Wanna Learn?

People ask me at shows about learning how to play different instruments or learning about songwriting. There are no secrets except passion and time! But here are a few resources that I would recommend:
Music Business

All You Need to Know About the Music Business: Seventh Edition - This is invaluable book about the music business written by a entertainment lawyer who really knows his stuff. It's an easy, entertaining read and I learned a TON about the biz from reading this one book.

 

Guerrilla Music Marketing Handbook: 201 Self-Promotion Ideas for Songwriters, Musicians and Bands on a Budget (Revised & Updated) - As featured in the movie 'School of Rock'! Great marketing and promotional tips.

 

Guerrilla Music Marketing, Encore Edition: 201 More Self-promotion Ideas, Tips and Tactics for Do-it-yourself Artists

 

Booking, Promoting and Marketing Your Music (Mix Pro Audio Series)

Music Instruction and Theory

Alfred's Basic Adult Piano Course: Lesson Book, Level One - I started learning the piano using these Alfred piano books. I started using the kids books, but they have all kinds for all levels and ages.

 

Encyclopedia of Chords for Guitar & Piano - I've never really had much in the way of formal guitar instruction, but I starting learning by teaching myself chords out of a book just like this.

 

The Jazz Language: A Theory Text for Jazz Composition and Improvisation - This was a Jazz Theory textbook I had in college that really breaks down extended chords, different harmonizations, and other jazz nuances that are used in all kinds of music. A great book for expanding your musical palette.

Music Recording and Technology

Modern Recording Techniques, Seventh Edition (Book) - One of my college textbooks and a great book on recording that I still consult from time to time.

 

Behind the Glass - Top Record Producers Tell How They Craft the Hits

 

The Sound Reinforcement Handbook

 

Recording Music on Location

 

Here, There and Everywhere: My Life Recording the Music of the Beatles

 

All You Need Is Ears: The inside personal story of the genius who created The Beatles

Songwriting

Six Steps to Songwriting Success, Revised Edition: The Comprehensive Guide to Writing and Marketing Hit Songs - A very popular book with lots of good information about songwriting.


Shortcuts to Hit Songwriting: 126 Proven Techniques for Writing Songs That Sell

Music Legalities

Music Copyright for the New Millennium (Book) - Copyright law can get tricky sometimes and this book breaks it all down, written by a renowned expert in music copyright law. It was a textbook of mine in college and I still go to it when I have copyright questions.