Until you’ve consumed all of the best Songwriting books, can you even claim to be a true fan?
1. Writing Better Lyrics (2010)
Writing Better Lyrics has been a staple for songwriters for nearly two decades. Now this revised and updated 2nd Edition provides effective tools for everything from generating ideas, to understanding the form and function of a song, to fine-tuning lyrics.Perfect for new and experienced songwriters alike, this time-tested classic covers the basics in addition to more advanced techniques.Songwriters will discover: Featuring updated and expanded chapters, 50 fun songwriting exercises, and examples from more than 20 chart-toppings songs, Writing Better Lyrics gives you all of the professional and creative insight…
2. Shortcuts to Hit Songwriting: 126 Proven Techniques for Writing Songs That Sell (2008)
Here are 126 Shortcuts that will take your songs from good to great! Discover the melody and lyric writing techniques of today’s top songwriters and learn how you can use the very same secrets to give your songs the power and edge that will make listeners want to hear them over and over again. You’ll learn… ~ 38 proven strategies for creating powerful, unforgettable lyrics ~ 30 simple ways to make your melody fresh, exciting, and memorable ~ How to use hit songs as “ghost songs” to get quick results Plus, there are 58 more Shortcuts to help you lay the groundwork, pick the perfect structure, and choose the chords that will…
3. Songwriting Without Boundaries: Lyric Writing Exercises for Finding Your Voice (2012)
Writing great song lyrics requires practice and discipline. Songwriting Without Boundaries will help you commit to routine practice through fun writing exercises. This unique collection of more than150 sense-bound prompts helps you develop the skills you need to: Songwriters, as well as writers of other genres, will benefit from this collection of sensory writing challenges. Divided into four sections, Songwriting Without Boundaries features four different fourteen-day challenges with timed writing exercises, along with examples from other songwriters,…
4. The Chord Wheel: The Ultimate Tool for All Musicians (2000)
(Instructional). Master chord theory … in minutes! The Chord Wheel is a revolutionary device that puts the most essential and practical applications of chord theory into your hands. This tool will help you: Improvise and Solo Talk about chops! Comprehend key structure like never before; Transpose Keys Instantly transpose any progression into each and every key; Compose Your Own Music Watch your songwriting blossom! No music reading is necessary. “This is the kind of device that players of any instrument can use to enhance their musical understanding. Chord and key…
5. Songwriters On Songwriting: Revised And Expanded (2003)
This expanded fourth edition of Songwriters on Songwriting includes ten new interviews–with Alanis Morissette, Lenny Kravitz, Lou Reed, and others. In these pages, sixty-two of the greatest songwriters of our time go straight to the source of the magic of songwriting by offering their thoughts, feelings, and opinions on their art. Representing almost every genre of popular music, from blues to pop to rock, here are the figures that have shaped American music as we know it. #47,955 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #11 in Lyrics in Music #39 in Popular #12 in Songwriting Would you like to ?If you are a seller for this…
6. Beginning Songwriting: Writing Your Own Lyrics, Melodies, and Chords (2015)
(Berklee Guide). Learn to write songs! This book presents the basic concepts of popular songwriting, such as song construction, creativity techniques, melodic and harmonic development, how to write memorable lyrics, and other core topics. Hands-on exercises make it practical, and the accompanying online recording illustrates the concepts for those who don’t yet read music. #349,446 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #444 in Popular #2667 in Music Instruction & Study (Books) #172 in Songwriting Would you like to ?If you are a seller for this product, would you like to ?…
7. Great Songwriting Techniques (2018)
In Great Songwriting Techniques, veteran composer and teacher Jack Perricone shares years of experience in the art, science, and pedagogy of songwriting to teach readers the craft. Whether they write for a small group of friends or in the hopes of creating a smash hit, aspiring songwriters can learn how to focus on topics essential to their success in this competitive field; every songwriter must be aware of audience, thick-skinned enough to handle rejection and competition, and most importantly have the confidence to master the craft of composing and producing. Perricone teaches readers to accomplish this…
8. Songwriting For Dummies (2010)
This friendly, hands-on guide tackles the new face of the recording industry, guiding you through the shift from traditional sales to downloads and mobile music, as well as how you can harness social media networks to get your music “out there.” You get basic songwriting concepts, insider tips and advice, and inspiration for writing — and selling — meaningful, timeless songs. #139,980 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #143 in Popular #67 in Songwriting Would you like to ?If you are a seller for this product, would you like to ?…
9. Songwriting: Essential Guide to Lyric Form and Structure: Tools and Techniques for Writing Better Lyrics (Songwriting Guides) (1991)
(Berklee Guide). Veteran songwriter Pat Pattison has taught many of Berklee College of Music’s best and brightest students how to write truly great lyrics. His helpful guide contains essential information on lyric structures, timing and placement, and exercises to help everyone from beginners to seasoned songwriters say things more effectively and gain a better understanding of their craft. Features examples of famous songs for study, including: Be Still My Beating Heart * Can’t Fight This Feeling * It Was a Very Good Year * Tickle Me * and more….
10. Song Starters: 365 Lyric, Melody, & Chord Ideas to Kickstart Your Songwriting (2016)
Discover an endless supply of exciting, creative concepts that will launch song after song. Use the Starters to spark a brainstorm or set a series of notes in motion, get your feet dancing or fill your head with music. Listen to hit song examples as you work. All of the Starters are based on time-tested concepts used by hit songwriters, but you make them your own. · · · · · …plus a grab bag of 56 assorted whimsical, stimulating, inspiring launch pads for lyrics, melodies, and chords that will let you free your muse and write from your heart. With Song Starters,…
11. The Craft of Songwriting: Music, Meaning, & Emotion (2018)
(Berklee Guide). Take your songwriting to the next level! This book breaks down the processes used by hit songwriters and dives deeply into the craft of songwriting. Discover the tools and techniques for melody, harmony, lyrics, and form behind so many great songs. You will access the magic and come out more connected to your heart and craft. Online audio tracks illustrate these techniques in context, showing how they affect your song’s overall impact. #560,768 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #4000 in Music Instruction & Study (Books) #56941 in Humor & Entertainment (Books) #252 in Songwriting Would you…
12. The Craft & Business of Songwriting (2006)
In this comprehensively updated 3rd Edition, teaches you the craft of songwriting and then goes behind the scenes of the music business to unearth insider secrets that will make your songs stand out. You’ll find exercises and anecdotes to help you: Braheny also brings you up to date with ongoing changes in online digital song distribution, podcasting, song-pitching services, home recording technology, production music libraries, and web hosting services. It’s everything you need to know to make your mark on the world of music! #146,426 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #2642…
Best Songwriting Books Worth Your Attention
We highly recommend you to buy all paper or e-books in a legal way, for example, on Amazon. But sometimes it might be a need to dig deeper beyond the shiny book cover. Before making a purchase, you can visit resources like Genesis and download some songwriting books mentioned below at your own risk. Once again, we do not host any illegal or copyrighted files, but simply give our visitors a choice and hope they will make a wise decision.
Great Songwriting Techniques
Author(s): Jack Perricone
Publisher: Oxford University Press, Year: 2018, Size: 16 Mb, Download: pdf
ID: 2343047
Therapeutic Songwriting: Developments in Theory, Methods, and Practice
Author(s): Felicity A. Baker
Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan UK, Year: 2015, Size: 3 Mb, Download: pdf
ID: 1702837
The Addiction Formula: A Holistic Approach to Writing Captivating, Memorable Hit Songs. With 317 Proven Commercial Techniques & 331 Examples, incl ... "All Of Me" (Holistic Songwriting) (Volume 1)
Author(s): Friedemann Findeisen
Publisher: Albino Publishing, Year: 2015, Size: 4 Mb, Download: pdf
ID: 2184401
Songwriting Without Boundaries: Lyric Writing Exercises for Finding Your Voice
Author(s): Pat Pattison
Publisher: Writers Digest, Year: 2012, Size: 1 Mb, Download: mobi
ID: 1104237
I'll Be Here in the Morning: The Songwriting Legacy of Townes Van Zandt
Author(s): Brian T. Atkinson, Cowboy" Jack Clements, Harold F. Eggers Jr.
Publisher: Texas A&M University Press, Year: 2011, Size: 126 Mb, Download: pdf
ID: 1302510
Songwriting For Dummies
Author(s): Dave Austin, Jim Peterik, Cathy Lynn
Publisher: For Dummies, Year: 2010, Size: 6 Mb, Download: pdf
ID: 358253
Please note that this booklist is not absolute. Some books are really chart-busters according to Los Angeles Times, others are composed by unknown authors. On top of that, you can always find additional tutorials and courses on Coursera, Udemy or edX, for example. Are there any other relevant resources you could recommend? Drop a comment if you have any feedback on the list.