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Product Description
Melody is a subject too often neglected in the teaching of music. This unique resource gives melody that attention it deserves, and proves that melody writing is a skill that can be learned. Through proven tool and techniques, you will learn to write interesting melodies, how melodic rhythm influences rhyme, what makes harmony progress, and the many dynamic relationships between melody and harmony. This clear and comprehensive approach to songwriting unlocks the secrets of popular songs, revealing what really makes them work. Examples of great songs by such notable songwriters as Lennon and McCartney, Diane Warren, Robert Palmer, and more, provide a close-up illustration of the songwriting techniques employed by these masters of the industry. This is the book used in Songwriting classes at Berklee College of Music. The exercises provided make it a wonderful self-teaching manual and a great addition to any general theory course of any level. Use the tools presented in this book to help fine-tune your craft and start writing hits!
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First Sentence
The two basic elements of music that define melody are pitch and rhythm. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
The two basic elements of music that define melody are pitch and rhythm. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I got this book about 5 years ago shortly after it was released. It was the first book specifically dedicated to melody writing that I'd ever read but since then I've read a number of others (including Berklee Press' own Songwriter's Workshop: Melody). I must say, "Melody in Songwriting" is still the best book on the subject that I've seen!
It covers an awful lot of ground and goes into greater depth and detail than many other books on the subject of songwriting. In fact, this is a valuable resource for composers in any style of music, not only songwriters. Granted, beginners will likely feel a little intimidated at first, but I say, 'just reread it again', what you'll learn is more than worth the effort.
Melody in Songwriting includes about half-a-dozen well known songs as examples plus a greater number of unknown but insightful examples. This brings up the books' one weakness, which is that no CD of the examples is included so in order to hear and fully appreciate the given examples you'll need above average music reading and keyboarding skills. Perhaps Berklee Press will consider releasing a CD addendum to this excellent book.
Bottom line; if you read this book and do the exercises, you'll be able to write a reasonably good melody every time you sit down, even without inspiration. Add inspiration and you just may write a great melody.
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Some people believe that composition is a gift, a talent rather than practice. Melody in Songwriting proves that talent is not enough without practice and constant self-development. It teaches you to combine both your inner creative and your hard work. The techniques explained become creative tools to write your music. There are also some tunes extremely well analyzed with great info. It demonstrates the logical development inside the great hits. It is a must have book to improve your songwriting skills.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book is brilliant. It shows you things like how melodies move mainly by step, how the jumps are always quitted by step and what are bad jumps to do and when are the best times to do it in a song - another good thing is he shows you with examples which i found really helpful.
If you already are music literate this will be basic knowledge to you eg. chord progressions of I, II, IV, V, I.
It was basic to me but i've learnt a lot on melody writing which should prove helpful in my music exams.
If you already are music literate this will be basic knowledge to you eg. chord progressions of I, II, IV, V, I.
It was basic to me but i've learnt a lot on melody writing which should prove helpful in my music exams.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Only two chapters in, but already learnt some good stuff
I bought this on the strength of the other good reviews - they're basically right. This is a very good textbook and practical manual in the art of songwritng.
Published on 15 Aug 2009 by O. Freke
Seriously Good Stuff
For anyone who is serious about songwriting this book is the one. It's quite an intense hands on text book that cuts right to the chase. Read more
Published on 20 April 2009 by H. Barrett
Never write another bad melody... unless you want to.
I got this book about 5 years ago shortly after it was released. It was the first book specifically dedicated to melody writing that I'd ever read but since then I've read a... Read more
Published on 9 Aug 2005 by Brian Shaw
For people who want the theory behind a hit song
This book is excellent in wanting to know the theoritical music compositions behind a good song. Although at G8 Theory wise with the ABRSM, i still struggled to write what i would... Read more
Published on 12 April 2005 by Ben
revealing and instructive
The author manages to put into words some of the most enigmatic aspects of songwriting. As far as I know, this is the one book that really goes to the core of melody and melodic... Read more
Published on 25 Feb 2004
One for the muso academics among you
So apparently this book isn't bad actually......but I can only base this on what a couple of my more musically educated friends have said. Read more
Published on 11 Oct 2003
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