Six Steps to Songwriting Success, Revised Edition: The Comprehensive Guide to Writing and Marketing Hit Songs [Kindle Edition]

Jason Blume (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

What’s the secret to writing a hit song? It’s as simple as 1-2-3-4-5-6! Innovative, practical, and inspiring, Six Steps to Songwriting Success presents a surefire step-by-step approach to mastering the elements consistently found in hit songs. Author Jason Blume, a songwriter with the rare distinction of having had songs on the Country, Pop, and R&B charts simultaneously, has packed this book with such key aids as the three-step lyric writing technique used by the pros; lyric, melody, and demo checklists; and tools for self-evaluation–plus many other exercises that work. Blume’s warm, humorous style features motivational anecdotes and entertaining stories of how hit songs came to be written and recorded. Get Six Steps to Songwriting Success, and get on the charts!


From the Trade Paperback edition.

About the Author

Jason Blume is a staff writer for Zomba Music. He has written songs for the Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears, as well as John Berry’s Top 5 country single, “Change my Mind” and Steve Azar’s country hit “I Never Stopped Lovin’ You.” He also developed and teaches the BMI Nashville Songwriters Workshop. He lives in Nashville, TN.

Product Details

• Format: Kindle Edition
• File Size: 795 KB
• Print Length: 306 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0823084779
• Publisher: Billboard Books; Enlarged 2nd edition (May 26, 2010)
• Sold by: Random House Digital, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B003FCVEGE
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #123,051 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A good comprehensive book to read if interested in songwriting, April 14, 2010

By 

B-RockSolid (New york, USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Six Steps to Songwriting Success, Revised Edition: The Comprehensive Guide to Writing and Marketing Hit Songs (Paperback)

If you're keen to get into the game of songwriting, it's a good book to read. It tries to provide details about the entire process involved in songwriting - from idea generation to marketing your songs. However, like any one book that tries to cover all bases in a very large and complex undertaking like the songwriting business it ends up lacking in detail in every area. Lots of topics are summarily treated, especially areas on writing lyrics and composing melodies.

The plus to the book are that it's got lots of great insights into the music business and is very matter of fact and brutally honest about the music industry and how it works and that helps in dispelling any rosy myths one might have when thinking of getting into it. That pushes you to realistically assess your talents and work harder to step up your game or decide if this career is one you really want to get into.

My advice though is that this one book will not be enough if you really want to learn everything you need to know about songwriting, especially the musical aspects of composing and writing great lyrics.

Some other books I found very very helpful as a companion to this were:

Shortcuts to Hit songwriting - Robin Frederick
The Craft and Business of Songwriting - John Braheny

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars It's a book for the lyricist, April 18, 2010

By 

K. Skaarberg (Oslo, Norway) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Six Steps to Songwriting Success, Revised Edition: The Comprehensive Guide to Writing and Marketing Hit Songs (Paperback)

Jason Blume has written a book for the lyrics-oriented songwriter, but it is disguised as a complete songwriter book. I think his approach is suitable for country and maybe ballads. But he disregards music theory and the importance of rhythm arrangement, harmonization and production. In fact, he makes a big point that you don't have to know how to play an instrument. That's like saying that your toolbox should contain a hammer, but not a saw.

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Quite Helpful, January 21, 2009

By 

Jennifer Walters "Jenny" (Nashville) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Six Steps to Songwriting Success, Revised Edition: The Comprehensive Guide to Writing and Marketing Hit Songs (Paperback)

This book was recommended to me by a well known songwriter in Nashville. I was skeptical at first, but I found the book very enlightening. It helps beginning songwriters who aren't sure just what publishers are looking for find a way to make their own music, and make it work. I would recommend this book, as well, to already established songwriters who just want to brush up or get a few more tips on what the 'big' people in the industry are looking for. It covers everything from lyrics, to music, to recording demos to pushing your own music. Its definitely a must read for anyone who seriously wants to pursue songwriting. The best part is, no musical instruments required!