Product Description

Learn to write songs like a pro

Want to know how to make it as a songwriter? Songwriting For Dummies, 2nd Edition gives you a chance to learn from the best. Written by a group of music industry pros, this practical guide shows you how to develop your songwriting skills and successfully utilize the Internet to promote and market your work!

Whether you’re a first–time songwriter or songwriting vet looking for a fast–track into the recording industry, this friendly, easy–to–follow guide is the source for you. Using well–known tunes as examples, the authors walk you through everything you need to know to write hit singles, catchy jingles, and everything in between.

• 25% new and updated content, including information on social media networks YouTube, Twitter, Viddler, and Digg
• Coverage of the latest music industry trends and techniques
• Tips and tricks to combat songwriter’s block

Whether you want to know how to compose a love song for that special someone or you’re looking break into the industry Songwriting For Dummies, 2nd Edition is a gold mine of inspiration and how–to information.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #89065 in Books
• Published on: 2002-09-06
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 360 pages

Review
"...this text covers all the bases..." (Guitar Magazine, August 2003)

"...if you are more talented then me visit www.wileyeurope.com..." (Ipswich Evening Star, 20 August 2003)

Review
"...this text covers all the bases..." (Guitar Magazine, August 2003)

"...if you are more talented then me visit www.wileyeurope.com..." (Ipswich Evening Star, 20 August 2003)

From the Back Cover
"Songwriting is a way of expressing what′s in the heart, mind, and soul!"
–Kenny Loggins

Get the inside scoop on finding agents, publishers, and collaborators

Create a demo and break into the music industry!

Now you can write the songs! Using well–known tunes as examples, this easy–to–follow guide walks you through every aspect of writing lyrics and publishing a song, from choosing a musical style and recording to hiring business players. You′ll see how to use rhyme and rhythm in all kinds of music, from blues to rock to commercial jingles.

"Well thought out, well written, well presented, well done!"
– Ralph Murphy, V.P. International and Domestic Membership Group, ASCAP.

"In the future, when I′m struggling with an idea for a popular song, Songwriting For Dummies will be at arms reach."
– Bruce Swedien, Engineer, Producer, Composer for Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Quincy Jones, and Michael Jackson

Customer Reviews

Excellent - well-written and user-friendly
From beginning to end, I found this book informative, helpful and encouraging
I have been writing songs on an amateur level for some years, but this book helped build my confidence to the extent that I am now working seriously on some professional material and have almost finished my first 4-track demo!

The book is presented very logically and the exercises follow a natural progression.

My only criticism is that all the examples and addresses given are specifically American and I would have liked to see at least an appendix with relevent info for UK (and other English-speaking) readers.

Not for the musician...
I bought this book as a songwriter who could write reasonable lyrics and understood song structure, hoping this book would explain melody and harmony in songwriting. I was wrong. Although this book could be useful for someone who does not know how to read/write music for someone like myself i found it quite patronising. The book explains a lot of very ovbious things. You could learn about lyrics and structure just by listening to some records, you don't need a book to explain the a pop song normally has a verse, bridge and chorus.
Some of the examples were interesting and gave me a few new ideas, but generally i learnt very little from this book. I suggest that if you are more intersted in the "musical" side of songwriting you get a book that covers music theory in songwriting as this is not for you.

Hmmm...
The trouble with providing a practical guide to anything that is an artform is that... well, you can't. If you want to learn how to write uniform, non progressive, Americanised tosh them go ahead and buy this book. But anyone interested in communicating anything original through the medium would surely only find this book a hindrance. It's pedestrian and overtly obvious prose is ultimately just rambling nonsense. I've been writing songs and performing/ recording for about seven years and found absolutely nothing to help me in this book. A prime example of what I am saying is that the writers describe Train's "Drops of Jupiter" as a "maverick" piece of songwriting that completely subverts the genre. Ummm, ok. All I can say is that these people do not actually listen to much real music. If you value integrety and art, avoid. If you just want to learn how to write hits... well either you can or you can't. I don't see how this book is going to change that.