How Music Really Works

Finally, we have come across a book not published by Berklee! From the book's opening, we can guess that Berklee and Wayne Chase actually do not get along with each other that well, since Wayne Chase starts his book with an image of a music sheet with a big, red X sign spread all over it. Don't know what that means? Well, basically Wayne Chase crossed off the entire notion that a good musician must know how to write and read music. Any Berklee traditionalist will get mad at that! But if your viewpoints are more open-minded and modern, then we are certain you will become a huge fan of Wayne Chase.

How Music Really Works is among the first general books about songwriting included in this list, which is quite high-level for music comprehension. In essence, How Music Really Works focuses on methods to seize listeners' attention and move these people with emotional words and melodies. It offers visually-oriented and in-depth (yet easy to read) graphics and text that cover literally all critical aspects of music-crafting and lyric making. Yes, you heard it right - all critical aspects!

One minor drawback of How Music Really Works is that it seems a bit too broad and overwhelming. But in return, it is fully packed with practical and helpful advice that will gain you a better understanding of music, including theoretical approaches that do not require you to read any music in order to understand them.

Author: Wayne Chase

Year of Release: 2006

Ratings: 3.9 stars (from 44 reviews)