Is Jimmy Kachulis’s book on melody writing a goldmine for aspiring songwriters, or does it leave you craving more depth? Find out who should dive into this resource and who might need a little extra guidance along the way.
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Melody is one of the most important musical parameters. For some reason, it’s not a popular topic to study. Teaching melodies is not as straightforward as harmony. Nevertheless, there are many melody techniques that you can learn and apply to your music.
If you want to learn more about writing melodies check out my free course ‘Melody Writing for Beginners‘.
Book Review The Songwriter’s Workshop: Melody by Jimmy Kachulis
“The Songwriter’s Workshop: Melody” by Jimmy Kachulis is a book dedicated to the art of crafting melodies. As a resource that’s been around for some time, you might wonder whether it remains relevant and useful. In this review, I will discuss what you can learn from the book, highlight its strengths and weaknesses, and suggest who might benefit most from it.
What Can You Learn?
One of the most important aspects of any music book is what you can learn from it. “The Songwriter’s Workshop: Melody” is structured into five main sections:
- Rhythm
- Melody on Chords
- Melody Across Chords
- Melody Over Chords
- Melody Against Baselines and Riffs
Each section contains lessons that progressively increase in complexity. These lessons break down the topics into various songwriting techniques. As you approach the end of a section, you’ll find that multiple lessons or techniques are combined, making the material more challenging.
What I Like
One of the book’s strengths is its clear division into separate sections, making it easy to follow and understand. This organization helps keep topics distinct, which is useful for learners. The book starts with one of the most fundamental aspects of music—rhythm. Many people overlook the importance of rhythm, but choosing the wrong rhythm can completely undermine your melody and lyrics. Also, the book is easy to read and avoids overwhelming readers with too much music theory jargon.
Points of Critique
However, the book is not without its flaws. Like Jimmy Kachulis’s other work, “Hit Song Forms,” “The Songwriter’s Workshop: Melody” is not entirely beginner-friendly. For instance, someone who cannot read sheet music might struggle to fully utilize the book’s content. On the flip side, the book also lacks depth. While it introduces many interesting techniques and topics, it often only scratches the surface, leaving readers wanting more detailed explanations.
Who Is This Book For?
In my opinion, this songwriting book is best suited for intermediate songwriters looking for inspiration. Beginners can also use it, but I recommend doing so with the guidance of a teacher. As a beginner, this shouldn’t be your first and last music theory book. Pair it with a more beginner-friendly resource, or if you’re advanced, combine it with a more in-depth book, such as “Melody and Songwriting” or “Great Songwriting Techniques” by Jack Perricone.
Conclusion
In conclusion, The Songwriter’s Workshop: Melody by Jimmy Kachulis offers valuable insights into melody creation, especially for intermediate songwriters seeking inspiration. While it provides a solid foundation in rhythm and melody techniques, it may not be comprehensive enough for advanced learners. Or easy enough for those new to music theory. Pairing this book with additional resources can help readers fully grasp and expand their songwriting skills.
Other Songwriting and Composition Books
If you want to become a better musician, songwriter, producer, or composer, then you need to invest time in learning new things. I have curated a list of the best books on songwriting for songwriters and the best books on music composition for composers. If you want to learn more about music theory or music production I’ve got you covered as well!