Too often songwriters struggle with that unidentifiable "something"that goes wrong in their songs. The words fail. Or the music mutates. Or both. Something's wrong with the song. But with this book's guidance, songwriters can figure out what's wrong and fix it. Songwriters Pat and Pete Luboff cover it all, from the nudge of the muse through pressing a record, pointing out pitfalls and supplying solutions every measure of the way.

Give Your Songwriting a Competitive Edge This book takes you on the songwriter's journey from the first inspiration for a song to the collection of worldwide royalties. Experienced songwriters Pat and Pete Luboff point out the stumbling blocks you'll encounter along the way, and how to turn them into stepping stones to songwriting success. In 101 fun and easy-to-read chapters, you'll find tips on: • building solid, marketable song structures • creating the perfect lyrics accompanied by moving melodies • forming productive and profitable collaboration ventures • producing effective demos that you can pitch • tracking your royalty collection You'll also discover how new technology is changing songwriting and how to use that to your advantage. Plus, you'll get insider tips on traveling to and living in the songwriting centers of the country–Los Angeles, New York City, and Nashville. Everything you need to live and succeed at the songwriter's life can be found in this great resource.

Packed with literally hundreds of hints, tips, and inside information only a working writer would know, The Art of Writing Great Lyrics demonstrates proven, no-fail methods for everything from communicating through song, defining styles, and collaborating with a partner to studying the market, making a great demo, and getting started on a career. Full of creative exercises, writing do's and don'ts, and a handy A to Z checklist for reviewing new songs, The Art of Writing Great Lyrics provides a lifetime of proven success tips in one indispensable volume.

Simple techniques for creating catchy lyrics and memorable melodies! Nearly everyone can hum the melody or remember the words to a hit song. Clever word play, catchy melodies, and thoughtful imagery can create an impression that lasts long after a song has ended. The Everything Songwriting Book provides amateurs and seasoned professionals alike all they need to create, perform, and sell hit songs. Learn how to develop an idea, formulate a rhyme scheme, incorporate unique phrasing, and follow through to the final note. Professional songwriter and consultant C.J. Watson packs this book with clever tips and tricks for overcoming writer's block, creating a "hook," and recording and selling a song to a recording company or performer. This user-friendly guide also shows how to: Tap into the common elements of hit songs Incorporate instruments into songwriting Understand music theory Spot songwriting trends and write for a specific market Produce a song Know essential copyright law and other legal basics Get compositions into the right hands Complete with expert advice and practical pointers, The Everything Songwriting Book is sure to guide and inspire burgeoning songwriters at any level.

The Lost Soul Companion showed you how to survive…now learn how to thrive! A gift of wit, wisdom, and understanding for writers, musicians, freethinkers, and struggling artists of every stripe! Susan M. Brackney, author of The Lost Soul Companion, keeps the encouragement coming and offers smart solutions for artists, musicians, actors, and writers ready to share their creative talents with the rest of the world. Practical and irreverent, The Not-So-Lost Soul Companion is the wise, whimsical--and indispensable--next step in launching the creative life of your dreams. *How to keep your cool despite disastrous auditions, withering reviews, and well-meaning relatives *Finding your own place on the Wheel of Creative Will *How famous flounderers Ralph Waldo Emerson, Agatha Christie,and George Orwell found their true callings *Artist-friendly alternatives to New York and L.A. *What to do when you find your art hanging in a used-furniture store *How to survive as a free spirit in Corporate Captivity *Marketing tips, publicity pitfalls, and the magic word to open new doors *Getting the big deal: a peek at the wizard behind the curtain

This second edition of Song Sheets to Software includes completely revised and updated listings of music software, instructional media, and music-related Internet Web sites of use to all musicians, whether hobbyist or professional. This book is a particularly valuable resource for the private studio and classroom music teacher.