A handy book of creativity exercises that stop writer's block and spark the fire of your imagination. It offers concepts to ponder as starting places for lyric writing, along with some of the most provocative and inspirational examples you may encounter anywhere. Authored by a pro, these proven exercises are for moving the creative lyrical self, the soul, the real tool of songwriting and the real object of a song's intention. 301 pp.
49-331938
$18.95
ARRANGING SONGS - HOW TO PUT THE PARTS TOGETHER
by Rikky Rooksby
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Book/CD pack. The last book in Rikky Rooksby's excellent series on songwriting. Arranging a song means choosing the right instruments and knowing how to combine them. An inspired arrangement is inseparable from the song itself and becomes a part of how listeners remember it. Here you'll get practical hints and tips on arranging everything from a single acoustic guitar to a full band, exploring arranging essentials such as grouping instruments effectively, using multi-track recording, artfully layering parts, achieving a good mix, more. Sections cover arranging songs with: acoustic and electric guitar, guitar effects, the 'core' instruments - keyboards, bass and drums, secondary instruments including strings, brass, woodwinds, harmonica, and more. Rikky references a huge number of classic (60s and 70s) recordings throughout the book. The 50-track CD illustrates many of the techniques presented in the book. Recommended! 191 pp.
49-331454
$22.95
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COME TOGETHER - THE OFFICIAL JOHN LENNON EDUCATIONAL TOUR BUS GUIDE TO MUSIC AND VIDEO
by Mark Garvey
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Book/DVD pack. The John Lennon Educational Tour Bus is a non-profit, mobile recording studio outfitted with the latest audio and video advances. Since 1998 it has provided free hands-on programs to hundreds of young people who are chosen to spend time on the bus to write a song, record and mix it, and create a music video - all in one day. The students have an unforgettable experience, learn about how music is made, and leave with a DVD of their song and video performance. Part how-to, part celebrity interviews, part technological showcase, and part travelogue, this book is a compelling journey aboard this unique rolling recording studio. DVD includes celebrity interviews, videos of some of the best student works, more. 287 pp.
49-331490
.. list $39.99 ours
$30.00
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ESSENTIAL SONGWRITER'S RHYMING DICTIONARY
by Kevin Mitchell
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Over 36,000 words arranged in dictionary format. Includes near-rhymes, slang words, places, more. Half-size book. 304 pp.
20-6637
$5.95
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HOW TO WRITE SONGS ON GUITAR - A GUITAR PLAYING AND SONGWRITING COURSE
by Rikky Rooksby
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With just the right touch of humor, Rikky Rooksby cuts through the cliches and provides you with the tools to create a good song. Covers rhythm, melody, harmony, chord sequences, song structures, how to write lyrics, making a demo, lots more. Clear, easy to read diagrams show you how to accomplish all this on guitar. An excellent course on songwriting. Recommended. 192 pp.
49-330574
$19.95
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LYRICS - WRITING BETTER WORDS FOR YOUR SONGS
by Rikky Rooksby
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Another excellent entry in Rikky Rooksby's songwriting series. This one covers that bane of so many songwriters, lyric writing. He takes you from initial idea to finished song, offering 30 ideas for finding inspiration, exploring the choice of title, imagery and metaphor, avoiding cliches, the right lyrics for a bridge, lots more. Includes many quotes from songwriters on the process of lyric writing and where they find inspiration; plus interviews with Aimee Mann, David Crosby, Rodney Crowell, Jerry Leiber, and others. Also includes a sourcebook of lyric ideas showing how various themes have been used in rock and pop music over the last 50 years. Recommended. 175 pp.
49-331410
$22.95
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MELODY - HOW TO WRITE GREAT TUNES
by Rikky Rooksby
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Book/CD pack. Melody is the true heart of music, often inspired by nothing more than the songwriter's muse. Yet melody can be learned. This book teaches the art of melody and how to write effective tunes. You'll learn how to create memorable melodies, fit notes over chords, put rhythm in your tunes, use a variety of scales, add blue notes, more. Includes a special section of melodies in the style of famous songwriters. Every example is played on the 90 track CD, so you can see and hear each note for yourself. Recommended! Note/tab. 216 pp.
49-331250
$22.95
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SCHIRMER'S COMPLETE RHYMING DICTIONARY
by Paul Zollo
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A must-have for songwriters! 96,000 one-, two- and three- syllable rhymes, substantially more than you'll find in other rhyming dictionaries. A lengthy (42 page) introduction covers rhyme schemes, inner/internal rhymes, true/false rhymes, the differences between lyric writing and poetry writing, and much more. The remainder of the book includes over 450 pages of one-syllable (masculine) rhymes, over 300 pages of two-syllable (feminine) rhymes, and 60 pages of three syllable (triple) rhymes. Hardcover. 872 pp.
01-952250
$24.95
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SONGWRITING FOR BEGINNERS
by Miriam Davidson & Kiya Heartwood
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Learn how to write a melody, write an interesting chord progression, develop ideas, write lyrics, more. Also teaches the basics of reading music and provides both guitar and keyboard diagrams of the basic chords. You'll even learn how to copyright and protect your songs. 47 pp.
20-14840
$7.95
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TEACH YOURSELF SONGWRITING
by Greg Horne
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Book/CD set. Packed with useful tips on how to harness creativity in both lyric writing and music composition. Topics include the basics of music, songwriting versus arranging, hooks, melody and form. Discusses copyrights, music publishing, and ways to make money through songwriting.
20-22857
$19.95
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THE COMPLETE IDIOT'S GUIDE TO SONGWRITING
by Joel Hirschhorn
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Guides you through the steps of developing lyrics and melodies that express your thoughts - and helps you strike the right chords to attract singers and publishers into buying your songs. Expanded coverage of popular music styles: pop, rock, country, rap, R&B, and Latin. Revised second edition, 323 pp.
20-72111
$18.95
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THE FRUSTRATED SONGWRITER'S HANDBOOK - A RADICAL GUIDE TO CUTTING LOOSE, OVERCOMING BLOCKS, & WRITING THE BEST SONGS OF YOUR LIFE
by Karl Coryat & Nicholas Dobson
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Stop pulling out your hair and crumpling up paper! Whether you're a novice, a pro, or a gearhead with too much recording equipment, this book will revolutionize the way you write music. It outlines a radical new system--Immersion Music Method--designed to help you smash through creative block, become recklessly prolific, and make quantum leaps in your skills. Learn to: confront your biggest songwriting phobias, roll over procrastination like an armored tank, concoct new musical styles, use technology to supercharge your creativity, lots more. 127 pp.
49-331412
$19.95
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THE POP FORMULAS: HARMONIC TOOLS OF THE HIT MAKERS
by Volkmar Kramarz
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Teaches pop and rock harmonics exclusively and in detail, but in an easy-to-understand and clear manner. Priority is to explain the actual song framework including chords and song structure. Shows in particular how rock and pop become alive, and how this can be achieved. Reduced to the essentials but entering the subject on a deeper level than other publications, this book may change the way pop and rock is viewed. After reading this book, you will write different songs than before - and these may become hits! 160 pp.
02-6201
$19.95
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THE SONGWRITING SOURCEBOOK - HOW TO TURN CHORDS INTO GREAT SONGS
by Rikky Rooksby
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Book/CD pack. An impressive, extensive look at chords and chord progressions and how to use them to write great songs. You'll learn which chords sound good together and how to use them to build the parts of a song. The easy-to-play format presents scores of classic chord sequences that have proven their appeal in thousands of album tracks from over 50 years of popular music. Covers: 3 chord songs, 4 chord songs, 5 & 6 chord songs, adding flat degree chords, songs in minor keys, writing songs that change key, more. The 20 song CD features chord sequences in a variety of styles. Includes fretboard diagrams throughout and a glossary of terms. Recommended. 224 pp.
49-331080
$22.95
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Songwriting
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