Includes index.

Developing successful song structures: Identifying the most successful song structures and why they work -- Identifying the components of a song -- Building a successful song -- Developing great song ideas and catchy titles: Understanding what constitutes a great idea and how to find one -- Keeping a hook book -- Making the singer look good -- Using songs to help from -- Using the three-step lyric-focusing technique -- Acquiring the tools for successful lyric writing -- Expressing one idea and one emotion -- Maintaining one consistent tense and tone -- Developing strong opening lines -- Maintaining continuity -- Incorporating detail, action, and imagery into lyrics -- Keeping it conversational -- Keeping your imagery fresh -- Creating a lyric palette -- Avoiding redundancy -- Avoiding preaching (unless you're in church) -- Writing the dreaded second verse -- Using rhymes: Where to, when to, how to, and why to -- Types of rhymes -- Rhyme schemes -- Using a rhyming dictionary and Thesaurus -- Using the list technique -- Looking for opposites and twists on words -- Using assonance and alliteration -- Saving key words -- Writing the big payoff lines -- Writing lyrics to an existing melody -- Visualizing a hit -- Rewriting your lyrics -- Making each line its strongest -- Additional lyric tips -- What if I only write lyrics? -- Writing for specialty markets -- Writing successful children's songs -- Writing Christian music -- Crafting comedy songs -- Writing Folk/Americana songs -- Crafting successful Christmas songs -- Writing cabaret songs -- Writing for the Latin market -- Composing memorable melodies: Learning effective melody-writing skills -- Writing a cappella -- Keeping it simple and singable (K.I.S.S.) -- Using hymns and children's songs for melodic inspiration -- Making it obvious where the title goes without the lyric -- Altering the range, varying the rhythms, and inserting pauses -- Marrying the music to the lyric: Prosody -- Varying the rhythms -- Choosing the appropriate melodic range -- Using repetition effectively -- Keeping your phrases short and catchy -- Writing symmetrical phrases -- Acquiring additional melody Writing techniques -- Using fresh rhythms -- Breaking the lines -- Trying different notes -- Learning to use nonsense syllables -- Repeating words or phrases -- Learning the power of sequential intervals, ascending notes, and descending notes -- Varying the tempo and time signature -- Finding those magic moments: Unexpected note or chord -- Using signature licks -- Incorporating modulations -- Avoiding plagiarism -- Melody test: Can you write effective melodies? -- What if I write only music? -- Learning how and when to record a demo: How to know when your song is ready -- Identifying what's right for your song -- Avoiding "The Big Lie" -- Distinguishing between song demos and artist demos -- Measuring up to the professional standard -- Knowing how many tracks are necessary -- Determining budgets -- Deciding between self-producing and demo services -- Preparing to record your demo: Preparing lyric sheets -- Recording work tapes -- Writing chord charts -- Nashville number system -- Deciding on an arrangement -- Determining the proper key -- Hiring the best musicians -- Selecting the right studio -- Learning to speak "Musician" -- Choosing the best vocalist -- Using technology to capture the best vocal performance -- Mixing: Recording formats -- Learning about track mixes -- Mastering -- Learning where the money comes from: Mechanical royalties -- domestic and foreign royalties -- Performance royalties and performing rights organizations -- Print sales -- Synchronization licenses -- Writing jingles and placing songs in commercials -- Music libraries -- Church copyright license royalties -- Works for hire -- Using samples -- Future sources of revenue -- Understanding what music publishing really means: How to get a publisher and why -- Working with your publisher to achieve your goals -- Self-publishing -- Using songpluggers -- Understanding publishing agreements: Single-song agreements -- Reversion clauses -- Staff-writing deals -- Co publishing deals -- Making connections and pitching your songs: Networking -- Collaborating -- How to find a collaborator -- How and when to copyright your songs -- Finding out who's looking for songs and what they're looking for -- Using pitch sheets effectively -- Pitching your songs to the right people -- Developing your pitch presentation -- Understanding holds -- Entering contests -- Avoiding the scams -- Hanging in there until the big break -- Understanding what to expect -- Making the time for yourself and your creativity -- Getting past "No": Overcoming the obstacles -- Coping with rejection -- Finding validation from within -- Dealing with the big critic inside your head -- Finding a market for your talent.