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CHAPTER IV. |
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Finishing Touches Previous to Publication—Submitting Mss. to a Publisher.
The song being completed in both lyrics and melody and accompaniment, the writer of the lyrics and the composer should confer together, play the song over on the piano, see that the words both in metre, feet (number of syllables) and accent throughout, fit the melody naturally and correctly, and vice versa. A well written song must fit both ways. If there are any questionable defects, study them over carefully arid find a means to eradicate any such blemishes. Haste and impatience should never be allowed to influence the mind of the song writer who seeks success.
If possible, have your song "tried out" or sung at some public entertainment, concert, or amateur minstrel show. Here you can hear it sung by others than yourself, but do not let it be publicly known that you are the writer or writers of the song. You will then see how the song *goes" on its own merits. Some hitherto unseen or unsuspected defect may in this way possibly be discovered, and you are consequently able to correct it before the song goes to the printer or publisher. Remember that when your song is published and placed on sale it is too late to change it unless you do it very quickly and are willing to go to much extra expense. Be sure it is as good as you can possibly make it in all points before it leaves your hand.
Never let your song be printed or presented to an artist or a responsible publishing house unless the manuscript copy of the music be written in ink, in a good legible hand. |
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