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RainMusic Review - Issue #30 - May 2000
Reviews this issue include RainMaker Music Publicity,
Music Graphics Galore, The Buzz Factor, Music Mirage Centre, Free Music E-Commerce, Musica Viva, Guerrilla Marketing Online,
and the iNet Music Network.
RainMusic Review is a monthly newsletter featuring reviews of online music resources of interest to musicians. These sites are reviewed weekly at RainMusic.com and then archived via this newsletter.
For maintenance purposes, this archive does not contain
the entire newsletter. It does however contain the prominant reviews featured each week. Subscribe Here
to get the full content delivered to you each month.
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Featured Reviews: Pianist Resources & Independent Music
Resources
Pianist Resources
Blueprints
of Genius Music Page
Tori Amos fans will get a kick out of Blueprints of Genius, a
site dedicated to sheet music transcriptions from Tori's best material. Songs include music from Little Earthquakes, Under the Pink, Boys for Pele and a number of
B-Sides. The
sheet music is free and in *.gif format making it easy to print off or download. The only drawback - as these are
only rough transcriptions, there are no repeats or codas. The music is presented linearly, as performed.
Music Graphics
Galore
'Galore' is right. At Music Graphics Galore you'll find hundreds of music images collected from various sources
on the internet. These include web page elements (lines, buttons, backgrounds) as well as musical instruments of
all types (both animated and static). Our only complaint about the site is that with so many graphics, it would
be nice to have thumbnails to view. Even so, there's lots and lots to choose from, and if you're persistant you're
bound to find something perfect for your application.
Mirage
Music Centre
Here's a highly recommended free sheet music resource for those
looking for sheet music to some of this centuries most popular tunes. You'll find Rock, Jazz, and Blues selections
spanning everything from the Stray Cats to the Beatles, the Doors, Gershwin, Cole Porter, Rogers & Hart, Elvis,
Gary Moore and Lionel Richie. Sheet music is predominantly in *.pdf format. A very fine free sheet music collection
with something for everyone.
Musica Viva
Musica Viva has a terriffic selection of free sheetmusic in *.gif format. These are sorted by instrument and feature
not only piano and guitar, but also woodwinds, brass, strings, and ensemble. In addition to the free sheet music
archive, you'll find free manuscript paper, a MIDI collection, tips and tricks for the guitarist, and an encyclopedia
of music. Finally, Musica's Free Sheet Music Directory list hundreds of links, sorted by category, to other sheet
music sites.
Independent Music Resources
The Buzz Factor
Bob Baker's Buzz Factor has been, well, getting a lot of buzz lately. Bob offers a number of great services to
independent musicians, including press kit evaluation and press release writing. Bob's Buzz Factor is most well
known for it's guerilla music marketing articles and tips, available weekly in the Buzz Factor newsletter (and
at the site). You'll also want to check out Bob's famous Guerilla Music Marketing Handbook.
Free Music E-Commerce
Have CDs to sell from your web site but no E-Commerce system in place? Free Music E-Commerce allows you to sell
directly from your website by accepting secure online credit card transactions. You set your own prices and keep
all the profit. There are no monthly charges, and no merchant account is needed. The only fee you pay is the actual
percentage charged by Visa, Mastercard, or Amercian Express, which is typically less than 5%
Guerrilla Marketing Online
Although not run by musicians or specific to music promotion, this is a site that anyone running a music business
online should be familiar with. It is dedicated to internet promotion in general and features tons of articles
and tips that can be used to promote your music. New articles are added weekly, and be sure to check out Tales from the Front Line, successful
guerrilla marketing ideas submitted by readers.
The iNet Music Network
Are you a working musician? Then chances are you'll find something at iNet just for you. This brand new, beautifully
designed musicians internet portal offers just about every service imaginable to musicians. Radio Lightning offers FREE radio time
to artists on 'The Melting Pot," their new indie artist station. M-Port is a one stop directory of Agencies, Clubs, Distributors and much more with discussion
forums, classified ads, and a music industry database. With iNet's UAPP ('Ultimate Artists Promotion Package') you'll find help packaging and promoting
your music. You can manufacturer your CDs through iNet, have a web site designed, arrange distribution, or get
assistance marketing your songs to recording artists. Finally if you need help with streaming media, web hosting,
or e-commerce, iNet can help with that too. Our only caution about iNet: from all appearance they are just now
getting off the ground. They are not officially open for business until May 2000.
RainMaker Music Publicity
No, these guys have nothing to do with RainMusic.com, but they do have alot to do with promoting independent music.
RainMaker specializes in providing publicity for independent bands and labels by promoting CD releases and tours,
setting up radio interviews, pitching feature stories to magazine editors and setting up in-store performances.
Their purpose in life is to create a 'buzz' about your act and provide both local or national support. Their rates
are extremely reasonable (running $40/hour) and yes, they do take credit cards.
Music Promotion Tips
Compliments of
I-Music Promotion
How many cd's are sitting on your shelf collecting dust? Still
have 500 cd's that are taking up space in your garage? Try offering these cd's as incentives. You're asking yourself
if I am crazy, I know. But, giving away cd's is a sure-fire way to sell three or four for every freebie. Give a
cd to anyone who buys 4 or more tix to your next show. You will sell at least one to the three other people that
person brings. Plus you will have 3 new email subscribers!!! Put together an email with a coupon, "Buy 1,
get the other one FREE". Give a free cd to anyone who brings you three new email subscribers. If you are severely
overstocked, give one away to anyone and everyone who signs up. Believe me, giving these cd's away is the best
$2 you can spend. You will see returns for years because of it!!!
Featured News...
Columbia Records Talent Search
Columbia Records, the world's #1 record label, is conducting a nationwide search for undiscovered new talent in
conjunction with local radio stations in several of America's biggest urban music centers: May 2-Chicago (WGCI),
May 3-Boston (WILD), May 8-Dallas (KKDA), May 9-San Francisco (KMEL) and May 15-Atlanta (WHTA). The National Grand
Prize winner, chosen from the finalists in each city, will win a recording session with Columbia Records and world
famous producers Track Masters.
U.S.
Court Rules MP3.com Violated Copyright Law
A U.S. federal court ruled on Friday that MP3.com violated copyright law with the creation of its database in which
users can store music and then access it via any computer connected to the Internet. The ruling stemmed from a
lawsuit filed by the world's largest record labels which said that the database of more than 80,000 copyrighted
albums, part of the online music downloading company's http://my.mp3.com service, represented copyright infringement.
Judge Jed Rakoff of U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York issued a terse order holding MP3.com
"liable for copyright infringement." The suit sought to shut down the service.
MP3.com
Faces a Whopping Penalty
Legal experts say the digital music site could be fined anywhere from $750 million to billions of dollars for violating
copyright law.
Share Your Music Career
'Horror Stories'
Ever had a music career nightmare? Share your story and get paid for it! Goodnight Kiss Music is publishing a book
of career horror stories and they want your input. Royalties are offered for any stories used! Details Here!
Featured Articles...
Dealing With Tendinitis
The last thing a pianist who has tendinitis wants to hear is "Stop playing and rest." Very often the
pianist will go into denial and keep playing—leading to more aggravation and greater injury. This article by Richard
Prokop, author of Piano Power, offers some encouragement and advice to pianists struggling with this malady.
Has
the Time for Copyright Passed?
Copyright laws will soon be irrelevant, and the winners in the new
era will be those who know how to take advantage of that.
How to Take Full Advantage of Music
Conferences
How to decided where to go, what your goals should be, and how to make the most of your opportunities. Article
by Carolyn Ballen
Indie Labels: Are They A Viable Alternative?
Today, more and more, the record industry appears to be gravitating
toward the Indie Labels. For the most part, these labels produce niche driven, non mainstream music. Hence, the
most critical factor in an independent record company is to identify and reach the correct niche market for the
kind of music that they are interested in releasing. MusicBIZ magazine spoke with several independent label executives,
who have managed to make a success out of their respective labels.
Record
Industry Wakes Up to MP3
Although people have been downloading pirated MP3 music files for more than two years, the record labels are just
now responding with something other than a lawsuit.
The History of MP3
With all the controversy currently surrounding the digital-audio format known as MPEG Layer III, or MP3, you might
wonder how the digital-audio industry evolved from tinny-sounding MIDI files into near-CD-quality MP3 files. With
all the technical jargon, it's difficult to figure out why this breakthrough is so revolutionary. The reason is
simple: MP3 dramatically reduces file size with only a small loss of quality.
Job Opportunities in the Music Business
Wanted: Music Analyst
Gomez Advisors is a privately-held Internet company headquartered
in Lincoln, MA. Our mission is to provide decision support to consumers who want to transact online and to businesses
that want to attract and retain consumers who transact online. Our Music Analyst will conduct and coordinate research
in support of our Music Scorecard and related products and services. For more information, please e-mail your resume
to resumes@gomez.com.