Michael Flannery is a Lecturer and the Technical Director for the Music & Technology Program at Stevens Institute of Technology, USA, where he teaches songwriting, creative collaboration, sound recording, sound design, and audio post-production. Across his decades-long career in the music industry, he has been a signed artist, produced albums and singles for a range of acts, created award-winning children’s music, composed for film and commercials, and worked on sound teams for film and television.

The Practice of Songwriting is a meaningful, approachable resource for students and more seasoned songwriters alike. Flannery helps readers develop their musical ears and pens with numerous listening examples and practical creative exercises that make songwriting attainable and accessible for aspiring musical creatives of all kinds.

• IntroductionHow to Use this BookAcknowledgements1. Cultivating an Inspired Mind2. Setting Ourselves Up for Success3. A Time-Based Form of Expression4. Originality and Rulesets5. Combining Lyrical Meaning with Musical Composition6. Finding Meaning in Context7. Codified Elements of Songwriting8. A Closer Look at Lyrics9. Melodic and Lyrical Tension and Release10. Storytelling11. Lyrical and Musical Perspective12. Crowd Participation13. Making It All UpConclusionAppendixGlossaryDiscographyNotesReferencesIndex

Michael Flannery is a Lecturer and the Technical Director for the Music & Technology Program at Stevens Institute of Technology, USA, where he teaches songwriting, creative collaboration, sound recording, sound design, and audio post-production. Across his decades-long career in the music industry, he has been a signed artist, produced albums and singles for a range of acts, created award-winning children’s music, composed for film and commercials, and worked on sound teams for film and television.

The Practice of Songwriting is a meaningful, approachable resource for students and more seasoned songwriters alike. Flannery helps readers develop their musical ears and pens with numerous listening examples and practical creative exercises that make songwriting attainable and accessible for aspiring musical creatives of all kinds.

• IntroductionHow to Use this BookAcknowledgements1. Cultivating an Inspired Mind2. Setting Ourselves Up for Success3. A Time-Based Form of Expression4. Originality and Rulesets5. Combining Lyrical Meaning with Musical Composition6. Finding Meaning in Context7. Codified Elements of Songwriting8. A Closer Look at Lyrics9. Melodic and Lyrical Tension and Release10. Storytelling11. Lyrical and Musical Perspective12. Crowd Participation13. Making It All UpConclusionAppendixGlossaryDiscographyNotesReferencesIndex