The most recent edition of Jason Blume's excellent book on songwriting. If you want the information straight from a man who has written hit after hit, here's the place to find it. Also includes good chapters on selling your songs.(Basic note-reading ability is helpful in the melody sections.)

Want to write a hit song? Here are 126 proven songwriting techniques that will take you from inspiration to finished rewrite! Beginners and pro's will find plenty of valuable, usable info. 117 "Do It Now" exercises make this a hands-on experience! (No note-reading required.)

The "for Dummies" line is always a good bet and this is no exception. Useful information from developing your concept to demoing your finished song. Good emphasis on a wide range of styles from Christian Rock to Hip-hop. Good chapters on lyrics, the melody section is a little thin. (No note-reading required.)

This classic songwriting book is as much the autobiography of a great songwriter as it is a manual of craft and inspiration. Webb wrote timeless songs as well as songs that defined the 60s and 70s in which he had his biggest hits. While I don't always agree with him, I know I am a better songwriter for reading his book.

Often, a melody will "just occur to you" as you're writing your lyrics. Treat this as your raw material and turn it into a hit song melody by rewriting it. Learn many of the tools of melody rewriting in this fine book from Berklee teacher Jack Perricone. (Note-reading required.)

Many of today's Rock, Country, and Pop hits are written on guitar. This book teaches basic guitar techniques and well as song craft, using well-known songs as examples.

Too often we make the mistake of bending a line or thought out of shape to accommodate a rhyme, losing the honest emotion in the process. Pat Pattison will show you dozens of ways to approach rhyming and maintain the authentic emotion in your lyrics.

The workbook approach Sheila Davis uses in this book makes it one of her most effective. (She has written several books on lyric writing, all of which are popular.) There are plenty of exercises that will open new doors into the craft of lyric writing. Examples are from her students, often a plus. You'll get the chance to see the work of serious songwriters who are still developing.

I was already a working songwriter when I studied chord theory with Jai Josefs, the author of this book. I immediately put to use everything I learned from him! He communicates valuable information about chords, grooves, and melody in a clear, understandable way. If you're serious about songwriting, this book will take you to the next level. (Note-reading required.)

Understanding how music and songs affect your listeners can help you hone your craft and create the emotional response you want. This book is filled with fascinating facts about music and is highly readable. While it's not an obvious "how to" book for songwriters, it is a "how to" on a deeper level.

Acoustic rhythm guitar is the underlying sound that drives much of today's hit music. Simple 3- and 4-chord patterns strummed on an acoustic guitar are the way most these hits started life. This DVD is an excellent place to start or fill in the gaps in your basic playing.

Whether you want to be a recording artist or just want to communicate your own songs effectively, you'll find a wealth of information in Seth Riggs' excellent book and CD package. The goal of a good singing coach is not to change your voice but to give you more choices when singing and add confidence to your performance. You can do it and Seth Riggs' book can help.

Okay, so this book is not specifically about songwriting, but it's about something you do every time you write a song: You make art. What attitudes prevent you from creating your best work? What assumptions do you make that slow down or derail your creativity? The answers here are truthful, to the point, and revealing.