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The Girls' Guide to Rocking: How to Start a Band, Book Gigs, and Get Rolling to Rock Stardom
From greats like Patti Smith and Joan Jett to legends-in-the-making like Taylor Swift and Demi Lovato, girls want to rock. They want to start bands, write songs, get up on stage, and kick out the jams. Here's the book to teach them how. Written by an obsessive music lover who's spent her life playing, performing, publicizing, and writing about rock 'n' roll, The Girls' Guide To Rocking is a hip, inspirational guide for rad girls who want to make their rock dreams come true.
It's everything a rocking girl needs to how to choose the right instrument for you, where to shop for instruments and where to avoid. How to get your band together and keep it together―tips on playing in a band with your friends and staying friends. How to turn your bedroom into a soundproof practice space. Giving your band the right name, plus a cautionary glossary of overused words (Wolf, Star, Crystal, Earth, etc.). How to set-up and promote your own shows. The freedom of going solo, and how to handle performing alone in the spotlight. Songwriting tips, with eight prompts to get the lyrics flowing. The ins and outs of recording, whether at home or in a studio. Taking care of publicizing your band, making T-shirts, legalese and the creative personality, and the four signs that say "time to hire a manager"―in other words, you've arrived.
Includes a girls-in-rock timeline, essential listening lists, and quotes from the Nina Simone, Hayley Williams, Gwen Stefani, Carrie Brownstein, Amy Lee, Kim Gordon, and more. Now get out there and rule the world.
It's everything a rocking girl needs to how to choose the right instrument for you, where to shop for instruments and where to avoid. How to get your band together and keep it together―tips on playing in a band with your friends and staying friends. How to turn your bedroom into a soundproof practice space. Giving your band the right name, plus a cautionary glossary of overused words (Wolf, Star, Crystal, Earth, etc.). How to set-up and promote your own shows. The freedom of going solo, and how to handle performing alone in the spotlight. Songwriting tips, with eight prompts to get the lyrics flowing. The ins and outs of recording, whether at home or in a studio. Taking care of publicizing your band, making T-shirts, legalese and the creative personality, and the four signs that say "time to hire a manager"―in other words, you've arrived.
Includes a girls-in-rock timeline, essential listening lists, and quotes from the Nina Simone, Hayley Williams, Gwen Stefani, Carrie Brownstein, Amy Lee, Kim Gordon, and more. Now get out there and rule the world.
- GenresMusicNonfiction
229 pages, Paperback
First published May 13, 2009
30 people are currently reading
180 people want to read
About the author
Jessica Hopper
4 books204 followersJessica Hopper is a Chicago-based music critic and the author of The First Collection of Criticism By A Living Female Rock Critic. She was formerly the Editorial Director at MTV News, and an editor at Pitchfork and Rookie. Her essays have appeared in Best Music Writing for 2004, 2005, 2007, 2010, and 2011. Her book The Girls' Guide to Rocking was named one of 2009's Notable Books For Young Readers by the American Library Association. Her memoir, Night Moves, was published September 2018 from University of Texas Press.
Her forthcoming book, No God But Herself, is an examination of women in pop music in 1975, and is due out in Fall 2021 from MCD x FSG.
Her forthcoming book, No God But Herself, is an examination of women in pop music in 1975, and is due out in Fall 2021 from MCD x FSG.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
November 13, 2012
Reviewed by K. Osborn Sullivan for TeensReadToo.com
First of all, THE GIRLS' GUIDE TO ROCKING isn't just for girls. Its target audience might be girls who are interested in starting a band, but there's so much great information in this book that it's a useful tool for anyone who wants to make music. In fact, if you have to buy a gift for a guy who rocks, I'd almost suggest that you get this book and use a piece of electrical tape to cover up the word GIRLS' on the cover. Explain away the duct tape by saying the book is punk or distressed or something. The only other way he can tell this book was written for girls is that the rock star quotes are from women, but no one should complain about getting rock career advice from the likes of Patti Smith and Amy Lee.
THE GIRLS' GUIDE TO ROCKING is packed from cover to cover with everything a budding rock star needs to know. It starts with instruments, including which ones are most commonly associated with rock bands, brands available, finding a teacher, and much more. There's a chapter on putting a band together, keeping it together, rehearsals, and even how to come up with a catchy name. Technical information about writing songs and recording music is provided for more advanced readers who are looking to take the next steps in fulfilling their rock dreams.
The book even includes an appendix about how to use the recording software GarageBand. There is also a whole chapter on finding and booking gigs, which includes cheap, creative ideas for making posters and band merchandise.
This comprehensive guide has something to offer a wide variety of musicians, regardless of their goals. Beginners who just want to buy a second-hand guitar and pick out a few chords will get tips for where and how to find decent used equipment. If you want to get some friends together to start a garage band, you will find tips for helping make that a fun process for everyone involved. For those who have their hearts set on full-scale rock stardom, this book can be used as a how-to guide for everything from writing music to signing a contract with a record company.
The book has a funny, down-to-earth tone that makes it easy and enjoyable to read. In addition, its focus on female musicians is empowering to girls who want to break into an industry dominated by men.
I highly recommend THE GIRLS' GUIDE TO ROCKING for both musicians and the people who love them. Girls who are looking for information about making their own music should definitely check out this book. Parents or grandparents have finally found a cool gift for the music-minded girl in their lives. And one of the best things about the book is that even non-musicians can enjoy it. Not being a musician myself, I learned a tremendous amount about instruments, bands, songwriting, and recording.
After reading this book, I was even able to have a rational conversation with my 16-year-old guitar player son about drum kits and the music he was recording. Any book that can help me do that rocks!
First of all, THE GIRLS' GUIDE TO ROCKING isn't just for girls. Its target audience might be girls who are interested in starting a band, but there's so much great information in this book that it's a useful tool for anyone who wants to make music. In fact, if you have to buy a gift for a guy who rocks, I'd almost suggest that you get this book and use a piece of electrical tape to cover up the word GIRLS' on the cover. Explain away the duct tape by saying the book is punk or distressed or something. The only other way he can tell this book was written for girls is that the rock star quotes are from women, but no one should complain about getting rock career advice from the likes of Patti Smith and Amy Lee.
THE GIRLS' GUIDE TO ROCKING is packed from cover to cover with everything a budding rock star needs to know. It starts with instruments, including which ones are most commonly associated with rock bands, brands available, finding a teacher, and much more. There's a chapter on putting a band together, keeping it together, rehearsals, and even how to come up with a catchy name. Technical information about writing songs and recording music is provided for more advanced readers who are looking to take the next steps in fulfilling their rock dreams.
The book even includes an appendix about how to use the recording software GarageBand. There is also a whole chapter on finding and booking gigs, which includes cheap, creative ideas for making posters and band merchandise.
This comprehensive guide has something to offer a wide variety of musicians, regardless of their goals. Beginners who just want to buy a second-hand guitar and pick out a few chords will get tips for where and how to find decent used equipment. If you want to get some friends together to start a garage band, you will find tips for helping make that a fun process for everyone involved. For those who have their hearts set on full-scale rock stardom, this book can be used as a how-to guide for everything from writing music to signing a contract with a record company.
The book has a funny, down-to-earth tone that makes it easy and enjoyable to read. In addition, its focus on female musicians is empowering to girls who want to break into an industry dominated by men.
I highly recommend THE GIRLS' GUIDE TO ROCKING for both musicians and the people who love them. Girls who are looking for information about making their own music should definitely check out this book. Parents or grandparents have finally found a cool gift for the music-minded girl in their lives. And one of the best things about the book is that even non-musicians can enjoy it. Not being a musician myself, I learned a tremendous amount about instruments, bands, songwriting, and recording.
After reading this book, I was even able to have a rational conversation with my 16-year-old guitar player son about drum kits and the music he was recording. Any book that can help me do that rocks!
July 2, 2016
I don't know what it says about me that I got halfway through the book before connecting that "girls" in the title actually means "females under 18," not just "females". (Uh ... why are there so many references to parents and high school?) It was fun to compare this book to The Indie Band Survival Guide, which is aimed at people who want to make money from their bands (and was written by two men). This book includes tips on how to stencil your logo on T-shirts using spray paint. The other book includes tips on how to sync your band's blog to its webpage, Twitter feed, Facebook, etc. Ahem.
Anyway, this book has a super friendly, encouraging tone. It starts from the basics (check that the used guitar you're thinking of buying doesn't buzz when you strum it), and I learned a lot (all those parts of the snare drum have names! So that's what "phantom power" is). I thought it was a little incongruous that they also explain what a 360 record deal is at the end of the book, but I guess knowledge is power. I liked the tips on songwriting.
Anyway, this book has a super friendly, encouraging tone. It starts from the basics (check that the used guitar you're thinking of buying doesn't buzz when you strum it), and I learned a lot (all those parts of the snare drum have names! So that's what "phantom power" is). I thought it was a little incongruous that they also explain what a 360 record deal is at the end of the book, but I guess knowledge is power. I liked the tips on songwriting.
August 26, 2010
This book goes beyond a cutesy guide for teenage girls. I think it would be a good guide for all musicians. I like organisation and starting on time etc etc and this book slots all that geeky stuff right in with the more rock and roll aspects of being in a band. Made me want to make music again.
Lucy Longstocking review http://www.wcl.govt.nz/blogs/kids/ind...
A cool book that will help you get rolling towards rock stardom is The Girls Guide To Rocking by Jessica Hopper. I recommend this even if you are not a girl. It is really in-depth and has interesting appendices to inspire you. If you need some audio-visual motivation check out Girls Rock! Some of the girls on this DVD can really scream.
Now, one other thing, you must cross your heart promise that if you do start a band you will let me know. I will be your biggest fan and I will bring biscuits.
Lucy Longstocking review http://www.wcl.govt.nz/blogs/kids/ind...
A cool book that will help you get rolling towards rock stardom is The Girls Guide To Rocking by Jessica Hopper. I recommend this even if you are not a girl. It is really in-depth and has interesting appendices to inspire you. If you need some audio-visual motivation check out Girls Rock! Some of the girls on this DVD can really scream.
Now, one other thing, you must cross your heart promise that if you do start a band you will let me know. I will be your biggest fan and I will bring biscuits.
March 4, 2010
From http://flyingsinger.blogspot.com/2009...
I noticed The Girls' Guide to Rocking in the gift shop at the Experience Music Project in Seattle when I was out there recently (great museum, BTW). I wasn't sure if it was serious or not, so I waited to check it out on the web before buying it "for my daughter" (wink, wink).
Turns out it's a fun book, but also quite serious, and despite the title, not just for girls. Author Jessica Hopper covers pretty much all the bases for anyone who might be thinking of picking up an instrument, writing and recording some songs, or forming a band. Topics range from how to select a guitar or drum set to how to deal with conflicts in a band, how to record demos at home, how to promote gigs, and much more. Other topics include musical instruction, lyric writing, producers, managers, touring, stage fright, and the importance of ear protection when you're exposed to amplified music. It's a great book - Hopper covers a lot of useful and practical ground in 224 pages. Most of the quotes in the book are from female musicians (not all of them "rockers"), and there is a lot of encouragement aimed at girls, but this book would be really helpful for anyone trying to get started doing music (other than classical, I suppose).
I wish I had something like this when I was trying to be serious about doing music back in my college days (I was pretty clueless). And I actually do plan to give it to my daughter now that I've read it.
I noticed The Girls' Guide to Rocking in the gift shop at the Experience Music Project in Seattle when I was out there recently (great museum, BTW). I wasn't sure if it was serious or not, so I waited to check it out on the web before buying it "for my daughter" (wink, wink).
Turns out it's a fun book, but also quite serious, and despite the title, not just for girls. Author Jessica Hopper covers pretty much all the bases for anyone who might be thinking of picking up an instrument, writing and recording some songs, or forming a band. Topics range from how to select a guitar or drum set to how to deal with conflicts in a band, how to record demos at home, how to promote gigs, and much more. Other topics include musical instruction, lyric writing, producers, managers, touring, stage fright, and the importance of ear protection when you're exposed to amplified music. It's a great book - Hopper covers a lot of useful and practical ground in 224 pages. Most of the quotes in the book are from female musicians (not all of them "rockers"), and there is a lot of encouragement aimed at girls, but this book would be really helpful for anyone trying to get started doing music (other than classical, I suppose).
I wish I had something like this when I was trying to be serious about doing music back in my college days (I was pretty clueless). And I actually do plan to give it to my daughter now that I've read it.
June 6, 2013
This book is awesome. Informative, cool, interesting and fun, covering a vast range of band/rock stardom-related must-knows. Newly added to my favorite book list, as well as possibly the best this-how-you-d-it book I've read. I recommend this book even if you don't have any plans relating to the music industry. Definitely worth a read.
September 21, 2014
A terrific guide that answers just about every conceivable question one might have about starting a band. I love that it's aimed at girls but think it's sound advice applies to boys and all adults too. One of the better books about the nuts and bolts of playing rock and roll with your friends out there.
Read
August 7, 2009This book is so great. Seriously please get a copy to every and any preadolescent/teenage girl you know. I would die to give a copy of this to little Bethany. It's inspiring, well-researched, and perfectly written.
October 12, 2010
man, i wish this book had been around when i was in high school. (tho it's sad even a book written specifically for female musicians relies so heavily on male rather than female musicians as examples. and was there really absolutely no mention of ani in the entire book? that's just wrong.)
June 2, 2011
A fun and useful book for teens interested in starting a band. It would be good for both boys and girls; the only thing that girl-specific is that the majority of inspiring heroes mentioned are women and one comment about it being easier to get press when there is a girl in the band.
July 18, 2009
If only I were 15 again and could start a band...
September 20, 2012
Very full of technical aspects and also mentions some AWESOME bands!!
March 28, 2017
Musician must read.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews