Important Differences Between Cosmetic Surgery And Plastic Surgery

Although the majority of people use the terms “cosmetic surgery” and “plastic surgery” interchangeably, they refer to very different techniques, procedures and practices.

Cosmetic surgery normally refers to procedures that are used to improve or change the appearance of a nose, eyes, eyebrows or other facial features, including the teeth (cosmetic dentistry). It is always an elective surgery since it is not medically indicated for improving a patient’s physical well-being.

The motivation for much cosmetic surgery is often self-esteem. Cosmetic surgery can help people remove or change a certain physical feature that, as a result, makes them happier with their appearance and enhances their self-confidence, as well.

On the other hand, plastic (or “reconstructive”) surgery may involve the removal of cancerous tissues, or the process of moving or adapting other tissue. Rather than being merely for appearance, as in cosmetic surgery, the goal of plastic surgery is to restore form and function to the affected areas.

Plastic surgery does overlap at times with cosmetic surgery, especially regarding the restoration of normal appearance after massively invasive operations like mastectomies (breast removal). A portion of this particular procedure is plastic surgery, a portion can be considered cosmetic surgery, and there are methods in place to determine, for insurance purposes, how much of each type is involved.

Most people think plastic surgery is the same as cosmetic surgery because of the terminology, but the fact is that plastic surgery did not get its name from “plastic,” the material, but from the Greek word “plastikos.” This word basically means “to mold or shape.” This is why plastic surgery addresses such issues as birth defects, trauma victims and crippling, disfiguring disease.

A baby that is born with a cleft palate needs surgery to correct that condition, and this would be considered plastic or reconstructive surgery. Because the cleft palate can be a serious problem and affect quality of life, it is a medically necessary procedure. Medical necessity is also another important distinction between cosmetic surgery and plastic surgery, which is why plastic surgeries aimed at restoring normal functioning are generally covered by insurance. Cosmetic surgeries are not.

Despite the main purpose of plastic surgery being the restoration of normal form and function, there is a fine line between cosmetic and plastic surgery that is often fuzzy. Sometimes a certain surgery may be needed to restore normal functioning, although it also has an aesthetic component and improves appearance.

Cosmetic surgery is best thought of as surgery that has the goal of improving form, appearance and self-esteem. It is a way of altering the shape of a patient’s body for the purpose of making the patient feel better, more emotionally than physically most of the time. Plastic surgery, on the other hand, helps patients to regain functionality, which has positive effects both emotionally and physically.

Because the procedures are not “medically necessary” the cosmetic surgery cost must be borne by the patient. Medical insurance plans do not cover surgery that is not required for the maintenance or improvement of a patient’s physical health. Surgeries that do maintain or improve physical functioning are, by definition, not cosmetic, and are therefore covered as medically necessary procedures by insurance companies.

Fair Isaac Corporation, What a Wacky Bunch of Statisticians Dedicated to Credit

Credit Cards, Credit Reports and Credit Scores. These terms are not exactly new to any of us. Neither are the implications when our own cards, reports or scores are not at their “best”. Credit scoring, first created by a group of wacky statisticians at the Fair Isaac Corporation, affects everyone out there at some point or another. All of us consumers at some time, come across an application for product, merchandise, land or property. Our credit score suddenly looms before us at these times as hugely important, even though we may have neglected it for years or simply months. It is amazing how easy it is for a credit score to change in only a small amount of time.

In the late 1950’s, a small group of statiscians in Minnesota, the Fair Isaac Corporation, wanted to have a look at how what a consumer did in the past or “historical variables” correlated with what would happen at a later date or “future behavior”. Those wacky statisticians and what fun filled conversationalists they must be, huh? Bet they’re a laugh a minute at parties.

They weren’t surprised with their results once they were finished. Turns out that these eggheads quickly discovered that the best way to predict the way a consumer would act in the future WAS based on their history of behavior. To predict whether or not a person would become seriously delinquent, it was as easy as looking at how that person had previously handled similar accounts. And of course, without a hint of egotism from those wacky statisticians, the FICO Score was born. Anyone notice any similar initials from the name of the score an perhaps some corporation?

The FICO, which to the average layperson, who typically falls asleep when sitting and trying to listen to the scientific explanation of FICO, seems to be utterly confusing. Ever changing and updating each time that any new information is gathered or entered into it’s database, credit scores can be hard to understand. Scoring systems may even sound ingenious and while this may be true, there are still several problems facing credit scoring, some of which are scientific in nature.

When using statistics for anything, several problems can arise, such as the “r” value or whether something occurred simply out of dumb luck and can be termed an “anomaly” or random act or whether it was the “average” stuff that we are looking for. Finding averages can be pretty hard when it comes to us humans and all of our random wacky acts.

Placing people in “ranges” when it comes to scores, such as the consumers who score 650-700 on their credit report, can be detrimental to some in the group. Consumers in this group who display different financial habits than the average group member can be hurt by the bad financial decisions of their group, or in turn, sometimes for the people in the same group who display bad habits, their score can still end up higher than it should because of the good habits of the rest of it’s group.

What I guess I am trying to get at is that it seems that the FICO scoring system, while good at predicting statistical trends for large groups of people, falls short when it comes to the individual credit applicant. It seems that when nothing about a persons individual situation is considered, the impersonal and “fast and easy” automation can really affect some consumers, both positively and negatively. I would personally hate to be one of those people trapped in the 650-700 range and automatically judged by the worst behavior of the entire groups bad apple.

My grandmother always use to say, every family has a bad apple in it. I guess when you lump together a group of so many individuals and expect to find an “average” behavior, we are all just humans and choose to do some wacky things and display behavior simply uncharacteristic to us and yet remain still judged in the same category. How does the behavior of people in your credit group affect you and what a wacky bunch of scientists who could have made it easier by just going out and getting laid, instead of dreaming up this system that haunts credit applicants everywhere.

Amy Pedersen, is penned as YourCreditScoreSecrets.com featured Credit Insider whose articles provide insider tips and insightful knowledge of the credit industry. Her article topics range from the nature of credit reports to the underlying problems facing credit scoring and the laws which support credit report repair done by the average person. Please see her websites for more information:

Credit Repair Tips: http://www.yourcreditscoresecrets.com

Office Chairs and Furniture: http://stores.ebay.com/sitonthisergonomics

One Easy Way to Avoid an IRS Tax Penalty

I was meeting with a current client and an IRS Revenue Officer in my office this afternoon and we were discussing his tax liability and the enormous amount of penalties and interest that his company owes on top of the modest amount of tax that is due. Along the way we have attempted to have the penalties abated, but the IRS concluded that his reasons for not paying the taxes when due did not meet the “reasonable cause” qualification for allowing an abatement of penalties.

About five years ago an entire market sector (textiles) basically disintegrated in our area, leaving many people without a job and many companies closing their doors. My client’s business served the textile industry heavily and when they took a hit, so did my client’s business. When the market turned down, so did my client’s business and he was forced to lay many of his employees off - including his bookkeeper. So he had to learn on the fly how to file 941 quarterly returns, and how to make weekly tax deposits at the IRS. Unfortunately, he did not make these payments or filings on time, but rather sporadically, and the IRS doesn’t really care the reason for the company not making the payments or filings on time.

The Revenue Officer gave my client this advice, and this applies not only to business owners but also to individual taxpayers as well: File your returns on time, whether you can pay or not. The non-filing penalty is one penalty you can prevent all together and you won’t have to ask the IRS to abate at a later time. Then all you would have to worry about is the failure to pay penalty (and the failure to deposit penalty if you are a business owner not making the deposits for your 941 taxes).

Short and sweet, but should save taxpayers a lot of money in penalties: File your returns no matter what.

Tripp Atkins is a Greenville, South Carolina lawyer practicing in the area of IRS Tax Resolution. If you have a tax problem, whether it is a levy, wage garnishment, or you just owe a lot of money and you want to get the IRS off of your back, contact Tripp through his website (http://www.atkinssc.com). There are many solutions and ways he can help take care of your IRS debt. Tripp writes a blog and weekly question and answer column about the area of tax resolution.

How To Choose The Top Rhinoplasty Surgeon In Your Area

Once you have made the decision to have rhinoplasty, you still have to complete the task of finding a great plastic surgeon who can perform the procedure for you. Selecting a plastic surgeon can be both fun and challenging. Fun because you literally get to find the person who is going to help you reshape your nose, and challenging because there is a pool of thousands of plastic surgeons in the United States from which to choose.

Narrow Down Your List of Surgeons

If you live in a major metropolitan area, it is likely that you will have dozens of rhinoplasty surgeons to choose from, if not more. If, on the other hand, you live in a smaller town or city, there may be only a few. (If you live in a rural part of the country, you may have to travel some distance from your home to find a qualified plastic surgeon to perform your rhinoplasty. Be sure to factor this travel into the overall cost of your procedure.) Once you have a list of all of the rhinoplasty surgeons who are available to you, you can begin to narrow it down by doing some research. Find out if which doctors have the most experience. Are any of them on prestigious medical boards? Have any of them won awards? Also, if your health insurance company is going to cover all or part of the cost of your surgery, you may need to choose a doctor within your insurance network.

Word of Mouth

Have you heard about a great rhinoplasty surgeon in your area? Do you know someone, perhaps a friend or relative, who has had rhinoplasty? If so, ask them about their experience. If you keep hearing good things about one or two doctors, be sure to closely consider them as candidates to perform your rhinoplasty. Furthermore, ask your primary care physician if he or she knows of anyone in the area who is known for doing great rhinoplasty work.

Portfolios

Once you have a list of just a few surgeons you are considering for your rhinoplasty, do some close research on their work. Many plastic surgeons have websites where you can view before and after photographs of patients who have undergone this procedure. If the surgeon or surgeons you are interested in do not have websites, they probably have portfolios you can peruse in their offices. It is important to look at these photos for a number of reasons. First of all, you can make your own assessment of the surgeon’s work. You can see if the results look natural and are flattering to the patient’s face. Furthermore, viewing these images will help you to develop a realistic expectation for your own nose.

The Consultation

Many plastic surgeons offer consultations free of charge. Deciding who is going to work on your nose can be both difficult and emotional. If you have the chance to consult with a few different surgeons, you will be able to get a better idea of what each doctor offers. You will be able to get a feel of how accomplished and able the doctor is.

You can also simply decide which doctor you feel most comfortable with for your rhinoplasty procedure. For more information on rhinoplasty doctors in your area, and to research surgeons who offer free consultations, visit http://www.docshop.com

Your Surgical Schedule

Once you have chosen a doctor for your rhinoplasty surgery and had your initial consultation, you will need to schedule the procedure. Based on how busy your surgeon is, you may have to wait for many months before you can have your rhinoplasty procedure. Even if you are very keen to get your new nose quickly, remember that the busiest doctors are often the best.

Earning Money Online Through Cashback Websites - Earn Money As You Shop Online

If you find yourself reading this article then there’s probably quite a high chance that you have made a purchase online, as now a days the amount of shopping done online is vastly increasing. I estimate that around 90 percent of the amount of people who shop online are completely unaware of the existence of cashback websites.

A cashback website is a site which you can use whenever you purchase something over the Internet. The website will contain links to thousands of online shops, and they will be able to track you as you make your purchase. They will then reward you with money for making your purchase, the amount which you receive would depend on the relationship that the cashback website has with the retailer; which depends on the percentage of commission you will earn.

Many individuals and websites earn money from sales commission. This is basically where you advertise a retailer or product on a website, usually by displaying an advertisement or a banner for that company. When someone clicks on to that banner, a cookie is created (something that tracks the individuals actions on the Internet), and if that person goes on to purchase an item, the website owner will earn a commission. Usually commission is around the 5 percent mark. Cashback websites work on exactly the same principle, except they give part or all of the commission earned back to the person who purchased the product in the first place.

Most cashback websites are completely free to join, as most of them don’t give all the commission back to the user; they will have a certain margin set up which they will keep to themselves. However some cashback sites will charge the user to join up, and this fee is usually taken from that users earnings. The best cashback websites are free to join, and it’s best to avoid the cashback sites that ask for a fee up front as they will probably never pay you any money.

The best cashback websites have just about every shop listed on their site, and if you can’t find what you’re looking for you can usually suggest an online shop and they will try and add them to their site. There are thousands of online retailers available on cashback sites, you can earn money when purchasing DVD’s and music at Amazon, get cashback on your groceries at Asda or Tesco’s, get money for joining online betting sites, the list doesn’t end.

Usually the rate of cashback is around the %5 mark, which means if you spend 100 pounds you will earn 5 pounds cashback. Obviously this isn’t a huge amount, but if you are spending money buying the item then you might as well get it for as cheap as possible. Cashback isn’t always paid as a percentage rate either; sometimes you can get paid set amounts for doing certain tasks. For example, join an online betting site like Skybet and make a bet of 20 pounds - you will earn around 15-20 pounds cashback for doing so. This is a great amount, and nearly covers the cost of making your bet.

There are even ways to earn money without spending any at the cashback website. Join up to the certain listed websites and you can earn money for doing so. Usually the sites are free-dating websites, or other free-trial type websites. You can earn around a pound or so just for filling in the application form, without having to spend a penny. There are hundreds of these to apply for as well, so this is yet another reason to join a cashback website not that you need any more convincing!

Cashback websites are a must for any individual who ever purchases or makes transactions online. They are free to join, and can only ever save you money - so where’s the risk? Find a free cashback website and join it today, you will be surprised how much money you can earn from doing so.

Earn money online from answering paid surveys by email, writing product reviews, and by earning cashback every time you shop online; learn more and join these sites for free at http://www.paid2review.co.uk

Change

Exploring my thoughts about why people stay in their so so, humdrum lives is the fear of change. And yet change is all there is according to teacher James Ray.

I think people, myself included just want to stay safe, comfortable, have predictable outcomes. We don’t feel safe when anything new comes our way, no matter what it is. Imagine everything is just going along in the same way, you wake up, the shower works, computer, have the same things for breakfast, everything is the same, and then a change. Maybe there is more traffic so you take a different route to work. Or when you get to work instead of being able to rely on the coffee being ready, the person who makes it is late or not there. All of a sudden your routine and predictable life is changed. A little unsettling for some.

What does this have to do with having more money in your life? I think everything. Money gives you many choices and with choices life is never the same. Now with more money than you currently need, your life could change for the better. You could fix up your home, spend more time with your family, and take a leisurely walk by the water’s edge. You don’t have to wake up at the same time, and head off to work by a certain time. Life is changing. Although you might say great I am out of the rat race and can do whatever I want, what would that be. Without your predictable boring humdrum routine, what would your day look like?

I think change is good. No matter what. It helps us grow, makes life more interesting and challenging and isn’t that what we are here for? Celebrate all the change that is in your life from the change of the seasons and clothing styles to the small changes in your life. Enjoy the changes and you will get more out of your experience here on earth.

Author and Inspirational Speaker

http://www.Joyandsuccess.com

Who Loves Money - An Honest Review

Who Loves Money - An Honest Review

So many product releases recently have made promises that our lives are going to change for good, making earning online a simple process. But the truth is, the very rarely deliver. So is Who Loves Money any different?

An important thing to look at when deciding whether to purchase a product is what kind of track record the product vendor has. In the case of Who Loves Money, the authors Kyle & Carson have a history of producing top rated products, with previous releases including Beating Adwords, Inside The List and the excellent Wealthy Affiliates. So it’s safe to say that Who Loves Money has a good pedigree.

Rather than assuming the reader has plenty of money to throw at campaigns and other marketing techniques, Who Loves Money is aimed at the marketer who maybe doesn’t have the money to risk on something they are unsure about. The techniques inside are designed to help the poorer marketer finally earn real money online, without risking his arm in the process.

A good example of this theory is the section, which reveals how to drive laser-targeted traffic to your site. The difference is, Who Loves Money tells you how to do it for free. Combine this with other sections like how to earn $60 per minute from a niche and it’s easy to see that Who Loves Money really does have the potential to change the future of struggling affiliate marketers

Like most people, I’m totally fed up with sales pages that make over-inflated promises and rob you of your hard earned cash. Because of the respect within the Internet Marketing community for Kyle and Carson, Who Loves Money is certain to be a product that delivers in what is an over hyped, saturated market.

If you’re on a budget and need the cheapest possible way to promote your online businesses, Who Loves Money offers you everything you could possibly need.

To find out more about Who Loves Money, and for a more detailed review, head over to http://www.squidoo.com/who-loves-money-review/

Traveling With Special Circumstances

In the National Lampoon Vacation movies anything that can go wrong to Chevy Chase does. The hotel isn’t as described in the brochure, the car is too small and the amusement park is closed; the list could go on. With the introduction of the Internet into the average American home, planning vacations has become easier than ever. Incidentally, when vacationing we all have special circumstances, including children, pets, disabilities or medical requirements. And sometimes your destination makes all the difference.

These are the answers to a few frequently asked travel questions, and tips to remember when traveling with special circumstances.

Flying. Flying has become one of the most common forms of travel, but as airlines get bigger they need to accommodate a larger number of people and their demands.

Flying With Children. Always inform the airline you are traveling with children when you by your tickets. Reservations for infants and children under 2 cannot be made on most online travel sites. You must contact the airline directly.

    • Newborns. Most airlines will not allow a child under seven-days old to travel on any plane. Often if the child is that young they will also require a doctor’s permission slip.

    • Small Children. There is usually two options when traveling with small children, lap or buy a seat. If the child is less than 2-years old they can sit in your lap for domestic flights. Most airlines do not charge for lap children. However, if you feel more comfortable, you can buy a seat and place the child in an FAA approved restraint. Buying a ticket for these children is usually discounted substantially and most car seats are approved. Double-check the airline for FAA requirements. All international flights require children to be in restraints.

—– Unaccompanied Minors. It’s not uncommon for children to fly alone. Many are seasoned travelers bouncing between parents, friends or relatives. Most airlines will take responsibly of minors for a fee. The cost is usually between $50 and $100 depending on the airline. Additionally, the age requirements may differ. For most, children between the ages of 5 and 7 are only allowed on direct flights. Children between 8 and 14 can fly on connecting flights. The age when children are not required an escort depends on the airline. For example, Delta requires all children under the age of 14 to have an escort whereas with United, children over 12 it’s optional.

Pets. Many airlines accommodate animals of different sizes. You can take them as carry-on, checked as baggage or shipped. Some states require a health certificate. It is suggested to have all veterinary paper work available including shots. Always call the airline or check their website before booking your ticket. Some are more restrictive than others.

Most animals must be 8 to 12-weeks old to fly. The American Veterinary Medical Association suggest not to sedate cats and dogs. This may effect their natural equilibrium and cause injury. Many of these tips and suggestions are for domestic flights in the 48 continental United States. International restrictions and fares may vary.

    • Carry-on. Carry on pets must be small enough to fit into a kennel under the seat in front of you. There is usually a fee of about $50 to $100 per animal. Most airlines only accept cats and dogs. Delta will also accept, birds, ferrets, rabbits, hamsters and guinea pigs, whereas, SouthWest doesn’t accept pets of any kind.

    • Checked Baggage. Larger warm-blooded mammals and birds are usually checked as baggage. Animals must be in comfortable kennels and are taken at the check-in counter and retrieved in baggage claim. They are safely placed under the plane in a pressurized and heated compartment. There is usually a $100 charge for checking your animal. Sometimes it is more difficult for baggage handlers to get your pet to your connecting flight. When booking your flight remember to give yourself between a one and three hour layover.

    • Air Cargo. Many airlines have cargo services. This is for those shipping pets to friends or family without their owner. Rates depend on size and destination of the animal. Check your carrier’s website for further details. Always include identification tags with your address and phone number as well as the address and phone number of the person receiving the animal. Additionally, do not put a leash or muzzle on the animal, this may cause a choking hazard.

—– Disabilities. All airlines are dedicated to making everyone’s travel comfortable. Most airlines are wheelchair accessible and willing to work with people with all kinds of disabilities. Always inform the airline if you or a loved one has special needs prior to departure. This allows the staff to prepare for your accommodations.

Many airlines can provide Braille safety cards, captioned safety videos, individual safety briefings, onboard wheelchairs and more. Guide dogs are usually accepted as checked baggage and don’t require a fee. Many airlines will also accommodate those with food allergies or related illnesses like diabetes.

Hotels and Cars. Always contact your hotel or rental company to make special arrangement regarding lodging and transportation. Most hotels and car companies will try to accommodate you in all ways. When traveling with special circumstances like children, pets or disabilities, always take your hotel and on-ground travel arrangements into account.

If you plan to take the family dog on vacation with you, keep a few things in mind when booking your lodging. Although the hotel may accept pets, ask where they stay, in the room or in a hotel kennel. Furthermore, find out if the hotel offers walking services. If you are sightseeing all day, you don’t want your poor pup stuck in the room needing to visit the grassy knoll across the street.

For small children, most hotels can provide a playpen or crib for them to sleep in. Many car rental companies can also provide car seats and additional child restraints.

Cruises. Pets are not aloud on most cruise liners; however, children are. Most cruises provide several forms of entertainment for children while at sea. If you decide to cruise with children always look into the liner’s child services prior to booking a room.

    • Children and Young Adults. There are usually several free, child-friendly activities previously planned by the cruise liner to keep kids and young adults busy. Activities include arts and crafts, movies, games and child friendly pools. Sometimes the cruise liner will have teen dances and teen specialized activities.

    • Children under Two. Children under 2-years old are not usually eligible for activities. However, most liners offer babysitting services from about $6 to $10 an hour.

    • Disabilities. Many cruise liners try to accommodate those with disabilities to the best of their ability. All floors have elevators and are wheelchair accessible. Those in wheelchairs, requiring oxygen tanks or health requirements usually board and disembark before the general public. Those with sight or hearing disabilities may need to make extra special arrangement with the liner prior to purchasing tickets.

Traveling in today’s day and age can be a tricky business. There are so many circumstances to take into account. Always remember airlines, hotels, car rentals and cruises are ultimately in the hospitality business. They understand there are special circumstances and all are fully trained to accommodate you and your loved ones.

Erin Monaghan is a reviewer/writer for TopTenREVIEWS.com. TopTenREVIEWS features expert reviews for technology and entertainment products and services. The company has served over 60 million Internet visitors, has over 400,000 pages of original content and provides users with free access to in-depth product and services reviews, side-by-side feature comparisons, and industry-related news and articles.

How To Choose The Plastic Surgeon In Your Area

Making the choice to undergo plastic surgery is a very personal decision. Some people choose to have plastic surgery to correct the effects of an accident or disease. Others choose plastic surgery to reform the shape of their body after serious physical changes such as weight loss or pregnancy. Plastic surgery can be used to create dramatic results, or very subtle ones that slightly repair or rejuvenate a patient’s appearance. Choosing a plastic surgeon is just as personal a choice as the plastic surgery that you want to have.

If you live in a major city like New York or Los Angeles, you should have a plethora of very qualified plastic surgeons to choose from. However, there are many talented plastic surgeons throughout North America. If you do not live in or very close to a major city, you still may be able to find a wonderful doctor to perform your surgery. However, if you live very far away from any major hospitals, you might have to travel to find a plastic surgeon who can perform your procedure.

How Can I Choose the Right Plastic Surgeon?

One of the best ways to find a good plastic surgeon is to rely on recommendations. Get in touch with other people who have already undergone the plastic surgery that you hope to have. Find out about the doctors they went to. If you keep hearing good things about one or two particular doctors, then do a little bit of research on them. You may have found your plastic surgeon!

Talk To Your Physician

Not only will your physician be able to tell you whether or not you are a good candidate for the surgery, but he or she might also be able to make some recommendations. Your doctor probably knows the medical community in your area very well. If there does not happen to be a good plastic surgeon in your area, your physician might be able to recommend well-respected plastic surgeons in other parts of the country. It is important to note that you should always speak to your physician before undergoing any procedures like plastic surgery.

Interview the Candidates

Once you have a list of possible plastic surgeons, do a little bit of research on their background. You may want to find out if the surgeons use the best and latest medical facilities and equipment. Ask to see each surgeon’s portfolio of before and after photos. Finally, make sure that you choose a doctor you feel comfortable with.

You will need to speak to your surgeon very frankly about your reasons for undergoing the plastic surgery and your expectations from it. Therefore, it is best to work with a doctor with whom you feel comfortable.

Additional Assistance in Finding a Plastic Surgeon in Your Area

There are a number of very helpful websites about facial plastic surgery and plastic surgery for the body. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons and The American Board of Plastic Surgery have thorough and comprehensive websites. In order to find a plastic surgeon in your area, be sure to consult http://www.docshop.com, which has a wonderfully helpful database of plastic surgeons and their contact information. Wondering about plastic surgery cost? This website also has great info on the cost of plastic surgery.

To Find Yourself In Your Song Writing

Are you there somewhere? I mean in the music you compose. How can you be creative in your songwriting and leave the imprints of your heart in the music you compose?

Have you ever asked yourself what songwriting and composing really is? What is the difference between composing and copying?

It can be a very rewarding activity to write songs and you can write your songs in many ways.

The creative parts of you brain can be more or less activated or you can stimulate the more calculating parts of your intellect.

Maybe you have experienced the same things that I have. That the demands to produce a good song can be contraproductive. The pressure stops the creative flow.

Many times it is more rewarding to just sit down humming or singing with a guitar or piano without expectations.

This way you practice your voice in comfortable pitches and you can also practice the great art of comping. Yes, this songwriting activity helps you develop yourself as a musician.

Suddenly you find yourself with a wonderful melody in your lap. What to do?

Have you ever realized that you have forgotten a wonderful melody you have sung just a few minutes ago. It is a painful experience is it not?

It is better to be prepared for the wonder of finding a perfect melody. A recording device like an mp3-player or something else that will help you preserve your creative manifestations should always be handy.

Well, it could also be a piece of paper to write your lyrics and sheet music on.

It is a matter of faith. If you have faith that a creative wonder can happen you will always be prepared.

Another creativity trigging activity is to start your recording equipment and just start to play on your guitar or piano humming along.

The fact that you are recording what you do can help you do your best and if you actually create a fantastic melody it is there for you you improve upon and elaborate on.

Even if you do not create something fantastic you can sit back after having recorded this way and see if you can find something to spare for future use.

What about limitations? What is limitations and how can they help you be more creative.

Have you ever tried to write music to lyrics already written? sometimes this is easier than to start from zero.

The limitation of having lyrics already written consists of the fact that you have to write a melody that fits the lyrics and also recreate and maybe also enhance the mood of the song.

You can give yourself other limitations like deciding in which key to sing, what type of song you will compose, rock, ballad, waltz and so on.

Some people create the melody as the last crowning part of the song. They start with a rhythm, a groove, the chords, a nice bass part and so on. Suddenly it becomes easy to just put in a fitting melody on these backing tracks.

Triggering the creative parts or your personality may give results when you don’t expect it. To find yourself in the music you create is indeed a refreshing mental and emotional experience.

Peter Edvinsson invites you to download your free sheet music, guitar tabs, ebooks, music lessons and read his music blog at Capotasto Music.