Here are 126 Shortcuts that will take your songs from good to great! Discover the melody and lyric writing techniques of today's top songwriters and learn how you can use the very same secrets to give your songs the power and edge that will make listeners want to hear them over and over again. You'll learn...
~ 38 proven strategies for creating powerful, unforgettable lyrics
~ 30 simple ways to make your melody fresh, exciting, and memorable
~ How to use hit songs as "ghost songs" to get quick results
Plus, there are 58 more Shortcuts to help you lay the groundwork, pick the perfect structure, and choose the chords that will give your songs even more hit potential. And there are more than 100 "Do It Now" exercises to get you started right away!
"For people serious about writing great songs, it's got it all!" ~ Kara DioGuardi, BMI "Songwriter of the Year," American Idol judge
"Should be in every songwriter's arsenal." ~Jason Blume, author, hit songwriter with more than 50 million album sales "An excellent road map for writers at all levels. This is the songwriter's GPS!" ~Ralph Murphy, V.P. ASCAP, Nashville
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About the Author
Robin Frederick has written more than 500 songs for television, records, theater, and audio products. She is a former Director of A&R for Rhino Records, Executive Producer of over 60 albums, and the author of "Shortcuts to Hit Songwriting" and "Shortcuts to Songwriting for Film & TV." Robin currently oversees the A&R Team for TAXI, the world's leading independent A&R company.
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More About the Author
Over her twenty-five years in the music industry, Robin Frederick has written and produced more than 500 songs for television, records, theater, and audio products. She's a former Director of A&R/Production for Rhino Records, Executive Producer of 60 albums, and the author of "Shortcuts to Hit Songwriting" and "Shortcuts to Songwriting for Film & TV." Currently, she oversees the A&R Team for TAXI, the world's leading independent A&R company.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
37 of 39 people found the following review helpful
By Brad Stewart
Format:Paperback
I've read a lot of songwriting books and I learned more in this one than all the other ones combined. The author has a knack for explaining things really clearly, and she breaks down the craft of songwriting into digestible "shortcuts." What really sets this songwriting book apart are the "Do it Now" exercises at the end of each section, where you get to try a real hands-on application of what you just read. It's a fun read too...the author manages to be entertaining and funny while teaching you everything you need to know to write a hit song. If you're a songwriter or want to be one, this is a must-read!
147 of 173 people found the following review helpful
By J. C.
Format:Paperback
I don't have a huge problem with this book if it's useful to you and you have some fun playing with it. The real problem I have with it is that it sweeps under the rug the realities of the current state of the major labels and radio. Both are dying industries that are on life support because they've long ignored the needs and desires of their audience. They've evolved from being businesses built by music people for music fans into corporations run by accountants and lawyers for stockholders, where the "product" is treated no differently than mass-produced widgets.
Books like this are all about pleasing the accountants and lawyers who pay off radio conglomerates to play whatever they're peddling this minute, and not pleasing the real audience who hungers for quality music of the kind they're not getting from the rusty dinosaurs who run the traditional music business. You have other options now. If you write great songs and you can get them in front of audiences, no matter how small you start out, you can make a living in music without ever getting on the radio. Thousands of people are doing it. Only a few are doing it the old-fashioned, traditional way that's being described in this book and other books like it. And if country or pre-adolescent pop isn't your genre, your chances of being a "hit" songwriter with a sustainable career in the traditional music business is worse than your chance of being hit by lightning.
I'm not here to rain on anyone's dream. Just the opposite. I'm telling you there are actually more ways to make a living writing music now than there were when the corporate gatekeepers held all the cards. If you're reading this book to "get rich" in songwriting, you're barking up the wrong tree. Concentrate on writing great songs, not "hit" songs. Do something you can be proud of AND that pays the bills, not spinning your wheels and shortening your career by rewriting the latest Ke$ha song that will be irrelevant 5 minutes from now. Above all, write for people who love music and want to hear great songs and get those songs out to any audience you can find. If your songs are truly special, that audience will grow and find you. That's the way all of the greats have done it, and still do, not by pandering to the lowest common denominator on the radio.
Read this book for the tips and the exercises, and keep in mind that you can succeed in the new reality, but not by chasing "hits" in a world that doesn't exist anymore.
Books like this are all about pleasing the accountants and lawyers who pay off radio conglomerates to play whatever they're peddling this minute, and not pleasing the real audience who hungers for quality music of the kind they're not getting from the rusty dinosaurs who run the traditional music business. You have other options now. If you write great songs and you can get them in front of audiences, no matter how small you start out, you can make a living in music without ever getting on the radio. Thousands of people are doing it. Only a few are doing it the old-fashioned, traditional way that's being described in this book and other books like it. And if country or pre-adolescent pop isn't your genre, your chances of being a "hit" songwriter with a sustainable career in the traditional music business is worse than your chance of being hit by lightning.
I'm not here to rain on anyone's dream. Just the opposite. I'm telling you there are actually more ways to make a living writing music now than there were when the corporate gatekeepers held all the cards. If you're reading this book to "get rich" in songwriting, you're barking up the wrong tree. Concentrate on writing great songs, not "hit" songs. Do something you can be proud of AND that pays the bills, not spinning your wheels and shortening your career by rewriting the latest Ke$ha song that will be irrelevant 5 minutes from now. Above all, write for people who love music and want to hear great songs and get those songs out to any audience you can find. If your songs are truly special, that audience will grow and find you. That's the way all of the greats have done it, and still do, not by pandering to the lowest common denominator on the radio.
Read this book for the tips and the exercises, and keep in mind that you can succeed in the new reality, but not by chasing "hits" in a world that doesn't exist anymore.
21 of 23 people found the following review helpful
A Kid's Review
Format:Paperback
So before I write a review, a little about me, because whenever you read a review for an music product, whether a $5,000 Gibson guitar, or a $20 sustain pedal for a keyboard, you need to know your source. I've been playing guitar for a long time, but not seriously (currently in my late 20s). I've written my own songs, but for fun. I can play lots of chords, but can't play a solo or scale to save my soul. I know a bit about music theory, but can't site read or anything fancy.
Summary:
Good Points:
* Book is concise.
* Easy read for beginners.
* Requires no knowledge of music theory.
* Uses examples of contemporary songs across multiple genres for examples of good songwriting.
* Provides only the most the basic theory necessary to write songs, so as not to intimidate rookie songwriters.
Weak Points:
- Can be repetitive (although for some, this can actually be a good thing, because it is purposeful repetition)
- Needs a chapter that breaks down the song structure, lyrics and melodies endemic to individual genres
- It could do a better job for those with knowledge of intermediate music theory. Perhaps a sequel? ;)
Overall, I would say the book is a must read for someone just getting their feet into the world of songwriting. If you think you have some innate talent for writing melodies, lyrics, chord progression or entire songs, then as you flip through the pages of this book it will seem to tie together thoughts and elements that you had some ethereal grasp of, but never quite codified in your mind.
Along those same lines, the book will also help you begin to think critically about the music to which you are currently listening. You will be to recognize the musical structures that make the hits what they are and hopefully figure out how to incorporate them into your own work.
The three core chapters of this six chapter read focus on song structure, lyrics and melody. My main goal in reading this book was to learn about writing melodies. The chapter on melody was a total eye opener as to how simple the process was when it was demystified. I thought I didn't need the chapters on song structure and lyrics, and while they didn't teach me anything new, it certainly helped clarify how I think about and listen to songs.
There is one thing to emphasize about the book... The style of songwriting it teaches is Billboard chart-type music. The goal is to write hit songs. A few reviews have been less than kind to this book because they claim it takes the art out of song writing. I could not disagree more. This book treats songwriting like a recipe and allows you to be the chef in a high-end kitchen in a high end restaurant. It does not say you can't write experimental stuff. It just does not focus on experimental stuff. After all, you have to be a master chef before you really go off and make your own experimental recipes.
Finally, critiques of the book. First, it does tend to repeat itself. Although the repetition of the concepts comes with the value of tying it into new ideas you learned from the book since originally reading the more basic concepts, it can be annoying. The reason I gripe about this is because the key marketing point in the title is 126 Shortcuts. It's probably more like 100 if you disqualify the slight repetitions. Also, it would be nice if the author dedicated an entire chapter to the characteristics of each genre. Robin Frederick does such a wonderful job of breaking down the critical elements of lyrics, melody and song structure, that I would LOVE to read how she breaks down those elements as they relate to each specific genre. While she does this sporadically in parts of the book, I really think it would be a great benefit to the readers to see a focus chapter, or series of chapters on this idea.
That's all I got!
Summary:
Good Points:
* Book is concise.
* Easy read for beginners.
* Requires no knowledge of music theory.
* Uses examples of contemporary songs across multiple genres for examples of good songwriting.
* Provides only the most the basic theory necessary to write songs, so as not to intimidate rookie songwriters.
Weak Points:
- Can be repetitive (although for some, this can actually be a good thing, because it is purposeful repetition)
- Needs a chapter that breaks down the song structure, lyrics and melodies endemic to individual genres
- It could do a better job for those with knowledge of intermediate music theory. Perhaps a sequel? ;)
Overall, I would say the book is a must read for someone just getting their feet into the world of songwriting. If you think you have some innate talent for writing melodies, lyrics, chord progression or entire songs, then as you flip through the pages of this book it will seem to tie together thoughts and elements that you had some ethereal grasp of, but never quite codified in your mind.
Along those same lines, the book will also help you begin to think critically about the music to which you are currently listening. You will be to recognize the musical structures that make the hits what they are and hopefully figure out how to incorporate them into your own work.
The three core chapters of this six chapter read focus on song structure, lyrics and melody. My main goal in reading this book was to learn about writing melodies. The chapter on melody was a total eye opener as to how simple the process was when it was demystified. I thought I didn't need the chapters on song structure and lyrics, and while they didn't teach me anything new, it certainly helped clarify how I think about and listen to songs.
There is one thing to emphasize about the book... The style of songwriting it teaches is Billboard chart-type music. The goal is to write hit songs. A few reviews have been less than kind to this book because they claim it takes the art out of song writing. I could not disagree more. This book treats songwriting like a recipe and allows you to be the chef in a high-end kitchen in a high end restaurant. It does not say you can't write experimental stuff. It just does not focus on experimental stuff. After all, you have to be a master chef before you really go off and make your own experimental recipes.
Finally, critiques of the book. First, it does tend to repeat itself. Although the repetition of the concepts comes with the value of tying it into new ideas you learned from the book since originally reading the more basic concepts, it can be annoying. The reason I gripe about this is because the key marketing point in the title is 126 Shortcuts. It's probably more like 100 if you disqualify the slight repetitions. Also, it would be nice if the author dedicated an entire chapter to the characteristics of each genre. Robin Frederick does such a wonderful job of breaking down the critical elements of lyrics, melody and song structure, that I would LOVE to read how she breaks down those elements as they relate to each specific genre. While she does this sporadically in parts of the book, I really think it would be a great benefit to the readers to see a focus chapter, or series of chapters on this idea.
That's all I got!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good Information
if you are a pro or a neophyte song writer this should have something for you...I have only had it a day or so butI have picked up some valuable info and look forward to more... Read more
Published 1 day ago by music fan
5.0 out of 5 stars
Such an awesome book and an awesome tool!
I am a newbie to song writing, however, I am a musician for quite a number of years. I never really 'tried' to seriously sit down and write a whole song. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Ralph Nunez
5.0 out of 5 stars
TREMENDOUS songwriter's toolbox!
Putting in a plug for this book - I believe it has no equal in terms of providing useful nuts-and-bolts nuggets to improve one's songwriting. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Laura Davis
5.0 out of 5 stars
A must read book if you want to write the songs
A must read book if you want to write the songs. It will give you and name the basics HOW to and WHY you should do this and what you should avoid. Read more
Published 2 months ago by David Smékal
5.0 out of 5 stars
Valuable investment for career minded professionals and amateurs alike
It is interesting to think that after reading the foreword,introduction and shortcut 1 I have already made a paradigm shift in my thought process of how to approach my future music... Read more
Published 2 months ago by robertkenna
5.0 out of 5 stars
A must buy!
This book along with Shortcuts to Songwriting for film and TV are invaluable. Even if you were to leaf through the book and use sections that are pertaining to you at that moment,... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Ray Gareau
5.0 out of 5 stars
SHORTCUTS TO HIT SONGWRITEING.
I would tell anyone that writes songs to get this book. It is full of good information on the sondwriting structure.Robin has a great book here. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Lester Shouse Title of book ,shortcuts to hit songwriting. by Robin A Frederick.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Worth Every Penny
If you're serious about making songwriting a career, you need to read this book. I have been at songwriting for many years and I needed to get current. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Stephen Davis
5.0 out of 5 stars
Shortcuts to Hit Songwriting: 126 proven Techniques for Writing Songs
It is clear, consise, and easy to follow. It is logical and expresses positive direction and encouragement. Read more
Published 4 months ago by conquest
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very helpful
As a newcomer to this experience, I find the shortcuts and tips in here to be quite instructive and great for even someone with no background in music who's only writing lyrincs... Read more
Published 4 months ago by S. Hunter Lowry
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