Quickstart Guide to Songwriting

By Randy Klein

If you’ve ever heard a song in your head and wanted to be able to write it, the Quickstart Guide to Songwriting will lead the way. Starting with choosing a subject to write your song about, then writing a lyric, a memorable hook, a singable melody, and then adding harmony and rhythm, you will write a song of your own. Even if you might think you are not musical or lyrical, you can write a song. The Quickstart Guide to Songwriting is an easy step-by-step introduction in teaching you how to create your own song. Write a song today!

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Sep 11, 2017
• ISBN: 9781524698508

Randy Klein

Randy Klein is an award-winning songwriter, composer and pianist with 4 Emmy Awards, 2 Gold Records, winner of the BMI Harrington Award and a fellowship from the Hall Center of the Humanities at the University of Kansas. His songs span many musical genres including: R&B, pop, jazz, classical song cycles, children’s educational songs, novelty, special material and musical theatre. His works have been performed on radio, TV, the internet and in major concert venues throughout the world to great acclaim. He is an experienced music educator, conducting master classes to students at major universities on songwriting and other musical subjects. His song evaluations are sought after by major songwriters, and he has a worldwide list of students. His numerous recordings run the gamut of pop and R&B recordings, cast albums, solo piano improvisation recordings, duo, children’s educational and choral music. As a songwriting coach, he enhances a songwriter’s ability by teaching them how to specifically listen to their songs in an objective and creative way. It is this approach that is the basis for The Quickstart Guide To Songwriting. www.randyklein.com

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2017 Randy Klein. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system,

or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 09/25/2017

ISBN: 978-1-5246-9849-2 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5246-9850-8 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2017910275

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

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Dedication

I dedicate this book to all songwriters who observe the many aspects of life and need to write a song about them.

Quickstart Guide To Songwriting

Table of Contents

Dedication

Table of Contents

Music Examples

Introduction

Words and Music

What Is A Song?

Part 1 — Deciding What To Write About

Love Songs

Subjects Other Than Love

The Feeling Of A Song

The Thinking Process Of Writing A Lyric

Rhymes In Songs

Songs Without Rhymes

Summary

Writing Your First Chorus And Hook

Summary

Writing a Verse and a Chorus with a Hook to a Subject You Know About

Exercise Demonstrated

Part 2 — Learning How To Hear A Lyric

Lyric Pace

Speak The Verse Experiment

Speak The Chorus Experiment

Speak The Verse And Chorus Into A Recording Device

Summary

A Cumulative Process

Feeling The Beat

Establish A Lyric Pace For A Verse/Chorus Lyric.

Part 3 — Music

Writing Music To My Lyric

The Three Essential Elements of Music

Melody

Writing The Melody To Your Verse

Writing The Melody To Your Chorus

Writing The Melody To Your Hook

Harmony

Putting A Harmony To Your Melody.

Adding Chords

Chord Experiment

Summary

Advancing Past Your First Songs

Observing Other Songwriter’s Lyrics

Listening To Songs

Reading Lyrics

Describing What A Song Is

What Can a Song Do?

If I Can’t Hold On to a Song, then How Can I Learn About It?

Songs Without Words

Summary

What Is The Genre Of The Song?

Theme

What Defines A Genre?

BONUS

Writing A Love Song

Love Song Categories-68

Write A Love Song That Focuses On One Love Song Category

The Backstory Of Our Unrequited Love Song

Summary

Closing Thoughts

About The Author

Thank You

Music Examples