You are listening to the Rudy Brandsma Award 2010 winning song from the Australian Songwriters Association Award,  "Our Last Goodbye" written and performed by Karen Guymer. You can become such a winner too.

ABOUT US

Have you been writing songs for many years without major success, or just lyrics, composing or writing poetry, singing your own songs in clubs, selling CDs, entering songwriting contests, perhaps winning a couple and coming to realize that  it is only for fun because you will never make a living or any real income at all from your music? We are here to show you how to make a difference taking your songwriting to the next level. Even if you are new to songwriting, we can make a great songwriter of you if you follow the principles we teach. (see FAQ page also)

Magesongs School Of Songwriting offers a unique course (and workshops and services) based on a songwriting method used by most successful hit songwriters. It is unfortunate that the majority of songwriters who are also performers tend to write differently to that of 'outside' writers who do not write for themselves but for artists signed by record labels. As a result only those who follow the label's 'formula', word that scares most singer-songwriters,  are the ones who achieve success.

There is also a common belief that if a song is satisfactory enough to the writer, it should not receive the critics of others. The music market is a competitive one and therefore this view stops songwriters from receiving proper feedback and improving. Songwriters who want their songs used by record companies or film makers to generate an income should learn about the issues affecting songs and what formula is used when they are assessed by professionals.  Professional critiques is what has made many songs hits.

We give you the proper knowledge needed to venture with confidence within the music industry as a songwriter. We are confident that those who follow what they've learned from us will be capable of becoming prolific songwriters producing quality songs and have a greater chance of success.

Dude McLean who is a producer who has worked with many great names such as Oak Ridge Boys, Ray Charles, Barry Manilow, Dr.Hook, Cher, Andrew Lloyd Weber, Air Supply, Duke Ellington, Abba, Emmy Lou Harris, Buddy Holly, Lionel Ritchie, Stephanie Mills, Johnny Mathis, Johnny Cash, Loretta Lynn, Whitney Houston and many more has this to say: "There is no school for songwriters except the school of hard knocks and that school is filled with lies, myths, half-truths, and misinformation. I hear it everyday. Some of these myths have been around for over 50 years. Talented, you may well be. Educated about your chosen career--doubtful."

We note the unfortunate level of ignorance that exists among musicians, singers and songwriters in general in Australia about the music industry. There are simple things that are unfortunately not taught in this country as they are in the U.S.A. Songwriting is not thought of as a business because the topic presented to developing songwriters as a hobby rather than a business. Most songwriters make their income from a day job.  Therefore talents remain hidden, undeveloped or unrecognized and writers are reluctant to allow their songs heard or given exposure, thinking someone else might steal their work while others believe that if another artist sings their song, it is not theirs anymore; others believe that a song can be bought or sold like a tangible product, and I have even heard of people giving away their songs for a fee, not understanding that they should only license the use of their songs. Let one of those songs become a mega hit and a lawsuit saga will start.  Most songwriters in Australia, unless under a record label where they would receive proper guidance, have no idea how their songs can be protected. They believe in the old fairytales of sending a tape in registered mail to themselves and never opening the mail or they believe that just because their songs are registered with their Performing Right Society such as APRA, their copyrights are protected.

ABOUT YOUR MENTOR

Jacques Mario Gentil

Jacques Mario Gentil, is a prolific songwriter, an ASCAP affiliated music publisher & songwriting teacher.

He is recipient  of 12 songwriters awards to date and was one of the 8 nominees for the Rudy Brandsma Award 2010 from the Australian Songwriters Association.

Son of composer of the National Anthem of Mauritius Philippe Gentil (M.B.E.) he started singing at the age of 13 in a church choir, and at 17 won a TV song contest in Mauritius. He became an entertainer for the Beachcomber Club and Sun group hotels in the paradise island of Mauritius, Indian Ocean. With a school friend he formed and was lead singer of pop band 'Misfits II'. He later turned to Gospel music and that's when his songwriting career started to take shape.  He released a French gospel album in 1985 titled 'Je Suis...' (I am...) and an English gospel album in 2000 titled 'Contrast' releaed under Molian Records, U.S.A. which he sold over a thousand just on his U.S. tour in 2001. He has learned the great tools of songwriting somehow by studying others experience and ideas. He is open to everyone else's ideas and life is about learning. While in USA he's met influential people in the industry. He's learned the basics of music publishing at the feet of his own music publisher Anita Hazel who has been managed in the 70's by Neil Diamond for song of his which she made a hit in the Bahamas. He  met and learned from Ray Doggett (Producer for many Nashville artists including Kenny Rogers).  Other influence are Jason Blume, Scott Matthews (San Francisco State University songwriting teacher), Pat Pattison (Berklee Music School) and others.

He has collaborated on songs with many talented songwriters such as Joe Dolce and currently has 9 french lyrics written for US No1 Pop/RnB performing artist Christelle including one song co-written with Diane Warren.. He has run seminars and workshops on songwriting locally and abroad.  His knowledge of the music industry has made him a great source of information for songwriters who all respects his views and work. Jacques respects the work of others while providing constructive criticism. He deals with songwriters at their level while pushing them to reach success that others have already achieve.

He has toured the Indian Ocean in the late 80's, the South Pacific early 90's, joined the New Testament singers in 1993, toured with the Melbourne Advent Brass Band as tenor performer for 4 years towards the late 90's. He also features on two tracks 'Wonder Of His Grace' & 'How Excellent Your Name Is / Shine Jesus Shine Medley' on the Advent Brass Band’s Spiritual Moment album (1998). He has also performed across USA and Canada in 2000 and in 2001 with over 20 concerts, with a sale of over 1200 albums in less than 3 months. He has also performed before an audience of 46,000 at the  Skydome in Toronto (stadium home of the Blue Jays), Canada. His television experiences started since his singing contest success in Mauritius in 1978, a guest appearance on Havanna show in New Caledonia in 1992 as well as 'Purely Music' on ‘KSBN Safe TV’, ARKANSAS, USA in 2000.

He is currently writing songs for film and collaborate with many talented writers. After obtaining a bachelor of art  from Deakin University, together with a diploma in architectural drafting, he has left a long term career into drafting to concentrate in helping others learn about the music industry as it relates to songwriters.  He likes painting and  drawing as another way of expressing life.

His phylosophy about songwriting is to face and accept  life as it comes and let it be expressed through music. Songwriters is a most honest and noble profession for those who understand what it's worth. Songwriters are the best thinkers in the world. Their mind can trod in all the places where no doctor, architect, psychologist, lawyer or judge, priest or politician could. Songwriting is the art of arts.

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Last updated: 09/09/12.