Want to know how to make it as a songwriter?
Songwriting For Dummies gives you a chance to learn from the best. Performer, songwriter Jim Peterik is a 35-year veteran in the business and author of dozens of top-40 hits, including "Hold On Loosely," "Caught Up In You" "Rocking Into the Night," "High On You," "I Can't Hold Back," "Is This Love," "Burning Heart," and "The Search is Over."
Dave Austin is CEO of Transcension Music Group. He's produced and promoted some of the greatest talent in the industry, including Carlos Santana, Eddie Money, REO Speedwagon, and Queen.
And Mary Ellen Bickford has been involved in music and film production for more than two decades.
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: * Choose a musical style * Develop a song idea * Compose high-impact lyrics * Create melodies that are memorable * Use rhyme and rhythm * Understand song from, from blues to jingles * Create a demo and shop it around * Find an agent and publisher * Find and work with collaborators.
From assessing your strengths and weaknesses as a songwriter to signing contracts, Songwriting For Dummies covers all the bases. Among other key topics, you'll explore: * Various song forms, including the AABA form and various ABAB forms * Snagging your listeners with a lyrical, melodic, musical, rhythmic, or sound-effect hook, or a combination of hooks * Concept-driven, story-telling, parody, love and other types of lyrics * Using rhythm, melody, and chords in writing songs * Rock, pop, R&B, hip-hop, and many other song styles * Writing songs for stage, screen and TV * The business end from putting together a business team to getting a lawyer and an accountant to finding a publisher Whether you want to know how to compose a love song for that special someone, or you're looking break into the industry, big-time, Songwriting For Dummies is a gold mine of inspiration and how-to information.
Foreword.
Introduction.
Part I: So You Want to Write a Song. Chapter 1: Everything You Need to Write a Song. Chapter 2: Coming Up with That Solid Gold Idea. Chapter 3: Getting Your Song Into Shape: Song Forms.
Part II: Unleashing the Lyricist in You. Chapter 4: Snagging Your Listeners with a Hook. Chapter 5: Getting Acquainted with the Different Kinds of Lyrics. Chapter 6: Creating Lyrics. Chapter 7: Using Rhymes in Your Songs.
Part III: Creating the Music. Chapter 8: Using Rhythm in Songwriting. Chapter 9: Making Use of Melody in Songwriting. Chapter 10: Using Chords in Songwriting.
Part IV: Writing Songs in Different Styles. Chapter 11: From Country to Rock and Everything in Between: The Genres. Chapter 12: Writing for Stage, Screen, and Television.
Part V: Getting Down to Business. Chapter 13: Introducing the Business Players. Chapter 14: Looking at the Legal End: Dealing with Paper Work. Chapter 15: Bringing Talent Together: Songwriting Collaboration. Chapter 16: Creating Goals and Meeting Deadlines. Chapter 17: Getting Your Songs Heard: Making the Demo. Chapter 18: Pennies from Heaven: How Your Song Makes Money. Chapter 19: Networking for Songwriters.
Part VI: The Part of Tens. Chapter 20: Ten Songwriters You Should Know. Chapter 21: Ten Songwriting Teams You Should Know. Chapter 22: Ten Songs You Should Know.
Part VII: Appendixes. Appendix A: Contracts: Where to Find Them and What to Look For. Appendix B: Resources and Contacts. Appendix C: Glossary.
Index.
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