Getting yourself ready. Magic and myth ; Defining structure ; A look at musical genres ; The chicken and the egg -- Painting with words. What have you got to say? ; Who is singing your song? ; First impressions ; Choruses, verses, and bridges ; Lyrical lyrics -- Making music. Notes, chords, and keys ; Making memorable melodies ; Finding harmony ; Some assembly required ; Rhythm ; Hooking your listener -- Getting better all the time. The art of rewriting ; Turning your song into a demo ; Avoiding ruts and blocks ; Working well with others ; Taking your songs for a test drive ; The digital age -- Going pro. Copyrights ; The business of the music business ; New horizons.