How to Be a Hit Songwriter Polishing and Marketing Your Lyrics and Music

by Leikin, Molly-Ann

• ISBN13: 9780634050015
• ISBN10: 063405001X
• Edition: 3rd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2003-06-01
• Publisher: Hal Leonard

Summary

You've written what you think is a great melody, what you hope is a strong lyric, and you've cut what sounds to you like a killer track. But how do you know if it's a hit? And what do you do with it if it is? Your only option is How to Be a Hit Songwriter, essential reading for advanced songwriters. Molly-Ann Leikin is the award-winning songwriter/songwriting consultant who helps good songwriters all over the world become hit songwriters. Whether your work just needs a little rewriting, polishing or some strong connections, Leikin will guide you step by step to the top of the charts. In How to Be a Hit Songwriter she offers expert advice and exercises, including "Seven Easy Steps to Writing Hit Lyrics." The book features inside information that can turn your song into a potential hit. What's more, she's interviewed music industry power players who share tips that are essential to all developing artists.

Table of Contents

Introduction	13	(8)
Part One: Rewriting
Rewriting	21	(14)
Editing Your Songs	35	(6)
How to Write Love Songs That Say Something New	41	(4)
How to Write Great Opening Lines	45	(6)
The Power of Images	51	(8)
Creating Your Own Similes and Metaphors	59	(4)
Rhyming	63	(6)
The Evolution of a Song	69	(18)
How to Map Out New Song Ideas	87	(4)
Seven Easy Steps to Writing Hit Lyrics	91	(6)
How to Write Stronger Melodies	97	(10)
Part Two: The Psychology of Songwriting
How to Cope with Rejection	107	(10)
Count Your Little Victories, Too	117	(6)
What to Do if Your Father Thinks You're a Bum	123	(6)
How to Make Deadlines Work for You	129	(6)
How to Cope with Writers' Three Biggest Emotional Problems	135	(10)
Part Three: Doing Business in the Music Business
Developing Strong Hustle Muscles	145	(6)
Packaging	151	(4)
How to Make Yourself Famous	155	(6)
Former Day Jobs of the Power Players	161	(4)
Ethics in This Business?	165	(6)
Tips from the Top	171	(14)
Appendix
Three Big Questions to Ask Yourself Each Day	177	(4)
Stuff at the Back of the Book
Order Form for Audio Series	181	(2)
Songwriting Consultation Services	183	(2)
Cliches	185