The Craft and Business of Songwriting (2nd Edition) [Paperback]

John Braheny (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1582970858 | ISBN-13: 978-1582970851 | Publication Date: December 1, 2001 | Edition: 2

Discover the secrets of successful songwriting with this essential guide! Cofounder of the Los Angeles Songwriters Showcase John Braheny teaches you the craft of songwriting while going behind the scenes of the music business to reveal insider secrets that will make your work stand out. Dozens of exercises, examples and anecdotes from songwriters such as Vince Gill, Sheryl Crow, TLC, Lenny Kravitz and Paul McCartney will you show you how to: develop a songwriter's consciousness; overcome barriers in the creative process; write in all musical styles, and for film and TV; and skillfully manage the business of demos and contracts. This updated edition also covers online opportunities for songwriters. "A practical street-level look at today's world of songwriting ... Read and learn." - Diane Warren, six-time ASCAP Songwriter of the Year with more than 50 Top 10 hits

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

John Braheny is the co-founder/director for the Los Angeles Songwriters Showcase, a national non-profit service organization for songwriters. He conducts seminars throughout the U.S. and offers one-on-one consultations with writers, writer/artists and businesses. He lives in North Hollywood, California.

Product Details

• Paperback: 372 pages
• Publisher: Writer's Digest Books; 2 edition (December 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1582970858
• ISBN-13: 978-1582970851
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #843,599 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read Book for All Songwriters!, May 2, 2002

By 

Doak Turner (Cornelius, NC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Craft and Business of Songwriting (2nd Edition) (Paperback)

The first Edition of the book, was a must read, now this 2nd Edition, updated with new information and current song references, is also a must read for everyone that writes songs. The most complete songwriting book, for beginning songwriters to the aspiring, to even pro writers will learn from the book. I often refer to it as "The Songwriters Bible", just full of information that we need in the world of songwriting.
I have been a Nashville Songwriters Association International coordinator in Charlotte for (6) years, and do at least one activity or read a quote from a hit writer or music professional in the book at every meeting. This book is years of songwriting seminars and workshops all in one. The reader will learn just like the title says, the craft and business from someone who knows what they are talking about, and has led workshops for some of the best songwriters of all time, including the awesome Diane Warren and several other hit writers. John Braheny made a difference with hit writers, with myself, and other songwriters that I have recommended the book to in the past 14+ years of reading the first edition, and now the 2nd edition. I recomend this as the very first book for every songwriter to read and study. If you know someone who writes songs, buy the book for them, and a copy for yourself. Buy a highlighter or two, to use when reading the book. ...Doak Turner
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21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Strategy and structure andlots more, January 11, 2001

By 

Johan Vorster (Pretoria, South Africa) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Craft and Business of Songwriting (Paperback)

One of my most basic problems when starting off as a songwriter, was the lack of background and knowledge on how to approach a new song. I am talking about your basic strategies and how to structure them into a final product. Where does one begin, what do you need to take into account, what to do first, how to approach rhyme, basic tips about melody, chords etc. I found this book to answer these type of questions in a simple and interesting way.

The author is obviously a specialist with a very good track record. He taught me how to analyse existing songs to expand my knowledge. No more do I just listen to music, I learnt the skill to expand my songwriting knowledge whilst listening to other songs on the radio or on CD.

I have learnt how to decide on a basic structure, how to approach the most important issue of finding a "hook" for your song and refining it to something useful. I have discovered that it is O.K. to rewrite songs, but I have learnt how to approach it. This book has taught me how to make songs more interesting and it has made songwriting a more interesting hobby for me.

I think the most important lesson from this book is how to grow from a songwriter that tries to express his/her own feelings to himself/herself and a few close friends, to someone who can express his deepest feelings in such a way that his song could be loved by millions and could become a commercial success. It also contain an abundace of valuable information on the industry and how to promote your music.

If I did not read this book I would have missed something for sure. If you are serious about songwriting you cannot go without this book.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Definitely a Keeper!, December 20, 1998

By 

The Muse's Muse - www.musesmuse.com - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Craft and Business of Songwriting (Paperback)

The book, whether he's talking about the creative process or the nature of the business, is filled with snippets of humour that made me chuckle. John starts out with exercises and suggestions about how to get your creative juices flowing. He speaks of using his guidelines as "principles" rather than as "rules". After all, rules are made to be broken, right? Principles leave one much less constricted and guide rather than hem in. The book is designed with that in mind. There are examples and explanations about types of rhyme, different types of formatting for verses and choruses and even discussion about song dynamics such as changes in meter and density of lyrics. I'm only touching on a few of the *many* fine points raised. He even goes into details on different methods of writing music and talks about how to make the most of a collaboration along with the legalities involved. Mostly, the first section of the book dealing with the creation of the song itself, gets the reader *thinking*. I know from personal experience that I need exactly that when I'm sitting down to write. Where does one look for inspiration and what does one do with it once it's found? The second part of the book deals with the business - and that's where John's true mastery comes out in impressive detail. Having been involved in various parts of the business over a length of several years, he's very well suited to know what will work and what won't (though he's quick to admit there are exceptions to every rule). The business section deals with such gems as royalty questions, publishing issues, when and why to self-publish, how to choose a studio when making a demo and what you can get away with doing at home, and how to go about marketing your music. The bibliography even makes a very handy reference guide to trade magazines, songwriting organizations and other resources as well as many other books on the subject of songwriting. John addresses every point with his humorous, no-nonsense narrative and quite apart from being an extremely handy resource, it's a pleasure to read. I still don't believe he got all that information into one place. Talk about "bang for your buck"! This is a keeper I'll be going back to on a regular basis.

--Jodi Krangle ~ The Muse's Muse ~