This book teaches an innovative method called Immersion Composition that drives musicians to engage their creativity by writing as much music as possible in a set time period. After learning to apply the method, elusive moments of inspiration can be summoned on command. The book also explains how to form a group of like-minded songwriters (a “lodge”), presents dozens of tips and games for making the most out of an Immersion Composition session, and shows how to turn brainstormed raw materials into polished songs.

Simple techniques for creating catchy lyrics and memorable melodies! Nearly everyone can hum the melody or remember the words to a hit song. Clever word play, catchy melodies, and thoughtful imagery can create an impression that lasts long after a song has ended. The Everything Songwriting Book provides amateurs and seasoned professionals alike all they need to create, perform, and sell hit songs. Learn how to develop an idea, formulate a rhyme scheme, incorporate unique phrasing, and follow through to the final note. Professional songwriter and consultant C.J. Watson packs this book with clever tips and tricks for overcoming writer's block, creating a "hook," and recording and selling a song to a recording company or performer. This user-friendly guide also shows how to: Tap into the common elements of hit songs Incorporate instruments into songwriting Understand music theory Spot songwriting trends and write for a specific market Produce a song Know essential copyright law and other legal basics Get compositions into the right hands Complete with expert advice and practical pointers, The Everything Songwriting Book is sure to guide and inspire burgeoning songwriters at any level.

Revised and expanded with a Preface from acclaimed Country Music historian and journalist Peter Cooper, The Storyteller's Nashville is the illuminating and entertaining tale of Music City's transformative years by Tom T. Hall, considered by many greats to be the greatest storyteller and songwriter in Nashville's illustrious history.

(Book). Written for both musicians and musical entrepreneurs, this user-friendly guide spells out the fundamentals of business, finance and marketing for the music world. You'll learn how to take a strategic approach to all aspects of doing business in music, from product development and pricing to surviving the industry's renowned competitive environment. Whether you're starting or strengthening your music career, you'll see why you need a business plan and how to put yours into action. Features a foreword by John McEuen, founding member of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, and also includes a CD-ROM with checklists, resources and templates for planning and managing your career.

The Songwriter's Handbook by Tom T. Hall teaches the secrets of becoming a successful songwriter. "How can I find ideas for songs?" "What are the best ways to deal with a publisher?" "When I sell my song, how will I get paid?" A glossary of definitions and terms and more. Illustrated and indexed.

Platinum award-winning singer, songwriter, and lyricist Mark Winkler provides a handbook on writing great lyrics, chock full of songwriting exercises and engaging personal vignettes. This book crosses a variety of genres andteaches the craft of modern commercial songwriting as practiced by the likes of Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran, and Bruno Mars. The book includes: Highlights of great songwriters and their songs Exercises that focus on storytelling and rhyming while adding specificity and color Practical tips for writing great lyrics with accompanying templates Annotated examples of songs to illustrate effective exercises Information about people you need on your creative and business team Next steps after you’ve written a great song Tips on being a successful live performer to make songs pop By using great songwriters and their songs as blueprints, Winkler reveals the tricks of the trade and shows how you can improve your songwriting skills.

The singer-songwriter, someone who writes and performs their own music, is an ever-present and increasingly complex figure in popular music worlds. The Singer-Songwriter Handbook provides a useful resource for student songwriters, active musicians, fans and scholars alike. This handbook is divided into four main sections: Songwriting (acoustic and digital), Performance, Music Industry and Case Studies. Section I focuses on the 'how to' elements of popular song composition, embracing a range of perspectives and methods, in addition to chapters on the teaching of songwriting to students. Section II deals with the nature of performance: stagecraft, open mic nights, and a number of case studies that engage with performing in a range of contexts. Section III is devoted to aspects of the music industry and the business of music including sales, contract negotiations, copyright, social media and marketing. Section IV provides specific examples of singer-songwriter personae and global open mic scenes. The Singer-Songwriter Handbook is a much-needed single resource for budding singer-songwriters as well as songwriting pedagogues.