Songwriting Success
How to Write Songs for Fun and (Maybe) Profit
1st Edition
Published on 24. June 2004
Book
Paperback/Softback
208 pages
978-0-415-96929-1 (ISBN)
Description
What makes a lyric memorable or a melody catchy? Should I start with the music first or the lyrics? Does the chorus come before the verse? Writing songs requires so many music and language skills that the beginner is often overwhelmed. Songwriting Success breaks down the craft of melody and lyric writing into easily digested lessons that anyone can follow, regardless of their musical knowledge. Michael Lydon shows the beginning songwriter how to integrate the craft's many skills into a seamless artistic and commercial whole. Songwriting Success includes a special CD taking the budding songwriter who can't read music (or prefers to learn by listening) step-by-step through the songwriting process, from initial idea through crafting melodic hooks and catchy choruses to creating a final 'demo' version for marketing the song. From putting pen to paper to getting your song heard, Songwriting Success offers a quick, fun, and useful introduction to the world of songwriting.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Illustrations
136 s/w Abbildungen
136 Illustrations, black and white
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 178 mm
Weight
476 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-415-96929-1 (9780415969291)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Michael Lydon is a well-known rock journalist and professional singer/songwriter. A founding editor of Rolling Stone, he has written numerous books including Flashbacks: Eyewitness Accounts of the Rock Revolution. He is also an active songwriter who performs at clubs around the country and has released two CDs of his own songs.
Content
Introduction
A Note on the CD
Part I: The Art of Songwriting
Chapter 1: Deep Background
Chapter 2: Reading Music
Chapter 3: Chord Structures--Part I
Chapter 4: Playing, Singing, and Performing
Chapter 5: Lyrics--Part I
Chapter 6: Song Forms
Chapter 7: Melody
Chapter 8: Rhythm
Chapter 9: Style and Story
Chapter 10 Chord Structures--Part II
Chapter 11: Lyrics--Part II
Chapter 12: Refinements
Part II: The Business of Songwriting
Chapter 13: Business Basics
Chapter 14: Getting Heard
Chapter 16: Song Contracts
Chapter 17: Staying in Business
Appendix:
Copyright Registration
Songwriter and Publisher Groups and Guilds
Low Cost Legal Aid and Advice
How-To Books on Songwriting
Music Theory
Appreciations of the Craft
Nuts and Bolts Business
Publications
Acknowledgments
About the Author
CD Tracks:
Track One: Chord Structures Part I
Track Two: Singing
Track Three: Song Forms
Track Four: Melody
Track Five: Rhythm
Track Six: Chord Structures Part II
Track Seven: Refinements
Track Eight: Guitar/Vocal Demo: "Let's Live Our Love Again"
Track Nine: Fully-produced Demo: "Rain Drip Dropping"
A Note on the CD
Part I: The Art of Songwriting
Chapter 1: Deep Background
Chapter 2: Reading Music
Chapter 3: Chord Structures--Part I
Chapter 4: Playing, Singing, and Performing
Chapter 5: Lyrics--Part I
Chapter 6: Song Forms
Chapter 7: Melody
Chapter 8: Rhythm
Chapter 9: Style and Story
Chapter 10 Chord Structures--Part II
Chapter 11: Lyrics--Part II
Chapter 12: Refinements
Part II: The Business of Songwriting
Chapter 13: Business Basics
Chapter 14: Getting Heard
Chapter 16: Song Contracts
Chapter 17: Staying in Business
Appendix:
Copyright Registration
Songwriter and Publisher Groups and Guilds
Low Cost Legal Aid and Advice
How-To Books on Songwriting
Music Theory
Appreciations of the Craft
Nuts and Bolts Business
Publications
Acknowledgments
About the Author
CD Tracks:
Track One: Chord Structures Part I
Track Two: Singing
Track Three: Song Forms
Track Four: Melody
Track Five: Rhythm
Track Six: Chord Structures Part II
Track Seven: Refinements
Track Eight: Guitar/Vocal Demo: "Let's Live Our Love Again"
Track Nine: Fully-produced Demo: "Rain Drip Dropping"