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Melody in Songwriting: Tools and Techniques for Writing Hit Songs (Berklee Guide)
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Melody in Songwriting: Tools and Techniques for Writing Hit Songs (Berklee Guide)

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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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Product Details
Author:Jack Perricone
Paperback:182 pages
Publisher:Berklee Press
Publication Date:May 01, 2000
ISBN:063400638X
Package Length:11.9 inches
Package Width:9.0 inches
Package Height:0.5 inches
Package Weight:1.4 pounds
Average Customer Rating: based on 20 reviews

Customer Reviews
Average Customer Review:4.5
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5The best book on the market for serious songwriters  Mar 24, 2008
I've read every book about songwriting I've ever come across, and this one is my favorite. It tackles a mysterious subject - what makes a great melody - in a way that is highly technical, but brilliantly explained. As the author mentions in the introduction, these are ideas to be digested over a long period of time, to be integrated into your understanding of songs until they become second nature. If you're looking for a book with some "quick tips" for writing hit songs, this isn't it - there are plenty of those already out there.

Even though the focus is on melody, this book actually does a great job of covering functional harmony as well. There are a lot of ideas in this book - enough to last most writers many years.

I do agree with the reviewer that suggested a companion CD - you will need to play the musical examples on piano to get the most out of this book. That would be my only criticism of this otherwise excellent book.

4Good book  Oct 30, 2007
I have not read the whole book. But the parts I've read(1st 4 chapters), have already enlightened me on melody writing tremendously. The best thing I've gotten out this book so far, is how you can interpret the melody of a set of lyrics simply by trial and error. I never realized how much the phonics behind lyrics can drive the melody you develop using these lyrics. Really kool stuff. Although, I must say, you better be able to read before you buy this book. You don't have to be super good at sight reading, although that would help tremendously. But you should definitely be able to read treble cleff and rhythm. He teaches alot based off of this.

4The book I would like to write  Sep 11, 2007
An interesting an easy reading book. Concepts of melody, pitch, rhythm and tone tendencies. The most important thing is that the author gives a good idea of how melody works in songs. It's not a book for begginers, I thought, there is a lot of necessary skills to read it well. Intermediate or advanced musicians will learn a lot.

3 of 15 found the following review helpful:

5AWESOME!!!!  Oct 31, 2006
Hi guys!!! I'm Dani from Spain. What can i say? I think this is awesome. There are no words to explain what i'm learning with this book. I've been lost a lot of time searching for a book like this one and now i find it. Thanks to Berklee press. And please GIVE ME AN SCHOLARSHIP BERKLEEEEEE!!!! hahahaa. I really need it, i'm good composser. TRUST ME. LOL. I recommend this book to everybody who want's to learn how to write a song without a guitar, piano... All you need is your lyric, pen, and score. Thanks to amazong too, this website is amazing. Sorry about my english guys, i'm still learning. Best regards to all. CYA!!!!!

11 of 12 found the following review helpful:

5exhaustive book on the subject  Apr 20, 2006
I am reading this book for the 5th time. You need to understand some basic music theory and sight reading before hitting this book. But if you are looking for a book to give you a revolution in creation, and blow you open to seemingly endless new possibilities with your songwriting, DO NOT miss this book. Get this book and "the craft of lyric writing by Sheila Davis." and then study some stuff on grooves like maybe "The songwriters workshop harmony" by jimmy kachulis. (then you have hit the three main parts of a song; rhythm, melody and lyrics.)

Realize that melody in songwriting is written by the chair of the songwriting department at berklee school of music in boston. If you didn't know, that is the most recognized contemporary music school in the world. (research it, if this is new knowledge to you) They don't put out fluff and obvious information. It is useful, critical and complete, and prepares you to navigate inspiration when it hits.

This book has changed how I write music in many many ways.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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