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The Songwriting Secrets Of The Beatles
 
 
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The Songwriting Secrets Of The Beatles [Kindle Edition]

Dominic Pedler (Author)
4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews) |
Digital List Price: £30.63 What's this?
Print List Price: £34.95
Kindle Price: £19.30 includes VAT* & free wireless delivery via Amazon Whispernet
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Product Description

Product Description

A breakthrough Beatles publication - first time in print.

Thirty years after The Beatles split up, the music of Lennon, McCartney, Harrrison and Starkey lives on. What exactly were the magical ingredients of those legendary songs? Why are they still so influential for today's bands?
This ground-breaking book sets out to explore The Beatles' songwriting techniques in a clear and readable style. It is aimed not only at musicians but anyone who has ever enjoyed the work of one of the most productive and successful songwriting parterships of the 20th Century.
Author Dominic Pedler explores the chord sequences, melodies, harmonies, rhythms and structures of The Beatles' self-penned songs, while challenging readers to enhance their appreciation of the lyrics themselves with reference to the musical context.

Throughout the book the printed music and lyrics of The Beatles' songs appear alongside the text, illustrating the author's explanations.

The Songwriting Secrets Of The Beatles is an essential addition to Beatles literature - a new and perceptive analysis of both the music and the lyrics written and performed by what Paul McCartney still calls 'a really good, tight little band'.

About the Author

Dominic Pedler is a contributor to Total Guitar, Europe's best-selling guitar magazine.

Product details

  • Format: Kindle Edition
  • File Size: 23587 KB
  • Print Length: 791 pages
  • Publisher: Omnibus Press (25 May 2010)
  • Sold by: Amazon Media EU S.à r.l.
  • Language English
  • ASIN: B003NX6KSM
  • Text-to-Speech: Enabled
  • Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #145,102 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

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More About the Author

Dominic Pedler
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
36 of 36 people found the following review helpful
One for Muso's 20 Nov 2003
Format:Hardcover
Every fan must have wondered why the Beatles were so consistantly brilliant in their songwriting and 'Songwriting Secrets of the Beatles' hopes to explore just that. However, it is not really a book for every fan - knowledge of musical theory and keyboard or guitar playing is almost essential (to be fair, the author does provide a brief appendicised introduction to theory). Yet given that caveat, what is left is a fine study of the techniques that the group used in producing their masterpieces.

How John, Paul, George and Ringo took the influences of blues, doo-wop, skiffle and many more types of popular music and pushed the boundaries so far in just one decade is explored in minute detail - there's a whole chapter on the nature of that famous guitar chord at the begining of 'A Hard Day's Night'. The author starts with the simplest V-I progression and gradually expands on the songwriting methods The Beatles used, taking in melody and rhythm and ending up with what must be the most comprehensive exposition on a popular musicians'catelogue.

Anyone looking for real secrets of the bands' musical success will not find the answers here - the real answer lies in the genius of the four men (if you wish an insite into this then McDonalds' 'Revolution in the Head' is the book you need). But what you will find in 'Secrets...' is how that genius manifested itself.

'Songwriting Secrets of the Beatles' has a rather narrow audience but if you do fall within those bounds, you'll find it fascinating.

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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
extraordinary book 13 Jun 2007
By Toronto
Format:Hardcover
This is one of the greatest books ever written on music and music theory for people who know nothing about music. I cut out the original set of articles that spawned this book, and was thrilled to discover that he had turned it into a big book (and it is big!). The best thing about the book, if you have been saturated in Beatles music, is that the theory is learnt really quite effortlessly. The author has done everything he possibly could to make it easy for you. This book should be given to everyone free upon reaching the age of 15 or thereabouts.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
An amazing resource 23 Mar 2011
By SimonW
Format:Hardcover
The book was recommended by a friend. I am still only 1/4 way through, because the book is so packed with gems that I am studying it carefully, but I have no hesitation in recommending it strongly. It is not so much the stories behind the songs, as the title may suggest, but a thorough explanation of how chords and chord sequences work to make a song, based on examples from the Beatles (and other classics). Examples of each sequence are given with excerpts in music notation. Using the Beatles' music as examples is perfect because the songs are so familiar that one can hear them in one's mind without having to resort to CDs or mp3s. As well as a reference source for songwriters, the book has greatly increased my appreciation for the songwriting talents of the Beatles, particularly in the interplay between the music the the lyrics. It is really well written, sprinkled with wit and humour. A must-read for any musician.
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Popular Highlights

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&quote;
In any key, the ii minor is the relative minor of the IV chord and, as a result, the potential for substitution between the two chords exists. &quote;
Highlighted by 8 Kindle users
&quote;
If songwriters learn just one concept beyond the Three-Chord Trick from this book it should surely be the ii-V-I progression. &quote;
Highlighted by 6 Kindle users
&quote;
The cadence is said to be Imperfect because of this hanging effect, which is typically reinforced by a melody that hits a brick wall either on the 5 itself or, as here, on the tense 2 of the key. &quote;
Highlighted by 5 Kindle users

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