The Complete Singer-songwriter


Book Description

Written as an artistic, business, and technical guide for singer-songwriters, this book is full of advice and encouragement for aspiring troubadours looking to polish their craft. The book offers tidbits on performing, recording, booking, and working with managers, agents, lawyers, and record executives. The guide is rounded out by excerpts from interviews with seasoned artists such as Joni Mitchell, Paul Simon, Jewel, and Ani DiFranco. At times the book's advice only skims the surface such as its coverage of choosing, maintaining, and insuring gear, but the tips on songwriting and performing should be taken to heart by writers and performers at every level. Rogers is an author and freelance writer who has written for Mojo and Acoustic Guitar magazines. Of all the paths available to today's musicians, the life of the singer-songwriter remains one of the most alluring and popular. From songwriting and solo performing to recording and promotion, singer-songwriters wear many hats, and with all the challenges they face come extravagant creative rewards. The Complete Singer-Songwriter is the ultimate guide for the modern singer-songwriter, full of real-world advice and encouragement for both aspiring and accomplished troubadours. Jeffrey Pepper Rodgers draws on his own experiences as a performing songwriter and interviews with artists such as Joni Mitchell, Ani DiFranco, and Paul Simon to offer an invaluable companion for the journey from idea to song to stage and studio.




The Complete Singer-Songwriter


Book Description

(Book). The Complete Singer-Songwriter is the ultimate guide for the modern performer, chock-full of tips, tools, and inspiration for both aspiring troubadours and those looking to take their craft and career to the next level. Author Jeffrey Pepper Rodgers draws on firsthand interviews with songwriting legends and rising stars; expert advice from managers, agents, lawyers, and publishers; and his own experiences as a performing songwriter. He offers this invaluable companion for singer-songwriters on their journey from idea to song to the stage, studio, and beyond. New in the second edition: * A songwriter's guide to chord progressions * Understanding song form and rhyme * Dozens of songwriting games and exercises * Essential info on copyrighting your songs, music publishing, and digital royalties * Online companion at completesingersongwriter.com with playlists and additional resources Songwriting tips and techniques from more than 100 artists, including Joni Mitchell, John Mayer, Paul Simon, Rosanne Cash, Jewel, Jeff Tweedy, Ani DiFranco, James Taylor, John Fogerty, Brandi Carlile, Richard Thompson, Jason Mraz, Rodney Crowell, Jerry Garcia, Dar Williams, and more.




The Complete Singer-Songwriter


Book Description




Nilsson


Book Description

Paul McCartney and John Lennon described him as the Beatles' "favorite group," he won Grammy awards, wrote and recorded hit songs, and yet no figure in popular music is as much of a paradox, or as underrated, as Harry Nilsson. In this first ever full-length biography, Alyn Shipton traces Nilsson's life from his Brooklyn childhood to his Los Angeles adolescence and his gradual emergence as a uniquely talented singer-songwriter. With interviews from friends, family, and associates, and material drawn from an unfinished autobiography, Shipton probes beneath the enigma to discover the real Harry Nilsson. A major celebrity at a time when huge concerts and festivals were becoming the norm, Nilsson shunned live performance. His venue was the studio, his stage the dubbing booth, his greatest triumphs masterful examples of studio craft. He was a gifted composer of songs for a wide variety of performers, including the Ronettes, the Yardbirds, and the Monkees, yet Nilsson's own biggest hits were almost all written by other songwriters. He won two Grammy awards, in 1969 for "Everybody's Talkin'" (the theme song for Midnight Cowboy), and in 1972 for "Without You," had two top ten singles, numerous album successes, and wrote a number of songs--"Coconut" and "Jump into the Fire," to name just two--that still sound remarkably fresh and original today. He was once described by his producer Richard Perry as "the finest white male singer on the planet," but near the end of his life, Nilsson's career was marked by voice-damaging substance abuse and the infamous deaths of both Keith Moon and Mama Cass in his London flat. Drawing on exclusive access to Nilsson's papers, Alyn Shipton's biography offers readers an intimate portrait of a man who has seemed both famous and unknowable--until now.




The Singer-Songwriter's Guide to Recording in the Home Studio


Book Description

(Berklee Guide). Record songs in your own home studio! Today's smart singer-songwriter needs to be able to record high quality demo recordings. Whatever your budget, living arrangement, or technological aptitude, this book will help you acquire songwriter-appropriate home studio gear and use it effectively. You will understand the key concepts about how the recording process works, and how to get the best sound possible out of whatever equipment you own and whatever style of music you produce. This book makes recording easy so you can spend your effeorts thinking about creatieve songwriting and performing, rather than struggling with technology.




Saved by a Song


Book Description

"A handbook for compassion... a Must-Read Music Book.” —Rolling Stone Country "Generous and big-hearted, Gauthier has stories to tell and worthwhile advice to share." —Wally Lamb, author of I Know This Much Is True "Gauthier has an uncanny ability to combine songwriting craft with a seeker’s vulnerability and a sage’s wisdom.” —Amy Ray, Indigo Girls From the Grammy nominated folk singer and songwriter, an inspiring exploration of creativity and the redemptive power of song Mary Gauthier was twelve years old when she was given her Aunt Jenny’s old guitar and taught herself to play with a Mel Bay basic guitar workbook. Music offered her a window to a world where others felt the way she did. Songs became lifelines to her, and she longed to write her own, one day. Then, for a decade, while struggling with addiction, Gauthier put her dream away and her call to songwriting faded. It wasn’t until she got sober and went to an open mic with a friend did she realize that she not only still wanted to write songs, she needed to. Today, Gauthier is a decorated musical artist, with numerous awards and recognition for her songwriting, including a Grammy nomination. In Saved by a Song, Mary Gauthier pulls the curtain back on the artistry of songwriting. Part memoir, part philosophy of art, part nuts and bolts of songwriting, her book celebrates the redemptive power of song to inspire and bring seemingly different kinds of people together.




The Singer-Songwriter Handbook


Book Description

The singer-songwriter, someone who writes and performs their own music, is an ever-present and increasingly complex figure in popular music worlds. The Singer-Songwriter Handbook provides a useful resource for student songwriters, active musicians, fans and scholars alike. This handbook is divided into four main sections: Songwriting (acoustic and digital), Performance, Music Industry and Case Studies. Section I focuses on the 'how to' elements of popular song composition, embracing a range of perspectives and methods, in addition to chapters on the teaching of songwriting to students. Section II deals with the nature of performance: stagecraft, open mic nights, and a number of case studies that engage with performing in a range of contexts. Section III is devoted to aspects of the music industry and the business of music including sales, contract negotiations, copyright, social media and marketing. Section IV provides specific examples of singer-songwriter personae and global open mic scenes. The Singer-Songwriter Handbook is a much-needed single resource for budding singer-songwriters as well as songwriting pedagogues.




Something Quite Peculiar


Book Description

Come inside the world of Steve Kilbey singer songwriter and bassist of one of Australia's best loved bands, The Church. From his migrant ten pound pom childhood through his adolescence growing up during the advent of The Beatles, Dylan and The Stones to his early adventures in garage bands and neighbourhood jams. His misadventures with a full time job and a 9 to 5 life and wild adventures with The Church as they conquer Australia and then the world. The tours. The records. The women. And then the heroin addiction which enslaved him for ten long years. Then the two sets of twins he fathers along the way and branching off into acting, painting and writing. From snowy Sweden to a cell in New York City, from Ipanema beach to Bondi, Kilbey stumbles through his surrrealistic life as an idiot savant that will make you smile as well as want to kick him up the arse. After coming out the other side his tale is simply too good not to be told. Narrated with unusual and often pristine clarity we and with much focus on his considerable musical talent.




The Singer and the Songwriter - Handbook and Workbook


Book Description

The Singer and The Songwriter - Handbook and Workbook: An Idea Book for Songwriters who Like to Sing and for Singers who Like to Write Songs C1 & C2, ideal for ages 12-18+, (6th-12th grade), even adults! This idea book is divided into 2 sections, the first half takes you step-by-step through simple yet imaginative exercises to inspire and improve your songwriting skills.The second half offers easy-to-follow steps through exercises and workouts designed to enhance your vocal skills. Both sections include tips and technical knowledge to help you become a well-rounded artist. It's a unique tool that takes you from writing a song to performing it! Christine Dente from Out of the Grey brings you this practical and attractive workbook for the singer-songwriter.In this approachable format for young and old and everyone in between, she helps you cultivate your creativity AND improve your musical abilities! We also offer this book with a guitar cover. "This is a wonderful handbook for singer/songwriters. With chapter headings such as, "Tools of the Trade," "A Place Apart," "Song Starting Tips," "Figurative Language and Rhyming," "Co-Writing," "Titles and Hooks," "Anatomy of the Voice," "Posture and Breath," and "Sample Vocal Workouts," just to name a few, you know it is going to cover all sides of singing and songwriting. There are several places for brainstorming lyrics and taking notes, vocal exercises for singers, and much more. Recording artist Christine Dente from, "Out of the Grey," shares her depth of knowledge from years of experience both singing and songwriting. Christine has penned some of the best songs in Christian music and has one of the most distinctive voices in Christian music today. Makes a great gift for the singer/songwriter in your life, there is really nothing else like this." Anglophoile Girl "I absolutely love this book. If you have have kids that are learning to play an instrument etc, you should think about picking up this book.There are several nuggets of wisdom in this book that could potentially help any music student to gain the understanding needed to achieve more and go further with their musical talent." (November 25, 2016)ISBN-10: 1540703207ISBN-13: 978-1540703200 Topics Covered: ~tapping into your creativity ~simple steps for starting a song ~making a good melody ~writing great lyrics ~finding the right chords for your song ~using figurative & descriptive language ~creating titles and hooks ~easy harmonic theory ~top 10 co-writing tips ~finding freedom for your voice ~best posture and breath for singing ~basic vocal technique ~easy warm-ups and exercises ~sample workouts for your voice ~practical applications for singing your songs For more from Christine Dente and Out of the Grey visit the website: www.outofthegreymusic.com For more from Sarah Janisse Brown and the Thinking Tree Publishing Company visit the website: www.FunSchoolingBooks.com (Piano Cover - This book is also offered with a Guitar cover)




Songwriters On Songwriting


Book Description

The classic collection of candid interviews with the greatest songwriters of our time, including Bob Dylan, Brian Wilson, Patti Smith, Paul Simon, Tom Petty, and dozens more This expanded fourth edition of Songwriters on Songwriting includes ten new interviews--with Alanis Morissette, Lenny Kravitz, Lou Reed, and others. In these pages, sixty-two of the greatest songwriters of our time go straight to the source of the magic of songwriting by offering their thoughts, feelings, and opinions on their art. Representing almost every genre of popular music, from blues to pop to rock, here are the figures that have shaped American music as we know it.