Review: The Young Musician’s Guide to Songwriting

Reviews

Written by Lisa Donovan Lukas, The Young Musician’s Guide to Songwriting is a down to earth, easy to understand and very helpful book that helps guide musicians of any age through their songwriting venture. Lisa began piano lessons at the age of 6 years old. She started her own songwriting venture when she was just 11 years old. You can read more about Lisa Donovan Lukas and listen to some of her original songwriting compositions by visiting her website. In addition, some of her original piano solo compositions are available to purchase at Sheet Music Plus here.

From the outside cover to the inside of this book, it’s no wonder that it has made one of Amazon’s top seller’s shortly after it was published.

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Inside the reader will find practical tips and tricks on coming up with song ideas, building melody, harmony, rhythm and words. Lisa will talk about the principles involved in the creative process of song writing. Common composition templates that have been used successfully in the industry will be addressed. Many examples will be shared and creative exercises and questions presented will get the reader thinking of how to apply it all.

Lisa’s writing style is very easy to read and very friendly. Though we have never met in person, I felt that we have. A few of my favorite tips from the book include:

“We want to keep our ears interested.”

“Creativity is the ability to manifest something out of nothing with the use of your own imagination and skill.”

“Songs with only feelings and thoughts can sometimes be a little uninteresting. But if we can build vivid images, emotions come alive and songs can be more engaging.”

10% of all author royalties are donated to music educational non-for-profits, including The Music Teachers’ Association of California Foundation and Westside Music Foundation.

Whether or not you are new to songwriting, you will leave reading The Young Musician’s Guide to Songwriting, feeling very positive and excited about creating your own songs. You can purchase this book as a paperback or kindle edition here. Be sure like The Young Musician’s Guide to Songwriting on Facebook too!

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Lisa has offered to giveaway 1 copy of her book! To enter, leave a comment sharing whether or not you have ever gone through the entire songwriting process with your students (lyrics and composition).

Deadline to enter is by this Saturday, July 26, 10:00pm (AZ Mountain Standard). For an extra entry, follow me on TPT and just leave a comment what number follower you are or if you already follow.

35 Comments

  1. Margaret

    I will be doing a whole side project on composing with my students this year. This could be a great resource!

    Reply
  2. Heather Watson

    I am a new teacher eager to introduce students to the skill of songwriting & general creativity in their approach to music – this resource would assist greatly in this process!

    Reply
  3. Louann Ford

    I’m looking forward to exploring this resource.

    Reply
  4. mycgrimsby

    I’ve only taught composition, but not lyrics

    Reply
  5. mycgrimsby

    Oh and I follow you on TPT 🙂

    Reply
  6. Betsy B

    I’m not a composer but have a couple students who are! I need all the help I can get to guide them!

    Reply
  7. Betsy B

    I also follow you on TPT!

    Reply
  8. pianolearner

    This sounds like a great book. (Note I’m based in the UK, so I’m probably ineligible for the giveaway, but wanted to comment anyway as I hadn’t heard of the book and am pleased you reviewed it)

    Reply
  9. akbentz

    I have started teaching composition, but have not ventured into lyrics yet. I know my students are interested in lyrics, though, because they come up with them on their own!

    Reply
  10. Musically Yours

    Hi Lisa,

    I’ve only recently stumbled upon your website and have been very excited to see all your resources and amazing blog posts! I bought your Reach Beyond the Stars Practice Incentive Program as it works in well with another activity I have planned for this term and it’s fantastic! Thanks so much for all your hard work.

    I’m also the President of the West Australian Music Teachers’ Association and I was wondering whether you would give us permission to use your review below in our Bulletin? I think it sounds like a great book to inform our teachers about. I would be happy to include a short bio about yourself as well as any links you would like to include to your FB or blog page so I members can learn more about you!

    Please let me know if you are happy with this and if so, if you could forward me your bio & links as well.

    Please keep up the fabulous work! 🙂

    Many thanks Demelza Bursill

    Reply
    • foxxpianostudio

      Hi Demelza- Jennifer of FPSResources here… I will email you directly so stay tuned. 😉

      Reply
  11. Susan

    This book sounds very interesting. I have done some composing with interested students. Would like to do more with everyone.

    Reply
  12. fame1444

    Songwriting is one of my FAVORITE endeavors. Thank you for letting us know about this resource. It’s always great to hear other perspectives on the songwriting process!

    Reply
  13. Walter

    Never got into songwriting but really need to as I have several students that are interested.

    Reply
  14. Walter

    I follow you on Tpt — never joined but think I will right now.

    Reply
  15. teresa

    looks like this book is exactly what I have been looking for

    Reply
  16. teresa

    I don’t know what follower on TPT that I am but I have downloaded several freebies. Where do I find what my follower number is?

    Reply
  17. Jeannie

    I can always use new ideas. Appreciate all the new resources that you offer us!

    Reply
  18. Karen C

    Would love to have a copy of this book. I’m making my first try at teaching composition is summer and it’s been fun!

    Reply
  19. Karen C

    Following you on TPT, too!

    Reply
  20. Jan

    I look forward to books on composing. It is one of the most rewarding part of teaching my students how to create their own sounds. Students really appreciate reading someone else’s music after composing one of their own.

    Reply
  21. Jeannie

    I am a TPT follower

    Reply
  22. Jeannie

    Recently found your website and enjoy all the resources you review for us.

    Reply
  23. Carla

    Just went to TPT — very interesting website

    Reply
  24. Henry Flurry

    Looks interesting enough to buy if I don’t win 🙂 hope your summer is going well! – Henry

    Reply
  25. Brad Garner

    This book is a must! Composition is an excellent add-on in the classroom.

    Reply
  26. Brad Garner

    I have gone to TPT and sure I will be able to use different resources found there.

    Reply
  27. Rebecca

    I do lots of composition with my students, but haven’t yet added lyrics – I’m sure this book would come in handy.

    Reply
  28. Rebecca

    I also follow you on TpT.

    Reply
  29. Rhoda

    This book look like a must for every music teacher. Would love to win!

    Reply
  30. Rhoda

    I am a TPT follower

    Reply
  31. Lorrie Hutsell Sterling

    I have just this summer had a workshop on composing — but haven’t incorporated lyrics. look forward to reading this resource.!

    Reply
  32. Kitty,

    Students and I make up lyrics first and then melodies for short little beginner songs .

    Reply
  33. Sue

    Composing is something my students need to do more of. I would love to have this info.

    Reply

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