Lives For The Music

I'm hoping to develop my songwriting skills at Christmas by getting my hands on a songwriting book. I've looked at a few and mostly have been relying on customer reviews. But I'm still not 100% sure about which one to go for, so if there's any you recommend, feel free to throw them out there.

One I've seen so far is - http://www.amazon.co.uk/How-Write-So...6947994&sr=8-4

But as I said, I'm not sure yet. I'm already getting a guitar playing book for Christmas since I have exams on it next year.
Thanks for any help in advance!

 

AngelsareReborn

so basically you just started to play guitar and write music???Dont rely on a songwriting book or a guitar book. Get a teacher. Song Writing comes naturally over time dude

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Lives For The Music

No no no, I've been playing guitar for about 2 years. I'm just starting off on my songwriting really though. I was basically just wondering what the best book is or what not.

AngelsareReborn

Well I've been playing guitar and writin music for about 4 years and I wrote my first song when I was 13 and now I'm 16. Song writing is like poetry man you gotta feel it. Write songs about past experiences let it come from your heart....something a book can never give you.

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AngelsareReborn

Like I wrote a song last night where it was capo'd on the 5th and its open bar chords. The chorus goes "Every time you hear the rain a comin let it rain away" and it carries the last note. beginnings like " Callin me at 4 in the mornin, tell me your hearts sore and you miss me." Been a While since you been home, got me cryin on the phone" " Your in my thoughts your in my dreams" " This Love wont last on just memories" carries the note then goes into the chorus. And the chorus last a lot longer than what I just typed up there but I wrote that in like 5 minutes last night. When I was playin guitar for bout two years my songwriting kinda sucked "badly" it will come to you naturally man just give it time

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flightlessthoughts

I can see both of your points.

For someone who doesn't have a clue where to start, a well-written layout of some basic principals could go far. Such things as how to construct a chord progression and some basic rhyme and verse layouts for lyric writing. But all of these things can also be learned from listening and learning songs that you like by established musicians. I'm sorry that I don't have any book recommendations for you.

As far as a book teaching you how to write meaningful, long-lasting music, I agree with Angelsarereborn, that will just take time, and practice (and failure) to master. Don't be afraid to write crappy, or simple songs at first. This is how you will gain confidence.

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High Standards

Lives For The Music, I have some bad news for you. But this point reminds me of my idea to teach people about music, so perhaps I could make it constructive some day.


The bad news is, composing is one of those things that you either can or cant do.
And I have in the past disagreed with music academics that you can read yourself to musicianship. Its important that we get this idea out of your head early on:

Music isnt written down.

It disgusts me how visuals expect to learn auditory skills with visual methods. To me its just like going to a foreign country without learning the language and expecting everyone to speak English. This is music-youre in a foreign country now. And the language is SOUND.

So, to write good music, you need to immerse yourself in consciousness-expanding music at the edges of whats been done. Ive only been writing music for 16 years but I have the music you need, and the tips to get you there. Pm me if you like.

But maybe youre talking about stringing a few chords together and calling it a song, like 99.99999999% of the bands out there. You dont need training for that, youve probably already done it. Basically pretty much all the bands out there are complete frauds.

Whatever you do, abandon your eyes. this is planet sonic.