The Songwriter's Handbook

"The Songwriter's Handbook is a witty, drole, yet informative tome rich with colorful anecdotes and important information for any aspiring songwriter. I highly recommend it. --David Benoit, GRAMMY-nominated pianist, composer, & arranger ""Considering how personal and subjective songwriting can be, Mark Winkler skillfully and carefully distills the process into easy-to-understand (and apply!) step-by-step suggestions allowing for individuality. The tone of each chapter fosters camaraderie, encouragement, and guidance."" --Rene Marie, Grammy-nominated songwriter and jazz singer I greatly admire Mark Winkler's excellent songwriting skills--his understanding of the songwriting craft is second to none. In this book he shares invaluable insights alongside his own personal experiences which are funny and poignant. This is such a valuable handbook for all up and coming songwriters everywhere, whatever their level of experience. --Claire Martin, OBE, jazz singer, three-time winner of the British Jazz Awards Mark Winkler is a gifted--not to mention prolific--lyricist who really knows his stuff. If you have an interest in good lyric writing, or just insightful showbiz stories, then you need to get this book! --Grant Geissman, GRAMMY- and Emmy Award-nominated guitarist/composer Mark Winkler is top in his field, and his book is a reflection of his talent. It's fun to read and totally instructive at the same time. You will learn so much, and you will be smiling when you see how good your songs get! The Songwriter's Handbook will make a real difference in a lot of songwriter's lives. --Allan Rich, Oscar and Golden Globe nominated writer of songs for Whitney Houston, Natalie Cole, and Barbra Streisand Mark Winkler lays out clearly and concisely the rules of the road for writing popular songs. He gives you the lay of the land and the map of the territory. Don't wait for the angel of inspiration to land on your pen--get down to work with TheSongwriter's Handbook and get ready for the ride of a lifetime. --Ben Sidran, producer & keyboardist; host of NPR's Jazz Alive One of the most educational, insightful, and complete books on songwriting I've ever read. It's not only a primer on how to craft great songs, but a meticulous map on how to navigate the often murky, and always turbulent, waters of professional songwriting. --Phil Swann, songwriter & author Whether you want to write a song, sing a song, or even just appreciate music in a new and fascinating way, this is an amazingly entertaining book! Mark Winkler is a masterful teacher and an even more masterful storyteller. --Andrea Marcovicci, singer and actress, nominee, Golden Globe Awards; inductee, Cabaret Hall of Fame Wow, this book is everything you need to find your voice, hone your craft, and adapt in a rapidly changing musical world. It's not just a great primer for beginners--more experienced, professional songwriters will find it useful and inspiring. Mark's decades of experience across all genres sets him apart. --Eli Brueggemann, Emmy Award-winning music director, Saturday Night Live Mark Winkler's knowledge is very informative for any genre. He is a true wordsmith and natural storyteller--his instincts coming from an organic as well as ""tried and true"" space. The Songwriter's Handbook is of great benefit to anyone wanting to up their game and skill in the craft of songwriting. Highly recommended! --Kathryn Bostic, Emmy-nominated composer and singer/songwriter; former vice president, Alliance for Women Film Composers Few creative endeavors are as challenging or as rewarding as crafting timeless lyrics. Mark Winkler's expertise--both as a respected songwriter and an uplifting mentor--is distilled into chapters rich in practical guidance, uplifting empathy, and a profound commitment to the power of the popular song. --Dan Kimpel, author, educator, and music journalist, Dankimpel.com I had the opportunity to sit in on a Mark Winkler songwriting class many years ago and was delighted to see what a natural gift he had for teaching (as well as writing songs). I knew his book would be good, but I was blown away by how comprehensive Mark's topic coverage and analysis are. Great job! --Lorraine Feather, singer, lyricist, and songwriter; three-time Grammy nominee and seven-time Emmy nominee"