 |
|
Helping Songwriters |
|
=========== |
|
Go To: |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
===========
| |
|

---
Combining Arts, Education, and Community Outreach ---
Songwriting - Music
Production - Publishing - Mentoring - Performances - CD Recording -
Workshops - Drama |
=================================================================
| "One of my
favorite songwriting journalists and scholars is my friend BILL PERE.... "
-- John Braheny, author "The Craft and Business of Songwriting"
"Bill Pere embodies the link between music and
science" -- The New York Times
" I can't tell you how impressed I was with
how knowledgeable you are and your way of making the material comprehensible "
-- George David Weiss, hit songwriter and President, Songwriters Guild
of America "I
am a published songwriter and member of the NSAI. Most of the
songwriting articles that I have found on the internet are elementary. I
found yours to be insightful and challenging, and comparable to a graduate
course for songwriters. Keep up the great work. " -- J.
Dobrowolski, published songwriter and member NSAI
"This
expert is ultimately brilliant. He helped me understand things that my
other instructors could not make clear. "-- All-Experts.com
clients |
|

The original source for Performance, Production
and Songwriting that Gets Results |
--------
Coming in 2009 (FINALLY!) The long-awaited
"Songcrafters' Coloring Book: The
Essential Guide to Effective and Successful Songwriting"
by Bill Pere
30 years in the making -- Definitely
worth the wait ! |
|
Songcrafters
Coloring
Book
is a collection of articles by Bill Pere, award- winning songwriter, IMC
Indie Artist of the Year, Official Connecticut State Troubadour, and
President of the CT Songwriters Association. Originally appearing in several
major music industry publications, this information on songwriting
techniques and music business insight has been helping aspiring songwriters
for more than 25 years. The gems from the
collection are brought together here for the first time.
(All material is Copyright 1980, 1990, 2007 Bill Pere. All rights reserved. Contact Bill for permission to reprint. May be
used academically with proper attribution. May NOT be re-posted on the web.
The information presented here is accessed and used educationally around the
world. Please provide proper credit and respect the copyrights. )
Updated and expanded material will be published in Bill's book "Songcrafters'
Coloring Book: the Ulimate Guide to Effective and Successful Songwriting",
scheduled for a 2009 release. |
|
==========================================================
This copyrighted
material is for the personal educational use of songwriters, artists and
educators, and may NOT be reproduced, posted on the web, forwarded, or
otherwise disseminated without permission. The complete "Songcrafters
Coloring Book", with lots of additional material, will be published in book
form soon. To work with Bill in person, or by mail
or e-mail, Check out the
Connecticut Songwriting Academy
========================================================== |
|
|
|
|
|
Anatomy of a Song -- It all starts here, with
Creation to Realization to Proliferation. This is the road map that ties
together all the pieces of songcrafting, and shows their relation to the
creative and business sides of the process. |
|
The Concrete Abstract Balancing Act -- The How's
and Why's of balancing concrete and abstract lyrics. Add IMPACT to
your songs! |
|
Expression vs. Communication -- The most
fundamental concept in all of songwriting. Learn why songs succeed or fail
in hitting their target |
|
Focusing a Song -- The key to making your songs
hit home with the impact of a laser beam. Learn how to avoid diluting the
power of your songs. |
|
Lists and Twists -- Some basic concepts about song
structure when using list vs. story lyrics |
|
MBTI and Collaboration - This article, published
in the international Songwriters Market book, has been considered
grounbreaking in its approach to one of the most important keys to success
in the craft and business of music . |
|
MBTI and Critique - This article takes the
mystique out of critique. Objective feedback is an absolute necessity if you
want to make your songs be the best they can be. Here's how to make it
work for you. |
|
MBTI and Lyrics -- Do your lyrics project the
personality you mean them to have? Will they affect people the way you
want them to? Here's how to tell. |
|
MBTI in the Music Business -- Wouldn't it be
great if you knew how collaborators. producers, managers, lawyers, and
artists would prefer to be approached and how they might prefer to work with
people? Here is some insight. |
|
Hit the Bullseye and Avoid the Bull -- Practical
techniques for targeting your songs and achieving the specificity you want. |
|
The Meaning of Meaning (Part 1) -- If you want
your audience to understand you and your message, start here.
(see also Expression vs. Communication). |
|
The Meaning of Meaning (Part 2) -- When is
ambiguity a good thing and when is it not? Who is in charge of what you
mean -- you or your listeners ? |
|
Metrics and Accents -- One of the most important
parts of a well crafted song is having all the word and music accents
properly aligned. Here's what to look for. |
|
Metrics and White Space -- White Space: The
Final Frontier. So important but so overlooked is the empty space between
words and syllables. Here's the scoop. |
|
Oronyms -- Kiss the sky or Kiss this guy? The
stuff he knows blows me away -- or the stuffy nose blows me away? Here's
what to watch out for. |
 |
Plaster, Mortar and Cement -- Give your songs a
solid foundation with concrete references. Here are some tips and examples. |
|
Rhyme Mapping -- How to use rhyme to give your
song solid structure and make it come alive with sonic activity |
|
Rhythm and the Theory of Relativity -- What is
the difference between 3/4 and 6/8 ? What is 'swing'? How does music
rhythm affect lyric cadence? Why does any of it matter? Find out here. |
|
Semantic Fields -- Funny name, important
concept. This is what keeps songs focused and on target instead of becoming
diffuse and diluted. In a song about apples, don't mention oranges. In a
song about fruit, don't mention celery. Good examples in this article |
|
Sale: The Seven C's -- These seven essential
steps will help make a smooth path from creation to realization to
proliferation as you draft it, craft it, pitch it, and sell it.
|
|
Writing in the Key
of "W" -- Who, What When Where Why and hoW ; Six aspects of a
lyric that make the difference between a hit and a miss. |
|
Stress and White Space -- More about the
importance of the empty space between the words and how they affect the
overall impact of your song. (Also see the articles on
Metrics) |
|
The Role of Associations in Art, Craft, and Business
-- Some organizations emphasize art, some focus on craft, and some on
business. What's the difference and which is right for you ? |
|
Song Parameters
-- What's a parameter and what does it have to do with songwriting?
Everything ! Here's why. |
 |
Role
Call: You Are Bartholomew Cubbins --
With the rise of the Indie Music scene, artist can now be in control
of all aspects of their activites, but to do so requires wearing many hats -
Here's how to keep track of them. |
|
=======================================================
To see the lyrics for all of
Bill's recorded songs, click
here.
Lyrics may NOT be re-posted anywhere on the web without permission.
Lyrics used for academic purposes must be properly credited and must include
the copyright notice.
=======================================================
|
Other Relevant Articles:
A Songwriters perspective on American Idol
American Idol Myths
Why a Song must Communicate, not just Express (the
Kelly Clarkson story)
Looking for a Record Contract ? Read this
Article
How Much Do you Know About the Music Business ?
Take the
MUSIC BIZ QUIZ.
15 Simple Questions.
=======================================================
|
GUEST BOOK
If you
would like updated information about more songcrafting articles, or
the publication of Bill's book, please fill
out the form at the right.
For Booking Songwriting Workshops, Conference Programs, Concerts, School
Programs, LUNCH Ensemble Events, or customized programs, contact us at :
CT Songwriting
Academy. PO Box 511, Mystic CT 06355
E-Mail:
info @
ctsongwriting . com
(remember to remove the spaces which are
there to prevent spam) |
|
Bill Pere's
Songwriters Tools.
Want to join
The MuseNote WebRing?
[
Previous |
Next |
Random Site |
List Sites ]
Songwriting that Gets Results !
|