(Integrity). This instructional book by songwriters Paul Baloche and Jimmy & Carol Owens covers basic songwriting principles like how to develop a song after inspiration comes, 30 characteristics that make a song memorable, 16 shared qualities of great worship songs and 12 keys to unlock writer's block. You will also learn how to gain the listener's attention quickly, find fresh ways of expressing worship and choose just the right words. God Songs also contains advice on how to make your song its best before releasing it, how to get your songs heard and used by others, and ways to minister most effectively with your music. Song stories and advice from writers and publishers such as Darlene Zschech, Chris Tomlin, Matt Redman, Bart Millard, Craig Dunnagan and Rita Baloche are also included. Softcover, 304 pages.
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13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
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There's a growing trend in contemporary Christian churches where the worship pastor(s) introduce original songs to their congregation. While not obligated to, many worship pastors have a creative side that bubbles up in their private worship and other times and for many there is a difficult bridge to cross to take their God-inspired and God-driven musical ideas and melodic prayers and put them in a form suitable for corporate worship; that's where God Songs comes in.
As a musician and worshiper who is not a worship pastor (but very interested in the subject), I feel the book does a good job of laying a foundation for the basics of what makes a good worship song and how a great worship song may differ from other forms of popular music and does (for the most part) a good job validating the ideas presented. It also has a chapter on music theory that focuses in on theory in relation to contemporary worship songs, I found this part of the book especially interesting. The stories behind some of todays most famous worship songs were also very good.
The book assumes you know how to play an instrument (piano or guitar) and you already know the basics of music theory; it assumes you're already a songwriter looking to expand your knowledge of worship songwriting.
If you want to hear these techniques applied, check out Paul Baloche's latest album A Greater Song. Paul is an worship pastor trainer, worship pastor and recording artist.
As a musician and worshiper who is not a worship pastor (but very interested in the subject), I feel the book does a good job of laying a foundation for the basics of what makes a good worship song and how a great worship song may differ from other forms of popular music and does (for the most part) a good job validating the ideas presented. It also has a chapter on music theory that focuses in on theory in relation to contemporary worship songs, I found this part of the book especially interesting. The stories behind some of todays most famous worship songs were also very good.
The book assumes you know how to play an instrument (piano or guitar) and you already know the basics of music theory; it assumes you're already a songwriter looking to expand your knowledge of worship songwriting.
If you want to hear these techniques applied, check out Paul Baloche's latest album A Greater Song. Paul is an worship pastor trainer, worship pastor and recording artist.
Amazon Verified Purchase
Terrific content. A good discussion starter for anyone interested in learning more about worship songwriting. Solid advice. Obviously some theological streams will find a few things to quibble about - no one can please everyone - but none of this keeps it from being a helpful resource.
The only thing that keeps it from being five stars is the unreasonably high price. I bought my copy used and it was still over $25.
This would be a must read if it was priced to match the market. ($15-25 New in paperback?) As it is, it's too expense to wholeheartedly recommend. For example, I was going to use this as a text for a class I'm teaching on worship song writing. As it is, the new price pricing levels make this impractical.
The only thing that keeps it from being five stars is the unreasonably high price. I bought my copy used and it was still over $25.
This would be a must read if it was priced to match the market. ($15-25 New in paperback?) As it is, it's too expense to wholeheartedly recommend. For example, I was going to use this as a text for a class I'm teaching on worship song writing. As it is, the new price pricing levels make this impractical.
I found this book initially on leadworship.com - it's $20 plus shipping. I was hoping that I could get it on Amazon with my prime shipping and saw all these seller pricing it at $50+. Is it signed by the author or something?? If not (or even still), the sellers must think I'm crazy if I'm going to spend $50+ plus shipping in order to buy a book that may or may not have the CD, etc with it. Really like the product - lots of useful information, some I already knew and this just confirmed that. Just look for another source before paying this much for it.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
I Was There
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Published on April 6, 2011 by James D. Ellis
3.0 out of 5 stars
good for imitation
While this book is full of good advice and many concepts that I would never think of on my own, the only thing I found it lacking was that it was very rigid in it's concepts about... Read more
Published on June 13, 2010 by Louis Vigo
5.0 out of 5 stars
Loved the book, wish the subtitle were different
I think the previous review was great, so I will only add a few things from my perspective. I loved this book. Read more
Published on March 31, 2010 by Michael J. Wallace
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