Shortcuts to Hit Songwriting

[jeffgreenleaf]

Thanks! I just tried it again and it worked fine...

[cameron]

Has Robin ever written a hit? Seems like if you're going to write a book about how to do it that would be a prerequisite. I don't mean to be rude... maybe she has. Just wondering.Cam

[davewalton]

Jan 1, 2009, 12:36pm, cameron wrote:Has Robin ever written a hit? Seems like if you're going to write a book about how to do it that would be a prerequisite. Maybe... has Tiger Woods' golf coach ever won a major (or even a single PGA golf tournament)? He's written LOTS of books (in addition to coaching Tiger). Plus, Jason Blue and Kara DioGuardi certainly wouldn't endorse a publication that had no substance.

[suzdoyle]

Just my two cents to add to the discussion here . . . I got the book and am through the first few chapters. Very good, clear info so far -- a bit more user friendly than some books out there.I think the "jump in and do exercises to help you understand how songs work" approach will especially be useful to new composers; so I will most likely recommend it to some of my composing students. ,Suz

[taxirobin]

Hi to all and happy New Year!Ted, I'm really happy to hear that my book has been helpful for you. Even better, I'm happy to hear you are keeping the book around WHILE you're writing. That's what I was hoping would happen when I wrote the book. Let a shortcut suggest an idea or start a song from one of the "Do It Now" exercises. If you're stuck on melody or lyrics, you can look through the table of contents for a few suggestions. I tried to keep the book as hands-on and user-friendly as possible. I notice there are a couple of people who don't think much of the idea of shortcuts to writing hit songs. No surprise there. I realize the title is a pretty bold statement. But the book can be used to add emotional impact and memorability to ANY song. It's all about reaching out to your listeners, giving them a memorable experience, and communicating the emotional message you want them to hear in the most effective way. I included explanations of why and how each one of the shortcuts works to achieve that, as well as examples from hit songs, so you don't have to take it from me, you can go hear it for yourself!For those of you who don't have the book, I'd like you to have more than the title by which to judge it. I've posted excerpts from three shortcuts on my web site at http://www.robinfrederick.com/excerpts.html While you're there, feel free to check out the Song Tips which are also based on the book. And I just posted a couple of new games in the Songwriter's Sandbox which you might enjoy. As for age, is there really a "songwriter retirement age"? No one should ever tell you that you cannot write a great song, a hit song, an emotionally moving song at any age. Think of it this way, I imagine a few industry types have told Clint Eastwood he should stop making movies but he keeps right on doing what he loves! (And he keeps on pulling in audiences.) As long as you stay current with trends in melody and lyrics, seek out contemporary hit songs you like, keep a fresh flow of ideas going, and use your inspiration to drive it all, then you will NEVER be too old to write great songs.Being a songwriter means staying alive to all that's going on around and inside you. It's not easy. Sometimes we fall asleep and dream of the "good old days." It can happen at any age. Make 2009 the year of waking up, of being alive, of writing your best songs ever, songs that reach out to your listeners and touch them, change them, move them. May 2009 bring you joy, light, peace, and success!~ Robin Frederick"Words make you think thoughts.Music makes you feel a feeling.But a song makes you feel a thought." E.Y. "Yip" Harburg

[davewalton]

Jan 1, 2009, 6:30pm, taxirobin wrote:For those of you who don't have the book, I'd like you to have more than the title by which to judge it. I've posted excerpts from three shortcuts on my web site at http://www.robinfrederick.com/excerpts.html. The period at end the sentence ended up getting captured by the URL thingy (highly technical jargon... don't you kids try this at home), which makes the linky no worky. Here's a worky linky... www.robinfrederick.com/excerpts.html

[taxirobin]

Quote:The period at end the sentence ended up getting captured by the URL thingy (highly technical jargon... don't you kids try this at home), which makes the linky no worky. Thanks for catching that, Dave. I've fixed it in my post so people should be able to click on it there as well.Robin

[mojobone]

I love this joint.

[tedsingingfox]

Me, too.

[ontariolightning]

reading a huge load of lyrics and hit song lyrics and writing a lot of lyrics are the best ways to learn how to write a song good enough that could be said to possibly be a hit