Books about songwriting

Get that song on tape! Errr... disk?
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zenarcade
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Books about songwriting

Post by zenarcade » Sat Jul 18, 2020 12:32 am

Hola, what books would you recommend on the topic of songwriting? I really struggle with writing lyrics to music, but sometimes also to find a good chorus/bridge part to a good verse or vice versa.
I read somewhere "Tunesmith" should be good. What would you guys recommend? Any help/input is highly appreciated!

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Re: Books about songwriting

Post by Shadoweclipse13 » Thu Jul 23, 2020 12:13 am

I definitely can't help you, but I subscribed as I would love to be better at lyrics myself! I've always got cool ideas or a vibe/feel for a song, but always fall short in writing. I'm more of an instrumental writer, but even that could be better.
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http://www.offsetguitars.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=104282&p=1438384#p1438384

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Professor Bill
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Re: Books about songwriting

Post by Professor Bill » Sat Aug 01, 2020 7:31 am

I read this a couple of years ago and it was helpful:

Pat Pattison, Writing Better Lyrics: The Essential Guide to Powerful Songwriting.

https://bookshop.org/books/writing-bett ... 1582975771

He's a Berklee prof who's worked with some big names (some of whom I admire, some not). I don't always agree with his ideas about what's important in a lyric, but he did make me more aware of things like rhyme scheme and meter, which has been useful.

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Re: Books about songwriting

Post by jamietay » Mon Aug 03, 2020 7:46 pm

this is your brain on music

its not specifically about songwriting, but it really made a huge impact on my songwriting for sure. like everytime i write a song i remember a mantra from that book
can i scream?

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Re: Books about songwriting

Post by windmill » Mon Aug 03, 2020 11:54 pm

Saw this Pat Pattinson video a few years ago

Melodic Rhythm and Lyric Rhythm - Part 1 of 4

Recommend having a look

HTH
:)

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Re: Books about songwriting

Post by Plumerai » Sun Aug 09, 2020 10:35 am


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Re: Books about songwriting

Post by fuzzjunkie » Wed Aug 12, 2020 8:00 pm

I once showed a notebook of song lyrics I had to a successful Nashville songwriter. He wrote hits for a number of big names.

After flipping though a couple of pages he wrote in one of the margins.

”I drove my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry. That’s what people want. Don’t overthink it.”

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Re: Books about songwriting

Post by zenarcade » Fri Aug 21, 2020 11:22 am

fuzzjunkie wrote:
Wed Aug 12, 2020 8:00 pm
I once showed a notebook of song lyrics I had to a successful Nashville songwriter. He wrote hits for a number of big names.

After flipping though a couple of pages he wrote in one of the margins.

”I drove my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry. That’s what people want. Don’t overthink it.”
;D

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zenarcade
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Re: Books about songwriting

Post by zenarcade » Fri Aug 21, 2020 11:25 am

Very cool tips so far. I read the Pat Pattinson book on holidays (well some parts at least). Even though the examples are not always great it gives you some very good ideas.

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Re: Books about songwriting

Post by MazzyJaster » Tue Sep 01, 2020 4:10 pm

windmill wrote:
Mon Aug 03, 2020 11:54 pm
Saw this Pat Pattinson video a few years ago

Melodic Rhythm and Lyric Rhythm - Part 1 of 4

Recommend having a look

HTH
:)
His free online course started today.

https://www.coursera.org/learn/songwriting-lyrics

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