How to Write Songs on Guitar: A Guitar-Playing and Songwriting Course is less about the specifics of guitar playing and more about the craft of songwriting. I purchased this book myself (as opposed to the many review copies of books that are sent my way) because an initial flip through the pages had me thinking, “Man, for a cheesy book title this has some great nuggets of inspiration for me.”

I bought it and it sat on my shelf for about a month.

About that time I was a Starbucks getting my usual fix and I was talking to the barista. He was in a fairly successful regional emo-punk(ish) band and we usually talked songwriting while he made my drinks.

The topic of songwriting books came up and I mentioned to him that I had picked up a book a few weeks ago that had some really great chord progression lists and lyric and melody tips. I said, “I don’t remember what it is called. Something like, ‘How to write -”

The barista interrupted me and finished the title out for me, “… Songs on Guitar?”

“Yes!” I said, surprised he knew it that quickly.

He went on, “Yeah, that book has a really lame title but man, the information in it is DEAD ON.”

He’s right.

‘How to Write Songs on Guitar‘ is a great resource. I use it more as an inspirational tool, less as a book to read from cover to cover. In fact, the opening line inside the cover says it succinctly:

“This book is about inspiration.”

The Book Layout

First off, I like the general layout of the book. It is easy to read. Important items are bulleted, noted, and emphasized where appropriate to make them easy to find.

Additionally, the margins on the left and right are WIDE. It’s great space to make notes and even try out some of the exercises presented throughout.

Book Contents

The book opens with some songwriting basics, which include - covering the different parts that make up songs, certain common chord progressions, and some basic movable chord dictionaries.

Where the author spent a considerable amount of time was in finding popular and classic songs that utilize the examples he is talking about. For budding songwriters this is crucial. Practical application of songwriting theory is the greatest benefit for any writer.

I like to think I am knowledgeable of song structure, theory. I know many chord positions on the guitar. So while all that stuff was a great general review for me (and he did say some things I hadn’t heard before) my favorite section is still the dictionary of chord progressions (or sequences - as the author likes to call them).

There are dozens and dozens of chord progressions listed in Roman Numeral format. After the progressions the author lists many songs that utilize those very same chord progressions.

The amount of time that went into researching all those songs must have been staggering. The chord progressions and associated songs is a resource worth the purchase price alone.

How do I use the book?

How I Use The Book

There is a danger of using a book like ‘How to Write Songs on Guitar‘ and having your songs sound too stale. I use the book - but only when I get stuck.

For instance, I might come up with a great vs-chorus-vs-chorus arrangement. The lyrics work. The melody works. A solid chord progression is in place - but I need a bridge. Since I play guitar a lot, my hands tend to visit the usual places on the fretboard. When that happens, my bridges start sounding like every other bridge and don’t really provide an interesting change to hold the listener’s attention.

So I will grab this book and start thumbing through the list of chord progressions. There are some pretty crazy ones. I’ll just work through the progressions randomly - in concert with my partially constructed song - until one seems to grab me.

Pow!

At that point I have come up with a bridge that I know I would not have constructed on my own.

Other times I will use the chord progressions for a verse after I have written a good chorus. Or vice versa. I will use the progressions and modify them slightly. Definitely a useful tool.

What else is in the book?

The book is more than just a dictionary of progressions and chords. Two whole sections are dedicated to melody and lyrics. There is also a section on what many would consider advanced topics like key changes, harmonies, and so on.

The end of the book also has some inspiring items:

Songwriting Case Studies. The author takes several popular songs and dissects them. This is particularly effective after working through the book and becoming familiar with all the inner workings of songwriting. The author dissects songs from The Beach Boys, Roy Orbison, Springsteen, Temptations, Hendrix - as well as some others.

Recommended listening for songwriters. The author takes time to list a couple dozen albums that are worth getting for their songwriting craft alone - complete with album cover photos. As someone who considers themselves pretty well-listened, there were several albums on there that I did not have in my collection and I was glad for the reminder to pick up a copy.

Conclusion

The author’s writing style is conversational and casual, yet succinct.

Again, this book is worth the purchase price alone simply for the chord progression dictionary. But when one adds in all the practical common sense stuff, the inspirational pieces, and ease of reading, the book is truly a winner.

The author, Rikky Rooksby, is on a roll. I have just obtained a couple more of his books and can’t wait to sink my teeth into them as well.

There is no shortage of great songwriting books, but if I had to recommend a beginner/intermediate book to a budding songwriter, I would recommend this one.

For $12-$15 it’s hard to go wrong.

-Don Makoviney

Prices at Amazon.com

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