2. The Writer

The series Practica Musica seeks to present to scholars and interested readers a wide span of documents concerning the theory and practice of music. These documents cover a range of statements and opinions concerning how music was conceived at a given time, how musical compositions have functioned in given social, institutional and cultural contexts, and how particular works have been evaluated by contemporary writers on music, not to mention matters of performing practice and compositional technique. The texts come from professional theorists, composers and performers, as well as from laymen and amateur observers of contemporary musical life. The series as a whole will contain different types of documents - ranging from systematic treatises to the jottings of dilettantes - but whatever their origins, they offer an intriguing insight into music and its crucial place in society.

Spis treści:

An essential guide for all songwriters and Beatles fans, this book explores John Lennon's songwriting genius with a guided tour through 25 of his Beatles-era hits. Author John Stevens explains Lennon's intuitive talent from a technical point of view, through the lens of songwriting's three basic elements: melody, harmony and lyric. He shows how Lennon fashioned songs that were at once politically and socially relevant during the '60s, yet remain ageless and timeless today. Features in-depth musical analysis of: A Hard Day's Night • Ticket to Ride • Norwegian Wood • Strawberry Fields Forever • Come Together • and more. John Stevens is a songwriting professor at Berklee College of Music. For more than 20 years, he has taught The Music of John Lennon, one of the most popular courses in the Berklee curriculum. You've got the Beatles' records and the John Lennon records; now with this book, you can have the Owner's Manual. This will tell you how the songs are built and how they work. Good stuff. - Marshall Crenshaw, Singer/Songwriter

Spis treści:

This book has a very specific purpose: to help songwriters find better rhymes and use them more effectively. Rhyme is one of the most crucial areas of lyrics writing, and this guide will provide all of the technical information necessary to develop your skills completely. The exercises and worksheets help experienced writers take a fresh look at their techniques, and prevent novices from developing bad habits. Use this book to start writing better than ever before!

This book is the product of Mark Harrison's experience teaching hundreds of students at the world-famous Grove School of Music in Los Angeles. Suitable for instrumentalists, vocalists, composers and songwriters, this Level 3 course covers the chord tones, extensions and scale sources for all major, minor, dominant and diminished chords, and then applies the contemporary shape concept to create voicings, polychords, and to harmonize melodies.

Aspiring musicians often enter the music business with unreal expectations, and are inevitably disappointed. Reality Check is the first book that gives a completely honest look at what success is in today's recording industry and the smart steps a musician can take to get there. Even the most creative people can manage time effectively and make the fullest use of their most important resource: their talents. Reality Check is for everyone who wants to chart a rewarding path through the often confusing jungle of the music industry. March 2003 Josquin des Pres began his career in France in the mid-'70s when he obtained his first record deal with United Artists Records. He has since worked on hundreds of projects with some of the biggest names in the music industry. Des Pres has also authored 14 bestselling bass instruction books and two guitar instruction books. Mark Landsman is a musician, songwriter and entertainment attorney. He was formerly director of West Coast operations for a large New York City-based record label. Both authors live in southern California.

Making Music Make Money will educate songwriters and aspiring music business entrepreneurs in the basics of becoming an effective independent music publisher. Eric Beall, creative director for Zomba Music Publishing, covers everything you need to know to get published, including: the role of a music publisher; copyright - how to get one, use one, and make money from one; building a business plan; identifying which songs to sell and to whom; and much more.

The latest installation in our super-popular Riff Notes series, this book is a great collection of 61 must-know rock-era riffs, transcribed note for note. Includes: All Day and All of the Night • And I Love Her • Birthday • Break on Through to the Other Side • Day Tripper • Devil with the Blue Dress • Gloria • Happy Together • Here Comes the Sun • Hey Joe • Hide Away • I Can See for Miles • Last Train to Clarksville • Killing Floor • My Girl • Oh, Pretty Woman • Sunshine of Your Love • Ticket to Ride • Turn! Turn! Turn! • Walk Don't Run • White Room • Wild Thing • You Really Got Me • You Shook Me • and more!