How to Write About Music


Book Description

If writing about music is like dancing about architecture, you'd do best to hone your chops and avoid clich�s (like the one that begins this sentence) by learning from the prime movers. How to Write About Music offers a selection of the best writers on what is perhaps our most universally beloved art form. Selections from the critically-acclaimed 33 1/3 series appear alongside new interviews and insights from authors like Lester Bangs, Chuck Klosterman, Owen Pallet, Ann Powers and Alex Ross. How to Write About Music includes primary sources of inspiration from a variety of go-to genres such as the album review, the personal essay, the blog post and the interview along with tips, writing prompts and advice from the writers themselves. Music critics of the past and the present offer inspiration through their work on artists like Black Sabbath, Daft Punk, J Dilla, Joy Division, Kanye West, Neutral Milk Hotel, Radiohead, Pussy Riot and countless others. How to Write About Music is an invaluable text for all those who have ever dreamed of getting their music writing published and a pleasure for everyone who loves to read about music.




How to Write One Song


Book Description

There are few creative acts more mysterious and magical than writing a song. But what if the goal wasn't so mysterious and was actually achievable for anyone who wants to experience more magic and creativity in their life? That's something that anyone will be inspired to do after reading Jeff Tweedy's How to Write One Song. Why one song? Because the difference between one song and many songs isn't a cute semantic trick—it's an important distinction that can simplify a notoriously confusing art form. The idea of becoming a capital-S songwriter can seem daunting, but approached as a focused, self-contained event, the mystery and fear subsides, and songwriting becomes an exciting pursuit. And then there is the energizing, nourishing creativity that can open up. How to Write One Song brings readers into the intimate process of writing one song—lyrics, music, and putting it all together—and accesses the deep sense of wonder that remains at the heart of this curious, yet incredibly fulfilling, artistic act. But it’s equally about the importance of making creativity part of your life every day, and of experiencing the hope, inspiration, and joy available to anyone who’s willing to get started.




How to Write a Song (Even If You've Never Written One Before and You Think You Suck)


Book Description

Once upon a time, there wasn't a song. Then, sometime later, there was. "How the $&%! did that happen?" you might ask. How to Write a Song (Even If You've Never Written One Before and You Think You Suck) is the definitive, no-nonsense and 100% beginner-proof guide to writing original songs. Whether you're a complete beginner or a more experienced songwriter looking to improve your songwriting process, How to Write a Song... walks you through a powerful, stimulating but simple process you can use to create great songs, time after time. It's not a formula. It's not a songwriting 'method'. You'll craft every single note and word of your song. You'll write in any style you like. Meanwhile, you'll learn not just what to do but why you're doing it - so you can use those skills in every other song you create. You'll be guided step-by-step through how to find a great song idea, how to choose an effective title, how to craft a solid lyric, how to write catchy melodies and grooves, and how to combine all of those parts effectively into a complete song. And best of all, literally all you need get started is some basic experience on piano or guitar, or with a Digital Audio Workstation like Logic, Ableton or GarageBand. Everything else is inside.




Murphy's Laws of Songwriting


Book Description

Revised 2013 About the Book Achieving "hit writer" status has always been a formidable goal for any songwriter. Never more so however than in the 21st century. Catching the ear of the monumentally distracted, fragmented listener has never been more difficult. Getting their attention, inviting them in to your song and keeping them there for long enough for your song to become "their song" requires more than being just a "good" songwriter. Murphy's Laws of Songwriting "The Book" arms the songwriter for success by demystifying the process and opening the door to serious professional songwriting. Hall of fame songwriter Paul Williams said in his review of the book "If there was a hit songwriters secret handshake Da Murphy would probably have included it." About the Author Ralph Murphy, songwriter, has been successful for five decades. Consistently charting songs in an ever-changing musical environment makes him a member of that very small group of professionals who make a living ding what they love to do. Add to that the platinum records as a producer, the widely acclaimed Murphy's Laws of Songwriting articles used as part of curriculum at colleges, universities, and by songwriter organizations, his success as the publisher and co-owner of the extremely successful Picalic Group of Companies and you see a pattern of achievement based on more than luck.




Hank Williams (Songbook)


Book Description

(Guitar Chord Songbook). A resource of nearly 70 Williams' classics, including: Cold, Cold Heart * Hey, Good Lookin' * Honky Tonk Blues * Honky Tonkin' * I Saw the Light * I'm a Long Gone Daddy * Jambalaya (On the Bayou) * Long Gone Lonesome Blues * My Son Calls Another Man Daddy * Take These Chains from My Heart * Your Cheatin' Heart * and more.




Harmony and Voice Leading


Book Description

Harmony and voice leading is a textbook in two volumes dealing with tonal organization in the music of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.




Song Starters


Book Description

With Song Starters, you'll spend more time creating and less time struggling to come up with ideas. Discover an endless supply of exciting, creative concepts that will launch song after song. Use the Starters to spark a brainstorm or set a series of notes in motion, get your feet dancing or fill your head with music. Listen to hit song examples as you work. All of the Starters are based on time-tested concepts used by hit songwriters, but you make them your own. 365 ways to fuel your songwriting creativity: - 183 lyric situations, characters, emotions, and title ideas - 45 ways to easily create music tracks to write to - 42 melody patterns, phrase ideas, and note rhythms - 17 contemporary chord progressions - 22 ways to rewrite a song using Song Starters ...plus a grab bag of 56 assorted whimsical, stimulating, inspiring launch pads for lyrics, melodies, and chords that will let you free your muse and write from your heart. With Song Starters, you'll never have to face another blank page.




Hack Music Theory, Part 1


Book Description

Theory is a six-letter dirty word to most musicians, but hey, musicians love dirty words, right? And just like all the other dirty words, theory is easy to learn and fun to use! After studying 'popular' and 'classical' music theory, Ray Harmony created a unique approach that he uses to compose his songs, which feature multi-platinum Grammy winners Serj Tankian (System of a Down), Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine), and many more. Ray Harmony is an award-winning music lecturer and multi-instrumentalist, who is now sharing his top-secret music theory and songwriting hacks through this book series. Drawing on his two decades of teaching experience combined with his minimalist methods of explaining, Ray breaks down music theory into its simplest form via a series of simple hacks, deep insights, and bad jokes. Tuck in at HackMusicTheory.com"e;The most brilliant, fast, easy, and fun music theory book I've ever seen!"e; -DEREK SIVERS, CD Baby founder, TED speaker, musician, author of Anything You Want"e;This is the kind of book I wish I had when I first started out."e; -IHSAHN, Emperor"e;Trust Ray, and in no time you'll have a watertight music theory skillset you once thought impossible to obtain."e; -PAT LUNDY, Modestep, ex-Funeral for a Friend"e;Ray manages to make learning music theory fascinating, digestible, and damn right cool!"e; -JOE COPCUTT, AxeWound, Zoax"e;If you have been put off music theory in the past, then this is the book to inspire and empower you."e; -VICTORIA WILLIAMSON, PhD, Vice Chancellor's Fellow Researcher and Lecturer in Music at the University of Sheffield, UK, author of You Are the Music"e;Ray has a totally unique approach of hacking music theory, which gives you the essentials in a fraction of the time."e; -VESPERS, Warp Academy founder, music producer




Song Building


Book Description

Have you ever been frustrated when people don't get what you're trying to say in your song?Are you tired of waiting on inspiration to complete your songs?Are you not getting the response you hoped for from your songs?Is the songwriting process painful at times?Song Building, written by multiple hit Nashville songwriter Marty Dodson and aspiring songwriter and best selling author of 30+ books, Bill O'Hanlon, will help you: -Write songs faster-Avoid getting stuck on second verses-Generate song ideas and lyrics without waiting for inspiration to strike-Make your co-writing sessions go faster and easier-Upgrade your song lyrics to make them communicate better to your listener