Tunesmith: Inside the Art of Songwriting by Jimmy Webb Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Tunesmith: Inside the Art of Songwriting
Book Review: A wonderful biography and songwriting resource
Summary: 5 Stars
I had not heard much about Jimmy Webb before buying this book, but now I wan to know more about him, about songwriting, about music theory and construction, I bought this book with the idea that I would learn a little of what it was to be a songwriter (which I have been trying to be for either too long or too short a time depending on your point of view) and how to write songs and melodies easily and freely. Jimmy Webb goes through every aspect of the songwriting experience, even as far as to write a song in the book - 'Problem Child'. You get to see HIS methods, but more importantly the tools he uses to overcome problems. These tools are applicable to all songs and can be used by all songwriters to improve their art. I missed getting to see Jimmy when he played in Dublin recently, I won't miss him again.Book Review: Pass me that spanner, Jim
Summary: 2 Stars
Let me say straight away that I have never been a great fan of Jimmy Webb; 'MacArthur Park', 'Up, Up and Away' etc have never moved me in the slightest. Now, at least, I know why. Webb's mechanical approach to songwriting springs, perhaps, from the necessity of earning a living and accepting commission work - and I can understand that, but there seems something desperately hollow about making a list of possible titles and then going straight to the rhyming dictionary for more lists that fit in with your choice of projected new song. Webb takes us, step by step, through the assembly - and I use the word advisedly, of the lyrics for 'Problem Child'. It's all head and no heart and not, I would maintain, what songwriting, or any other artistic endeavour, should be about. There again, if you need a song or a tune for a movie or a new Broadway production, Webb is your man, and he is, apparently, very successful and well respected within the US music industry, so he must be doing something right. Or have I just put my finger on the problem? I can't help feeling that Webb's editors have let him down, too. There's far too much inconsequential waffle and gratuitous listing of references which serve no very obvious purpose. The book could lose about a quarter to a third of its pagination without affecting the core message in the slightest. If you have a molecule of creative pride in you, buy it to find out how not to write songs and you don't want to end up as a phenomenally well-paid record company poodle. You'll learn a lot more if you listen to the recordings of great artists who haven't had time to write books.Book Review: more like a novel than an aid to teaching.
Summary: 1 Stars
This book is probably great for intelligent people. Unfortunately i'm a bit thick so i didn't actually learn much....too many long words and pages that waffle on and on and on.It is more like a novel than an aid to teaching the art of songwriting. I was looking for a book that would explain the following; 1.Basic music theory [scales,circle of fifths] 2.Basic chord theory [keys,passing chords] 3.Basic poetry theory [poetic paradigms,rhyming] 4.Basic Lyric theory [structure and form]This book didn't satisfy any of my wishes..........sorry!
Book Review: The best book on songwriting
Summary: 5 Stars
As a teacher of songwriting to Popular Music degree students, I use this book as required reading for the course. Webb's take on the art and craft of writing is at times opinionated, but his understanding of the imperatives of the form is second to none. Highlights include his extended and frequent analogy of 'building' the song like a house with solid foundations (form), different 'rooms' (sections/verses) and an impermeable roof (melody); he also builds an entire song from nothing more than a title right through to a finished product. The book is not flawless by any means; at times (such as when he discusses melodic form) he is clearly speaking to the absolute beginner; at others (such as when he attempts to cover the whole of music theory in around 25 pages!) he makes assumptions about the reader. In my experience only around 20% of wannabe songwriters actually read music notation; still fewer have a strong grasp of diatonic harmony.That said, there are many gems of information and inspiration in this book from a true master of the craft. Skip the middle bit about music theory, and you'll find much in here to hone your songwriting to the highest level.
For those who are really serious writers, the other excellent book about songwriting worth having is Sheila Davis' 'Successful Lyric Writing' - it's another one that we use as a key text for our songwriting modules.
Book Review: Inside The Song Writing Process
Summary: 4 Stars
This book goes through the process of choosing an idea / title for a song, then brainstorming potential lyrics, constructing first draft lyrics, determining an appropriate melody whilst adjusting the lyrics and writing the harmony.
The thinking behind each decision during this process is explained in a conversational tone with good humour and honesty. This is what makes this book uniquely valuable.
A more structured presentation would have made this more of a text book format and easier to navigate.
The final sections give some ideas about what market to sell your songs to (theatre, cabaret, pop etc) and in which American locations (NYC, LA or Nashville). Other books do this bit better, but Jimmy provides some inside information not available elsewhere as well as some interesting anecdotes from his past.
I've docked one star for the lack of a structured presentation and for the 'marketing songs' section being too lightweight to be really useful.
The songwriting chapters are very detailed and facinating.
The song he writes for the book may not be world class, but as a demonstration of how a song is written (by someone who has written many hits and successful songs over a long period of time, unlike most of the other song writing books available) this book is essential reading for writers of all levels of ability.