The Young Musician’s Guide to Songwriting – Interview and Giveaway!

I’m so excited to tell you about this new book that’s already topping the Amazon charts! I’ve known Lisa Lukas for years now and have loved to hear about her own compositions and her work with young songwriters. So, when I heard that she was writing a book to help young people with songwriting and composing, I was super excited!

“The Young Musician’s Guide to Songwriting” is just filled with useful information for every composer. As a matter of fact, when I first read it, I told myself that the next time I found myself stuck composing, THIS was the first resource I would read to help me.

Guess what! Lisa is going to be giving away 1 copy of this wonderful book to one of you teachers. All you have to do is leave a comment below and tell us anything about teaching songwriting…even just that you don’t do it but WANT to! The drawing will take place on Saturday, so leave your comment by this Friday! 

The Young Musician’s Guide to Songwriting – Interview with the author

I recently had the privilege to ask Lisa Lukas, author of this new book, a few questions about this book and her tips on composing.

Tell us a little about who would benefit from reading “The Young Musician’s Guide to Songwriting.”

Young Musicians Guide to SongwritingThank you so much Wendy, for giving me the opportunity to do this interview with you. You continue to be a huge inspiration to me, so for me this is a real honor!

I think my book is a terrific resource for tweens and teens (and even late elementary school age students, with a little more teacher guidance), who have an interest in songwriting as well as music composition. It’s possible that college students (or an adult or two? It’s never too late!) might really enjoy using this book as well. However, my intention was to write my book for young music students, in addition to their music teachers. I wanted teachers to be able to use it as a resource in their studios, to help guide their students who express an interest in creating their own songs, or compositions.

If students are creating their own work, suddenly other composer’s works can take on new meaning as well! They start to identify with composers and songwriters. They start to analyze music, at the same time that they are creating their own. It’s a wonderful process.

Why did you write this book?

I’ve had a lot of students over the years, who, in addition to wanting to learn to play the piano, have been really interested in songwriting and/or music composition. I was looking for material that was specifically geared for the young music student. I thought it would be wonderful to have something that was actually written for music students who are actively studying their instruments with a teacher, in a music studio environment. So I started to write this book for my students, and for myself to use in my studio.

Over the years, as I started creating different exercises for my own students, the idea of the book started to form in my mind, and the piles of exercises got taller! Basically, the exercises are many things that I think about, and do myself, when I write and compose, whether I’m writing songs or music compositions. And since songwriting and composing share so many fundamental concepts, I think it’s a really positive way to not only teach music theory, but to get started with students who are interested in creating their own material as well.

If you could narrow down what kinds of things students struggle with when they compose, what would they be?

A couple of things that come to mind with early compositions are opposites of each other. The first is: the blank page, an almost deer-in-headlights reaction to creating a composition. Just frozen. What will I write about? How do I even get started? And the other is: an abundance of many, many ideas, all within one piece, one thing leading to the next, and where are we headed? Are we ever coming back?

For that first challenge, my book has a lot of exercises that have to do with getting started with the blank page. One example is the idea of “automatic writing” – setting a timer for 5 or 10 minutes or so, and just giving themselves permission to write anything and everything that pops to mind, without editing or second guessing. When the timer goes off, they’re done! From there, we take a look and see if anything jumps out worth fiddling or experimenting with. Maybe not, and that’s okay. But it gets the juices flowing, and gives them the green light to start something, without judgement or criticism.

For the second challenge, I go into a lot of detail in the book about structure (including harmonic structure) and this really helps for students to be able to use some of the time honored song structures, almost like templates, for original pieces. One example would be that they’ve got a template to work with for an A section of 8 bars, a B section of 8 bars, and back to A again (8 bars). That’s kind of simplifying it, but just to sort of address the idea of form, and being able to create and work with ideas, within those boundaries.

Tell us a little about your experiences in helping students compose.

Lisa Lukas
Lisa Lukas – author of “The Young Musician’s Guide to Songwriting”

The very first thing that comes to my mind is actually something that I learned from you, when I watched your “Composition for Kids Workshop” on youtube! I’m paraphrasing, but the idea is that (in the beginning especially) we want to ask the student if they are interested in simply sharing and playing it, or do they want feedback. I use that idea so much, it’s so helpful. Just to tread gently with their first creations, and to be careful not to discourage those early works. Feedback can be worked in gradually over time, as in saying something like “maybe not for this song or piece, but maybe in your next one, what if you tried…?” etc. Thank you Wendy!

I love having the opportunity to work with students who are interested in songwriting and music composition. I enjoy working with them, and watching them channel what they are learning musically into their own original material.

I think the tweens and teens especially, are at an age where writing both music and words can be a really creative way to express what they feel and think about life; a way to convey their hopes, their dreams, their frustrations, their emotions – at a time in their life that can sometimes be a bit of a roller coaster, developmentally.

How is your book different from what is out there already?

There are a lot of really great songwriting books out there, however, they are not necessarily written for young music students, or their music teachers. When I started creating songwriting exercises for my own private music students, I became inspired to create a book specifically for other young musicians out there who are interested in finding out about how to write songs, and for their teachers as well.

In addition to information on how to write lyrics, I also wanted to create a book that gave a good amount of weight to music; for example: structure, theory, melody, harmony, etc. Of course, with songs, the music and the lyrics are important parts of the picture. However, I felt that it would be really helpful to have a resource that covered the music composition aspect of songwriting in a fairly deep way. I think it’s just such a great and relevant way to teach theory to young musicians ~ especially for that junior high/high school age…where things can drift, and you want to keep fanning the flames, keep the creativity level going.

Another thing that I think is unique to my book about songwriting is that in the chapter on lyrics, I include a list of books that kids can read for inspiration. I also include a (partial!) list of some of my all-time favorite songs. I wanted to encourage the idea that reading books, listening to music, and paying attention to the great creators who came before us, is a wonderful way to learn, to be inspired, and to grow.

How can teachers get the book?

“The Young Musician’s Guide to Songwriting” is available here at Amazon!

Thanks so much Lisa for taking the time to tell us about the book and even give use some tips on teaching composition to our students!

READ MORE:

119 thoughts on “The Young Musician’s Guide to Songwriting – Interview and Giveaway!”

  1. I am so wanting to start incorporating composing in my students lessons, but I am new to composing myself! Would love love love to win this book!

  2. I have an awesome student composer, but composing and teaching it are not my strengths. Every aid can only help me (and my student)!

  3. Quite a few years ago our local piano teachers organization had the late Carol Klose present a workshop on incorporating composition into our lessons. I’ve been on the bank wagon ever since.I’m always excited to see materials that will help me encourage my student to get over their fear of composing and get on with the fun of making music that is their own!

  4. I’ve had a few students do some composing, but not song writing. Or, they might write some lyrics and never write any music to go with it.

  5. This looks like a great book! Composing is such a great way for students to not only express themselves creatively, but also to learn about music and music theory in the process.

  6. This will be the first year in my two decades of teaching that it looks like I will actually have more middle and high school students than elementary beginners… Wow, what an exciting challenge!! I’m sure that this book would be a priceless reference as I try to keep them inquisitive and energized in their piano studies! So many students in this age group are interested in not only playing, but also in CREATING beautiful music. Thanks for the great interview, and thanks, Wendy for the great seminar in Pensacola last week!

  7. Wow, what a great resource this would be. Tweens and teens is when students start to falter and lose interest in piano, but showing them they can write their own music would be golden! Thanks for the opportunity.

  8. This looks like a great book!! I have been composing much more with my students in the past year, and even doing some myself!! Thanks for writing this book.

  9. This looks like such a great resources for piano teachers! I’ve done some small amounts of teaching my students how to compose but, the truth is, I was never taught much about composing myself! So I feel lost on how to approach teaching it!

  10. Would love to take a look at this book! I have never taught composition beyond the questions and answers in Pace, but would sure like to.

  11. I think this is fantastic. I do have a student that has been experimenting and this seems like the perfect book to help guide. I know for some of us “Old School” teachers – this can be a bit out of our comfort zone – but this old school teacher is willing to experiment…LOL!!! Thank you for always keeping us posted on the latest.

  12. What a great resource! I have taken the first steps to teaching composition in my studio, and I love the idea of including songwriting. Though I studied composition in college and have even written a few songs myself, it can be challenging to translate that into something my students can understand. Thanks for introducing this book!

  13. I think students gain a deeper understanding of music in general when they are taught to creatively compose. This book looks like a valuable learning tool to help students and teachers alike in their composing endeavors!

  14. It’s really great when people like you put down their creative ideas and experience and make it available to all of us! The timer idea was suggested by one of my younger students so I smiled when I saw it here and thought how wonderful it is to be open to the children’s ideas as well. Thinking of my students, the ones who are still playing even after they stopped having lessons are those who were eager to improvise and compose themselves so thanks for providing new ideas to keep fostering creativity!

  15. In addition to private students, I teach music at a middle school and this looks like a perfect companion to what I’ve tried to start with songwriting. Some students seem to blossom, and sometimes we get “stuck” and your books looks like a great help. Thank you!

  16. What an amazing resource this would be! I have several middle school students who are ready to create their own music, but I have no clue on how to help them!

  17. My students are all interested in writing songs, but it has not been an area that I have been comfortable in starting yet. This book looks like a wonderful resource for both myself and my students to explore together. Thank you!

  18. Last year each of my students (some more willingly than others) wrote a composition. Some of them are very excited about it and show great talent! I would love this resource to help them along.

  19. I teach the middle school level, and piano and guitar privately. I’ve been using a music composition curriculum in school but could use some help with my piano students. Loved reading your interview, and thanks for putting this resource on the market.

  20. I am starting to compose with younger children in their lessons but I need a resource that helps compose with those pre-teen and teen students too!

  21. What a nice offer to encourage those of us who are stuck on how to intrique our students about composing and song writing. And for personal use as well!

  22. I use a curriculum that gives little composition exercises with each unit, but the students are always so worried about it. This sounds like a great resource.

  23. My past attempts in helping my students compose have not been very successful. I would love to have this book to improve my skills and those of my students.

  24. This is wonderful—sounds like something that would help me with a 14 year old student I have. She’s VERY into writing songs and so far, we’ve learned chords and different things to do with them. She has great lyrics and a fantastic singing voice, but I struggle with how to direct her. I would love to win this and get some more inspiration!!

  25. I remember attending the performances of the “Songwriting” class at the college I attended years ago and was amazed at the talent of the songwriters… but I felt like I could never do it myself and didn’t dare take the class. I’d love to have this resource to help me and my students be more creative.

  26. I have students who are composing. We need some info on how to easily copyright some terrific songs! Would love to use this book with my students!

  27. That’s a wonderful interview — thanks, Lisa and Wendy! I’m really excited to see and use Lisa’s new book soon. I’ve been writing songs off and on beginning about 15 years ago, and it’s one of the most fun, fulfilling creative activities for me. My niece is a budding singer/dancer/actor/songwriter, so I plan on giving her a copy of the book for her birthday later this month. I also have piano students who enjoy composing, and I have a feeling that some of them will also want to begin songwriting at some point. I think I will also pick up some tips for my own songwriting from the book. I’m going to order a copy or two through Amazon soon. Thanks again!

  28. I want to start doing this in my studio, this is perfect timing. I plan to start composing with my students in September, would love to win this book! 54 students and I need to get going on this!!

  29. I did well in composition in college, & in another state my studio kids entered & did well in composition contests. When I relocated four years ago, I entered a totally different culture! There are many here who are excellent songwriters, but can’t read music. I found a similar situation w/my studio, except that the parents WANTED their kids to learn to read music…ahhh! I’ve been focusing on that, but now we’re ready to delve into composition. And with these kids I feel lost as to how to do it. I’m looking forward to learning some new teaching tools from your book!

  30. What a great resource! I have helped coach composing to several of my piano students. These pieces would most likely be categorized as “classical” and I know they would be very interested in expanding their skills to include “song writing.” While there is some similarity, I know today’s song writing extends far beyond the old 32-bar standby of yesteryear, so this would be a terrific resource to have. Thank you, Lisa, for being aware that this was needed, and for creating it.

  31. I have a ton of students who are super creative and have been composing their own melodies outside of class. We improvise and compose in class too and I’d love some more ideas through this book!!

  32. This is fabulous!! I’m so excited about teaching composition to my students but just don’t know where to start. I need this book! Thanks for the post Wendy!

  33. I’ve just starting composing with my students a little bit this past year and would love to win this book to help me gain more ideas for further composing!

  34. This sounds like just what I have been looking for! Would love to use your book with several students who are composing a bit. Mostly it sounds helpful to me!

  35. I dedicate a portion of every piano lesson with composition – I’m always on the lookout for mini lessons that I can use with my students.

  36. I have been wrestling with the best way to incorporate composition into my student’s lessons. What a wonderful resource for motivation and direction! Thanks for the drawing opportunity.

  37. I have a few students that seem to have a knack for coming up with interesting musical ideas. I’d love a resource like this that would help me guide them in developing these ideas further!

  38. I’m a big believer in teaching music as a life skill instead of a performance skill, and what better way than to use this book as a roadmap to help my students to compose as part of that path.

  39. Comment…Every now and then I have a student show me an idea they have for a song and ask for help. I help them the best that I can but would love a more organized approach to show them,

  40. This sounds so great! Unless a student is naturally talented with composing I have a hard time giving direction. It is definitely something I would like to incorporate in lessons more and this book sounds like just the thing that will help!

  41. I love teaching composition to my students and this book looks like it would be a great addition to my teaching resources. I am trying to encourage them to add some lyrics to their compositions now. I have several students who are showing some real talent in this area. Thanks to Lisa for providing this great guide!

  42. Within my studio I am aware of some of the students who are coming up with improvs and songs that beg to be written down if they took the time. However, my heart dropped when a third grader came in with a song she composed and sang about her experiences with bullying. Now I now that student composition can be much more than just fun or cool or a creative outlet. It can be essential!

  43. Thanks for putting this book together. I have been looking for an engaging approach to composition for young students for many years. The earlier they are engaged, the more likely they will compose as they grow older. I have many students who will benefit from your book. Thanks again!

  44. This book sounds like an amazing resource!! I can’t wait to try it with my older students!! I’ve just recently started more song writing with my students. Up to this point it’s been mainly writing little theory exercises, but the creating of a piece gives the students such a feeling of accomplishment. Besides that feeling, they are able to use everything they’ve learned up to this point and see why I’ve always been adamant in teaching theory.

  45. Looking forward to some new ideas. I’ve only used songwriting/piano composition with those already expressing an interest. I’d especially like ideas to spur interest and openness to exploration and writing for those other students. Bring it on!

  46. Working through Lisa Lukas’ “The Young Musicians Guide To Songwriting” opens eyes, ears, and minds to developing musical ideas through craft. A welcome addition to any student’s music stand.

  47. I’ve always wanted to include composition in my lessons and try to encourage my students to compose. It’s not something that I have a lot of experience with and I’m interested in learning more. Your book would be the tool to navigate me through unfamiliar waters! I sure would love to win it!

  48. Creating at the piano!! Yes!! This is such an important part of lessons in our studio! So excited to get your book (whether I win it or not!) Looking forward the ideas and the organized approach!

  49. I was never taught composing but know it would be of great benefit to my students. I have explored Forest Kinney’s Pattern Play/Chord Play resources but would love an easy guide to help me work my students!

  50. This is a wonderful resource. I have the perfect student in mind for this book. A freshman this fall, but composing songs for about a year. Just bought an electric piano for her room. Even if I don’t win, I will make this book available to her. Thanks for the information.

  51. Looks like a great book!!!! I have some students that are really interested in composing and this could be a great help.

  52. Teaching composition from the start really helps reinforce all the theory we teach! I’m excited about this book! I have 30 students and could use it for several of them.

  53. Thanks for the opportunity, Wendy, and Lisa. This looks like an excellent resource to have in the waiting room or parent/student resource area. I plan to order it this fall. Your interview and comments are welcome!

  54. I have one current student who is actively interested in this topic, so I could put this to use IMMEDIATELY. I’ve even had piano parents who wanted to do this sort of thing. I try to encourage it and give students ideas on how to make it feel less daunting, but I’m not into songwriting myself, so I always am afraid my help may be somewhat lacking. Looking forward to this book!

  55. I’m very excited to incorporate the knowledge from this book into my studio! I think what Lisa says about taking care with our words when commenting on a students’ composition is so vital. Also, what a great outlet for a young person/teenager/tween (actually anyone!) to express themselves and maybe convey, in a healthy way, their emotions.

  56. I would love this book! I am planning to get into composing a lot more with my students this next academic year, and this would be a great help.

  57. Wow, this book looks great. I would like to start teaching my students to compose but haven’t found anything suitable. Everything seems to be aimed at a much older age group. This book would be perfect!

  58. I have a student that is composing and sharing at every lesson. I plan to get this book and hopefully it will help us with notating her compositions.

  59. I have some of my high school students who compose their own songs and it is something that I am a little envious of. I would love to feel more comfortable doing this myself. It would also be great to be able to assist them and all my other students with writing their own music, giving them a way to express themselves. This is such an amazing skill to have and certainly my downfall. This book would be a great start.

  60. I have been composing for and with my students for years, but it would be nice to have a resource to turn to when we are “stumped.” 🙂

  61. This book looks far more comprehensive than what I have been doing. I have some teenaged students who are interested in composing – this book would go a long way to helping us out!

  62. I am actively searching for a book of this type for my older students, some of whom have shown a strong desire to compose. This book seems to be a winner, what with the excellent reviews and it’s performance thus far! I hope I win a copy!

  63. While I have taught for many years, I have never included composing until this year, when a six year old student began to create songs. Every week he has something unique worked out. He is inspiring others and we all need direction. This sound like just the thing.

  64. Hi!
    I am a private piano and voice instructor at a music academy in Charlotte, NC. I will be teaching a music composition camp next week and I wish I had this book to use!

  65. If I don’t win this, I’m buying it! My student who in the beginning just took lessons for the bubble gum is now composing fantastic pieces and it has finally clicked why I taught so much theory even when he wasn’t interested. Pay day!!

  66. Yes! So glad to know there are more resources out there for this! I’ve started a Songwriters Club that meets every other week to keep students accountable to continue writing, and also offers a platform to share new ideas in an encouraging atmosphere, and then I introduce new tips each time. It’s a lot of fun :o)

  67. Wendy, the arrival of Lisa’s book is very timely for me personally. I’ve been trying to incorporate more creativity in my teaching through improvisation and composition, and Lisa’s book would be a fabulous resource for my students and me. When I look at the students in my studio, I see great potential, and I feel very responsible for giving that potential a chance to develop. I see that not all students will excel in all areas, and while I want to stretch them in every area, I know that their innate interests will expose their strengths. I have several students whose strengths lie in composition/singing and writing/reading. It occurs to me that songwriting would be an incredible way to combine those abilities! I’m extremely excited at the prospect of being able to help guide these souls into this beautiful means of self expression using your book. Coming from a performing background myself, I realize that I need some concrete guidance to start these musicians on this path of songwriting. I know they will be inspired to try this, as am I. I believe that when my students experience the power of their own words combined with their own music, it will be transformative in their lives. And who knows, maybe the next “Let It Go” might be born! I would also LOVE to share this book with my local piano teachers organization, of which I am the librarian. I enjoy sharing teaching resources with them, and they ought to know about this! Thank you and best wishes.

  68. I LOVE including improv and composition in my lessons. And yet, these are my greatest weaknesses. So I stand on the shoulders of those for whom these are areas of strength. Thank you so much for putting together this book – it sounds fabulous!!

  69. Wow! I want this book for me! I love to take other, especial old lyrics and compose songs. Any fresh ideas about composing and lyrics are greatly appreciated, especial field-tested ones!

  70. This sounds like a terrific book! I’m at a complete loss for songwriting, so I don’t even mention anything about teaching it. But when my students ask about it (thankfully rare), all I can do is encourage them and listen if they bring something in – we can work on correctly notating something, and occasionally I’ll have a suggestion, but that’s as far as it goes. This book would eliminate that terrible feeling that I’m letting them down, and teach ME in the process. How exciting!

  71. This book looks very interesting, do you think it is too advanced for students 8-12? I am just starting my piano teaching studio, and want to integrated composing into my lessons. It is a bit overwhelming on where to start though, especially with the beginner students.

  72. I always want to know how to compose songs. This book comes out at the right time. No other books tell more details and encourage new musical composers. Thanks for giving us your knowledge of how to compose a song.

  73. This would be a GReAT addition to my library of resources and “tools” for my students! I have been focusing more and more on their creative, imaginative sides – helping them write their own songs as they learn new concepts in their Method books and performance pieces. Somehow when they have a hand in writing their own tunes, the concepts stick better! Cannot wait to read this!!

  74. Many students think composition is hard, but I love showing them how to take it step by step. Great way to really learn theory. Can’t wait to read the book!

  75. I could love to be able to work with my students on composing and songwriting. It seems like they need so much information and it is hard to organize it and give them just what they need bit by bit so they are not overwhelmed.

  76. I’m excited to see this book because so many students in my small studio are interested in writing songs. This is going to be very helpful!

  77. After attending MTNA in March, I came home wanting to work on composing and improvisation. Like most teachers, I seem to get stumped helping students get pieces organized and notated. If we stop to do that, we lose too much lesson time on their other music and theory. I need help helping them.

  78. Sounds like a book I could use. I don’t teach a lot of songwriting as I don’t know where to start. Sounds like this would be great for me to use.

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