Song Journey: A Hit Songwriter's Guide Through the Process, the Perils, and the Payoff of Writing Songs for a Living


Book Description

A well written song gives you the power to touch, teach, and reach deep into a person's soul. But when you hit a creative wall, it can feel like the power has gone out.In those moments, who would you turn to to get your writing back on track?How about a songwriter who's worked with legendary artists and coached thousands of songwriters in person, online, over the phone, and in workshops all over the world?Mark Cawley's songs have been on over 16 million records and with his first book, Song Journey, he gives you a first-hand look inside the songwriting industry. You'll learn how to get your song going, how to keep it going, and what steps to take once your song is finished. It's all neatly packed, from rhymes to chords to publishers and PROs. It's written just like a hit song: full of hooks, to the point, and entertaining. Mark has supplied the maps and tools to help you become a powerful songwriter. Enjoy the ride!




The Elements of Song Craft


Book Description

An effective new songwriting vocabulary supported by ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC. The Elements Of Song Craft does for songwriters what William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White’s The Elements Of Style did for English language students and writers alike; gives an all-in-one definitive manifesto for contemporary songwriters in every genre to organize, understand, and practice the rules, principles, definitions, forms, and song craft needed to create good songs, songs of undeniable creative power and beauty, songs that last. The Elements of Song Craft beelines directly to the most important aspect of writing good songs—identifying the key emotion living at the heart of the song—then offers a step-by-step process to harnessing that singular emotional power. Additionally, a dozen other strategies, formulas, perspectives, and exercises are offered in the book. The Elements of Song Craft introduces, for the first time to a general songwriting audience, an effective new songwriting vocabulary utilized by songwriters taught in the SONG ARTS ACADEMY method and supported by ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC, the world’s leading Performance Rights Organizations at the heart of the songwriting business, as well as at NYU Steinhardt’s and The New School’s songwriting programs, for over sixteen years. Thousands of song arts participants, including hit songwriters and The Voice and American Idol contestants, have been trained in this method.




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 Elements of Song Craft


Book Description

(Music Pro Guides). The Elements Of Song Craft does for songwriters what William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White's The Elements of Style did for English language students and writers alike; gives an all-in-one definitive manifesto for contemporary songwriters in every genre to organize, understand, and practice the rules, principles, definitions, forms, and song craft needed to create good songs, songs of undeniable creative power and beauty, songs that last. The Elements of Song Craft beelines directly to the most important aspect of writing good songs identifying the key emotion living at the heart of the song then offers a step-by-step process to harnessing that singular emotional power. Additionally, a dozen other strategies, formulas, perspectives, and exercises are offered in the book. The Elements of Song Craft introduces, for the first time to a general songwriting audience, an effective new songwriting vocabulary utilized by songwriters taught in the SONG ARTS ACADEMY method and supported by ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC, the world's leading Performance Rights Organizations at the heart of the songwriting business, as well as at NYU Steinhardt's and The New School's songwriting programs, for over sixteen years. Thousands of song arts participants, including hit songwriters and The Voice and American Idol contestants, have been trained in this method.




Six Steps to Songwriting Success, Revised Edition


Book Description

What’s the secret to writing a hit song? It’s as simple as 1-2-3-4-5-6! Innovative, practical, and inspiring, Six Steps to Songwriting Success presents a surefire step-by-step approach to mastering the elements consistently found in hit songs. Author Jason Blume, a songwriter with the rare distinction of having had songs on the Country, Pop, and R&B charts simultaneously, has packed this book with such key aids as the three-step lyric writing technique used by the pros; lyric, melody, and demo checklists; and tools for self-evaluation–plus many other exercises that work. Blume’s warm, humorous style features motivational anecdotes and entertaining stories of how hit songs came to be written and recorded. Get Six Steps to Songwriting Success, and get on the charts!




Songwriting For Dummies


Book Description

Proven techniques for songwriting success This friendly, hands-on guide tackles the new face of the recording industry, guiding you through the shift from traditional sales to downloads and mobile music, as well as how you can harness social media networks to get your music "out there." You get basic songwriting concepts, insider tips and advice, and inspiration for writing — and selling — meaningful, timeless songs. Songwriting 101 — get a grip on everything you need to know to write a song, from learning to listen to your "inner voice" to creating a "mood" and everything in between Jaunt around the genres — discover the variety of musical genres and find your fit, whether it's rock, pop, R&B, gospel, country, or more Let the lyrics out — master the art of writing lyrics, from finding your own voice to penning the actual words to using hooks, verses, choruses, and bridges Make beautiful music — find your rhythm, make melodies, and use chords to put the finishing touches on your song Work the Web — harness online marketing and social networks like Facebook, Twitter, and others to get your music heard by a whole new audience Open the book and find: What you need to know before you write a single note Tips on finding inspiration Ways to use poetic devices in lyrics Computer and Web-based shortcuts and technologies to streamline songwriting A look at famous songwriting collaborators Writing for stage, screen, and television How to make a demo to get your song heard Advice on how to make money from your music P.S. If you think this book seems familiar, you’re probably right. The Dummies team updated the cover and design to give the book a fresh feel, but the content is the same as the previous release of Songwriting For Dummies (9780470615140). The book you see here shouldn’t be considered a new or updated product. But if you’re in the mood to learn something new, check out some of our other books. We’re always writing about new topics!




The Crazybrave Songwriter


Book Description

Are you a songwriter who feels frustrated? Do you have unfinished masterpieces sitting in a drawer somewhere? Do you feel stuck, confused and paralyzed in the process? Do you have feelings of inadequacy, comparing yourself to other great songwriters out there? Then you’ve picked up The Crazybrave Songwriter just in time. In Lisa M. Arreguin’s breakthrough guide on the craft of songwriting, she will show you a way out of your creative malaise by helping to clarify, build, and deliver your musical message in every song you write. This book is for the Crazybrave songwriter who: * Is just beginning and wants to challenge themselves to achieve something beautiful, creative, and new in their lives * Is unsure about how to craft a great song and needs some real working tools to support their efforts * Wants to write songs for the world to hear, despite what others may think * Is searching for creative authenticity in the music they write, wanting to feel the love of music again * Might be frightened to move forward, but knows that they must honor the nagging pressure they feel in their gut that says, “Do it!” No matter where you are on the songwriter’s journey, this book will inspire you to trust in the unfolding of your own creative spiritual process. Crafting a song is not about the notes on a piece of sheet music, a flurry of melodic lines on your instrument, or the accolades you might receive from adoring fans—although these have their place. This book is about crazybrave courage and challenging yourself to move ahead on a sacred path of self-discovery, using the powerful creative medium of songwriting. Welcome to the journey.




If You've Got a Dream, I've Got a Plan


Book Description

You may be the next Hank Williams, Mozart, and Bob Dylan all rolled up into one. But if you don't get the right people to hear the songs you've written, then the best you can hope for is to be an undiscovered genius. If You've Got a Dream, I've Got a Plan is written by one of Country Music's most successful songwriters. In this informative guide, aspiring songwriters will learn: What is a demo? And do I need a demo? What is a single song contract? How do royalty rates work? What is ASCAP? BMI? How much money can I make if my song hits number one on the charts? How do I get the right people to hear my songs? If You've Got a Dream, I've Got a Plan will not guarantee that you will become a successful songwriter. But it does arm aspiring songwriters with the information they need to enter a highly competitive world, one that is potentially rewarding both financially and artistically sense. It tells what to do, and maybe more importantly, what not to do. Kelley Lovelace is an award-winning songwriter who lives in Nashville, Tennessee. He is the co-author with Brad Paisley of the book and the song He Didn't Have to Be. He is also the songwriter of the hits "Wrapped Around", "Two People Fell in Love", "The Impossible", and "I Just Wanna Be Mad".




How to Write a Hit Song


Book Description

(Book). Covering all the essentials of craft and marketing for launching and sustaining a long, successful writing career, this cutting-edge revision contains an exclusive interview with Oscar-winning songwriter Melissa Etheridge "I Need to Wake Up" and shows you, step by step, how to write a hit song.




The Songwriter's Journey


Book Description

The Songwriter's Journey is a handbook on the art of songwriting, a useful guide to basic songwriting concepts and a compendium of observations on the craft."A Handbook for the Songwriter's Journey is a concise distillation of tried-and-true methods for songwriting excellence tied beautifully together with deep ruminations about life's intersection with the artform. The added bonus is Israel's vulnerable coming of age tale, beginning at beauty and returning once again to beauty. This book helped me re-examine my relationship to songwriting and returned my attention to the fundamentals of my craft. I especially appreciate the chapter on Second Verse Hell and the whimsical re-definitions offered for common musical terms. I can see this book becoming a useful aid to my songwriting students in the near future." - Patrick Taylor (LAZULI VANE, TRASH PANDA)