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Click here for

A  Songwriters perspective on American Idol

American Idol Myths

The Kelly Clarkson story

Songwriting Techniques

 


Songwriting that Gets Results: Combining Arts, Education, and
Community Outreach

Songwriting - Music Production - Publishing - Mentoring -  Performances - CD Recording -  Workshops - Drama
 



Should You
Buy This Book?

The long-awaited "Songcrafters' Coloring Book: The Essential Guide to Effective and Successful Songwriting" by Bill Pere

NOW AVAILABLE: $26.95. Order Here

--> View the Table of Contents
--> View the Introduction

--> Sample charts and diagrams:
   
-- Anatomy of a Song
    -- 
Song Map Sample
    --
Level 3 Critique Sample
    --
Listener Response Matrix
    --
The Fundamental Choice
    --
Roles in the Life of a Song

    -- Recommended Reading List
    -- Asch-VonRestorff Effects
    -- more....

30 years in the making -- Definitely worth the wait !  

-- A good book challenges the way you think -- A great book changes the way you think --

"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

" It was a pleasure to be in your workshops.  Your grasp of the material and your ability to articulate it made it quite enjoyable" -- Ron Sowell, Founder Mountain Stage Radio Show

"That was the most coherent and practical songwriting presentation I've ever heard, bar
  none" -- Mary Dawson, Author "How to Get Somewhere in the Music Business From Nowhere With Nothing"

"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
(View Table of Contents)

--------
 (IT'S HERE!) 
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 began as a collection of published articles by Bill Pere, who was named by Music Connection Magazine as one of the Top 50 "Innovators, Iconoclasts, Groundbreakers and Guiding Lights of the Music Industry" in 2008.   Bill is an  award- winning songwriter, IMC Indie Artist of the Year,  Official Connecticut State Troubadour, and President of the Connecticut Songwriters Association. This information on songwriting techniques and music business insight has been helping aspiring songwriters for almost three decades. .  Some of the original articles are presented below.  The entire book  "Songcrafters' Coloring Book: The Essential Guide to Effective and Successful Songwriting"  contains all new and expanded material, and a totally new approach to understanding the process of songwriting that gives you unprecedented control over your creative output.

 (All material is Copyright 1980-2009 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.  )

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.  Academic use is permitted with proper attribution.  The complete "Songcrafters' Coloring Book", with lots of additional material is available in book form here.    To work with Bill in person, or by mail or e-mail, Check out the Connecticut Songwriting Academy

==========================================================

 

These are some of the original articles which form the basis for several topics discussed in the book.
 The book contains much more depth and updated material.

Document
 
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 most up-to-date version can be found in the book)
Document
 
The Concrete Abstract Balancing Act -- The How's and Why's of  balancing concrete and abstract lyrics.    Add  IMPACT to your songs!   (expanded information can be found in Chapter 5  of the book)
Document
 
Expression vs. Communication -- The most fundamental concept in all of songwriting.  Learn why songs succeed or fail in hitting their target.  (expanded information can be found in  Chapter 9 of the book)
Document
 
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.  (expanded information can be found in Chapter 13 of the book)
Document
 
Lists and Twists -- Some basic concepts about song structure when using list vs. story lyrics  (expanded information can be found in Chapter 9 of the book)
Document
 
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.
(expanded information can be found in Chapter 23 of the book)
Document
 
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.  (expanded information can be found in Chapter 24  of the book)
Document The Three Levels of  Critique - This article looks at different types of critique and helps you decide what type of input you might find most useful at a given point in the life of each song.  (expanded information can be found in Chapter 24  of the book)
Document The  Four Faders of Success - Knowing how these four simple things are connected, how they are not connected, and how you can control them will open new horizons for your songs.  (expanded information can be found in Chapter 4  of the book)
Document
 
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.  (expanded information can be found in Chapter 23 of the book)
Document
 
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.
 (expanded information can be found in Chapter 6 of the book)
Document
 
Hit the Bullseye and Avoid the Bull -- Practical techniques for targeting your songs and achieving the specificity you want.  (expanded information can be found in Chapter 10 of the book)
Document
 
The Meaning of Meaning (Part 1) -- If you want your audience to understand you and your message,  start here.    (see also Expression vs. Communication).
 (expanded information can be found in Chapter 8 of the book)
Document
 
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 ?   (expanded information can be found in Chapter 15  of the book)
Document Strategies for the Digital Age --You can easily put your music on the Internet, but how you you lead people to it ?  What new things do you have to consider in a digital world ?  Find out here.  (expanded information can be found in Chapter 27  of the book)
Document
 
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.  (expanded information can be found in Chapter 18  of the book)
Document
 
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.  (expanded information can be found in Chapter 19 of the book)
Document
 
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.  (expanded information can be found in  Chapter 19 of the book)
Document Plaster, Mortar and Cement -- Give your songs a solid foundation with concrete references. Here are some tips and examples.  (expanded information can be found in  Chapter 11 of the book)
Document
 
Rhyme Mapping -- How to use rhyme to give your song  solid structure and make it come alive with sonic activity.   (expanded information  and visual song maps  can be found in Chapter 22 of the book)     For visual song map example, see here...
Document
 
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.   (expanded information can be found in  Chapter 20  of the book)
Document
 
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.  (expanded information can be found in Chapter 14 of the book)
Document
 
Sale: The Seven C's -- These seven essential elements will help you find a smooth path from creation to realization to proliferation as you draft it, craft it, pitch it, and sell it.
 (expanded information can be found in  the Appendix of the book)
Document
 
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.  (expanded information can be found in Chapter 16 of the book)
Document
 
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)   (expanded information can be found in  Chapter 19 of the book)
Document 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 ?
Document
 
Song Parameters  -- What's a parameter and what does it have to do with songwriting?   Everything !  Here's why.  (expanded information can be found in
Chapter 2  of the book)
Document Role Call: You Are Bartholomew Cubbins  -- With the ascendance of the Indie Music scene,  artists can now be in control of all aspects of their activities, but to do so requires wearing many hats - Here's how to keep track of them.  (expanded information can be found in Chapter 3 of the book)
Document If You Find This Material Useful, View the Table of Contents for "Songcrafters' Coloring Book: The Essential Guide to Effective and Successful Songwriting" by Bill Pere.   The book greatly expands and updates this material  with even more techniques and tools for helping make the best choices for your goals.  A good book challenges the way you think.  A great book changes the way you think!  You can order your copy here.
   

=======================================================
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 may be used for academic and educational purposes if they are properly credited and include the copyright notice. 
======================================================= 

Looking for Constructive Feedback?  Need a Professional Song Critique with Marketing Insights as Well?  What Can Professional Critique Do For You?   CLICK HERE for everything you wanted to know about getting useful critiques for your songs.

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.

 



Should You
Buy This Book?

The long-awaited "Songcrafters' Coloring Book: The Essential Guide to Effective and Successful Songwriting" by Bill Pere

NOW AVAILABLE: $26.95. Order Here

--> View the Table of Contents
--> View the Introduction

--> Sample charts and diagrams:
 
   -- Anatomy of a Song
    -- 
Song Map Sample
    --
Level 3 Critique Sample
    --
Listener Response Matrix
    --
The Fundamental Choice
    --
Roles in the Life of a Song

    -- Recommended Reading List
    -- Asch-VonRestorff Effects
    -- more....

30 years in the making -- Definitely worth the wait !  

======================================================= 

GUEST BOOK

 If you would like to make a comment about Bill's articles or book,  or join the mailing list for songwriting info, 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

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