A handy book of creativity exercises that stop writer's block and spark the fire of your imagination. It offers concepts to ponder as starting places for lyric writing, along with some of the most provocative and inspirational examples you may encounter anywhere. Authored by a pro, these proven exercises are for moving the creative lyrical self, the soul, the real tool of songwriting and the real object of a song's intention. 301 pp.
49-331938
$19.99
COLORFUL SOUNDS: CREATIVE HARMONY MADE SIMPLE
by Daniel Ho
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Book/CD set. Six-time Grammy award-winner Ho presents a unique approach to harmonies. Songwriters will discover infinite ways to harmonize melodies beyond the obvious ear chords, composers can create moods and underscore scenes with a more extensive sonic palette, and players can execute unique voicings of extended chords with ease. Notation only. 34 pp.
20-80077
$15.95
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ESSENTIAL SONGWRITER'S RHYMING DICTIONARY
by Kevin Mitchell
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Over 36,000 words arranged in dictionary format. Includes near-rhymes, slang words, places, more. Half-size book. 304 pp.
20-6637
$5.95
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HOW TO WRITE SONGS ON GUITAR - 2nd EDITION, EXPANDED AND UPDATED
by Rikky Rooksby
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So you want to write songs, and you want to write them on guitar. This is the book that shows you how. Taking tips and tricks from classic songwriters, from Bob Dylan to Amy Winehouse, this book takes you through the four main elements of a song - rhythm, melody, lyrics, and harmony - and inspires you to combine them in new ways. Master song structure, intros, bridges, chord sequences and key changes and make the most of your guitar with innovative chords, scales, modes, tunings and recording techniques. Now with an updated layout and new songs, it's packed with wisdom and practical advice culled from over 1,800 songs. Recommended. 240 pp.
49-332381
$22.99
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LYRICS - WRITING BETTER WORDS FOR YOUR SONGS
by Rikky Rooksby
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Another excellent entry in Rikky Rooksby's songwriting series. This one covers that bane of so many songwriters, lyric writing. He takes you from initial idea to finished song, offering 30 ideas for finding inspiration, exploring the choice of title, imagery and metaphor, avoiding cliches, the right lyrics for a bridge, lots more. Includes many quotes from songwriters on the process of lyric writing and where they find inspiration; plus interviews with Aimee Mann, David Crosby, Rodney Crowell, Jerry Leiber, and others. Also includes a sourcebook of lyric ideas showing how various themes have been used in rock and pop music over the last 50 years. Recommended. 175 pp.
49-331410
$24.99
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MELODY - HOW TO WRITE GREAT TUNES
by Rikky Rooksby
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Book/CD pack. Melody is the true heart of music, often inspired by nothing more than the songwriter's muse. Yet melody can be learned. This book teaches the art of melody and how to write effective tunes. You'll learn how to create memorable melodies, fit notes over chords, put rhythm in your tunes, use a variety of scales, add blue notes, more. Includes a special section of melodies in the style of famous songwriters. Every example is played on the 90 track CD, so you can see and hear each note for yourself. Recommended! Note/tab. 216 pp.
49-331250
$22.95
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SCHIRMER'S COMPLETE RHYMING DICTIONARY
by Paul Zollo
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A must-have for songwriters! 96,000 one-, two- and three- syllable rhymes, substantially more than you'll find in other rhyming dictionaries. A lengthy (42 page) introduction covers rhyme schemes, inner/internal rhymes, true/false rhymes, the differences between lyric writing and poetry writing, and much more. The remainder of the book includes over 450 pages of one-syllable (masculine) rhymes, over 300 pages of two-syllable (feminine) rhymes, and 60 pages of three syllable (triple) rhymes. Hardcover. 872 pp.
01-952250
$24.95
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SONGWRITING FOR DUMMIES
by Dave Austin, Jim Peterik, Cathy Austin
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This resource for budding songwriters covers the latest music industry trends and techniques, explains how to leverage social networking, includes helpful appendices and an index. Revised and updated. 2nd edition.
542-298
$21.99
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SONGWRITING FOR GENIUSES
by Gene Burnett
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25 tips for aspiring songwriters for writing better, more satisfying songs. The contention is that within each of us is a place that knows when a song works and when it does not. This place of knowing is called many things: intuition, spirit, the unconscious. Burnett calls it your "genius," and it is to this inner genius that this book is addressed. A song that works is one that releases a "charge," first for the writer and then for the listener. With Burnett's simple and practical tips, you can learn to recognize this release as a guiding and shaping force in the songwriting process. 80 pp.
758-2
$10.95
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THE SINGER / SONGWRITER'S MANUAL
by Michaela Anne Neller
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Book/CD set. A perfect introduction to the world of writing and singing your own songs. You'll learn some basic information on vocal health, breathing, and techniques to help develop your vocal stamina, agility, flexibility and range. The CD makes practicing the vocal exercises and developing a daily routine easy and accessible. You'll also learn the basics of crafting a song through song form, rhyme schemes, lyrical approaches, and how to find your inspiration. An overview of basic guitar chords and how to create your own chord progressions makes it easy to start creating your own songs right away. Beginners. 52 pp.
02-30059BCD
$17.99
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THE SONGWRITER'S ULTIMATE TOOLBOX
by Rikky Rooksby
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3 book/2 CD pack. This boxed set contains three of the best books on the art of songwriting: "How to Write Songs on Guitar" (49-332381) with tips and tricks by classic songwriters, from Bob Dylan to the Beatles to Tori Amos. "The Songwriting Sourcebook" (49-331080) shows you how to turn chords into great songs. Includes a CD illustrating many of the techniques. "How to Write Songs in Altered Guitar Tunings" (49-332859) is the latest installment and the only book that explains how to write songs with altered tunings. Also includes a 44-track CD. Packaged in a nice, heavy-duty slipcase this is a great gift for the aspiring songwriter. 672 pp.
available as a special order -- normally ships within 7-10 days
49-333067
$60.00
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THE SONGWRITING SOURCEBOOK - HOW TO TURN CHORDS INTO GREAT SONGS, FULLY UPDATED AND EXPANDED EDITION
by Rikky Rooksby
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CLEARANCE PRICED! SAVE $9.99! Book/CD pack. This easy-to-use book will help you write better songs by explaining the art of writing effective chord sequences. Shows: how three and four chords can lay the foundation for a simple song, and how to move on to progressions using five and six chords; how to give your sequences additional color by adding chords not strictly in key, including blues chords; how to write chord sequences in minor keys as well as major keys, and take progressions into new territories by changing key; how to fine-tune the color of your chords by understanding the emotional potential of sevenths, sixths and ninths. The 20-track CD features original recordings that illustrate some of the points made in the book. Uses chord sequence diagrams and guitar chord frames throughout, no music reading required. 240 pp.
49-332983
.. list $24.99 ours
$15.00
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Songwriting
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