Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
Songwriting
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913
R
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
R
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913
Several forumites here have joined in this annual challenge to write 14 song each February. Maybe you have a hard time finishing writing one song a month? I did. Participating in this challenge and the community around the challenge changed that for me. Maybe it will do the same for you. Think of it like pro baseball players putting in the time at batting practice, or a painter working on sketches for a month.

Website isn’t yet open for 2022 but there is a good page that fills in some of the details below

www.fawm.org

Last edited by rockstar_not; 01/01/22 02:17 PM.
Songwriting
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 8,338
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 8,338

There are some people on this forum who post a song a day.

How hard can it be???

Is quality a factor? Or are we writing hit radio??

Songwriting
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 2,703
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 2,703
Originally Posted By: rockstar_not
Several forumites here have joined in this annual challenge to write 14 song each February. Maybe you have a hard time finishing writing one song a month? I did. Participating in this challenge and the community around the challenge changed that for me. Maybe it will do the same for you. Think of it like pro baseball players putting in the time at batting practice, or a painter working on sketches for a month.

Website isn’t yet open for 2022 but there is a good page that fills in some of the details below

www.fawm.org


So...does this allow "Wild Man Fischer songs for a dime" style stuff?...lol
Will I get beat up if I can not write that many songs or will all your writers of 150,000 songs jump in and say "don't worry Billy" we will help you out?...lol
And also, by the way, you guys don't actually work on Valentine's Day, right?
Billy


“Amazing! I’ll be working with Jaco Pastorius, Charlie Parker, Art Tatum, and Buddy Rich, and you’re telling me it’s not that great of a gig?
“Well…” Saint Peter, hesitated, “God’s got this girlfriend who thinks she can sing…”
Songwriting
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 20,330
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 20,330
Ha Ha Billy, you can do this blindfolded. It's only a matter of writing, producing and delivering a world class song in two days, and then simply repeating that another 14 times wink .

Seriously, for those who put in such a big effort: "Congratulations!". You all well and truly deserve it. Fantastic effort to everyone.


BIAB & RB2025 Win.(Audiophile), Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors, AKG K271 Studio H'phones
Songwriting
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913
R
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
R
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913
You can make the challenge what you want it to be. Quality is, and always has been, a subjective word.

It’s primarily for hobbyists so if you are a writer in Nashville on Music Row writing 5 hits a day, this will be boring for you. Pass on by, nothing to see here.

But if you are not part of that rarefied air, it’s great fun and tons of different prompts and lyric writing games and challenges involved.

Honor system is the rule, no requirement to even record a demo onto your phone.

On Valentines Day the colorway of the site changes to pepto bismol pink and everyone’s avatar pic gets swapped out for a candy heart.

This is where I met Matt Blick years ago who hosts the excellent Tickets to Write website and the Beatles Songwriting Academy that someone posted about a month or so ago here.

I’ve met one of my collaborators from the challenge while I was on business in LA.

There are some massively talented people that participate every year. I am not one of them. Liz Frencham is an upright bassist from Oz with an amazing voice and she does great baseline and melody songs as well as collaborations with people from around the globe.

Old Lost John is a folkie from Sweden with a pack of smokes per hour voice, a woody acoustic, and a compelling story in every song.

Songwriting
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913
R
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
R
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913
Site opens January 15

Songwriting
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913
R
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
R
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913
Site is open. Site developer had to move the whole thing to a new hosting service. He said he will be modifying the site to replace the typewriter font

Songwriting
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,081
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,081
I did it one year and it was fun. I actually got a few keepers out of the deal. I don't have it in me any more.
I am lucky if I get 10 songs done in a year. But good luck to those that do the challenge.


My music can be heard at: The Cracks
Songwriting
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 8,338
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 8,338

Songwriting
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913
R
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
R
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913
While I have 3 sets of lyrics, I've only really been able to spend a couple hours recording and finally put one of them to music.

Goals for this one: 1. Use massively overdriven fuzz like Numb by Gary Clark Jr. That's probably one of my most listened to songs from this past year.
2. Write lyrics using Pat Pattison's boxes technique.
3. Maybe just use a 4 on the floor stomp/kick
4. Distort the vocals.

I accomplished all 4 goals. Recorded quickly tonight. 3 tracks: Guitar, kick drum, vocals

https://soundcloud.com/rockstar_not/she-dont-know?si=ff4997f1db744d6180502b87c111dbc9&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

Songwriting
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913
R
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
R
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913
I have my second one in the can after being inspired by a drum track for a full song posted by one of the fellow FAWMers. This guy does this every year and I usually get at least one song out of inspiration from his drum tracks.

Some older 80's sounding metal is what I ended up with after running across a preset in my Zoom G5 amp sim/multi-effects that does 5th harmonies in a somewhat musical way.

I present to you: Ya Ya Ya BOOM!

https://soundcloud.com/rockstar_not/ya-ya-ya-boom?si=f01261eddab9459e9da3244b61ebf20c&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

I have much re-mix work to do on this, as when the heavy guitars come in the multiband compressor I am using just kind of kills the drums.

-Scott

Last edited by rockstar_not; 02/08/22 06:51 PM.
Songwriting
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 8,338
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 8,338

Hey Scott,

This would make a good sync song for a Netflix movie I think.

I like the energy.

I don't think you have to (or should) worry too much about the mix for FAWM songs. I think you are just supposed to spit it out and mix later, the way I understand it--just tap into the crazy, so to speak, the songwriter vein.

I am using it as a way to stop being so OCD about everything I write and just let it fly.

smile

But, everyone has their own mission I know!!!

Songwriting
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913
R
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
R
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913
The remixing I will do will be later. Because I am not deluded enough to think that anyone else will listen, but I will listen for my own entertainment. That’s really my primary audience! I will re-record some of the bits so it doesn’t bug me in the future. I used some presets in my Zoom G5 I have never used before and had silly fun with them. Which if I can laugh when I listen I have accomplished my goal!

Songwriting
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913
R
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
R
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913
Here is my favorite song that I half wrote for this year’s FAWM. I wrote the lyrics one night while watching the Olympics, based on a prompt someone put in the forum to write a song based on names of paint samples. Bachelor’s Button was one I picked.

I asked one of my favorite FAWMers, Old Lost John, if he would consider writing some music and singing what he wrote.

I love the result. This is part of the fun of FAWM as well.

https://oldlostjohn.com/track/3007634/bachelor-s-button

Last edited by rockstar_not; 02/27/22 11:08 AM.
Songwriting
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 8,338
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 8,338

This sounds really good Scott. Just listened to it on the FAWM site.

Very indie. Very Netflix.

smile

Previous Thread
Next Thread
Go To

Moderated by  Andrew - PG Music, PeterGannon 

Link Copied to Clipboard
ChatPG

Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.

ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.

PG Music News
New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2025!

We’ve expanded the Band-in-a-Box® RealTracks library with 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 449-467) across Jazz, Blues, Funk, World, Pop, Rock, Country, Americana, and Praise & Worship—featuring your most requested styles!

Jazz, Blues & World (Sets 449–455):
These RealTracks includes “Soul Jazz” with Neil Swainson (bass), Mike Clark (drums), Charles Treadway (organ), Miles Black (piano), and Brent Mason (guitar). Enjoy “Requested ’60s” jazz, classic acoustic blues with Colin Linden, and more of our popular 2-handed piano soloing. Plus, a RealTracks first—Tango with bandoneon, recorded in Argentina!

Rock & Pop (Sets 456–461):
This collection includes Disco, slap bass ‘70s/‘80s pop, modern and ‘80s metal with Andy Wood, and a unique “Songwriter Potpourri” featuring Chinese folk instruments, piano, banjo, and more. You’ll also find a muted electric guitar style (a RealTracks first!) and “Producer Layered Guitar” styles for slick "produced" sound.

Country, Americana & Praise (Sets 462–467):
We’ve added new RealTracks across bro country, Americana, praise & worship, vintage country, and songwriter piano. Highlights include Brent Mason (electric guitar), Eddie Bayers (drums), Doug Jernigan (pedal steel), John Jarvis (piano), Glen Duncan (banjo, mandolin & fiddle), Mike Harrison (electric bass) and more—offering everything from modern sounds to heartfelt Americana styles

Check out all the 202 New RealTracks (in sets 456-467)

And, if you are looking for more, the 2025 49-PAK (for $49) includes an additional 20 RealTracks with exciting new sounds and genre-spanning styles. Enjoy RealTracks firsts like Chinese instruments (guzheng & dizi), the bandoneon in an authentic Argentine tango trio, and the classic “tic-tac” baritone guitar for vintage country.

You’ll also get slick ’80s metal guitar from Andy Wood, modern metal with guitarist Nico Santora, bass player Nick Schendzielos, and drummer Aaron Stechauner, more praise & worship, indie-folk, modern/bro country with Brent Mason, and “Songwriter Americana” with Johnny Hiland.

Plus, enjoy user-requested styles like Soul Jazz RealDrums, fast Celtic Strathspey guitar, and Chill Hop piano & drums!

The 2025 49-PAK is loaded with other great new add-ons as well. Learn more about the 2025 49-PAK!

Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Mac!

With your version 2025 for Mac Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Or upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for only $49 to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks!

These PAKs are loaded with additional add-ons to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box®!

This Free Bonus PAK includes:

  • The 2025 RealCombos Booster PAK: -For Pro customers, this includes 33 new RealTracks and 65+ new RealStyles. -For MegaPAK customers, this includes 29 new RealTracks and 45+ new RealStyles. -For UltraPAK customers, this includes 20 new RealStyles.
  • Look Ma! More MIDI 13: Country & Americana
  • Instrumental Studies Set 22: 2-Hand Piano Soloing - Rhythm Changes
  • MIDI SuperTracks Set 44: Jazz Piano
  • Artist Performance Set 17: Songs with Vocals 7
  • Playable RealTracks Set 4
  • RealDrums Stems Set 7: Jazz with Mike Clark
  • SynthMaster Sounds and Styles (with audio demos)
  • 128 GM MIDI Patch Audio Demos.

Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:

  • 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyles,
  • FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
  • Look Ma! More MIDI 14: SynthMaster,
  • Instrumental Studies Set 23: More '80s Hard Rock Soloing,
  • MIDI SuperTracks Set 45: More SynthMaster
  • Artist Performance Set 18: Songs with Vocals 8
  • RealDrums Stems Set 8: Pop, Funk & More with Jerry Roe

Learn more about the Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®!

New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Mac!

Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!

We're excited to bring you our latest and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!

In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!

All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!

Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 20.

Video: Xtra Styles PAK 20 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!

Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.

New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Mac!

We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!

We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!

If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!

Special Pricing! Until July 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!

Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.

Video: XPro Styles PAK 9 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!

XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.

New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Windows!

Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!

We're excited to bring you our latest and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!

In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!

All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!

Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 20.

Video: Xtra Styles PAK 20 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!

Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.

New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Windows!

We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!

We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!

If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!

Special Pricing! Until July 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!

Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.

Video: XPro Styles PAK 9 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!

XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.

Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: VST3 Plugin Support

Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® now includes support for VST3 plugins, alongside VST and AU. Use them with MIDI or audio tracks for even more creative possibilities in your music production.

Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Macs®: VST3 Plugin Support

Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: Using VST3 Plugins

Join the conversation on our forum.

Forum Statistics
Forums58
Topics84,382
Posts778,515
Members39,640
Most Online25,754
Jan 24th, 2025
Newest Members
Intelligent Crypto, dv.trpn, graceshova, Leo grant, DobBylan
39,639 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 150
DC Ron 113
WaoBand 109
rsdean 91
dcuny 77
Today's Birthdays
furlanetto31
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5