LibGuides: Music Production and Songwriting: Songwriting

Introduction

Below you will find resources within and outside the library to help you navigating the songwriting and composition process. Explore books on writing lyrics, guides on navigating copyright for artists and performers, and more.

Books on Songwriting

How to Write Lyrics: Better Words for Your Songs

Elements of Song Craft: The Contemporary Songwriter's Usage Guide to Writing Songs That Last

Composing with Constraints: 100 Practical Exercises in Music Composition

Sound, Art, and Music: Philosophy, Composition, Performance

The Art of Noise: Conversations with Great Songwriters

Finding Resources

A Guide to Copyright - Canada's Intellectual Property Office
CIPO explains what works are protected under Canadian copyright law, and how to register your work with copyright office.
Performers Rights - SOCAN
SOCAN (Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada) demystifies copyright for songwriters. They primarily deal with performance rights, and can be a great resource for understanding rights management.
Copyright Tutorial for FCAD Students
Explore this self-paced tutorial on copyright basics for creators and users of copyrighted materials.

Arts & Humanities Database This link opens in a new window
(ProQuest) Part of ProQuest Central. This database has hundreds of titles on art, architecture, design, history, philosophy, music, literature, theater and cultural studies.
Details and Terms of Use
Fine Arts Collection This link opens in a new window
(Gale) The Gale Fine Arts Collection provides access to scholarly journals and magazines that support research in areas including drama, music, art history, and filmmaking. The database emphasizes full-text content for publications included in the Wilson Art Index and RILM bibliography.
Details and Terms of Use
JSTOR This link opens in a new window
(ITHAKA) Provides access to a multidisciplinary collection of over 4000 journals in the arts, humanities, and social sciences.

- JSTOR does not include current issues of journals (2 to 11 year gap depending on the title).
Details and Terms of Use

Explore these subject headings below to find print and electronic books in the library on songwriting: