Songwriting Strategies: A 360-Degree Approach (Music: Songwriting) - Softcover

Simos, Mark

Softcover

ISBN 10: 087639151X ISBN 13: 9780876391518

Publisher: Berklee Press, 2014

Synopsis

(Berklee Guide). Write songs starting from any direction: melody, lyric, harmony, rhythm, or idea. This book will help you expand your range and flexibility as a songwriter. Discussions, hands-on exercises, and notated examples will help you hone your craft. This creatively liberating approach supports the overall integrity of emotion and meaning in your songs. It will help you become more productive, versatile, and innovative in your songwriting. You will learn to: * Discover more ideas for songs song seeds and capture them in their most powerful and usable form * Overcome writer's block by having many more pathways through the writing process * Develop strong song structures by working independently with melody, lyrics, harmony, and rhythm * Write songs more easily, guided by your well-tuned "songwriter's compass"

About this title

About the Author

Mark Simos, associate professor in songwriting at Berklee College of Music, is a renowned songwriter, composer and tunesmith, teacher and writer. Over four-plus decades, Mark's songs and tunes from imaginary countries have stretched musical boundaries with innovative melodies and harmonies and intricately crafted lyrics, bringing a contemporary sensibility to neo-traditionalist forms. Over one hundred of Mark's compositions have been recorded by artists, including Americana supergroup Alison Krauss and Union Station, Ricky Skaggs, Del McCoury, and Laurie Lewis. He's co-written with artists/writers such as Australian rock icon Jimmie Barnes, Catie Curtis, and the Infamous Stringdusters' Andy Hall. He's featured on many recordings as fiddler and guitar accompanist, and has recorded an acclaimed song-cycle album, Crazy Faith, and four albums of original and traditional fiddle music. At Berklee, Mark creates innovative curriculum in 360 degree songwriting, collaboration, guitar techniques for songwriters, and tunewriting, and leads Berklee's American Old-Time Ensemble. He also continues to perform and teach at workshops, camps, festivals, and retreats worldwide.

Review

Mark Simos is a remarkable songwriter. He's one of those rare people who knows what words sound good together, and his lyrics are just as unique as his melodies. I never stop being amazed at his songs, and I'm never surprised that I love another one. --Alison Krauss, Multiple GRAMMY® Award-Winning Artist

This book outlines a wholly original approach to songwriting one I've never seen taught in any workshop or read about in any blog, though many established and pro writers use it. For any serious songwriter, this brilliant practicum will be a revelation. It's the book I wish I'd had when I was coming up. A must-have on the well-read songwriters' bookshelf! --Bonnie Hayes, Songwriter (Bonnie Raitt, Cher, Bette Midler); Chair of Songwriting, Berklee College of Music

"Songwriting Strategies reads like a novel I can't put down. Mark Simos has journeyed deep into the myth and abyss of songwriting, traveling 360 degrees to demystify the craft of songwriting while still embracing the spirit and joy of the art. It's a great read and a beautiful book. --Patty Larkin, Songwriter, Artist/Guitarist

About this edition

• Publisher: Berklee Press
• Publication date: 2014
• ISBN 10: 087639151X
• ISBN 13: 9780876391518
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 224