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If you are a songwriter, you are probably in favor of getting work done more quickly and efficiently. I feel the same way too. The same holds true for songwriters as it does for any other business professional.
The sooner you get your inspirations written, recorded, and out there in the world, the better. The following are some of my favorite time-saving methods, devices, and gadgets:
1. iPhone (or another smartphone): Whether it’s taking pictures of guitars, recording quick audio ideas for songs, navigating to gigs or meetings, or managing your contacts, the iPhone is a super valuable tool that can help you get tasks done faster.
2. Skype (or iChat and Google video): This technology is great for making cheap international calls and collaborating with folks overseas – very helpful when booking international tours. So why waste time with e-mail or “snail mail” when you can get the deal done with a one-on-one conversation. It’s a great tool to becoming “big in Europe.”
3. Dropbox: This is virtual storage where you can store and share with others pretty much any type of file. The great part is that you can then access your files on any computer at any time; so if you don’t have your laptop, no worries. And it’s super easy to use because you just drag and drop – it saves you time, and you can skip the burning to CDs and “snail mail” method of getting your music delivered.
4. Filezilla FTP Client: FTP stands for file transfer protocol, which translates to “moving big files quickly over the Internet” – in other words, it’s a program for file uploading and downloading to and from your songwriting buddies. Another one to try out is “cyberduck” – it’s great and user friendly!
5. Cardioid condenser microphone: This is a USB mic that is plug-n-play so you can quickly connect the microphone to any laptop on the go and put down your ideas with a decent sound. It’s also great for podcasting (podcasts are a way to distribute media files over the Internet for playback on mobile devices, often in MP3 format).
If you seriously want to set your songwriting sessions at warp-speed, try using my favorite time-saving methods:
1. Have any reference materials, like a rhyming dictionary or thesaurus, close by.
2. Have a “template” ready on any digital workstation you may use, and set it up for a microphone and any instruments you may use – or have a portable recorder at hand (if it’s a cassette, have a blank cassette available), but make sure the batteries are fresh!
3. If you use a pencil, get the “click” ones that don’t need to be sharpened – there’s nothing worse than getting involved in a song and having a point break, and then having to look for a sharpener.
4. Turn off your cell phone and silence the ringer on any land lines – and if there are other people in the house, ask them to act like you’re not at home. Make sure all your obligations are looked after – a clear mind is a creative mind.
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Source by Jim A. Byrne