Developing successful song structures: Identifying the most successful song structures and why they work
Identifying the components of a song
Building a successful song
Developing great song ideas and catchy titles: Understanding what constitutes a great idea and how to find one
Making the singer look good
Using the three-step lyric-focusing technique
Acquiring the tools for successful lyric writing
Expressing one idea and one emotion
Maintaining one consistent tense and tone
Developing strong opening lines
Incorporating detail, action, and imagery into lyrics
Keeping it conversational
Keeping your imagery fresh
Avoiding preaching (unless you're in church)
Writing the dreaded second verse
Using rhymes: Where to, when to, how to, and why to
Using a rhyming dictionary and Thesaurus
Looking for opposites and twists on words
Using assonance and alliteration
Writing the big payoff lines
Writing lyrics to an existing melody
Making each line its strongest
What if I only write lyrics?
Writing for specialty markets
Writing successful children's songs
Writing Folk/Americana songs
Crafting successful Christmas songs
Writing for the Latin market
Composing memorable melodies: Learning effective melody-writing skills
Keeping it simple and singable (K.I.S.S.)
Using hymns and children's songs for melodic inspiration
Making it obvious where the title goes without the lyric
Altering the range, varying the rhythms, and inserting pauses
Marrying the music to the lyric: Prosody
Choosing the appropriate melodic range
Using repetition effectively
Keeping your phrases short and catchy
Writing symmetrical phrases
Acquiring additional melody Writing techniques
Learning to use nonsense syllables
Repeating words or phrases
Learning the power of sequential intervals, ascending notes, and descending notes
Varying the tempo and time signature
Finding those magic moments: Unexpected note or chord
Incorporating modulations
Melody test: Can you write effective melodies?
What if I write only music?
Learning how and when to record a demo: How to know when your song is ready
Identifying what's right for your song
Distinguishing between song demos and artist demos
Measuring up to the professional standard
Knowing how many tracks are necessary
Deciding between self-producing and demo services
Preparing to record your demo: Preparing lyric sheets
Deciding on an arrangement
Determining the proper key
Hiring the best musicians
Selecting the right studio
Learning to speak "Musician"
Choosing the best vocalist
Using technology to capture the best vocal performance
Mixing: Recording formats
Learning about track mixes
Learning where the money comes from: Mechanical royalties
domestic and foreign royalties
Performance royalties and performing rights organizations
Writing jingles and placing songs in commercials
Church copyright license royalties
Future sources of revenue
Understanding what music publishing really means: How to get a publisher and why
Working with your publisher to achieve your goals
Understanding publishing agreements: Single-song agreements
Making connections and pitching your songs: Networking
How to find a collaborator
How and when to copyright your songs
Finding out who's looking for songs and what they're looking for
Using pitch sheets effectively
Pitching your songs to the right people
Developing your pitch presentation
Hanging in there until the big break
Understanding what to expect
Making the time for yourself and your creativity
Getting past "No": Overcoming the obstacles
Finding validation from within
Dealing with the big critic inside your head
Finding a market for your talent.