This book teaches an innovative method called Immersion Composition that drives musicians to engage their creativity by writing as much music as possible in a set time period. After learning to apply the method, elusive moments of inspiration can be summoned on command. The book also explains how to form a group of like-minded songwriters (a "lodge"), presents dozens of tips and games for making the most out of an Immersion Composition session, and shows how to turn brainstormed raw materials into polished songs.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
28 of 28 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
People never have TALKING BLOCKS...so why should they have writing blocks?! This book is a radical blast through stuckness, perfectionism, laziness, creative slumps and it is ALSO a cure for the thought that songs only happen when we're fondled by the Muse.
Sure, it takes a long time to learn the craft of writing, to do brilliant REwriting, and some songs take a long gestation period.
But sometimes you have to GO FOR IT. Going for speed and quantity, in the ways this book suggests, can be liberating. And there are fine points here that can be adapted to support your creativity even when you're not doing an all-out 24hr thing.
I'm a pro writer, with major label, TV credits, singer-songwriter credits, I teach writing. (My CD's available on Amazon.) But THIS book made me want to jump up and down because IT'S SO DIFFERENT THAN ALL THE OTHER SONGWRITING BOOKS! Whatever's on your shelf...you don't have what's here...
The only thing that puzzles me is why there are no lodges yet in Nashville...or on the East Coast. Are only West Coasters unafraid and radical and willing to go on a 24-hour writing marathon?
I may have to start my own lodge.
Working on the secret handshake. Buy the book. Have FUN!
Ruth Greenwood, Ruthenium Music
Sure, it takes a long time to learn the craft of writing, to do brilliant REwriting, and some songs take a long gestation period.
But sometimes you have to GO FOR IT. Going for speed and quantity, in the ways this book suggests, can be liberating. And there are fine points here that can be adapted to support your creativity even when you're not doing an all-out 24hr thing.
I'm a pro writer, with major label, TV credits, singer-songwriter credits, I teach writing. (My CD's available on Amazon.) But THIS book made me want to jump up and down because IT'S SO DIFFERENT THAN ALL THE OTHER SONGWRITING BOOKS! Whatever's on your shelf...you don't have what's here...
The only thing that puzzles me is why there are no lodges yet in Nashville...or on the East Coast. Are only West Coasters unafraid and radical and willing to go on a 24-hour writing marathon?
I may have to start my own lodge.
Working on the secret handshake. Buy the book. Have FUN!
Ruth Greenwood, Ruthenium Music
24 of 27 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
These guys have cracked the code. They have solved the mystery. They have found a way for all of us tortured genius songwriters, squashed by overactive, hypercritical superegos (often the result of a dicey childhood), to re-enter, at will, that magical state called "flow", that divine order of play, that childlike state, where time stands still, creative juices threaten the levees, the muses descend from Olympus to sing nine-part harmony in your ear, the background fades into soft focus and you write a whole bunch of songs. If you have ever felt stuck as a songwriter, you have to read this book. You will feel the cameraderie, support, encouragement, empathy and acceptance of the authors and the brother and sisterhood of the songwriting groups that have adopted the methods set forth in the book. I have been writing songs for more than 35 years. I have taken many songwriting and creative writing classes and seminars, but the authors of this book are "Hobgoblin running off with the garland of Apollo". I mean they have performed a miracle here and really want you to join in.
17 of 19 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book would benefit if the subtitle was changed to "A Radical *Method* to Cutting Loose, Overcoming Blocks, and Writing the Best Songs of Your Life." As a frustrated songwriter, I purchased this hoping it provide various insights and multiple approaches to overcoming writer's block. As it turns out, it just gives one: set aside 12 hours (12 straight hours, not broken up) and try to write 20 songs, and do this on a twice-a-month basis or so. The rest of the book gives tips on how to do this productively, including starting a lodge as a kind of mutual support group.
I will say I did find most of the tips interesting, and will try them, but they seem aimed more for someone trying to write at a furious pace. That is, someone who is generating so many half-formed songs that they can toss out most of them. I'm deterred less by the idea trying to pound out 20 songs at a sitting than trying to free up 12 solid hours. I'm thinking it's not a coincidence that Dungeons and Dragons was mentioned at least twice in the book- a game with similar time demands and intensity and generally most popular with folks with tremendous amounts of free time.
The lodge idea is interesting. The book spends a lot of time on how to build and maintain one. They sound almost like psychotherapy support groups, requiring members to be supportive and emotionally open. I like the idea of it, but, given my personal experience with musicians and songwriters, I can't imagine how a lodge would last for more than a few sessions. After I read the book, I googled ICS, thinking perhaps there might be a few in Atlanta. It turns out that there are very few in the world, most of them clustered on the west coast. On top of that, of the lodges that have webpages, many seem defunct, or petered out years ago. Not a terrible surprise to me, given what I say above.
I don't mean to sound negative; this is a good book with a lot of great ideas. If you've ever thought "I'm gonna set aside the entire weekend to do nothing but write songs" (I know I have) in an attempt to break out of a block, this book is perfect and a must-buy. But if you do songwriting for fun, and find time is tight and inspiration low these days, this book is not that useful.
I will say I did find most of the tips interesting, and will try them, but they seem aimed more for someone trying to write at a furious pace. That is, someone who is generating so many half-formed songs that they can toss out most of them. I'm deterred less by the idea trying to pound out 20 songs at a sitting than trying to free up 12 solid hours. I'm thinking it's not a coincidence that Dungeons and Dragons was mentioned at least twice in the book- a game with similar time demands and intensity and generally most popular with folks with tremendous amounts of free time.
The lodge idea is interesting. The book spends a lot of time on how to build and maintain one. They sound almost like psychotherapy support groups, requiring members to be supportive and emotionally open. I like the idea of it, but, given my personal experience with musicians and songwriters, I can't imagine how a lodge would last for more than a few sessions. After I read the book, I googled ICS, thinking perhaps there might be a few in Atlanta. It turns out that there are very few in the world, most of them clustered on the west coast. On top of that, of the lodges that have webpages, many seem defunct, or petered out years ago. Not a terrible surprise to me, given what I say above.
I don't mean to sound negative; this is a good book with a lot of great ideas. If you've ever thought "I'm gonna set aside the entire weekend to do nothing but write songs" (I know I have) in an attempt to break out of a block, this book is perfect and a must-buy. But if you do songwriting for fun, and find time is tight and inspiration low these days, this book is not that useful.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
LOVED IT!!
This book has literally CHANGED my way of writing (for the better)
Nicholas Dobson has created a fool proof way (if you give it time) of writing music with out inhibitions or... Read more
Nicholas Dobson has created a fool proof way (if you give it time) of writing music with out inhibitions or... Read more
Published 13 months ago by KG143
1.0 out of 5 stars
A complete fantasy.
If there is a reason why songwriters get frustrated, surely, it's because of books like this. The first half of the book is literally a pitch on why you should read the book. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Stephen J Mattucci
5.0 out of 5 stars
I Like it.
This book has a lot of tips and tricks to break through anyone's writer/creative block.
It does lean heavily on joining or forming a group of other like minded folks. Read more
It does lean heavily on joining or forming a group of other like minded folks. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Kenneth Ray Lloyd
5.0 out of 5 stars
Absolutely Game Changing!
I am a professional songwriter and composer for film and television and ran into this book by chance at the closing (very sad day) of a Border's book store in Los Angeles. Read more
Published 21 months ago by Ciskokidd
5.0 out of 5 stars
Frustrated Songwriter's Handbook
This is one incredible book that I truly believe has the potential to be life-changing. It's unique formula for bringing ones art to the next level is exciting and promising, and... Read more
Published on March 21, 2011 by Avrim Topel, Author of GREEN BEGINNINGS: The Story of How We Built Our Green & Sustainable Home
5.0 out of 5 stars
Inspiration On Demand
The methods in this book are great at getting you past whatever it is that blocks your creative output. Read more
Published on April 14, 2010 by timeuser
5.0 out of 5 stars
Liberate Your Muse
Excellent book which outlines approaches to effectively combat creative obstacles confronting songwriters. Read more
Published on February 18, 2010 by Stevie
5.0 out of 5 stars
The most enjoyable musical experience I've ever had
The central idea in this book, which is to try to write 20 songs in 12 hours, is a godsend. 3 hours into my "day session" (as the author calls it), I had already recorded four or... Read more
Published on December 7, 2009 by Mark
5.0 out of 5 stars
Just do it!
Don't let the book's title mislead you. I wasn't a frustrated songwriter when I purchased this book;
I'm a prolific songwriter. Read more
I'm a prolific songwriter. Read more
Published on October 10, 2009 by George Griggs
3.0 out of 5 stars
BAD on the Kindle
Most of the ideas here are pretty good, but there are significant layout problems with reading it on the Kindle. I recommend VERY STRONGLY you do not purchase the Kindle edition.
Published on September 22, 2009 by T. Kenaston
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