Shortcuts to Hit Songwriting

[Kelil]

I'm sorry, remedial ??? Is this some kind of class?

And no, I've only just joined this forum because the book was published by Taxi.

Be nice Obi Wan Kenobi.

No man, I just didn't understand the word why he would say that. Remedial doesn't make sense to me.

And yea I get all the rest of what you're saying, but the truth is the recommendations they wrote on the back of the book doesn't match up to the material inside.

I was over this a long time ago, but I do think that since this is a thread about the book people should actually know it doesn't live up to its own hype, or the recommendations Michael etc. gives.

I agree with what you say, it explains what other books/other people have said maybe in a better way, but it is NOT what itself says it is, so if you're thinking that just because Frederick has a lot of experience she knows some extra 'secrets' or 'shortcuts' or has something over say someone who has been writing for a year, you're wrong. She knows nothing more, and if you're at that stage I recommend you just keep writing and producing like you have been doing.

Reading her opinions will even mess up your songwriting head a little if you're an impressionable sort of person (and even if you're not, because that's a lot of pages=more reading time to be influenced by), though whether for good or bad I know not, depends on where your songwriting is at.

I don't think its worth what it/others say its worth, but I do think I got at least $20 worth out of that book.

www.dictionary.com

Criticism is not a good argument for rejecting the book ( at least I think so, because you only express your given opinion ). But not everyone agrees with you. Fine you've expressed your dislike on the book and thats ok. I'm sure that if I was the author I'd be reading your criticism with interest. Not every book is polished to the T. I've been writing since I was 16 ( 26 now ) and I can tell you my first year was met with many chuckles of how bad my music was, but as the years progressed and the more study I did of great songwriters a la John lennon/Paul mc cartney and seeing what chords they used and how they structured their songs I progressed. But then coming to taxi in only 6 months and listening to all the advice from the likes of the books above I've learned that progress is always an ongoing thing in the business and I progressed even more then.

I often look at great songs on the youtube and see 14,000 likes and 528 dislikes. I often wonder where those people come from so I can pay them a visit ( just joking ) lol. But it does prove that not everyone likes the same thing and that's ok.

But according to a lot of members and non members of taxi the book is really helping them out in terms of progressing in their career and I think that would be enough for me to buy the book in itself.

[sen]

That's cool man, you make great points.

I think we've wasted long enough on this.

I wish you the best of luck with your songwriting !!

[mojobone]

I wrote "remedial" because it's not the sort of book you'd use as a reference; the post was meant to be jocular, hence the smiley. (and if it's stuff you've learned already, but maybe forgot, that's remedial) Much of the advice in the book will look familiar to long-time Taxi Forum readers, but the exercises will definitely not. It's meant as a workbook and for inspiration, at which I think it succeeds brilliantly; we've all had a laugh about the title, in another thread, as there's really no such a thing as a shortcut to a career in songwriting. (though learning to critically evaluate your songs, identify their genre and write to spec will save you buckets of time) Robin popped into that thread to mention that the title was chosen mostly for its alliteration and because it 'popped'. Keep it handy, go back to it from time to time and jump around in it; if you get only one or two decent ideas out of it, it's more than worth the cover price and a little trouble.

[majorshadow21]

Thanks this link is a vital tool. Thanks!

I ordered this book, standard shipping, got it next day...go figure! Started going through the book - extremely well organized and fun to read! I look forward to picking it up each time, and I keep it next to me in my home studio - such a great songwriter's reference. The http://www.robinfrederick.com website rocks too! Thanks Michael Laskow and Robin Frederick for partnering up and giving us a great resource.Jeff LizerbramSan Diego, CA