comes packed with hints and helpful insights

books:


	• The Complete Idiot's Guide to Songwriting, 2nd Edition (The Complete Idiot's Guide) Joel Hirschhorn Alpha, 2004 - 352 pages average customer review:based on 14 reviews view larger image
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Thumbs up.

Joel Hirshhorn's book is brief but concise and to the point. It covers virtually every concept in songwriting along with some sound production advice. There are some areas that it does not cover in regards to alternate or extended tunings and more experimental musical styles, however, this is not really in the scope of the book. It is meant to be easily readable, which it is, and to cover the most important areas in traditional songwriting styles, which it does. Having read many other books on this topic I would like to see other areas added, such as the ones previously mentioned, along with some futher details on various voicings, and timbre/ sonic design. Overall, I give it a 4 out of five, as it covers everything it sets out to very well, for begginers to advanced readers it makes an important reference book or light reading material for the songwriters and composers library.

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Songwriting for Everyone

Many of us have dreamt about writing a hit song, right? How many actually have? Yip, I too, have tried my hand at penning song lyrics but found out that there's much more to it than writing a few rhyming lines. Two-time Oscar winner ("The Morning After" from The Poseidon Adventure and "We May Never Love Like This Again" from The Towering Inferno) Joel Hirschhorn, gives us the necessary tools to write a song correctly. He emphasizes the need to think visually, to find ideas, become a storyteller, and "how to analyze hit songs and song titles to see what works and why". One's emotions are a huge well of inspiration if we learn to write about them. This book is divided into five parts and covers all aspects from collecting song titles to hooks and from country to the stage and movie songs. He also covers working as a collaborator and about royalties and payment and copyright. Throughout this book you'll find references to some great songwriter or other as well as hints and tips, which I found very interesting. There's a comprehensive glossary and appendix which is extremely helpful, with names and addresses of record companies, publishers, and competitions. The best news is that you don't have to be musically inclined to write songs. It helps but is not a requirement!

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comes packed with hints and helpful insights

So you know how to come up with a song, and you're no idiot - but you're confused by the challenges of rhyming, steady logical beats, and all the elements which translate lyric to music. It's time for the updated second edition of Joel Hirschhorn's Idiot's Guide To Songwriting: a 'bible' to developing lyrics and melodies which go together. From analyzing the elements of a song to understanding dynamic lyric elements and writing for specific musical genres, this comes packed with hints and helpful insights.

reviews: page 1, 2, 3

The most thorough guide to songwriting for the amateur musician. Written by an Oscar-winning and Grammy and Tony award nominated author, this is the most comprehensive book for today's amateur musician who is interested in creating and writing his or her own songs. It reveals everything the reader needs to know, including coming up with ideas, rhyming schemes, hooks, melodies, and lyrics; selling songs; working in the industry; and even coming up with titles.

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