![]() | Frustrated Songwriter's Handbook - A Radical Guide to Cutting Loose, Overcoming Blocks, & Writing the Best Songs of Your Life (Softcover) by Coryat Karl
Buy new: $13.59 / Used from: $10.49 Lots of useful, practical ideas for getting songs started and moving forward. Games and activities that help you avoid over-thinking and fear of failure. The concept of "immersion" gets you working on a daily basis, giving your creativity a good workout. Think of creativity as a muscle - the more you use it the stronger it gets!
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![]() | The Songwriters Idea Book: 40 Strategies to Excite Your Imagination, Help You Design Distinctive Songs, and Keep Your Creative Flow by Sheila Davis
Buy new: $13.59 / Used from: $6.95 Sheila Davis' books on lyric writing are all classics. This one is no different. Well thought out ideas and exercises get into the songwriting groove from discovering your theme to rewriting your lyric.
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![]() | Shortcuts to Hit Songwriting: 126 Proven Techniques for Writing Songs That Sell by Robin Frederick
Buy new: $31.45 / Used from: $67.69 126 focused song craft concepts, clearly explained, followed by "Do It Now" exercises that stimulate your creativity. Of special interest are the chapters on using right brain language, bypassing your inner critic, and using games to stimulate song ideas. Try the Find-a-Title game and the following shortcuts to develop a lyric from scratch.
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![]() | How to Write Songs on Guitar: A Guitar-Playing and Songwriting Course by Rikky Rooksby
Buy used from: $2.11 Use the chords, melody, and lyric exercises in this book as the starting point for your songs. Great ideas to build on.
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![]() | Songwriters Playground: Innovative Exercises in Creative Songwriting by Barbara L. Jordan
Buy new: $16.99 / Used from: $40.70 This book, like its name implies, takes a creative, fun approach to songwriting. Lyric and melody games are presented in a workbook format that will lead you toward new ideas to develop into songs, help you break old habits, and lighten up the songwriting process with a smile or two.
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![]() | The Way of Song: A Guide to Freeing the Voice and Sounding the Spirit by Shawna Carol
Buy used from: $3.00 A spiritual, organic, healing approach to singing and songwriting. Look for insights that will give you a fresh angle on your creative work.
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![]() | Inspiration for Songwriters: Tips and Tricks to Unlocking the Muse by Stan Swanson
Buy new: $14.95 / Used from: $11.00 There are many useful techniques in this book mixed with others that are not as strong. Consider skimming this book first, rather than trying to read it straight through. Circle those ideas that appeal to you, then go back and try those first.
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![]() | The Songwriter's Journal: 52 Weeks of Songwriting Ideas and Inspiration by Stan Swanson
Buy new: $13.45 / Used from: $11.99 Takes a journal-writing approach a la "The Artists Way."
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![]() | Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within by Natalie Goldberg
Buy new: $10.08 / Used from: $6.82 A good book for freeing yourself from the "should do" mentality and opening up to your creative inspiration. Balance this book with the song craft that helps us communicate with listeners and you'll find yourself in a good place.
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![]() | Songwriting and the Creative Process: Suggestions and Starting Points for Songwriters by Steve Gillette
Buy new: $13.22 / Used from: $1.00 An intriguing book from a fine songwriter. Inspirational and practical advice on finding and developing fresh songs.
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![]() | Fearless Creating: A Step-by-Step Guide To Starting and Completing Your Work of Art by Eric Maisel
Buy new: $12.21 / Used from: $3.94 Excellent advice on strengthening and using your creativity no matter what branch of the arts you are in.
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![]() | The Songwriting Sourcebook: How to Turn Chords Into Great Songs by Rooksby
Buy new: $15.61 / Used from: $12.29 Try building your song from the chord progression up. A twist on the usual approach to lyric and melody writing.
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![]() | Art & Fear: Observations On the Perils (and Rewards) of Artmaking by David Bayles
Buy new: $9.20 / Used from: $6.18 This is a book of few pages and MANY insights! I've read and re-read it, underlined and highlighted line after line. Do you find you have trouble getting started? Or difficulty finishing? Afraid to show your work if it's not perfect. You'll fid help here!!!
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![]() | Songwriting: Essential Guide to Rhyming: A Step-by-Step Guide to Better Rhyming and Lyrics (Songwriting Guides) by Pat Pattison
Buy new: $10.17 / Used from: $6.94 There are times when rhyming can make us do things we shouldn't - like twist a perfectly good lyric out of shape to make it rhyme! Pat Pattison shows you how to use rhyme as a creative tool!
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![]() | Sing My Song: A Kid's Guide to Songwriting by Steve Seskin
Buy new: $14.24 / Used from: $7.95 Let's not forget that songwriting is a GREAT creative activity for kids, too!
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![]() | My Teacher Rides a Harley: Enhancing K-5 Literacy Through Songwriting by Gary Dulabaum
Buy new: $23.95 / Used from: $9.95 Here's another book that will not only encourage children to write songs but teach them to read and understand the nuances of language!
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![]() | Inside Songwriting: Getting to the Heart of Creativity by Jason Blume
Buy new: $14.95 / Used from: $1.88 Hit songwriter Jason Blume takes you inside his creative process as his writes his top ten blockbusters. Try some of his techniques in your own songs.
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![]() | Lyrics: Writing Better Words for Your Songs (Songwriting) by Rikky Rooksby
Buy new: $15.61 / Used from: $12.47 Plenty of hands-on exercises and ideas alongside useful information.
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![]() | 101 Songwriting Wrongs and How to Right Them: How to Craft and Sell Your Songs by Pete Luboff
Buy new: $13.59 / Used from: $5.85 When you're stuck, it could be because you've taken a wrong turn somewhere. Check out this book for ideas that can get you going again.
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![]() | Songwriters On Songwriting by Paul Zollo
Buy used from: $8.08 Let some of these fine songwriters show you new pathways into your own songs.
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![]() | The Secrets of Songwriting: Leading Songwriters Reveal How to Find Inspiration and Success by Susan Tucker
Buy new: $19.95 / Used from: $2.95 If you're interested in writing for the Country market, these interviews will give you some good insights into the creative process used by hit songwriters and artists.
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![]() | TuneSmith: Inside the Art of Songwriting by Jimmy Webb
Buy new: $10.85 / Used from: $4.23 Part autobiography, part guide to song craft, and part pure inspiration. Read this book to learn how a master songwriter crafted his hits.
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