The Absolute Essentials Of Songwriting Success

Your greatest desire is for your original songs to be recorded, released, and broadcast. But do you have a realistic plan to make this dream your reality? Author and hit tunesmith Rand Bishop draws from 40 years of on-the-job experience while visiting with some of the most-honored song crafters of the last five decades, unveiling a long-term strategy for building a career composing hit songs. The lessons, essays, quotations, and profiles in this book reveal how a Song Dog becomes Top Dog.

What’s the secret to writing a hit song? It’s as simple as 1-2-3-4-5-6! Innovative, practical, and inspiring, Six Steps to Songwriting Success presents a surefire step-by-step approach to mastering the elements consistently found in hit songs. Author Jason Blume, a songwriter with the rare distinction of having had songs on the Country, Pop, and R&B charts simultaneously, has packed this book with such key aids as the three-step lyric writing technique used by the pros; lyric, melody, and demo checklists; and tools for self-evaluation–plus many other exercises that work. Blume’s warm, humorous style features motivational anecdotes and entertaining stories of how hit songs came to be written and recorded. Get Six Steps to Songwriting Success, and get on the charts!

(String Letter Publishing). With this unique and informative guide, you'll discover new ideas and inspirations for crafting your own songs and making the most of your instrument. You'll gain a better understanding of chord progressions, melodies, alternate tunings and other subjects through a series of expertly designed workshops, and you'll find tips and techniques offered by top singer-songwriters, such as Paul Simon, James Taylor, Joni Mitchell, Don McLean, Patty Larkin, David Wilcox, Dave Matthews and more.

HOW (NOT) TO WRITE A HIT SONG! - 101 COMMON MISTAKES TO AVOID IF YOU WANT SONGWRITING SUCCESS takes a close look at the essential elements consistently found in the structure, melodies and lyrics of all hit songs. The book highlights and analyzes the most common errors that are made when these key components are built into a song—so that new writers can try to avoid such mistakes in their own songs.Most writers have, at some stage, had to endure the disappointment of having songs rejected by music publishers or record companies—and ended up asking themselves: “Could I have done more to make my songs better?”.This book aims to help writers recognise any weaknesses in their songs, so that they can re-work them, make them stronger, and hopefully achieve the breakthrough that they're seeking. The music industry has been going through major changes in recent years. It is now a 'singles market' again. As a result, there are now even greater opportunities for new writers who are capable of crafting potential hit songs with memorable melodies and lyrics. But competition is intense. So it's more important than ever for writers to make sure their songs stand out from the pack by avoiding the traps and pitfalls that many inexperienced songwriters fall into.Written in an easy, non-technical style, the book identifies many frequent causes of songwriting problems—from common mistakes in basic song structure … to having the wrong mental attitude and an unsatisfactory songwriting environment. From getting the blend of core ingredients wrong … to flawed choices when it comes to titles, melodies, lyrics, hooks, choruses, intros, bridges, pre-choruses—and even the song demo itself.The book's author, Brian Oliver—an experienced music publisher, songwriter and music consultant—warns that aspiring writers' chances of success could be hampered if they fail to spend enough time polishing their songs and eradicating weaknesses in their songwriting.That's why this book sets out to help new writers develop their own unique writing style while avoiding fundamental errors at each key stage in the song development process. It includes important tips on fixing and strengthening songs, along with a detailed checklist of 101 common mistakes that writers can measure their own songs against—no matter how 'finished' they think their songs are.

Includes compact disc (cd) inside back cover of book.

Are you a budding songwriter who is looking to make a living from your art?Jeff Topp has spent almost 20 years in the music industry. He has worked as a professional guitarist, event organiser, songwriter, producer, music teacher and mentor. Jeff isn't a household name but he has certainly carved a successful career from the art form we call music. He explains everything you need to know to help you become a successful songwriter and business owner (of yourself). From understanding song writing techniques, useful theory, business development and opportunities, through to making money from your hobby.There are many ways to profit from your music, but it's wise to know the industry you are getting involved in. There are a multitude of opportunities out there but YOU need to make it happen. In this modern music age it's even more imperative that you understand the pitfall's that many a musician have fallen foul of. The industry is certainly not paved with gold but can be a hugely rewarding one if you know what you are doing.If you are looking for a practical book that will really make a difference to your career, then look no further.