Product Description

Pattison presents a unique, in-depth approach to the process of lyric writing. Apprentice songwriters will examine 17 extraordinary songs and learn the distinct elements that make them so effective. Pattison then presents more than 30 lyric-writing exercises designed to help them achieve the same results. From generating lyric ideas and managing repetition to developing verses, it's all here. Songwriters will:

* find warm-up exercises that revolutionize songwriting imagery
* use a rhyming dictionary and a thesaurus to generate ideas and find snappy rhymes
* create meaningful metaphors and similes while avoiding clichés
* develop verses by using or by breaking conventional rules
* experiment with point of view in every lyric to make a song stand out

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #61605 in Books
• Published on: 2001-07-15
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 192 pages

About the Author
Pat Pattison is a professor of music and songwriting at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, where he developed the curriculum for their degree in songwriting--the first of its kind anywhere. He was a regular contributor to Home and Studio Recording Magazine. He lives in North Hampton, New Hampshire.

Customer Reviews

Very rich and deep
A lot of great ideas here. The exercises in the first couple of chapters and the instructions about using a rhyming dictionary and thesaurus were very helpful to me. I find the layout to be a bit confusing. Some times it takes me a little while of reading to try and figure out what he is talking about. (for example one exercise says to write about a "real" object, and then he uses "holding your breath" as an example). I find I have to really work hard to make sure I'm doing the exercises right. I would have also liked a little more in-depth analysis of the songs. Very good book.

An invaluable resource
This book is a gem. Any songwriter who wishes to improve their lyric writing will find techniques and tools which are immediately applicable and which can also be referred to time and time again.

As far as insights and tools to aid your own writing process this book is by far the best I have read.

I have had this book two years now and I still have "aha" moments when I read it today.

SO useful
I'm a serious student of songwriting. This book was recommended to me by a multi-award winning songwriter and I can see why. The exercises and presentation of concepts are extremely valuable. A must-have book.