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Tinnitus: The unwanted music in your ears…

January 11, 2016 by Tara Meddaugh Leave a Comment

No one wants to have their ability to hear compromised, but if you are musician, this fear is compounded by the fact that your daily pleasure, and perhaps monetary living, depend strongly on this sense. Yes, Beethoven managed, but if we have the choice, let’s keep our hearing intact, right?

And do we have the choice?  Obviously, there are some factors outside of our control, but when it comes to the very irritating (and sometimes out-of-your-mind-infuriating) problem of Tinnitus, is it possible there are things musicians can do to prevent it?

For a brief stint in 2011, Soundcheck aired a program called Ear Wars, and in one episode, they feature Dr. Neil Sperling of the New York Otolaryngology Group, who gives us a little more insight into Tinnitus. Tinnitus is the perception of internal sound that usually only the individual can hear. In this way, it’s tricky because it doesn’t have a single causal relation with the body.  It’s sound (ear), but it’s also the perception of sound (brain). Most likely, it has been caused by some damage to the ear, but it’s the brain that is trying to make sense of this by sending out a sound of some sort. And this sound can vary greatly. It can be the typical sound we think of when we hear of Tinnitus– a ringing in the ear (and even ringing can vary a lot), but it can be the literal sound of crickets, it might sound like traffic, it might even be a musical song itself (Ally McBeal anyone?). You can hear a sample of various common Tinnitus sounds at the American Tinnitus website here.

The causes of Tinnitus are not entirely known at this point, although it is something that tends to happen in the older population with the natural decline of hearing. Some medications and chemotherapy can cause Tinnitus too. People who have jobs where they are exposed to loud sounds for a long period of time are more at risk (think factory workers), but as for musicians, or people who love listening to music…? The rise of headphones, earbuds, very loud concerts and sound systems–none of these things are exactly good for the ear. It can vary, but the volume, proximity and duration all play a factor. Easy obvious preventions? Turn the volume down. Use speakers when you can. Give yourself breaks.

But all of these tips don’t matter much if you already have Tinnitus, and again, you may have it even though you don’t have any known risks toward developing it. Many people suffer from it thinking there is no treatment, and while there may not be a simple fix, there are some therapies that have been shown to help. First of all, Dr. Sperling recommends that anyone with symptoms see a professional, as Tinnitus is really just that–a symptom–and it could be a symptom of something larger that is treatable (for instance, a tumor, which is rare, but again, is often treatable). If everything else checks out, then know that there are things which can be done to ease Tinnitus.  From medications, electrical stimulation, and TMJ treatment, there are options. There are even therapies which are designed to retrain the way your brain perceives the sounds.

In any case, if you suffer from Tinnitus, don’t assume that this will always be your fate. And if you don’t suffer from it now…well…much is out of our hands, but if you have any power to protect your precious ears even a little bit while you can…I would seriously consider doing it. Because to hear the roaring sound of a subway when you’re trying to record an album (or have dinner with a friend or read a book to your child or have a good night’s sleep–for that matter!) is far from ideal.

Share your thoughts: Do you suffer from Tinnitus? Have you found anything helps relieve the sound you hear? How has it affected you in your musical career (or otherwise)? Do you have any advice or tips?

 

 

Filed Under: articles

Oreo Cookie Jingle, AKA “Dare to Wonder” Song

December 31, 2015 by Tara Meddaugh Leave a Comment

Okay, so I’m being a dutiful fan, watching Project Runway online, because this is my Friday highlight (never can I watch live tv these days, even though, yes, I’m still paying Cablevision 14 some dollars a month to have 2 cold cable boxes)-when what to my wondering laptop should appear? But a wonder-filled jingle, a boon to my ear!

Yes, this is when I first heard that super catchy “Oreo Cookie Song.” Okay, I guess it’s really called “Dare to Wonder,” and it’s really the subtle voices of Tegan and Sara (identical twins from Canada who have been creating together for 2 decades). And it’s really trying to sell me on trying new limited-time flavors of oreo cookies…but man…it is one inspiring jingle.  Apparently, I’m not alone, as the youtube video alone has over 14 million views (well, the jingle has been out for over a year–how did I miss it until now?). Check it out:



So well done, Oreo. You might not get me to try one of your new flavors, because, well, the last time I bought Oreo cookies was probably when Tegan and Sara formed their band. But you will get me to actually listen to your ad and not mute the laptop when Lifetime makes me watch an extra 3 minutes of ads just because I had to refresh my page since the connection stopped working.

And you’ll probably get me to dance a little bit too.

And maybe crave cookies.

Oreo cookies.

Okay, so maybe it’s not impossible for this ad to have actually worked on me…Perhaps…But luckily I mostly shop at Trader Joe’s and they don’t have oreos there. Although it is only a few stores down from the Stop and Shop…so…

Lesson: Don’t shop when you’re hungry and have just seen Project Runway…

And for all of you who are wondering what those beautiful words of this beautiful jingle are–here are the lyrics to “Dare to Wonder,” or, “The Oreo Cookie Song.”

Dare to Wonder/The Oreo Cookie Song Lyrics:
Wonder if we tried a new thing, looked inside, see what we can bring
Forget who you’re supposed to be, take all your crazy flavors, show them all to me
If we dare to wonder about what holds us down, the fears, the doubts,
Could we spark something, watch it grow? Be more wonder-filled than we know.

Share your thoughts: What commercial jingle makes you put down your cell phone and watch/listen to it? Where were you when you first heard the ever-famous Oreo Cookie Song? Does having a good song make you more likely to take notice and buy the product? How do you feel about the musicians using their talent for advertisements?

Filed Under: articles, Song Writing, TV, Youtube Tagged With: commericals, dare to wonder, Jingles, oreo cookie ad, oreo cookie jingle

“What Do You Mean” Chords for your Justin Bieber Cover

September 19, 2015 by Mike Leave a Comment

Cover song marketing is still one of the best ways to promote your band on Youtube. And hey, Justin Bieber’s new song, “What Do You Mean”, has already garnered 70+ million hits in only two weeks. Google search volumes for the track’s lyrics, mp3 download, video and acoustic version are skyrocketing.

This post is your own personal “What Do You Mean” chords and cover kit. Learn the song, record yourself playing it, customize your video title with strategically placed keywords and publish it on Youtube. See what happens. Maybe nothing. Maybe something. You won’t know unless you try.

Basic “What Do You Mean” Chords (by TheLukeMann)

Here’s a pretty simple set of basic chords for What Do You Mean to get started.

What Do You Mean chords for cover
What Do You Mean chords for cover

“What Do You Mean” Chords and Cover Video

This video isn’t all that helpful for learning how to play What Do You Mean chords, but I was impressed by its production value and thoroughness.

Random “What Do You Mean” Acoustic Covers

Hey, if these musicians can do it, so can you, right? Promote yourself!

 

Okay, that’s enough Justin Bieber-induced pain to last a long, long time.

* Image at the top modified from one created by Luigi Severus at Deviant Art. Thanks for making me laugh, Luigi!

 

Filed Under: articles, Cover Song Smackdown, Youtube

Starting a band

September 27, 2012 by Mike 19 Comments

More random thoughts on a late night, this time thinking back to the days when I was in a band (or two)…

If you’re reading this blog, surely you’ve thought about starting a band at some point in your life.  Whether you dreamed of playing to sold-out stadiums, or simply to hacking a few local gigs to wow the local scene, it’s all about sharing (and showing off) talent. Actually starting a band can be both hugely exciting and incredibly painful.  Here are some pitfalls many of us have faced when starting a band.

Band Member Goals

Are all the band members’ goals aligned?  It’s important to ensure that all members of the band are on the same page. How often will the band practice? What kind of music will the band play? How will the band split songwriting credits?  Who plays what?  Bands require compromise, but if everyone has different goals, the band’s toast.

Band Member Chops ‘n’ Skills

Playing music requires expertise.  Of some kind anyway.  (There are a ton of stories of unimpressive musicianship achieving success, but in reality, most successful bands are made up o f incredibly talented and/or charismatic musicians.)  Performance experience helps as well.  Some people are naturally charismatic.  Hopefully, if a band member is stage shy, it’s the keyboard player, and not the lead singer.  And hopefully, if a musician is “faking” skill on stage, it’s your percussionist, and not your lead guitarist.  (No offence to any Wooden Spoon players out there.)

[Read more…]

Filed Under: articles, Miscellaneous

Why you should scoop up florence and the machine tickets

September 20, 2012 by Mike 8 Comments

It’s been a long time since I’ve written, and I thought I’d share some random, late night thoughts about a band.

Someone told me that if I was a Lord of the Rings fan, I’d like Florence and the Machine.  That seemed like an odd statement, so I put it to the test (I love LotR), and voila, I’m now a fan of the band.  They’re touring America this month to support their new album “Ceremonials,” and Florence and the Machine tickets are currently available.  As with many breakout bands, appearance in various media launched their success, making it yet another good case study for the “screen to mp3” success story.  Let’s walk through it.

Florence and the Machine’s unique sound is the key to their success. Florence Welch’s haunting voice overlaid on ethereal backing tracks creates a cloud of mystery around the listener. The complex harmonies combine with enough thump in the bass to remind the listener that this is a rock band. The band’s sound has been categorized at various times as English art rock or even soul. Perhaps the best description is pagan rock. The melodies and soaring vocals are reminiscent of New Age music from the 1980s.

The group appeals to a segment of rock fans who in earlier days might have listened to more pop-based bands. Although this segment is small, the band is fortunate to have been noticed by the mainstream media. Early in their career they were featured on the program “BBC Introducing.” Since then, their songs have been picked up for play on numerous television programs and movies, including “Wild Child,” “Eat Pray Love,” “Saving Grace” and many others. The recent “Snow White” gig was the latest in the string of soundtrack appearances which have given the group widespread exposure.

Since “Ceremonials’” debut, the band has also released two singles, “Breath of Life” and a remixed version of “Spectrum (Say My Name).” “Breath” was featured as the theme for “Snow White & the Huntsman.” “Ceremonials” reached the top spot on the UK charts in its first week. It peaked in sixth place in the U.S. The band also received two Brit Award nominations for the record.

When the tour concludes, the band will begin work on their third album. it could be a minute or two before the group is back on tour, so now is the time to scoop up those Florence and the Machine tickets.

Filed Under: articles, New Music

How to engage fans with a mobile app you create…for free

May 11, 2012 by Mike 25 Comments

Guest Post Highlight:  More bands are leveraging mobile experiences to drive awareness for and engagement with fans.  Wheng will share her thoughts regarding the emerging fan touchpoint, and will also share one example of a way to build your own band mobile app presence for free.  Take it away, Wheng…

Let’s face it, pursuing a music career is one of the last professions today where a self-directing individual can be left to his or her own devices. As proof, take a look at these bands and what they’ve achieved so far. Whether it’s Foo Fighters or Queens of the Stone Age, Teenage Fanclub or Radiohead, Twin Sister or OK Go, the single variable that defines any musician is how they built careers on their own terms. That’s the way it is, that’s how it
always has been.

And while some bands can’t seem to crack the music monopoly dominating the mainstream, that’s never a reason to stop to forging ahead and making music that sends ripples across airwaves, earphones, and attention spans of an infinite audience. Creating music on your own terms is still very much possible today.

The fact that millions of people own smartphones these days means independent bands like yours have an exciting new audience to explore. Think along the lines of a band-specific mobile app dedicated to spreading your music.  Bands can get exposure to, drive engagement with, directly communicate with, and sell goods to fans via a growing number of mobile device apps opportunities.

One example worth considering is the FANtastic4Bands music app builder. What I like about this tool is that you don’t need any computer coding skills to build your app and it’s really easy to use and update. And to top it off, it’s free.  It includes:

  • Simple drag-and-drop design
  • Tour schedule sharing
  • Fan engagement through live Q&A chats and Twitter
  • Direct-to-fan music sales
  • Direct-to-fan merchandise sales

How is it free?  The app  includes embedded targeted ads and links – a fair compromise considering what a band gets.  A $49/year premium version offers a few premium features, and a $499/year premium version is ad-free and band-branded. Definitely an option worth trying out.  (By the way, they’re running a contest on their Facebook page where they’re giving away microphones.)

Start building a mobile experience for your fans today.  There are plenty of mobile apps to choose from.  Good luck!

***

Wheng Enojo is a writer, inspirer, and life-enhancer. Currently, she is exploring and enjoying the world of DIY mobile apps as her newest hobby.

  • Live streams of concerts and gigs

Filed Under: articles, Music Promotion Tagged With: diy, mobile app

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