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Product Description
Synopsis
The prolific songwriter offers novices advice on creating melodies, harmonies, and lyrics, as well as tips for marketing compositions and dealing with the music industry.
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First Sentence
"So what have we got on the Housewife Tapes?" Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
"So what have we got on the Housewife Tapes?" Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
29 of 29 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
As a teacher of songwriting to Popular Music degree students, I use this book as required reading for the course. Webb's take on the art and craft of writing is at times opinionated, but his understanding of the imperatives of the form is second to none. Highlights include his extended and frequent analogy of 'building' the song like a house with solid foundations (form), different 'rooms' (sections/verses) and an impermeable roof (melody); he also builds an entire song from nothing more than a title right through to a finished product. The book is not flawless by any means; at times (such as when he discusses melodic form) he is clearly speaking to the absolute beginner; at others (such as when he attempts to cover the whole of music theory in around 25 pages!) he makes assumptions about the reader. In my experience only around 20% of wannabe songwriters actually read music notation; still fewer have a strong grasp of diatonic harmony.
That said, there are many gems of information and inspiration in this book from a true master of the craft. Skip the middle bit about music theory, and you'll find much in here to hone your songwriting to the highest level.
For those who are really serious writers, the other excellent book about songwriting worth having is Sheila Davis' 'Successful Lyric Writing' - it's another one that we use as a key text for our songwriting modules.
That said, there are many gems of information and inspiration in this book from a true master of the craft. Skip the middle bit about music theory, and you'll find much in here to hone your songwriting to the highest level.
For those who are really serious writers, the other excellent book about songwriting worth having is Sheila Davis' 'Successful Lyric Writing' - it's another one that we use as a key text for our songwriting modules.
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I had not heard much about Jimmy Webb before buying this book, but now I wan to know more about him, about songwriting, about music theory and construction, I bought this book with the idea that I would learn a little of what it was to be a songwriter (which I have been trying to be for either too long or too short a time depending on your point of view) and how to write songs and melodies easily and freely. Jimmy Webb goes through every aspect of the songwriting experience, even as far as to write a song in the book - 'Problem Child'. You get to see HIS methods, but more importantly the tools he uses to overcome problems. These tools are applicable to all songs and can be used by all songwriters to improve their art. I missed getting to see Jimmy when he played in Dublin recently, I won't miss him again.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
As a conservatory-trained songwriter/computer and also a mathematician and computer programmer, I put a lot of thought and analysis into my own melodies and arrangements, but I have never seen pop music analyzed to this degree in a book.
And there are few who would be more qualified than Jimmy Webb. I have rejoiced, cried, laughed and shivered to his songs for years. He wrote for Richard Harris (MacArthur Park, Didn't We?, etc.) as well as for Glenn Campbell (Wichita Lineman, By the Time I Get To Phoenix) and many others you have no doubt heard.
Along with all the analytical insights, you also get an intense look at the life of one songwriter.
I am in awe!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
The ONE and ONLY
This is the only book on the market which gives such an insight into songwriting.
Don't bother about other books on songwriting, buy this one!
Don't bother about other books on songwriting, buy this one!
Published 14 months ago by Aleksandra
great tool
this is a great learning tool for aspiring songwriters, and better than a lot of the ones available on the market. flamboyantly written but with great knowledge behind it.
Published 15 months ago by Zuleikha
Inside The Song Writing Process
This book goes through the process of choosing an idea / title for a song, then brainstorming potential lyrics, constructing first draft lyrics, determining an appropriate melody... Read more
Published on 27 Nov 2007 by My Own Worst Enemy
more like a novel than an aid to teaching.
This book is probably great for intelligent people. Unfortunately i'm a bit thick so i didn't actually learn much....too many long words and pages that waffle on and on and on. Read more
Published on 5 Jun 2001
Pass me that spanner, Jim
Let me say straight away that I have never been a great fan of Jimmy Webb; 'MacArthur Park', 'Up, Up and Away' etc have never moved me in the slightest. Now, at least, I know why. Read more
Published on 7 Jan 2001
fascinating but flawed journey into the world of songwriting
Jimmy Webb is one of the greatest songwriters in the history of pop music. He does his fans a great honor here by inviting them to sit beside him on the piano bench as he talks... Read more
Published on 23 July 1999
Simply a great book about songwriting and writing in general
A key part of my teaching is to know books about writing. I can't say enough good about this book. It's one of the best books about writing as a career or just as a practice that... Read more
Published on 8 Jan 1999
Reading this book is like studying with the finest master!
Jim Webb is one of our true American treasures in the world of pop music. How lucky we are as songwriters to get the opportunity to get inside his heart and mind as he moves... Read more
Published on 24 Dec 1998
Incredible journey
This book is a wonderful exploration for anyone who considers the possibility of writing, not only songs, but prose or poetry. Read more
Published on 6 Dec 1998
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