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Songwriter's Handbook

Article from Sound International, June 1978


The Songwriter's Handbook — Harvey Rachlin.
Harper and Row £4.95.

FROM his experience as a songwriter, record producer and music publisher, Harvey Rachlin has compiled this comprehensive reference work as a valuable guide to songwriting for both beginners and professionals. In logical, clearly defined chapters the book covers the entire spectrum of the profession from the practical rudiments and techniques of creating a song to recording and marketing the completed work. The author also introduces the reader to all the relevant aspects of the music industry, including the function of publishers, record producers, A and R directors and arrangers.

The book is aptly titled; the dictionary defines a handbook as 'a practical reference manual'. Mr Rachlin has certainly presented his information well and in an easy to understand style. The author has an in-depth knowledge of his subject and this fact is corroborated by several complimentary quotes printed on the book-jacket from such notable Academy Award winning songwriters as Burt Bacharach, Henry Mancini and Richard Rodgers.

In the early pages of his book Mr Rachlin acknowledges that a large portion of the ability to write a song requires talent, and that talent cannot be taught. But he then advocates that songwriting is a craft which can be taught. This somewhat confusing contradiction leads to my only major criticism of the book, which is that the matter-of-fact way in which the author analyses the key elements of writing a song appears too pat and tends to give the impression that by simply applying the principles of the text the reader will automatically write a successful song.

The only other thing about the book which I personally found irritating was the foreword by Sammy Cahn. Harvey Rachlin, like myself, obviously recognises and respects him as one of the great songwriters of all time, who won the only Emmy ever given to a song: however, in my opinion, Mr Cahn would certainly win no awards for writing this foreword, which I found corny, self-indulgent and completely superfluous to the author's own excellent introduction which follows.

Other special features contained in the book are an informative section on songwriters' contracts, beginners' exercises in writing lyrics and melodies, and a particularly interesting chapter on the setting up and running of a songwriting workshop. Apart from the main text, the Songwriter's Handbook is supported by several useful appendices, including a glossary of music business terms and lists of American music publishers, record companies and musical organisations and associations.

The book refers entirely to the US music industry, and there are certain minor differences between the American and British approach. But all in all, this is an essential reference guide offering advice on both the practical and business sides of writing a song which is worth a place on every songwriter's bookshelf.



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Kramer 650G

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Barbara Dickson & Band


Publisher: Sound International - Link House Publications

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Sound International - Jun 1978

Donated & scanned by: Mike Gorman

Sound Reports & Views

Review by Robert White

Previous article in this issue:

> Kramer 650G

Next article in this issue:

> Barbara Dickson & Band


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