Alex Forbes - Write Songs Right Now: Forget Someday - Start Today!

WRITE SONGS RIGHT NOW!

Alex Forbes

WHAT MUSIC BUSINESS PROFESSIONALS SAY ABOUT ALEX

Alex is not only a great songwriter, but a great songwriting teacherwith an approach that is creative, constructive, and challenging.

Eric Beall , Author of The Billboard Guide to Writing and Producing Songs That Sell (Berklee Press)

Alexs enthusiasm for songwriting is contagious. She will help you find your muse.

Shelly Peiken , Hit Songwriter (What A Girl Wants, Bitch)

Alex is just about the best song doctor Ive ever worked with, both as a colleague and a teacher.

Tony Visconti , Veteran Rock Producer (David Bowie, T. Rex, Moody Blues)

Writing songs is not like winning the lottery. It is an art and craft that Alex has been willing to share with countless songwriters.

Tom Vickers , Music Consultant, Former Capitol/Mercury A&R

Alex can take a song idea and bring it into focus with just the right amount of Pop sensibility.

Steve Addabbo , Producer/Musician/Writer (Shawn Colvin, Suzanne Vega)

Alex gave me a solid understanding of what makes a great song. Shes an integral part of my success and the best reality check in the biz.

Jeffrey Bernstein , aka Burnz, Producer/ Songwriter/Remixer (Cher, Jennifer Lopez, James Brown)

Alex Forbes took me from an amateur songwriter to a professional. She helped me see how to write great songs from the heart that were also commercially viable.

Tina DeVaron , Songwriter (Reina, Anointed, Dove Award nominee)

Alex is a very giving and helpful person who has a passion for songwriting and knows how to infuse others with that passion.

Ray Contreras , Producer/Songwriter (Carlos Santana, Jennifer Lopez, India and Gloria Gaynor; Grammy Nominee)

Alex gives great positive reinforcement to aspiring writers at whatever level theyve achieved.

Mark Godwin , Producer/Songwriter (Christine W., Diana King, Joan of Arcadia)

Alex always has an amazing sense of how to make an OK song Great.

Jimmy Greco , Producer/Writer (Carlos Santana/ Jennifer Lopez)

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Copyright 2012 by Alex Forbes. All Rights Reserved.

First ebook copyright 2012 by AudioGO. All Rights Reserved.

Cover photo credit by mashe at istockphoto.com.

Library ISBN: 978-07927-9181-1

Trade ISBN: 978-162064-250-4

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

By opening this book, youve already taken the first step towards polishing your musical craft and focusing your art. My intention is that as you absorb and practice the techniques outlined here, you will experience a dramatic leap in your creativity, as expressed in your ability to write pop songs.

Ive been a songwriter since 1977, had my first hit in 1985, and have been coaching other writers since 1990. This book boils down the basics Ive learned into a form that is intended to jumpstart your songwriting RIGHT NOW. My job is to give you access to the tools, techniques and creative freedom to drop all of your excuses and write somethinganything today , rather than waiting until the stars align perfectly. If not now, when?

Whether youre a beginner or a more experienced writer, youll use the classic building blocks of melody, lyrics and chords to capture and express your unique sparks of inspiration. Ive laid out this book as a painless step-by-step process that will have you experimenting with these elements in no time. By striving for progress, not perfection, youll soon be on the road to creating your first three-minute masterpiece.

Each of these ideas and all of the exercises have been road tested extensively by myself, my students and my one-on-one clients. Feel free to make them your own! There truly is no single right way to write a song. Each one is deliciously different in the way it comes into the world, and where it goes from there.

HOW TO USE THIS BOOK TO WRITE BETTER SONGS

I think of this as a "playbook" rather than a workbook, because I look at songwriting as fun and incredibly fulfilling. Its laid out in 10 chapters, reflecting the shape of the courses Ive taught for many years in New York City, and the process I work through with many one-on-one clients. Its an intense, rigorous approach, not recommended for the faint of heart. Ideally, I want to challenge your preconceived notions of how and why you write songs, and spur you on to greater heights.

I recommend progressing through the chapters one at a time, allowing the concepts and the exercises to sink in, rather than blowing through the whole book in a rush. You may want to pursue this path alone, with a colleague, in the context of a class, or in a songwriters support group. Its all good!

Each chapter contains two basic elements: text and exercises .

Text is what it sounds likea discussion of the subject at hand, with each chapter focusing on one major element of the songwriting process. Ive ordered the sections so that they correspond to the order in which an actual song might be created: first, the birth of an idea, then the songwriting process itself, followed by a critical evaluation, and finally, if theyre warranted, production considerations. There are also chapters on collaboration and participation in the music world at large.

Exercises are hands-on, experiential ways of incorporating the essence of each chapter into your heart and mind. Most will only take 10 or 15 minutes, and theyre meant to be fun, not torture. Some exercises are specific songwriting-related activities, while others involve taking concepts and techniques youve learned here and incorporating them into the fabric of your day-to-day life.

Have you heard that expression, When youre a hammer, everything looks like a nail? Well, when youre a songwriter, your whole life starts giving you material. You find love, you lose it; someone is born, someone dies; you travel to a faraway land; or you look out your own window. Each of these experiences can ignite the spark of a new song.

My mission is to provide you with the encouragement and basic knowledge to become a lifelong, committed songwriter. After that, the ball's in your court. Call me a dreamer, but I think this world would be a better place if we were all songwriters!

Good luck, and happy songwriting!

* * * * * *

CHAPTER 1

INSPIRATION STRIKES THOSE WHO PREPARE FOR IT

YOU DONT NEED TO BE A VIRTUOSO TO WRITE A GREAT SONG!

Lets face it: a person could easily become intimidated by the many incredible songs that already exist in the world. Perhaps youve spent hours or days bemoaning the fact that you might never write a better song than fill-in-the-blankwhoever is your favorite right now.

This is a classic case of compare and despair. And where does it get you? Probably sitting in front of a big screen, feeling frustrated and eating way too many cookies.

My job is to get you off the couch so that you can experience the wild ride that songwriting can be. Whether youve written one song or a thousand, the creative process can be scary, upsetting, or exhilarating as hell, but at least its never boring! And if you keep doing it, your songs will inevitably get better.