Developing successful song structures: Identifying the most successful song structures and why they work -- Identifying the components of a song -- Building a successful song -- Developing great song ideas and catchy titles: Understanding what constitutes a great idea and how to find one -- Keeping a hook book -- Making the singer look good -- Using songs to help from -- Using the three-step lyric-focusing technique -- Acquiring the tools for successful lyric writing -- Expressing one idea and one emotion -- Maintaining one consistent tense and tone -- Developing strong opening lines -- Maintaining continuity -- Incorporating detail, action, and imagery into lyrics -- Keeping it conversational -- Keeping your imagery fresh -- Creating a lyric palette -- Avoiding redundancy -- Avoiding preaching (unless you're in church) -- Writing the dreaded second verse -- Using rhymes: Where to, when to, how to, and why to -- Types of rhymes -- Rhyme schemes -- Using a rhyming dictionary and Thesaurus -- Using the list technique -- Looking for opposites and twists on words -- Using assonance and alliteration -- Saving key words -- Writing the big payoff lines -- Writing lyrics to an existing melody -- Visualizing a hit -- Rewriting your lyrics -- Making each line its strongest -- Additional lyric tips -- What if I only write lyrics? -- Writing for specialty markets -- Writing successful children's songs -- Writing Christian music -- Crafting comedy songs -- Writing Folk/Americana songs -- Crafting successful Christmas songs -- Writing cabaret songs -- Writing for the Latin market -- Composing memorable melodies: Learning effective melody-writing skills -- Writing a cappella -- Keeping it simple and singable (K.I.S.S.) -- Using hymns and children's songs for melodic inspiration -- Making it obvious where the title goes without the lyric -- Altering the range, varying the rhythms, and inserting pauses -- Marrying the music to the lyric: Prosody -- Varying the rhythms -- Choosing the appropriate melodic range -- Using repetition effectively -- Keeping your phrases short and catchy -- Writing symmetrical phrases -- Acquiring additional melody Writing techniques -- Using fresh rhythms -- Breaking the lines -- Trying different notes -- Learning to use nonsense syllables -- Repeating words or phrases -- Learning the power of sequential intervals, ascending notes, and descending notes -- Varying the tempo and time signature -- Finding those magic moments: Unexpected note or chord -- Using signature licks -- Incorporating modulations -- Avoiding plagiarism -- Melody test: Can you write effective melodies? -- What if I write only music? -- Learning how and when to record a demo: How to know when your song is ready -- Identifying what's right for your song -- Avoiding "The Big Lie" -- Distinguishing between song demos and artist demos -- Measuring up to the professional standard -- Knowing how many tracks are necessary -- Determining budgets -- Deciding between self-producing and demo services -- Preparing to record your demo: Preparing lyric sheets -- Recording work tapes -- Writing chord charts -- Nashville number system -- Deciding on an arrangement -- Determining the proper key -- Hiring the best musicians -- Selecting the right studio -- Learning to speak "Musician" -- Choosing the best vocalist -- Using technology to capture the best vocal performance -- Mixing: Recording formats -- Learning about track mixes -- Mastering -- Learning where the money comes from: Mechanical royalties -- domestic and foreign royalties -- Performance royalties and performing rights organizations -- Print sales -- Synchronization licenses -- Writing jingles and placing songs in commercials -- Music libraries -- Church copyright license royalties -- Works for hire -- Using samples -- Future sources of revenue -- Understanding what music publishing really means: How to get a publisher and why -- Working with your publisher to achieve your goals -- Self-publishing -- Using songpluggers -- Understanding publishing agreements: Single-song agreements -- Reversion clauses -- Staff-writing deals -- Co publishing deals -- Making connections and pitching your songs: Networking -- Collaborating -- How to find a collaborator -- How and when to copyright your songs -- Finding out who's looking for songs and what they're looking for -- Using pitch sheets effectively -- Pitching your songs to the right people -- Developing your pitch presentation -- Understanding holds -- Entering contests -- Avoiding the scams -- Hanging in there until the big break -- Understanding what to expect -- Making the time for yourself and your creativity -- Getting past "No": Overcoming the obstacles -- Coping with rejection -- Finding validation from within -- Dealing with the big critic inside your head -- Finding a market for your talent.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.