Get Started In Songwriting: The essential guide to writing, performing, recording and selling your music and lyrics

Is this the right book for me

This book is an essential companion for any aspiring songwriter, and is ideal for those with no formal musical education. Covering every genre of popular contemporary music, from rock and pop to musical theatre and country/western, it tracks everything from what harnessing your creative potential to finding a hook and selling, performing and promoting your songs. It also offers some material for those at a slightly more advanced level who'd like to understand things such as chords and sequencing. With straightforward notation and an accompanying CD which showcases the process at work, this accessible guide from a professional songwriter will prove indispensable for creating and peforming your own songs.

Get Started in Songwriting includes:Chapter 1: Tools of the trade

Chapter 2: Hooks

Chapter 3: Basic theory

Chapter 4: Developing a hook

Chapter 5: Developing lyrics

Chapter 6: Song structure

Chapter 7: Arranging and recording your songs

Chapter 8: Playing live and forming a band

Chapter 9: Promoting your music on the Internet

Chapter 10: The professional songwrite

Learn effortlessly with a new easy-to-read page design and added features: Not got much time

One, five and ten-minute introductions to key principles to get you started.

Author insights

Lots of instant help with common problems and quick tips for success, based on the author's many years of experience.

Test yourself

Tests in the book and online to keep track of your progress.

Extend your knowledge

Extra online articles to give you a richer understanding of the subject.

Five things to remember

Quick refreshers to help you remember the key facts.

Try this

Innovative exercises illustrate what you've learnt and how to use it.