Customer Reviews

Craft and Business of Songwriting 3rd Edition (Craft & Business of Songwriting)

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As a teacher of songwriting for over 15 years at Austin Community college,I have found John Braheny's book, "The Craft& Business of Song Writing",to be the best work of it's kind on the market today.
Students of songwriting in or out of school can find in this text invaluable information on every level of song production both subjective and objective. This book is a gem, both beautiful and practical!
Bravo John Braheny!


Robert Skiles B.A., M.A.
Prof. of Music
Austin Community College
Austin, Tx.

As a Billboard author of "The Musicians's Handbook: A Practical Giude to Understanding the Music Industry," an instructor at UCLA Music Business Extension and Musician's Institute, and a major label/indie recording artist, I highly recommend "The Craft and Business of Songwriting" to anyone that is serious about succeeding in the music industry. Remember: THE SONG COMES FIRST and this author wonderfully lays out the tools you need to get your songs right. Buy this book now!

An excellent, comprehensive work, which far exceeds all the other songwriting books I have purchased in both content and relevance. Newly updated to accommodate today's evolving market. An essential reference for all songwriters.

Well, at least in my opinion.

I just received the book last night and have read about 1/4 of it. It's great so far, lot's of insight and information. After reading some of Mr. Braheny's info on his web site [...] I couldn't wait to get his book. It's more than I expected, including actual music theory but as it relates to hit songs, not just raw theory. Cool!

I'll write more after reading the entire book, but this is the best thing I've done for myself regarding song writing.

BTW, I also got Pat Pattison's book on lyric writing and barely looked at it - I don't think I'll care for it if I ever get around to reading it. I used to read Pattison's column in Home & Studio Recording mag, although I didn't recall it at the time I purchased his book, and I never cared for his column back then (in the '80s and '90s) either. Braheny's book is MUCH better - no comparison really.

"The Craft and Business of Songwriting" has been instrumental in boosting my songwriting career by leaps and bounds. Even though I consider myself an "experienced" songwriter, there are so many things that "The Craft and Business of Songwriting" keeps me reminded and aware of. This book does that and more! It also helps me look at songwriting from a different and somewhat fresh perspective. I truly appreciate the insight on usage of the internet's many resources for marketing and promoting songwriting, which gives songwriters a perspective of the internet and web-based options to explore in helping to grow the songwriter's opportunities in cyberspace.

When it comes to songwriting, The Craft and Business of Songwriting is my bible.

Ren Ten Music, LLC

This is a well written book but, for those looking for more substantial insights into songwriting specifics, this isn't the one to read. While the author does touch on style and substance issues, his focus is far too broad to be of use to songwriters hoping for the magic bullet. If you're looking for insights into marketing, this book has plenty of ideas but little substance.

This is a very well written, comprehensive and extremely informative review of the most important things a new and even experienced songwriter needs to know. If you're serious about getting your songs into the marketplace and functioning as a professional, this book covers all the basic essentials to greatly increase your chances for success. Of the numerous resources in print, this particular one would be THE must read of them all for it's broad scope, honest portrayal, and realistic presentation of all the nuts and bolts of the craft and how the business works from a very well informed instructor in a respectful but no punches pulled writing style.

If you are looking to write and market commercially viable songs, this book tells all, including new information on internet marketing. Braheny used to host songwriter showcases in the Capitol Records studios back in the '70's and is still passionate about helping songwriters hone their craft.

I met John Braheny during a songwriting workshop in Los Angeles after reading some terrific blips and blurbs written by him in different online newsletters. His workshop was excellent and I made a note to buy his book afterwards.

I've been a singer/songwriter/performer for nearly 15 years and I was BLOWN AWAY with the material in this book. In person, Mr. Braheny has a very honest, matter-of-fact presentation style and writes in the very same way...friendly, encouraging, deductive and without one ounce of pretentiousness. Songwriting is very subjective (and frustrating), but Mr. Braheny has really helped me understand the principles and guidelines that successful songwriters follow to achieve success in the competitive music business.

The book is divided into halves (the craft and business sections) and both are amazing. The material is loaded with song examples, excellent material from other authors and straight-ahead logic about what has worked for other creative songwriters and why. Never has this much practical information been explained to me this well before. The chapter on human imagination is the most insightful information I have ever read on ANY topic.

I've read this book three times and can't get enough. Each reading reveals new information that I hadn't thought of before. Best of all, Mr. Braheny breaks it down and gives it to me straight. I am 100% convinced now that he enjoys helping songwriters become better at what they want to do. I honestly believe that I can write great songs, and that I can compete with the best, and that the messages I want to deliver can reach other people and change their lives.

I'm as jaded as they come, but I am so grateful for this book. My songwriting has improved 300%. I'm excited about my future. I look forward to creating. Thank you, Mr. Braheny, for writing it and helping me.

For almost four decades, John Braheny has been focused on helping people understand the complexities of writing and marketing music. His book was one of the first to unravel these mysteries for the aspiring writer or artist, and it remains to day as an essential item for any songwriters bookshelf. No single book can completely cover the vast terrain of writing and marketing songs, so this book is best as part of a group of five, which together provide a potent arsenel of tools and techniques for any aspiring lyricist, composer, or performer. The natural partners for Braheny's book are: Songcrafters' Coloring Book: The Essential Guide to Effective and Successful Songwriting, The Craft of Lyric Writing, Writing Better Lyrics, and Melody in Songwriting: Tools and Techniques for Writing Hit Songs. This set of songwriting references crosses all styles, and provides a range of techniques, choices, and knowledge that will enable your songs to be the best they can be.