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
$18.99
ARRANGING SONGS - HOW TO PUT THE PARTS TOGETHER
by Rikky Rooksby
Photo
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
|
COME TOGETHER - THE OFFICIAL JOHN LENNON EDUCATIONAL TOUR BUS GUIDE TO MUSIC AND VIDEO
by Mark Garvey
Photo
ON SALE!! SAVE $24.95!! 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
$15.00
|
CREATIVE GUITAR - WRITING AND PLAYING ROCK SONGS WITH ORIGINALITY
by Jeffrey Roessner
Photo
A guidebook designed to inspire rock guitarists as they compose original music. Written in a straightforward, engaging style, the book aims to enhance creativity by both introducing traditional song structure and exploring the approach of rock innovators who adapt, bend, and disregard the "rules" as they see fit. Most important, each chapter provides a series of exercises designed to spark the imagination of players as they compose their own dynamic, inventive songs. 56 pp.
02-21484
.. list $14.99 ours
$15.00
|
ESSENTIAL SONGWRITER'S RHYMING DICTIONARY
by Kevin Mitchell
Photo
Over 36,000 words arranged in dictionary format. Includes near-rhymes, slang words, places, more. Half-size book. 304 pp.
out-of-stock, more coming soon -- normally ships within 21 days
20-6637
$5.95
|
HOW TO WRITE SONGS ON GUITAR - 2nd EDITION, EXPANDED AND UPDATED
by Rikky Rooksby
Photo
So you want to write songs, and you want to write them on guitar. This is the book that shows you how. Taking tips and tricks from classic songwriters, from Bob Dylan to Amy Winehouse, this book takes you through the four main elements of a song - rhythm, melody, lyrics, and harmony - and inspires you to combine them in new ways. Master song structure, intros, bridges, chord sequences and key changes and make the most of your guitar with innovative chords, scales, modes, tunings and recording techniques. Now with an updated layout and new songs, it's packed with wisdom and practical advice culled from over 1,800 songs. Recommended. 240 pp.
49-332381
$19.99
|
LYRICS - WRITING BETTER WORDS FOR YOUR SONGS
by Rikky Rooksby
Photo
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
|
MELODY - HOW TO WRITE GREAT TUNES
by Rikky Rooksby
Photo
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
|
SCHIRMER'S COMPLETE RHYMING DICTIONARY
by Paul Zollo
Photo
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
|
SONGWRITING FOR BEGINNERS
by Miriam Davidson & Kiya Heartwood
Photo
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
|
TEACH YOURSELF SONGWRITING
by Greg Horne
Photo
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
|
THE COMPLETE IDIOT'S GUIDE TO SONGWRITING
by Joel Hirschhorn
Photo
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
|
THE CRAFT OF CHRISTIAN SONGWRITING
by Robert Sterling
Photo
Tackles the much-overlooked subject of craft in the Christian songwriter's creative process. The book challenges you to aspire to the highest level of excellence, providing practical insights into the Christian songwriting experience. Shows beginning writers how to make their next song their "best song ever," using hundreds of examples from hit songs, practical instruction on all the essential elements of the songwriting process, writing exercises to help you improve your craft, the ins and outs of collaboration and how to produce a proper demo recording. Includes 10 full lyric reprints, complete with the author's analysis. 199 pp.
49-332787
$24.99
|
THE MUSICIAN'S COPYRIGHT NOTEBOOK KIT
Everything you need to register the copyright of your songs whether written or recorded, all in a 3 ring binder. Includes example forms already filled in by a copyright attorney, how to register a single piece of music or a compilation for the same price, how to register both PA and SR copyright for the same piece of music at the same time - on just one form and for one price; official U.S. Government Forms valid in all fifty states: long forms, short forms, continuation forms - all with instructions for filling out properly; how to properly send in your completed material, more. Best of all you are free to make more copies of the forms as you need them.
718-4
$19.95
|
THE POP FORMULAS: HARMONIC TOOLS OF THE HIT MAKERS
by Volkmar Kramarz
Photo
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
|
THE SONGWRITING SOURCEBOOK - HOW TO TURN CHORDS INTO GREAT SONGS
by Rikky Rooksby
Photo
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
|
Songwriting
| 
