Song Idea Workbook: From Inspiration To Song Creation

This book was literally the only thing that popped up when I searched for "Songwriting WORKBOOK." With zero reviews or previews, and hopes that I can add some structure to my developing skills, I thought I would take a risk give it a try.The book has a short beginning chapter, in which each section is about 1-2 paragraphs. The sections are: Introduction, Idea Generation, Mind Mining, Free Rhyming, Getting Started, Reading Your Words, Compiling Ideas, Lyrics/Chords. Then there is a worksheet example on page 6, followed by way too many blank pages of worksheets.The problem for me is that I have taken more than one creative writing class in my life, and I've been exposed to a much more comprehensive guided writing process. Basically, in this book, you have a topic (some of which were weird - "Zodiac?" Really???) and you free write on it until you fill the two pages. This technique is legitimate, but do you need a dedicated page in a book to do this? Can't you do it in a notebook?After you free write, you search through what you've brainstormed and search out a few ideas. Again, this is legitimate, but it is seriously not enough guidance. I'm speaking as someone who has written more than a dozen songs on my own, and really wants to hone my craft. Then you use the next two pages to write your song. There are chord charts on those sets of pages. Which begs the question - what makes an author assume that every songwriter plays guitar? In my case, I play ukulele and piano. Those charts are useless to me.I also have to publicize that there is not a single sentence that addresses the craft of writing music. Nothing about harmonic function or chord choice, no exercises that offer different pathways to approach expressing one idea. It's literally just, here's a topic, write about it, pick something, write chords, there's your song. There are no specific tools for self-assessment or evaluation of your finished project.Search again, songwriter friends. I will be looking for something else.

All I can say about the song idea workbook is that I have worked through the first project and ended up with a complete song, which is a real rarity for me! I have tried loads of songwriting books and they always seem full of great ideas to get yourself motivated and inspired but I always forget what the ideas were as soon as I put the book down. This one forced me to do the work there and then inside the book.

my son loves this