks jpfolkspro@gmail.com Skype: Brian Austin Whitney Facebook: www.facebook.com/justplainfolks"Don't sit around and wait for success to come to you... it doesn't know the way." -Brian Austin Whitney "It's easier to be the bigger man when you actually are..." -Brian Austin Whitney "Sometimes all you have to do to inspire humans to greatness is to give them a reason and opportunity to do something great." -Brian Austin Whitney
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By the way, Danny Arena and Sara Light of SongU are good friends of JPF and have been Mentors here as well. They offer a full blown University style education on Songwriting with cool opportunities once you're a member taking classes. Well worth the money and amazing what they do.
Check them out at songu.com.
Brian
Brian Austin Whitney Founder Just Plain Folks jpfolkspro@gmail.com Skype: Brian Austin Whitney Facebook: www.facebook.com/justplainfolks"Don't sit around and wait for success to come to you... it doesn't know the way." -Brian Austin Whitney "It's easier to be the bigger man when you actually are..." -Brian Austin Whitney "Sometimes all you have to do to inspire humans to greatness is to give them a reason and opportunity to do something great." -Brian Austin Whitney
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Joined: Jan 2009
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I've contacted SongU already and seriously think about joining them - for improving my skills in general. They offer lots of interesting stuff for songwriters!
However, I'm not so sure about their offer regarding personal mentoring. I was told: "The coaches usually return their evaluations within a couple of weeks and will give detailed feedback about your lyric and music." I want someone on an ongoing basis ... and only for lyrics. Someone who goes through it line by line, who allows me to understand his suggestions, improve it on my own, give feedback on the improved version etc.
In short: you've got a PM! :-)
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Joined: Apr 2001
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Harriet is your best option. She's ready to help you. Check your email. She's written hits for others including the US #1 Ain't No Way To Treat A Lady by Helen Reddy. She's still an active writer and artist doing commercial work and mentoring many writers and teaching classes in the USA.
Brian
Brian Austin Whitney Founder Just Plain Folks jpfolkspro@gmail.com Skype: Brian Austin Whitney Facebook: www.facebook.com/justplainfolks"Don't sit around and wait for success to come to you... it doesn't know the way." -Brian Austin Whitney "It's easier to be the bigger man when you actually are..." -Brian Austin Whitney "Sometimes all you have to do to inspire humans to greatness is to give them a reason and opportunity to do something great." -Brian Austin Whitney
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I'm looking forward to working with her! :-)
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Charlie, it's also possible to have one-on-one sessions with SongU coaches. Donna
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Yes, I've read that too. But it seems that it takes some time until they reply ("The coaches usually return their evaluations within a couple of weeks and will give detailed feedback about your lyric and music.") - at least that's what I've been told in their reply. Or did I misunderstand them?
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Charlie, by one-on-one, I mean that it's possible to schedule Skype sessions with an individual coach. When you go to the SongU site, look under 'Private Sessions' in the menu bar near the top. What you're referring to here are the evaluations. Regards, Donna
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Oh - I see - thanx for the hint, Donna. But be assured: SongU is still on my todo-list! ;-)
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Just wanted to let you know I'm working with Harriet now - and I really enjoy it!
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Excellent, Charlie! We'll expect to see your songs at the top of the charts pretty soon. Donna
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Phew - I'll keep your expectations in mind! ;-)
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Joined: Jul 2013
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I know I have not been here long nor are people keenly aware of my abilities/inabilities, but all of my music (where I write lyrics and do vocals) is collaborated with international musicians from France, Italy, Brazil, Spain, Portugal, and Japan, and they often ask for my assistance with lyrics when they have a piece where they are trying to communicate an idea in English from their native language. Please add me as a possible resource, the worst that could happen is that you disagree with my thoughts. Hope I can help someone sometime. Thanks!
Pop
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Joined: Dec 2006
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Hey Pop,
Welcome to JPF !
Yeah, there's lot's of international collabs going on.
I'd suggest, just be involved, and do your stuff, but also put a link in your profile to your work. That way, others can see what you are up to or about, and take it from there, and may wish to work with you, or simply interact.
cheers, niteshift
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Joined: Jul 2013
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Thanks Nite, happy to be here and hope I can make a friendly and perhaps useful contribution to the group here. Obviously this is a well rounded group, and I can learn much from it. Your points taken, thanks!
Pop
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Hi Popbumper! Thx for dropping in and offering to help me. Right now I'm taken care of by Harriet - but I'll keep you in mind - it's great to know that there are people willing to help me! :-) Charlie
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Joined: Jul 2013
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Charlie:
Help is a request away if you need it. We're all in the same boat together - we can all row (hmmm....I'm thinking of a song...;)). No worries, seriously, glad to help if you need it.
Pop
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Joined: Jun 2006
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Don't you just love the word "mentor?"
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Hm - not sure 'bout that - but I love making music! ;-)
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"If one man can do it, any man can do it. It is true. But the real question is, if one man did it, are you willing to do what it takes to do it as well?" –Brian Austin Whitney
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