Melody in Songwriting: Tools and Techniques for Writing Hit Songs

by Jack Perricone

(Berklee Guide). Melody is a subject too often neglected in the teaching of music. This unique resource gives melody the attention it deserves, and proves that melody writing is a skill that can be learned. Through proven tools and techniques, you will learn to write interesting melodies, how melodic rhythm influences rhyme, what makes harmony progress, and the many dynamic relationships between melody and harmony. This clear and comprehensive approach to songwriting unlocks the secrets of popular songs, revealing what really makes them work. Examples of great songs by such notable songwriters as Lennon and McCartney, Diane Warren, Robert Palmer, and more, provide a close-up illustration of the songwriting techniques employed by these masters of the industry. This is the book used in Songwriting classes at Berklee College of Music. The exercises provided make it a wonderful self-teaching manual and a great addition to any general theory course of any level. Use the tools presented in this book to help fine-tune your craft and start writing hits!

Genres: Music, Reference, Nonfiction

244 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 1, 2000

Reviews

[David Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of the better books out there for songwriting, I think. There are some very good sections on the relationship between melody and harmony, harmonic rhythm, etc. the section on song forms is also good.

I was particularly excited to find a chapter on modes, something lacking from every other book on songwriting I have consulted. The final chapter in the book addresses the Aeolian, Dorian and Mixolydian modes, probably the three nonstandard most likely to be used in a pop song. (Although Aeolian is really just the standard minor key with no extra tweaking for melodic or harmonic minor.) However, I found the explanations in this chapter bit difficult to process. Some interesting ideas were introduced, but I feel like I would have to spend a lot more time with them to really get them down. (FYI, I have composed melodies in Dorian, Lydian and other modes, so I do have some experience with the concepts.)

It might be useful to use this book along with Rikky Rooksby's _Songwriting Sourcebook_ which focuses on chords and their relationships.

[Ojo Taylor]

Working through it, bit by bit, over and over again.

[Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's surprising there aren't more books on melody, considering it's the part everyone remembers and hums. Most theory books give it one brief chapter (at best), then the remainder focuses on harmony of growing complexity. This book is the opposite. It focuses on melody, then shows how simple changes in harmony can highlight melody for tension and surprise. The concepts are universal and can be applied to all styles of music. I would've liked more real world examples, even if it were just a list at the end of each chapter. Only a few are mentioned throughout the book- perhaps publishing/licensing prevented more from being cited. Regardless, it's still the best book on melody and I enjoy rereading it every year.

[Kevin Reith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book in explaining just about EVERYTHING, but you appreciate the book in it's entirety unless you can read music

[maryReads1 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of the books that helped me most with understanding music & songwriting!!

[The · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book. Lots of music theory and tactics for analysis of songs and the techniques used. The author says that the is just preparatory material so that you have the tools to work with when inspiration comes or it's time to work, which is a good attitude. I do think it's a little long on music-theory analysis and short on analysis of why certain melodies really resonate; i.e., he talks more about what the writer is doing than how it elicits a particular response/feeling.

[Abran]

Starting!!