Rikky Rooksby

Sophisticated and detailed analysis of the music side of writing (so many of these books are all about the lyrics) from a guitarist's particular perspective. Excellent material on lyric writing, too, though. And endless specific examples from rock and pop.

This is an unusual book. I have the 2000 edition and am thrilled to find that there's a new one out from 2009! There are many songwriting books out there (I have them all) and there are tons of books and workshop on playing the guitar, but this combination is spot on and pretty much one of a kind. It's my favorite of all the songwriting books I own.

The front flap says "This is a book about inspiration - exactly what every songwriter needs." and that is so true. Rikky touches on all the show more aspects of songwriting, but focuses on where the two meet, such as chord sequences, altered tunings, and resources, including examples of everything he teaches.

A truly excellent book that I would recommend to anyone who has some skill with the guitar. I would also recommend it to people who are just interested in how music works and why certain songs do that thing they do to us.

(Heading off to Amazon to buy the new version now...) show less

Excellent look at how writing on keyboard differs from guitar. Approaches keyboard competence with attention to shape and relationship rather than theory and notation.

Treasure trove of examples, with discussion of theme, metaphor, rhyme, etc. Thorough.