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Hey, songwriters all! What's not to be gained by checking out this Amazon link for a look at a brand new Songwiting book - check out the Table of Contents. http://www.amazon.com/reader/0982004001?...p;page=6#readerNope, I'm not hawking it  Just amazed at the content. Cheers all
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Ian,
That looks like a great book - just the contents subheadings nail many things I forget often. I think it's worth a purchase and read.
The things that Robin has highlighted ARE elements of hit songs - again and again. There's one about the 'fake' - set up the listener to expect something, then throw a curveball. The Shins hit from a couple years ago - Phantom Limb - does that in the chorus. There's a natural melody note that the singer should go to, but actually he goes probably a 5th higher - gives me goosebumps every single time I hear it.
I love the title of the subheading "make sure you want to write hit songs - clear out any negative feelings you might have to ....."
I'm gonna grab a copy with my 'burfday' money I got a couple weeks back. One is an Amazon gift certificate so I'm all set!
-Scott
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Me too. I still visit Taxi.com and receive their notices. I'm planning to renew my membership. I took about a four-year break to polish my songs where they needed it. Ready to go again.
I loved the way it was broken down into sub headings - easily accessible to check different points without a search warrant. Lol.
Did you notice if it was ringed? Looked like a straight paperback to me. I'd better go look for the dimensions again - What's that phrase "Can't see for lookin'".
Cheers
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What do you know about the author? It looks like a Dummy's Guide to me (not that there is anything wrong with their series of books) Oh! I just found this
Last edited by WienSam; 08/16/09 12:33 AM.
Follow That Dream Sam Karaoke King -------------------- Turning that corner again - I have to keep following that dream, no matter what
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Wow - that was quite a find, Sam. I knew she had been in the recording business as an A & R person, but this is impressive.  Time for me to get reading I guess. 
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Follow That Dream Sam Karaoke King -------------------- Turning that corner again - I have to keep following that dream, no matter what
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Journeyman
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There is "some books" about songwriting out there, but what about a songwriter program? What do you think about this? www.songwriter.com
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Journeyman
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Sorry folks I gave you the wrong adress. The correct adress should be: http://www.masterwriter.com/
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It is an excellent tool - I have a copy
Follow That Dream Sam Karaoke King -------------------- Turning that corner again - I have to keep following that dream, no matter what
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Quote:
Hey, songwriters all! What's not to be gained by checking out this Amazon link for a look at a brand new Songwiting book - check out the Table of Contents. http://www.amazon.com/reader/0982004001?...p;page=6#reader
Nope, I'm not hawking it Just amazed at the content.
Cheers all
Dammit! That book ain't cheap! Still, I've ordered a copy...
Correction - I tried to order a copy but can't get it delivered to Austria... 
Last edited by WienSam; 08/16/09 01:51 PM.
Follow That Dream Sam Karaoke King -------------------- Turning that corner again - I have to keep following that dream, no matter what
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Finally got around to ordering my copy of this one. I don't plan to have a commercial hit, but just some songs I like myself and that friends/family will like.
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Oh what the heck - aim for it anyway - can't hurt. http://www.ascap.com/nashville/murphy/ - here's a great link to the Nashville approach. Well I see the sun's going down on the midway tonight here in the Great White North - actually still green in my neck of the woods but dropping below 32F/0C tonight. Ian
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Quote:
There is "some books" about songwriting out there, but what about a songwriter program?
What do you think about this? MasterWriter
Well, I consider MasterWriter to be a lyricwriting program, not a songwriting program.
There's a lot more to writing songs that coming up with lyrics.
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28 5 star reviews out of 31.
Can they all be related to the author or in the employ of the publishing house?
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Having started reading it (and having read 'The Dummies Guide' and another by Jason Blume), I can definitely state that it is, so far, one of the best books on songwriting that I have ever read. Yes, it is expensive... but, well worth the investment
Follow That Dream Sam Karaoke King -------------------- Turning that corner again - I have to keep following that dream, no matter what
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I don't know. It seems to me that a book on songwriting is kinda like a song about architecture. But hey...I could be wrong.
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But there is a difference between just any building and strong buildings. Here is the link again. If you haven't done so already, read the author's credits. She's not just talking songwriting but STRONG songwriting, marketable tunes. http://www.amazon.com/reader/0982004001?...ader_0982004001She writes from a powerbase. She has credentials. IMHO Cheers - Ian
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Look at the top of the book. It's from TAXI..... http://www.taxi.com/
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I'm with Marv (above) on this one.
Instead of spending the time reading the book, write some tunes instead.
I'm one of those who bought the Jim Webb book hoping to find the holy grail.
Guess what? there isn't one.
Yes you can pick up one or two tips, but each songwriter ultimately has to find the method and process which works best for him or her.
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That's true Marc - in spite of all the work and the crafting necessary to give someone a shot at the Holy Grail, there is still that granite wall that you have to get through in order to give that song a fighting chance. A writer has to have a product ultimately and there is no guarantee. It seems to be human nature to look at the downside of things, and the music business has been a killer for a lot of hope. Looking at the big picture of even making a ripple in the music business can be deflating and it's easy to become jaded. Still some shot is better than none and popular music is a business of cloning the next hottest thing. Because a successful approach has worked for someone else at a certain point of time, does not mean it will be successful for the next person. But knowledge is power - take what you need and leave what you don't want. And if a door miraculously opens, is your tune ready for prime time? Monday morning, more coffee needed.
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