The Master Bedroom Book

	Introduction	xviii
Step 1	Developing Successful Song Structures	1
Chapter 1	Identifying the Most Successful Song Structures--and Why They Work	2
	Identifying the Components of a Song	4
	The Verse	4
	The Pre-Chorus	5
	The Chorus	7
	The Bridge	11
	Building a Successful Song	13
	Verse-Chorus-Verse-Chorus	13
	Verse-Chorus-Verse-Chorus-Bridge-Chorus	14
	Verse-Chorus-Verse-Chorus-Verse-Chorus	15
	Verse-Verse-Bridge-Verse	17
	Variations	19
	Exercise: Identifying Song Structures	20
	Introductions, Instrumental Solos, and Turnarounds	20
	Exercise: Using Successful Song Structures	22
Step 1	Conclusion	22
	Song Structure Checklist	23
Step 2	Writing Effective Lyrics	25
Chapter 2	Developing Great Song Ideas and Catchy Titles	26
	Understanding What Constitutes a Great Idea--and How to Find One	26
	Keeping a Hook Book	33
	Exercise: Finding Original Titles	33
	Making the Singer Look Good	34
	Using Songs to Help Define Artist Identity	35
	Exercise: Defining Artist Identity	36
	Point of View: Deciding Which "Voice" to Write From	36
	Using the Three-Step Lyric-Focusing Technique	37
Step 1	Start with a Title	39
Step 2	Outline the Story	39
Step 3	Write the Actual Lines of Lyric	40
	Exercise: Practicing the Three-Step Lyric-Focusing Technique	41
	Writing Abstract Lyrics	41
Chapter 3	Acquiring the Tools for Successful Lyric Writing	42
	Expressing One Idea and One Emotion	42
	Maintaining One Consistent Tense and Tone	43
	Developing Strong Opening Lines	45
	Exercise: Writing Strong Opening Lines	46
	Maintaining Continuity	46
	Incorporating Detail, Action, and Imagery into Lyrics	47
	Exercise: Learning to Tell the Story--Not the Feelings	50
	Exercise: Incorporating Detail, Action, and Imagery into Lyrics	51
	Keeping It Conversational	52
	Keeping Your Imagery Fresh	53
	Exercise: Finding a New Way to Say It	54
	Exercise: Using Fresh Imagery	55
	Creating a Lyric Palette	56
	Exercise: Creating a Lyric Palette	56
	Avoiding Redundancy	56
	Avoiding Preaching (Unless You're in Church)	57
	Writing the Dreaded Second Verse	57
	Exercise: Adding New Information to the Second Verse	58
	Using Rhymes: Where to, When to, How to, and Why to	59
	Types of Rhymes	60
	Rhyme Schemes	62
	Using a Rhyming Dictionary and Thesaurus	62
	Using the List Technique	63
	Exercise: Practicing the List Technique	64
	Looking for Opposites and Twists on Words	65
	Exercise: Looking for Opposites and Twists on Words	65
	Using Assonance and Alliteration	66
	Exercise: Using Assonance and Alliteration	66
	Saving Key Words	67
	Writing the Big Payoff Lines	67
	Writing Lyrics to an Existing Melody	68
	Exercise: Writing a Lyric to an Existing Melody	69
	Visualizing a Hit	70
	Exercise: Visualizing a Hit	70
	Rewriting Your Lyrics	70
	Exercise: Rewriting a Verse Lyric	75
	Making Each Line Its Strongest	76
	Additional Lyric Tips	77
	What If I Only Write Lyrics?	78
Chapter 4	Writing for Specialty Markets	79
	Writing Successful Children's Songs	79
	Writing Christian Music	82
	Crafting Comedy Songs	85
	Parodies	85
	Original Comedy Songs	86
	Writing Folk/Americana Songs	87
	Crafting Successful Christmas Songs	90
	Exercise: Writing Christmas Lyrics	92
	Writing Cabaret Songs	92
	Writing for the Latin Market	94
Step 2	Conclusion	96
	Lyric Checklist	97
Step 3	Composing Memorable Melodies	99
Chapter 5	Learning Effective Melody-Writing Skills	100
	Writing A Cappella	100
	Exercise: Writing A Cappella	102
	Exercise: Trying a New Approach	103
	Keeping It Simple and Singable (K.I.S.S.)	103
	Using Hymns and Children's Songs for Melodic Inspiration	104
	Making It Obvious Where the Title Goes Without the Lyric	105
	Altering the Range, Varying the Rhythms, and Inserting Pauses	105
	Exercise: Making Your Title Jump Out	105
	Marrying the Music to the Lyric: Prosody	106
	Varying the Rhythms	106
	Choosing the Appropriate Melodic Range	107
Chapter 6	Using Repetition Effectively	109
	Keeping Your Phrases Short and Catchy	109
	Writing Symmetrical Phrases	111
	Exercise: Crafting Lyrics that Lend Themselves to Catchy Melodies	112
Chapter 7	Acquiring Additional Melody-Writing Techniques	114
	Using Fresh Rhythms	115
	Breaking the Lines	115
	Trying Different Notes	117
	Exercise: Practicing Breaking the Lines and Assigning Different Notes	118
	Learning to Use Nonsense Syllables	118
	Repeating Words or Phrases	118
	Exercise: Incorporating Repeating Words or Phrases and Nonsense Syllables	119
	Learning the Power of Sequential Intervals, Ascending Notes, and Descending Notes	119
	Exercise: Incorporating Sequential Intervals, Ascending Notes, and Descending Notes	120
	Varying the Tempo and Time Signature	121
	Exercise: Applying Different Tempos and Time Signatures	121
	Finding Those Magic Moments: The Unexpected Note or Chord	121
	Exercise: Incorporating Magic Moments	122
	Using Signature Licks	123
	Exercise: Composing Signature Licks	123
	Incorporating Modulations	123
	Exercise: Incorporating Modulations	125
	Avoiding Plagiarism	125
	The Melody Test: Can You Write Effective Melodies?	125
	Exercise: Analyzing Hit Melodies	126
	What If I Write Only Music?	127
Step 3	Conclusion	127
	Melody Checklist	129
Step 4	Producing Successful Demos	131
Chapter 8	Learning How and When to Record a Demo	132
	How to Know When Your Song Is Ready	132
	Identifying What's Right for Your Song	134
	Avoiding "The Big Lie"	135
	Distinguishing Between Song Demos and Artist Demos	135
	Measuring Up to the Professional Standard	137
	Knowing How Many Tracks Are Necessary	138
	Determining Budgets	138
	Deciding Between Self-Producing and Demo Services	141
	Exercise: Planning to Record Your Demo	143
Chapter 9	Preparing to Record Your Demo	144
	Preparing Lyric Sheets	144
	Recording Work Tapes	146
	Writing Chord Charts	146
	The Nashville Number System	147
	Deciding on an Arrangement	150
	Determining the Proper Key	151
	Hiring the Best Musicians	152
	Selecting the Right Studio	153
	Learning to Speak "Musician"	154
	Choosing the Best Vocalist	154
	Using Technology to Capture the Best Vocal Performance	157
	Deciding Whether to Use a Male or Female Vocalist	158
Chapter 10	Mixing	160
	Recording Formats	161
	Hard Drive	161
	CD	162
	MP3	162
	Cassette	163
	Reel-to-Reel	163
	DAT	164
	ADAT	164
	Analog Versus Digital	164
	Learning About Track Mixes	165
	Mastering	166
Step 4	Conclusion	166
	Demo Checklist	167
Step 5	Taking Care of Business	169
Chapter 11	Learning Where the Money Comes From	170
	Mechanical Royalties	171
	Domestic and Foreign Royalties	173
	Performance Royalties and Performing Rights Organizations	173
	Print Sales	176
	Synchronization Licenses	177
	Writing Jingles and Placing Songs in Commercials	179
	Music Libraries	180
	Church Copyright License Royalties	180
	Works for Hire	181
	Using Samples	182
	Future Sources of Revenue	182
Chapter 12	Understanding What Music Publishing Really Means	183
	How to Get a Publisher--and Why	184
	Working with Your Publisher to Achieve Your Goals	189
	Self-Publishing	190
	Using Songpluggers	192
Chapter 13	Understanding Publishing Agreements	194
	Single-Song Agreements	195
	Reversion Clauses	196
	Staff-Writing Deals	196
	Copublishing Deals	200
Chapter 14	Making Connections and Pitching Your Songs	202
	Networking	202
	Collaborating	204
	How to Find a Collaborator	209
	How and When to Copyright Your Songs	210
	Finding Out Who's Looking for Songs and What They're Looking For	212
	Using Pitch Sheets Effectively	213
	Pitching Your Songs to the Right People	215
	Pitching to A&R Staff	216
	Pitching to Producers/Production Coordinators	217
	Pitching to Artists	218
	Pitching to Artists' Managers	218
	Pitching to New Artists and Independent Labels	219
	Developing Your Pitch Presentation	220
	Pitching to Publishers	221
	Pitching to A&R, Producers, Artists, and Managers	225
	Knowing How Many Songs to Include	226
	Understanding Holds	228
	Entering Contests	230
	Avoiding the Scams	231
Step 5	Conclusion	234
	Business Checklist	235
Step 6	Developing Persistence and Realistic Expectations	237
Chapter 15	Hanging In There Until the Big Break	238
	Understanding What to Expect	239
	Making the Time for Yourself and Your Creativity	241
Chapter 16	Getting Past "No"	243
	Overcoming the Obstacles	244
	Exercise: Overcoming the Obstacles to Success	245
	Coping with Rejection	246
	Finding Validation from Within	248
	Dealing with the Big Critic Inside Your Head	251
	Exercise: Ten Magic Minutes	253
	Finding a Market for Your Talent	253
Step 6	Conclusion	254
	Persistence and Realistic Expectations Checklist	255
	Exercise: Final Assignment	256
	Afterword	257
	Author Information	259
	Appendix	260
	Song Permissions	271
	Index	274