The App is ready [unlocked for all backers and preorders]
about 4 years ago – Wed, Apr 08, 2020 at 02:26:31 AM

The Songwriting Decks App is ready!

Yes! The big day is finally here. This is the day the digital version of the Songwriting Decks is finally going online. Sorry that it took a bit longer, I wanted to make video tutorials for all the exercises. 

Is this app free for me?

Yes. If you backed the Songwriting Decks on Kickstarter OR preordered them, you now have an account over at Songcraft.io with life-long access to the Songwriting Decks, as well as 3 months of Songcraft Pro. Once your Pro membership ends, you can still access the decks in Songcraft Basic (the free version of Songcraft).  

How do I use the app?

1. Head on over to https://songcraft.io/ 

2. Create an account using your kickstarter email address / the email address you used to preorder the Songwriting Decks. If you didn't have an account yet, you will be asked to choose a password. 

3. Once you're in Songcraft, click at this little icon in the upper right corner (it says "Songwriting Decks" when hovering over it):

Problems, Solutions.

If you want to use a different email address, contact Gabe at [email protected] and let him know the email address you used before and the email address you'd like it to change to. If you don't know what your original email address was, let him know your name. 

If you are experiencing any problems with Songcraft or your login, please contact Gabe at [email protected]

If you already had a Songcraft account, the songwriting decks have just been unlocked for you and 3 months of Songcraft Pro have been added. 

Got feedback? Let me know in the comments!

Enjoy & Stay gefährlich!

Friedemann

How to use the Structure & Rhythm Cards + Print Files Clarification
about 4 years ago – Thu, Mar 26, 2020 at 12:44:14 AM

"I didn't get the print files"

If you didn't get the print files for the songwriting decks yet, the reason is probably that you didn't order them. They were a $10 add on in Backerkit after the campaign had ended. 

However, you still will get access to the digital version next week, so could be worse I think :)

How to use the Structure Cards

After receiving the print files, some of you have asked how to use this new deck, so here's a quick explanation:

The front tells you the name of the section, what its purpose is and which other sections it connects to. That means you can basically puzzle these cards together and make up a structure on the fly. You always start with a card that has the play symbol and end on a card with the pause symbol. The turquoise part of the card is the suggested energy level for the section. 

The back tells you things to keep in mind when writing this section, so "Hook" means "This section should have a strong hook" for example. Then it will tell you the exercises from the Songwriting Decks you can use to achieve these goals. 

How to use the Rhythm Cards

Time Signature gives you a suggested time signature with suggested Accents. You can use the Mini-Rhythm as a building block for a melody or bass line. The Polyrhythms can be used to create your base groove (by putting the drums in 6 and bass in 9 for example). The Snare Pattern can be used to come up with more interesting drum patterns. The Rhythm Overlays aren't completely usable yet since your print files aren't hole punched, but you will be able to lay cards on top of other cards to create unique rhythms. The same goes for Count and Tempo, which really only make sense with the punched out window right next to them - you turn over one of the cards and put it on top of another so that you can see the Count and Tempo through the little window. This combination gives you a suggested Tempo and/or Count to use for your Mini-Rhythm. So if you see a 4+, start your Mini-Rhythm on the 4+ of your measure. 

That's it for now, enjoy!

Stay gefährlich,

Friedemann

Print Files are sent!
about 4 years ago – Sat, Mar 21, 2020 at 12:17:32 PM

This post is for backers only. Please visit Kickstarter.com and log in to read.

Orders locked + Small Digital Versions Update
about 4 years ago – Thu, Mar 19, 2020 at 10:01:01 AM

Orders Locked. 

We've reached the next step of the process: orders are locked and credit cards are charged. So if you paid using your card, you will be charged for shipping and add-ons. You'll also have 48 hours to make any last changes to your order - if you want to add more stuff for example. 

Songwriting Deck Print Files go out Saturday!

I just completed all the print files and they look great! Once all credit cards have been charged I will be able to send these out. That is in 48 hours, so Saturday! If you can't wait to get your hands on the decks, this is your chance to start using the decks. 

App Update

The online version of the decks is coming along nicely and I'm recording short tutorials for all exercises in the coming days. Once those are integrated into Songcraft you will gain access. I hope next week. 

Stay gefährlich,

Friedemann

Digital Print Files & Online Version coming soon!
about 4 years ago – Sun, Mar 15, 2020 at 10:45:55 PM

Digital Print Files

Hey everyone,

Some of you have been asking about the print files and why I haven't sent them out yet. Here's why:

Corona set us back a few weeks, which happens to affect digital proofing and prepress as well. My plan was (is) to first get a printed copy of the decks in my hands so I could check it thoroughly. That includes spelling errors, wrong notes, maybe changing a graphic or word here or there, that sort of thing. 

I would really prefer not having a digital version of the decks floating around that hasn't been fully checked. However, I can understand it if you want your print files ASAP. So here's what we're going to do:

I will send out the print files this week, and you'll get an updated file once the final versions are ready. 

Online Version

I had a check in with the guys from songcraft earlier this week and the implementation of the Songwriting Decks is looking incredible. Some of the things I'm most excited about include being able to actually play back the chords and melodies from the cards. This way, you'll be able to use these exercises even if you don't read music. 

I'll let you know more very soon - the digital version should be done within the next 2 weeks :)

Stay gefährlich,

Friedemann