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- ISBN13: 9780879307493
- Condition: New
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Product Description
Using visual examples of songwriting techniques, this book teaches guitarists to write better songs. The CD demonstrates how the examples sound, and it includes dozens of chord progressions, evolving melodies and structures, and harmony effects, making the book especially useful to those who don't read music. The book starts with basic chords, describes how to write a song with simple elements, then gradually develops more complex structures. By seeing and hearing step-by-step examples of the song craft, the reader can easily learn the secrets of songwriting.
Customer Review:ABVQT2312FHA7
Rating: 
Summary: To The Naysayers
Everyone is entitled to their opinion, however much it may be at variance with reality. Rooksby's entire series of books reminds me of nothing so much as my time studying composition at the Juilliard School. Their undergraduate theory course (Literature and Materials of Music) mirrors Rooksby's game plan and "secret wish" for us as evolving musicians. As opposed to those who somehow miss the point and say his method is just a bunch of chords or progressions, Rooksby's entire thesis is that music is NOT these surface features that he goes to great lengths to describe. To my mind, Rooksby's wish for us as his students is for us to "get to work" and to use these stock features (chords, progressions) as launching pads for our own analysis of music's mysterious and personal qualities. At Juilliard, we were not taught theory per se, but rather, we were given pieces of music to analyze (polyphonic and homophonic) to come into class to discuss. Nobody told us what the piece "meant" and nobody told us "how the story ends". We were trained to become independent thinkers, and make up our own minds. Again, whatever the naysayers may believe in their musical heart of hearts to the contrary, Rikky Rooksby is a master teacher who states very clearly that music is either all surface and recycled parts and pieces, OR, it is an endless mystery, literally having no end (as there are infinite harmonics in nature). He also states clearly that the game of music is not in the obviously repeated surface structures, but in the way that each individual musician can IMPRINT on music structures their own spirit and personality. John Lennon's barre chords were his and nobody elses, just as Beethoven's middle c was unlike any other musician's middle c (even though it was). With his encyclopedic foundation of structures leading to a workable process of personal analysis of the songs we love (Rikky's plan for us as his students), Rooksby's intent is not to dwell smugly on music's obvious lacks (7-12 notes in Western music, the limited range of human hearing, etc), but to ponder and muse upon the mystery of how those lacks can turn into so much genuine gold. "Just think", Rikky seems to be saying..."there are endless new songs waiting for us to write". Just think...endless new songs.
Customer Review:A107XSTQFGP104
Rating: 
Summary: Decent reference of chord sequences, but not for writing songs
I have to echo what a previous reviewer said: this is a book of making chord sequences, not for making songs. I suppose it has some value as a reference library of possible chord sequences, but I doubt if you will turn them into "great songs" -- unless of course you already know how to write great songs! The way I see it, chord sequences is the easiest part of songwriting - writing lyrics, finding the rhythm and coming up with great melodies and getting the right "mood" are all the more important, and more difficult, aspects. Of course, others may feel differently.
Customer Review:A1AR68CZBMDAFJ
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Summary: Songs are more than just chords...
This book should be called "How to turn chords into chord progressions" because that's pretty much all there is. As a reference book it's pretty decent, but working through the whole book is a tedious process. Also there is no index in the back which makes it har do look up specific subjects.
As a whole, this book promises more than it delivers.
Customer Review:A7RPZKYXTDC92
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Summary: Sincerest flattery - I've "borrowed" some progressions for my own songs
I've been playing guitar forever, and writing songs for years, but like most other writers I get stuck in ruts from time to time. Now, whenever I need some new ideas, whether an entire song, a verse, a chorus, a bridge, or a lift, I just look through this book. Even a basic I-IV-V can be made more interesting by advancing or delaying a change. I also like that he relates the CD examples to particular musical styles, which provides a good template for writing to that style.
As with Rooksby's other books, the material is presented with great clarity and is well edited. A songwriter could do a lot worse than build a library of his books.
Customer Review:A31ZSC8CS6GP8M
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Summary: Insight, Inspiring and Suprising
I have over last two years developed into a real fan of Rikky's books. This one really surprised me for progressive depth in the structure of each chapter. Each chapter builds on the next. And sandwiched between the 'tips' are these gems of compositions that helps broaden and deepen the constructive elements of songwriting. The book is focused more on chord progression in songs and then the composition of the song's components, verse, chorus, bridge, etc. The great surprise, and I think, and real beauty of the book is the way he uses the CD with the last chapter. He records 12 or so songs, and then in that chapter, he breaks them down in to their component structure, and tells you why he made the choices he did. A really GREAT book. Worth the price!
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