The Songwriting Sourcebook: How to Turn Chords into Great Songs

by Rikky Rooksby

(Book). Complementing Rikky Rooksby's bestselling How to Write Songs on Guitar (00330574), this easy-to-use reference book will teach you how to write better songs. It analyzes important issues including writing harmonies, melodies and lyrics, and how to improve your songs by redrafting. The reference section includes sequences from a variety of diverse songs, outlining 20 songwriting moments, recommended listening for songwriters, and quotes about songwriting from professional songwriters. The enclosed CD features examples of chords, chord progressions and harmonies featured in the book, with a case history illustrating how to develop a song.

Genres: Music, Nonfiction, Reference

Paperback

First published October 1, 2003

Reviews

[David Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a nice departure from some of the tired old songwriting tutorials of the previous generation. He explores some interesting ideas about chord progressions here which are definitely worth looking at. It would have been a great place to introduce the study of modality, e.g. church modes, pentatonic scales, whole tone scales but, unfortunately, that is missing here. Nevertheless, I recommend it for songwriters who are looking to get a better handle on harmony/chord progressions in order to introduce more variety into their writing.

I found the section on modulation, i.e. changing keys, very useful. I'm working through it now in detail and taking notes so that I can come back and practice these various strategies again.

The book also offers some interesting ideas for increasing harmonic variety. Reverse polarity chords are one of these, i.e. where the IV (major) chord is switched to a iv (minor) and where iii and vi are switched to III and VI respectively. I'm still working with these to try to figure out how best to make use of them.

It's important that you sit right at the piano when you work with this book because you've got to actually hear the chord progressions and not just think about them on paper.

[Andrew Horton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rooksby - in spite of his embarrassing hair-metal name - is THE GUY for these sorts of practical music theory books for people that don't want to study Chopin but would still like to understand what makes great songs tick, then apply those lessons to their own craft. This is probably his best all-around book, and rather than stodgy old chestnuts it relies on Smiths and Nick Lowe songs more often than not. Outstanding.

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like anything worth doing do it well. The author brings up many of the old songs, bands to illustrate what she is saying. Chords and chord progressions that go well together. Filled with music theory. Demonstrates different ways to write songs and ideas for songs. Also the structure of the song as well as examples of 1, 2 or more chords. The book is a reference to help and guide you.

[Stephen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb!