The Art of Songwriting

How do you turn songwriting talent into a professional career? This essential guide tackles that question, alongside many others, taking songwriters through all the developmental phases and commercial experiences along the way in order to inspire and encourage the reader to find their own voice and write successfully within their chosen genre.

Collating the best-available expertise with fresh ideas about the industry, Andrew West equips the reader with what every productive songwriter needs to know: how to write communicative songs that express meaning and convey individuality; how to develop songs into records; how the writer can function as a marketer and seller of original work; how domestic and international markets operate; and how to act and interact meaningfully within the culture of those market.

Armed with this knowledge, the songwriter is able to engage creatively and financially to make the most of their potential.

Acknowledgements
Foreword
Introduction
Chapter 1. What are Songs? Scope; Typology; Music; Creativity; Communication
Chapter 2. What is Songwriting? Solo Collaboration; Audience
Chapter 3. The Writing Styles of The Great Songwriters: Tom Waits; Lucinda Williams; Jeff Tweedy; Bob Dylan; Amy Winehouse; Morrissey and Marr; Arcade Fire; Neil Finn; Joni Mitchell; George and Ira Gershwin; Lennon and McCartney; Neil Young; Marvin Gaye; Shane MacGowan; Kraftwerk; Carole King; Cole Porter; Radiohead; Robert Johnson; Adele; Hank Williams; Elvis Costello; Daniel Johnston; Van Morrison; Ulvaeus and Andersson
Chapter 4. How to Develop As a Songwriter: Composition; Production; Performance; Arrangement; Culture
Notes
Bibliography
Index

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