Songwriting for Dummies by Dave Austin, Jim Peterik, Mary Ellen Bickford (2002, Paperback, Illustrated)

Whether you’re a first-time songwriter or songwriting vet looking for a fast-track into the recording industry, this friendly, easy-to-follow guide is the source for you. Using well-known tunes as examples, the authors walk you through everything you need to know to:

• Choose a musical style
• Develop a song idea
• Compose high-impact lyrics
• Create melodies that are memorable
• Use rhyme and rhythm
• Understand song from, from blues to jingles
• Create a demo and shop it around
• Find an agent and publisher
• Find and work with collaborators

From assessing your strengths and weaknesses as a songwriter to signing contracts, Songwriting For Dummies covers all the bases. Among other key topics, you’ll explore:

• Various song forms, including the AABA form and various ABAB forms
• Snagging your listeners with a lyrical, melodic, musical, rhythmic, or sound-effect hook, or a combination of hooks
• Concept-driven, story-telling, parody, love and other types of lyrics
• Using rhythm, melody, and chords in writing songs
• Rock, pop, R&B, hip-hop, and many other song styles
• Writing songs for stage, screen and TV
• The business end—from putting together a business team to getting a lawyer and an accountant to finding a publisher

Whether you want to know how to compose a love song for that special someone, or you’re looking break into the industry, big-time, Songwriting For Dummies is a gold mine of inspiration and how-to information.

Industry Reviews
"...this text covers all the bases..." (<i>Guitar Magazine</i>, August 2003)
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"...if you are more talented then me visit www.wileyeurope.com..." (<i>Ipswich Evening Star</i>, 20 August 2003)