Hi Everyone,
 I can't believe it's almost June and nearly summer. The new house does takes up some time but I'm getting back to some of my New England gardening roots (pun intended). The garden is looking pretty cool, if I do say. It's a small space, just enough and actually helps my writing but I do wonder where does the time go! I'm not doing a very good job keeping this newsletter up. I won't promise I will do better as I probably won't! LOL! |
|
Recent Post
|
How Much For Your Copyright?
I've always felt that owning the copyrights to your own music was golden as there are many advantages and the payoff can be substantial. As an example: If you have success as a composer and years down the road you want to "cash out" and sell to a larger company, owning a catalog of your copyrights can potentially mean a big pay day. BTW this is done all the time. Read more here.
|
|
MLR Forum
|
After a number of years and more than a few requests MLR now has a forum. I resisted all these years as I could not find any software that integrated with the existing site. bbPress 2.0 does that as it's very WordPress friendly. I have a number of forums up but will add more as time goes on. If you have a forum you would like me to add please leave a comment on the Feedback forum. Thanks to all who have provided feedback and thanks for your patience. Hopefully this will be a solution! Go to forum here.
|
|
Composer Poll
|
Composer Poll: Check out the composer poll and make sure to vote! Lot's of interesting questions such as "How Many Tracks In Your Catalog?", "How Many Different Libraries Do You Currently Have Music With?". Find out what your fellow composers are experiencing. Read More
|
|
Joke Corner
|
With apologies to my accordion playing friends!
Minimum safe distances between street musicians and the public:
- Violinist: 25 feet
- Bad Violinist: 50 feet
- Tone Deaf Guitar Player who knows 3 chords: 75 feet
- 15 year-old Electric Guitar Player with Nirvana fixation: 100 feet
- Accordionist: 60 miles
|
Yoga Poses For The Stressed-Out Composer
|
Robin's Yoga for the month.
If you're feeling stressed out and need a way to regain your composure (get it? composer - composure? :) there are many techniques in yoga that may help. Here are three:
1) Extending the exhale. This is something you can do anywhere. Start in a comfortable position and begin to notice your breath. Try to breathe in and out through the nose. If this is not possible, breathe through the mouth. Notice the quality of your breath. Notice the temperature of the air as it passes in and out. Then begin to think about extending your exhale. Count the beats of your natural inhale and exhale. Then slowly begin to extend the exhale. If you began your exhale on 3 beats, try extending it to 4. If that feels comfortable, try extending the exhale to 5. And if that feels comfortable, try extending up to 6. If at any point this feels over-stimulating, simply dial it back. Wherever you feel you have reached your comfortable extended exhale, stay with that number for a few breaths. Then gradually bring the exhale back to your normal rhythm. Take a few more conscious breaths. Try taking one last deep inhale while stretching your arms up as if you were waking up in the morning, then let everything go with a sigh. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh,
2) A very simple technique: Simply close off the right nostril gently with your right thumb and breathe softly in and out through the left nostril. (Note: Breathing through the right nostril tends to be stimulating.)
3) If you can, lie down, close your eyes, and put one hand over your heart and one hand on your belly. Breathe smoothly and deeply in and out through the nose feeling the gentle rise and fall of your belly. You may give yourself a positive message like, "I am completely whole and completely safe."
Finally, simply closing your eyes and taking a few slow, conscious breaths in the middle of a stressful day may be all you need -- to regain your composure. :))
|
|
Don't Forget!
|
 MLR Jukebox: Show off your music on MLR! Read More:
Critiques: Want some feedback on your music? Tap the wisdom of MLR's readers. Read More:
Newbie Info: Answers to the most common questions if you are just entering the music library world. Read More: |
|
Robin's Good Eatin'
|
 Beer Bread (So good! So easy!)
Ingredients:
3 Cups Self-rising Flour
OR
3 Cups All Purpose Flour plus 3 tsp Baking Powder and 1 tsp Salt
3-4 Tablespoons Sugar
1 12-oz Bottle or Can of Beer (any brand will be fine, but if using non-alcoholic add one packet active dry yeast.)
Melted Butter to drizzle (optional)
1 1/2 - 2 Tablespoons favorite Dried Herbs. (I like rosemary.) (optional)
Method:
Pre-heat oven to 375
Sift together self-rising flour and 3-4 tablespoons sugar. (If not self-rising, add 3 tsp. baking powder and 1 tsp. salt)
Add herbs, if desired.
Add beer. (any brand will do, but if non-alcoholic, add 1 packet of dry active yeast.)
Mix dry ingredients and beer together.
Pour into a greased loaf pan.
Drizzle with melted butter (or Earth Balance) if desired. It's fine without.
Bake for 1 hour and allow to cool before serving.
Everyone will be impressed and it will go fast! |
Well that's it for now. Remember: Patience and Persistence. In the music library business as well as in life!