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    Music Elements: Music Theory, Songwriting, Lyrics & Creativity Explained
    Music Elements: Music Theory, Songwriting, Lyrics & Creativity Explained
    Music Elements: Music Theory, Songwriting, Lyrics & Creativity Explained
    Ebook167 pages2 hours

    Music Elements: Music Theory, Songwriting, Lyrics & Creativity Explained

    By Tommy Swindali

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    About this ebook

    Embrace Your Inner Artist

    Do you struggle writing songs? 

    Have you ever tried learning music theory but found it hard or thought that it wasn't necessary? 

    If you are finding that you are writing songs, and whilst they sound good, there is something missing then read on. What you are missing is the sense of harmony and emotion that professional producers and songwriters have. Your about to discover everything you need to know about music theory, songwriting, lyrics and creativity.  

    Turn Your Songs Into An Emotional Journey 

    It's time to embrace your inner artist, make your own rules and start creating like never before. Whether you're just starting out as a songwriter or are a more experienced one looking for a new perspective then this book will help you.

    Studying music can be a long journey, but with this book, you'll gain tons of vital information in a short period of time. With this knowledge I promise you that your songs will be better than 90% of the songs you hear on the radio. 

    More importantly, no matter where your songs end up, you will be confident you have written your best music.

    In This Book You Will Discover:

    The Language Of Music

    How To Unleash Your Creativity 

    How To Understand Music

    The Psychology Behind Song Structure. 

    Proven Techniques To Overcome Writer's Block 

    The Same Songwriting Process Used To Write Countless #1 Songs

    Characteristics Of Great Song Hooks 

    Publishing Your Songs

    Create Chord Progressions

    Principles Of Art Applied In Songwriting

    Myths About Music Theory Debunked

    And Much, Much, More...

    So if you want to write your best music, scroll up and click buy now

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherThomas William
    Release dateSep 5, 2019
    ISBN9781393515159
    Music Elements: Music Theory, Songwriting, Lyrics & Creativity Explained

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      Book preview

      Music Elements - Tommy Swindali

      Music Elements:

      Music Theory, Songwriting, Lyrics & Creativity Explained

      Copyright Notice

      No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form whatsoever, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage or retrieval system without expressed written, dated and signed permission from the author. All copyrights are reserved.

      ––––––––

      Disclaimer

      Reasonable care has been taken to ensure that the information presented in this book is accurate. However, the reader should understand that the information provided does not constitute legal, medical or professional advice of any kind.

      No Liability: this product is supplied as is and without warranties. All warranties, express or implied, are hereby disclaimed. Use of this product constitutes acceptance of the No Liability policy. If you do not agree with this policy, you are not permitted to use or distribute this product.

      We shall not be liable for any losses or damages whatsoever (including, without limitation, consequential loss or damage) directly or indirectly arising from the use of this product.

      ––––––––

      Table Of Contents

      Introduction 5

      Chapter 1. The Elusive Nature of Music 7

      Why Write Music 9

      How To Understand Music 10

      Chapter 2. Music Theory Matters 15

      Music Theory In Brief 15

      Myths About Music Theory Debunked 16

      The Importance Of Music Theory 17

      Chapter 3. The Language Of Music: Basic Music Theory For Beginners  20

      Music Notes 20

      Scales 21

      Scale Degree 23

      Intervals 23

      Chords, chord progressions, and chord extensions 24

      Chapter 4. The Basics of Reading and Writing Music 28

      Key Music Elements You Need To Know In Reading Music 28

      The Basic Symbols Of Notation 31

      Chapter 5. Music and Creativity 39

      The Concept Of Creativity In Music 39

      What You Need To Unleash Your Creativity 39

      The Creative Process 42

      Characteristics Of Creative Individuals 46

      How To Unleash The Creativity In You 48

      Chapter 6. The Essentials of Songwriting 51

      Principles Of Art Applied In Songwriting 51

      The Fundamental Aspects Of Songwriting 53

      Chapter 7. Writing the Lyrics of the Song 73

      Simplicity 73

      Focus 73

      Titles 74

      First lines 75

      Rhyme 76

      Poetic Devices 79

      Prosody and Meter 80

      Chapter 8. The Pull of Song Hooks 83

      What Is A Hook? 83

      Characteristics Of Great Song Hooks 84

      A Motif Is Not A Hook 85

      Types Of Hooks 85

      Guide to writing hooks 87

      Chapter 9. What you Need to Know Before Writing Your Song89

      Where to start creating your song 89

      Lyrics matter 89

      Record your moment of inspiration when it comes. 90

      Write from your experience 90

      Don’t be afraid to collaborate with other musicians 90

      Keep your song simple and build on it. 91

      Take breaks every now and then. 91

      Don’t overdo your thinking. 91

      Welcome feedback. 91

      Don’t be afraid of failing. 92

      Chapter 10. Write Your Song with These Easy-to follow-Steps 93

      Start With The Title 93

      Choose Your Song Structure 95

      Bring Life To Your Song Through Images And Action Words 100

      Look For The Melody In Your Lyrics 101

      Chapter 11. Get into the Songwriting Business 103

      How To Protect Your Songs 103

      A Guide To Finding A Good Publisher 106

      Publishing Your Songs 107

      The Role Of The Publisher 108

      Being Your Own Publisher 109

      Guide To Starting Your Own Publishing Company 110

      Conclusion 112

      Introduction

      When you're at odds with yourself, it's hard to create. Sometimes the writing process is as easy as opening up the window and letting in the breeze. And sometimes it's like chiseling away at a block of granite with a pencil.

      ― Anthony Kiedis

      Even the most successful songwriters recognize that music is a hard beast to tame. Sometimes, inspiration strikes in such a way that the melody and the beat just flows like spring water. And sometimes, it’s like drawing blood from a rock.

      This book is for anyone new to the craft. It’s for those who want to build a good foundation for making music.

      It’s all about music and its elements. It explains everything you need to know to write songs.

      The book starts with a discussion of the abstract and complex concept that is Music, and how one gets to know and understand what music is about.

      Despite the complexity of music, there’s always been something alluring about it.

      The love of music is innate in many people. Many may not understand it, but its pull is such that we respond consciously or subconsciously. We tap our foot to the tune. We nod our head to the beat. We hum. Music is that pervading. Music is energy. It is emotion. It is expression. It is our hopes, dreams, loves, and fears all rolled into one in all their sonoric glory.

      The things music represents are universal. But when songwriters try to capture the beauty of sounds by writing songs about their emotions – experienced or imagined—many succeed, while others fail.

      Some songwriters do get the inspiration to write songs. They start to write, only to get stuck somewhere in the process. While others may see this lull as a natural occurrence in a songwriting cycle, others get despondent and turn their back on songwriting altogether.

      This is unfortunate especially for those who have a penchant for it but are just afraid of failure, or mistakenly believe that they just don’t have the natural ability to do so.

      Making music may seem difficult. But you’d be surprised to know that it is within your reach. Make no mistake, music and songwriting is complex. But it can be learned. Some part of you likely already knows a few things, and you’ll realize how accessible it is when you break it down to its components.

      If you are passionate about songs but find composing music and writing songs difficult, read on. The book comes with simple explanations of the materials you need to write songs, such as music elements, aspects of songwriting, and the basic signs and symbols you need to write music. 

      Music is life. If you have the passion and the reasons for wanting to write songs, hold on to it. Do it for yourself. At first it may seem like you’re making music that no one but you hears, and that’s fine. Create for creativity’s sake. There’s always beauty in bringing something to life

      This book will help you find what you are missing and carry you on to success with songwriting.

      Thanks for buying this book. I hope you enjoy it!

      Chapter 1. The Elusive Nature of Music

      Grasping the essence of music through our senses is not always easy.

      It’s rather elusive. Some things that give us pleasures are definite, but music is something we can’t touch, and its very nature makes it rather ephemeral. Unlike with food, for example, where we can always look to the nutritional for guidance, there’s no such thing with music. What you consider as music may sound like noise or nonsense to others.

      But what we do know is that music – or at least certain types for certain people, is pleasurable.

      There just seems to be something in music which moves us on a deeper level. It appears that we understand music, but knowing what music is and how it works is another thing.

      One thing is certain, music is essential to us. You see the significant role of music throughout man’s history. 

      That thing called music

      Music is defined in many ways, depending on where you are coming from. An anthropologist’s definition of music is different from that of a sociologist. A sociologist takes music in a cultural context. A Psychologist connects music to the well-being of a person.

      For artists and musicians, music is an art form that is deeply embedded in human nature. Fundamentally, music is an ordered combination of sound in time, expressing ideas and emotions through the elements of melody, rhythm, texture, and harmony.

      The process of knowing music

      You don’t have to be an expert in music to enjoy music. Knowing music does not entail limiting yourself within the boundaries of rules. Nor is it the kind of knowledge that makes you afraid of what happens when you go beyond the boundaries.

      Unlike the other sciences, music occupies a different space which could be necessary to man’s inner equilibrium. Music, in a way, responds to man’s varying needs and fulfills different functions.

      The act of knowing something, or anything for that matter, involves two phases:

      Knowledge is acquired first on the conscious level – the rational and conscious world.

      The second phase calls for assimilation, where what is learned enters the unconscious through constant practice.

      Take the case of learning a language. You come across a new word (the consciousness), and you fix it in your mind through repetition and memorization. The second phase (the unconscious) is where you assimilate the new word by using it as often as the opportunity provides. When the word has been assimilated in the unconscious, it comes out spontaneously.

      The same process is true in acquiring knowledge of music. The sound enters the conscious phase and is assimilated in the unconscious through constant exposure and practice. Once assimilated, music comes out spontaneously, without conscious deliberation.

      For the composer or songwriter, music holds many surprises. Other knowledge opens up to the songwriter which are not learned but invented. And, with the knowledge acquired, the songwriter must then find one’s voice and define one’s personal identity.

      But, the songwriter must first find, evaluate, and use what was learned before these can be assimilated. Further, what is assimilated is not the code of rules but the songwriter’s expressive objectives. The experience produced by the songwriter that is beyond knowledge is emotional.

      Knowledge which is based on emotion is how a songwriter communicates the musical ideas to listeners. The

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