| Foreword |
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xv | |
| Introduction |
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1 | (4) |
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1 | (1) |
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2 | (1) |
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How This Book Is Organized |
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2 | (1) |
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Part 1: So You Want to Be a Songwriter |
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2 | (1) |
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Part 2: Unleashing the Lyricist in You |
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2 | (1) |
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Part 3: Creating Memorable Music |
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3 | (1) |
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Part 4: Cooperation, Collaboration, and Community |
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3 | (1) |
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Part 5: Getting Down to Business |
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3 | (1) |
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3 | (1) |
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3 | (1) |
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4 | (1) |
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4 | (1) |
| Part 1: So You Want To Be A Songwriter |
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5 | (68) |
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Chapter 1 Capturing That Solid-Gold Nugget |
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7 | (24) |
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Ground Zero - Before You Write a Single Note |
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8 | (5) |
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Is formal music training a must? |
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8 | (2) |
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Being prepared when inspiration strikes |
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10 | (1) |
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Finding you own inner voice and expression |
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10 | (3) |
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13 | (1) |
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Drip, Drip, Drop: The Six-Step Process |
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13 | (2) |
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Pay Attention: Stop, Look, and Listen |
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15 | (9) |
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Finding the inspiration zone |
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15 | (2) |
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Coming up with concepts for songs |
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17 | (4) |
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Setting your antennae to listen for lyrics |
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21 | (2) |
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Making up music "dummy" style |
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23 | (1) |
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On-the-Go Tools of the Trade for Recording and Organizing |
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24 | (5) |
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Using a digital recording device |
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25 | (2) |
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Jotting down ideas in a notebook |
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27 | (2) |
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29 | (2) |
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Chapter 2 Looking at the Genres: From Country to Rock and Everything in Between |
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31 | (22) |
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Creating Your Own Style: The Singer-Songwriter |
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32 | (2) |
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Looking for Mainstream Success: Commercial Appeal |
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34 | (14) |
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35 | (3) |
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38 | (4) |
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R&B, urban, hip-hop, and rap |
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42 | (2) |
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44 | (4) |
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Seeking a Road Less Travelled: Other Notable Genres |
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48 | (4) |
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48 | (1) |
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49 | (2) |
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51 | (1) |
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52 | (1) |
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52 | (1) |
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Chapter 3 Working It Out: Getting Your Song into Shape |
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53 | (20) |
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Talking Shop about Song Form |
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54 | (1) |
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55 | (6) |
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55 | (3) |
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58 | (1) |
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58 | (1) |
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Learning about the standard form |
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59 | (1) |
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Taking the standard form further |
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60 | (1) |
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61 | (11) |
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The verse-chorus form using a pre-chorus |
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64 | (1) |
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The verse-chorus form using a bridge |
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65 | (1) |
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The verse-chorus form using both a pre-chorus and a bridge |
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66 | (6) |
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72 | (1) |
| Part 2: Unleashing The Lyricist In You |
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73 | (82) |
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Chapter 4 Snagging Your Listeners with a Hook |
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75 | (16) |
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Stocking Your Tackle Box with Hooks |
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75 | (12) |
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77 | (1) |
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78 | (3) |
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81 | (2) |
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83 | (1) |
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84 | (3) |
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The use of different types of hooks in one song |
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87 | (2) |
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Having the Right Mindset When Working with Hooks |
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89 | (1) |
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90 | (1) |
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Chapter 5 Making an Impact with Lyrics |
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91 | (20) |
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Getting to Know the Different Lyric Types |
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92 | (18) |
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93 | (2) |
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95 | (2) |
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97 | (5) |
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Lyrics that make a statement |
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102 | (2) |
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Novelty and humorous lyrics |
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104 | (2) |
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106 | (1) |
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107 | (3) |
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110 | (1) |
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Chapter 6 Finding Your Voice in the Lyrics |
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111 | (26) |
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111 | (8) |
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112 | (4) |
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Starting with an idea or concept |
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116 | (2) |
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118 | (1) |
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Using a melody that suggests a lyric |
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118 | (1) |
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Finding the Format for Your Lyrics |
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119 | (6) |
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119 | (2) |
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121 | (1) |
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122 | (1) |
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123 | (2) |
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Moving Beyond Format to Sound |
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125 | (6) |
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Paying attention to the rhythm of the words |
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125 | (1) |
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Paying attention to the sounds of words within a lyric |
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126 | (1) |
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Noticing a lyric's point of view |
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127 | (2) |
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129 | (1) |
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Tuning in to the lyric's tone and style |
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130 | (1) |
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Using Poetic Devices in Lyrics |
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131 | (4) |
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132 | (1) |
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133 | (2) |
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135 | (2) |
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Chapter 7 Using Rhymes in Your Songs |
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137 | (18) |
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138 | (8) |
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Getting the basics of rhyme structure |
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138 | (1) |
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Starting with the alternate line method |
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139 | (2) |
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Looking at other basic rhyming patterns |
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141 | (1) |
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Trying out trickier forms of rhyme |
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142 | (3) |
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145 | (1) |
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Using Other Rhyming Techniques in Your Song |
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146 | (4) |
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Working with perfect rhymes |
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146 | (1) |
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Getting it close with near rhymes |
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147 | (1) |
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Working backwards with rhyme |
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148 | (1) |
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Changing pronunciations to help rhyme |
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149 | (1) |
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149 | (1) |
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To Rhyme or Not to Rhyme? |
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150 | (4) |
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Looking at songs with little rhyme |
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151 | (1) |
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152 | (2) |
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154 | (1) |
| Part 3: Creating Memorable Music |
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155 | (62) |
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Chapter 8 Feel the Rhythm, Feel the Ride |
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157 | (14) |
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Looking at the Rhythm of Words |
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158 | (4) |
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Accented and unaccented syllables |
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158 | (3) |
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161 | (1) |
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Looking at the Meter of Music |
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162 | (4) |
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164 | (1) |
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Applying notes to common time |
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165 | (1) |
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Putting Rhythm and Meter to Use in Your Songs |
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166 | (1) |
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Songwriting with Syncopation |
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167 | (2) |
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169 | (2) |
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Chapter 9 Making Melody Magic |
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171 | (18) |
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Exploring the Basics of Melodies in Music |
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172 | (4) |
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Knowing the power and emotion of a melody |
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172 | (1) |
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Understanding the basics of a melody |
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173 | (2) |
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175 | (1) |
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Making a Song More Memorable |
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176 | (11) |
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Finding a melody that fits the mood |
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177 | (1) |
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Finding a melody to fit the genre |
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178 | (3) |
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Finding the right melody for each section of the song |
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181 | (6) |
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Evaluating your melody magic |
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187 | (1) |
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187 | (2) |
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Chapter 10 Using Chords in Songwriting |
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189 | (12) |
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Using Chords to Write Songs |
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189 | (8) |
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Getting started with chords |
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191 | (2) |
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Moving forward with chords |
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193 | (4) |
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Choosing Your Style of Chordal Instruments |
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197 | (3) |
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197 | (1) |
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198 | (2) |
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200 | (1) |
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Chapter 11 The Cheating Side of Town: Shortcuts and Cool Technologies |
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201 | (16) |
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Creating Songs Quicker, Better, Easier |
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201 | (7) |
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Doing stuff quicker with gadgets |
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202 | (1) |
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Becoming the expert ... instantly |
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203 | (1) |
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More tools for making life simpler |
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204 | (4) |
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Discovering Songwriting Software |
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208 | (2) |
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208 | (1) |
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Other software and tracking tools |
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209 | (1) |
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Recording in Your Own Home Studio |
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210 | (3) |
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Creating commercial-sounding recordings |
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210 | (2) |
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Finding the deals and techies |
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212 | (1) |
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Old School vs. Home Schooled |
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213 | (6) |
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213 | (1) |
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Is it live or is it Memorex? |
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214 | (1) |
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214 | (3) |
| Part 4: Cooperation, Collaboration, And Community |
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217 | (74) |
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Chapter 12 Bringing Talent Together: Collaboration and Networking |
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219 | (20) |
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Finding Your Strengths and Weaknesses |
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220 | (2) |
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Seeking the Chemistry of Collaborative Songwriting |
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222 | (6) |
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Making sure you're in harmony with your team |
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223 | (1) |
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Finding strength in numbers |
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224 | (2) |
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Collaborating with a band or an artist |
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226 | (1) |
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Collaborating with a script |
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227 | (1) |
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Collaborating with yourself |
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228 | (1) |
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228 | (2) |
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229 | (1) |
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230 | (1) |
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230 | (1) |
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Looking at Famous Songwriting Collaborations |
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230 | (3) |
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John Lennon and Paul McCartney |
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231 | (1) |
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Burt Bacharach and Hal David |
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231 | (1) |
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Bernie Taupin and Elton John |
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232 | (1) |
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Networking for Songwriters |
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233 | (3) |
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Hanging Out at Writers' Nights |
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233 | (1) |
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Joining Songwriting Organizations |
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234 | (2) |
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Attending Seminars, Workshops, Conferences, and Symposiums |
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236 | (1) |
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237 | (2) |
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Chapter 13 Online Marketing and Social Networking for Songwriters |
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239 | (12) |
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Playing Internet Roulette |
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240 | (6) |
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Creating your own website |
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240 | (1) |
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Taking advantage of other people's sites |
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241 | (3) |
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Locating resource, advice, and information sites |
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244 | (2) |
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Finding Friends and Building Your Social Networking Community |
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246 | (2) |
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All-in-one social media networks |
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247 | (1) |
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Specialty social media networks |
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247 | (1) |
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Social network sites for indie artists |
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247 | (1) |
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Online downloading music sites |
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248 | (1) |
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248 | (1) |
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Putting "Social Skills" into Networking |
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248 | (3) |
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Connecting to your fan base and others |
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249 | (1) |
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Expanding your reach worldwide |
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250 | (1) |
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Chapter 14 Writing for the Stage, Screen, Television, and More |
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251 | (16) |
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252 | (5) |
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Understanding the role of the music supervisor |
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253 | (2) |
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Getting to the music supervisors |
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255 | (1) |
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Understanding the creative side of songwriting for films |
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256 | (1) |
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Songwriting for Television |
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257 | (3) |
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Knowing what songs work well in television |
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257 | (1) |
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Recognizing the exposure value of television |
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258 | (2) |
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Getting to television music supervisors |
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260 | (1) |
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Songwriting for Commercials |
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260 | (3) |
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Writing jingles from scratch |
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261 | (2) |
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Getting your songs placed in commercials |
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263 | (1) |
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Songwriting for Video Games |
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263 | (1) |
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264 | (2) |
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Submitting your songs for musicals |
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265 | (1) |
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Understanding the creative side of songwriting for musicals |
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265 | (1) |
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266 | (1) |
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Chapter 15 Getting Your Songs Heard: Making the Demo |
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267 | (24) |
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268 | (2) |
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Creating a "work tape" demo first |
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268 | (1) |
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Defining the production components |
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269 | (1) |
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Deciding what purpose the demo serves |
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269 | (1) |
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269 | (1) |
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Paying Attention to Details |
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270 | (1) |
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270 | (1) |
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Choosing the number and length of songs |
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270 | (1) |
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271 | (1) |
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271 | (3) |
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Deciding whether to use musicians or machines |
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271 | (2) |
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Deciding who is going to sing |
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273 | (1) |
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274 | (3) |
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275 | (1) |
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276 | (1) |
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277 | (3) |
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277 | (2) |
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279 | (1) |
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280 | (6) |
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Including contact information |
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280 | (2) |
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Requesting permission to send a demo |
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282 | (1) |
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283 | (3) |
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286 | (7) |
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Getting your demo to the right people |
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286 | (3) |
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289 | (2) |
| Part 5: Getting Down To Business |
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291 | (66) |
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Chapter 16 Creating Goals and Meeting Deadlines |
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293 | (10) |
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293 | (6) |
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Getting set to write for the first time |
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294 | (1) |
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Venturing out with your songs |
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294 | (3) |
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297 | (2) |
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299 | (3) |
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302 | (1) |
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Chapter 17 Ka-Ching: How Your Song Makes Money |
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303 | (16) |
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303 | (2) |
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304 | (1) |
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304 | (1) |
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Joining a Performing Rights Organization |
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305 | (4) |
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306 | (1) |
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307 | (1) |
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307 | (2) |
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Knowing What Happens When Your Songs Hit the Streets |
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309 | (2) |
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309 | (1) |
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310 | (1) |
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Synchronization royalties |
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310 | (1) |
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Using Digital Distribution to Your Advantage |
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311 | (3) |
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Music sharing sites and services |
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313 | (1) |
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MobileTones and ringtones |
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314 | (1) |
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Using Your Songs to Sell Products |
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314 | (1) |
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Making Money in the Movies |
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315 | (2) |
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Having Video Games Pay to Play |
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317 | (2) |
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Chapter 18 Introducing the Business Players |
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319 | (20) |
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Putting Together Your Winning Team |
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320 | (1) |
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First Things First: Getting an Attorney on Your Side |
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321 | (3) |
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Seeing what a good music attorney can do for you |
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321 | (1) |
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Hiring your music attorney |
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322 | (2) |
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Weighing Your Publishing Options |
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324 | (6) |
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327 | (1) |
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327 | (2) |
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Working with administration deals |
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329 | (1) |
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Dealing with foreign sub-publishing |
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330 | (1) |
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Considering an Independent Song Plugger |
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330 | (2) |
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Putting a song plugger to work |
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331 | (1) |
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Considering the advantages of a song plugger |
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331 | (1) |
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Using a Manager or an Agent |
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332 | (3) |
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332 | (2) |
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What does an agent do for a songwriter? |
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334 | (1) |
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You're in the Money: Hiring an Accountant or a Business Manager |
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335 | (4) |
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Knowing what a good music accountant or business manager can do for you |
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335 | (1) |
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Hiring a music accountant or business manager |
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336 | (3) |
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Chapter 19 Looking at the Legal End: Dealing with Paperwork |
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339 | (18) |
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Legal Deals: Creating Win-Win Contracts |
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340 | (8) |
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Understanding different kinds of contracts |
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340 | (5) |
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Knowing when to put the pen to the paper |
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345 | (3) |
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Finding resources in a hurry |
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348 | (1) |
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Protecting Your Songs with Copyrights |
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348 | (4) |
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Rounding up the right forms |
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349 | (1) |
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350 | (1) |
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Using the copyright notice |
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351 | (1) |
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Filling in the Blanks and Being Organized |
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352 | (7) |
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Using a prospects-and-contacts form |
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352 | (1) |
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Creating a song-history tracking sheet |
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353 | (1) |
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Keeping track of your copyright registrations |
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353 | (4) |
| Part 6: The Part Of Tens |
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357 | (12) |
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Chapter 20 Ten Songs You Should Know |
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359 | (6) |
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359 | (1) |
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360 | (1) |
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360 | (1) |
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361 | (1) |
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361 | (1) |
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361 | (1) |
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362 | (1) |
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"I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" |
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362 | (1) |
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362 | (1) |
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"Somewhere Over the Rainbow" |
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363 | (2) |
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Chapter 21 Ten Common Song-Related Contracts You Should Know |
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365 | (4) |
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366 | (1) |
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Exclusive Songwriting Agreement (ESA) |
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366 | (1) |
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366 | (1) |
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366 | (1) |
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367 | (1) |
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367 | (1) |
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Performing Rights Society Affiliation Agreement |
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367 | (1) |
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368 | (1) |
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368 | (1) |
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368 | (1) |
| Index |
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369 | |
