About the Book
An effective new songwriting vocabulary supported by ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC. The Elements Of Song Craft does for songwriters what William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White’s The Elements Of Style did for English language students and writers alike; gives an all-in-one definitive manifesto for contemporary songwriters in every genre to organize, understand, and practice the rules, principles, definitions, forms, and song craft needed to create good songs, songs of undeniable creative power and beauty, songs that last.
The Elements of Song Craft beelines directly to the most important aspect of writing good songs—identifying the key emotion living at the heart of the song—then offers a step-by-step process to harnessing that singular emotional power. Additionally, a dozen other strategies, formulas, perspectives, and exercises are offered in the book.
The Elements of Song Craft introduces, for the first time to a general songwriting audience, an effective new songwriting vocabulary utilized by songwriters taught in the SONG ARTS ACADEMY method and supported by ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC, the world’s leading Performance Rights Organizations at the heart of the songwriting business, as well as at NYU Steinhardt’s and The New School’s songwriting programs, for over sixteen years. Thousands of song arts participants, including hit songwriters and The Voice and American Idol contestants, have been trained in this method.
About the Author :
BILLY SEIDMAN’S (New York) songwriting career includes staff positions in both New York and Nashville at RCA music publishing, Warner Chappell Music Publishing, SONY/ATV Tree Music Publishing/Nashville, Carlin America Music Publishing, and Criterion Music Publishin companies. Songwriters he’s trained include Bebe Rexha, Rachel Platten, Grammy Winner Carlos Escalona (Marc Anthony), and Grammy Nominee Chris McClenney (KHALID), as well as major labels artists, The Voice, American Idol contestants, and over a thousand songwriters, producers, and artists. He’s worked extensively as a studio musician, guitarist, music producer on countless records, film scores, commercials, and Broadway shows. He’s a member of the songwriting faculty at NYU, Steinhardt Department of Music and Performing Arts Professions, The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music, and a consultant for Berklee NYC / The Power Station. He lives in New York City.
Review :
"Billy has cracked the code on helping writers write better songs. His considerable talents as a musician and songwriter give his readers and students an 'inside industry' viewpoint on both the process of writing songs and what happens next; making a compelling recording. He's highly regarded among professionals and students alike, because of his deep knowledge and positive energy."--Daniel Tashian, multi-award-winning Grammy Producer of the Year / Best Country Album of the Year ACM; Kacey Musgraves - Golden Hour
"Billy Seidman is a great thinker in the songwriting space. His book, Elements of Song Craft, has been really useful for me in my writing, his methods really work. I'm excited to dig in, build curriculum, and shape this program with him."--Will Wells, Berklee NYC Course Chair, Master of Arts in Creative Media and Technology Graduate Program
"Billy Seidman is an incredible collaborator to work with. He has a sixth sense songwriting ability that is able to take a story and transform it into a relatable, deep, and poetically flawless piece of music. On top of that, Billy's masterful playing ability makes him a fantastic producer. Add to that a heart of gold and considerate personality, Billy is one of my favorite people to work with."--Ian Kimmel, producer/songwriter with 14x Platinum and Gold records and 15x Billboard #1s, with Anderson .Paak, BTS, DJ Kahlid, Juice WRLD, H.E.R., and Mary J. Blige
