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Songwriting From the Beginning

Songwriting From the Beginning

Author(s): Thomas Baggaley

Edition: 2

Copyright: 2026

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$68.00 USD

ISBN 9798319727220

Details KHPContent 180 days

Faculty Review Copy

Songwriting from the Beginning stands out because it treats songwriting as an inseparable blend of music and lyrics, showing how the musical qualities inherent in the sound of words—including rhythm, pitch, and timbre—influence musical meaning in ways most textbooks overlook. It guides readers through hands-on exercises and reflection prompts in every chapter, making it equally useful for individual study and classroom teaching. 

Written for absolute beginners yet rich enough to challenge experienced writers, it starts with foundational creative concepts and builds toward advanced skills like leadsheet creation and chromatic harmonies—all without requiring the prior ability to read music. The book’s integration of over 250 linked musical examples, including recent popular songs, allows readers to hear concepts in action through curated Spotify playlists. Students consistently report that the material rewards repeated use, revealing new insights each time, and supporting long-term growth as songwriters. 

All confirmed adopting instructors will receive access to the Instructor Adoption Kit that includes: 

  • A modular course flowchart
  • Syllabus templates
    • Beginner's version of the course
    • Intermediate-level course
    • 2 semester course
  • Instructor guide for how to best teach songwriting using the text and how to select the appropriate content for specific types of classes including five sample assignments
    • Semester Project: Writing 1 Song for a Beginning Class
    • Writing First Draft of Song
    • Intermediate: Final 3 Song Portfolio
    • Writing a Parody
    • Model Song Final Presentation
  • A short intro video highlighting the book’s unique approach
  • Instructor testimonials

Chapter 1 The Creative Process: An Overview 
Chapter 2 Lyrical Ideas The Hook or Title 
Chapter 3 Artistic Writing Fundamentals: Sense-Bound Writing 
Chapter 4 Lyrics: Metaphors and Similes
Chapter 5 Lyrics and Perspective: Viewpoint, Voice, Time Frame, and Setting 
Chapter 6 Music Basics: The Beat and Meter
Chapter 7 Music Basics: Rhythm / Creating a Groove 
Chapter 8 Music Basics: Foundations for Playing Chords 
Chapter 9: The Beat and Meter 
Chapter 10 The Sounds of Words: Rhyme and Similar Sound-Based Poetic Devices 
Chapter 11 Music Basics: Scales and Chords in Keys 
Chapter 12 Music Basics: Common Chord Progressions 
Chapter 13 Music Basics: The Relationship Between Melody and Chords 
Chapter 14 The Art of Productive Repetition: Form and Large-Scale Structure in Music and Lyrics 
Chapter 15 Writing the Song: Drafting, Revising and Polishing 
Chapter 16 Lead Sheet Essentials: Why and How to Write It All Down 
Chapter 17 Lead Sheet Basics: Rhythmic Principles of Music Notation 
Chapter 18 Lead Sheet Basics: Music Notation and Pitch 
Chapter 19 Music Basics: Chromatic Chords 
Chapter 20 – Song Types: Common Lyrical Approaches Part 1 
Chapter 21 – Song Types: Common Lyrical Approaches Part 2 
Chapter 22 – Chord Symbols: Jazz Chords 
Chapter 23 Chord Symbols: Chord Alterations 
Chapter 24 Writing the Arrangement (A Quick Overview)

Thomas Baggaley

Thomas C. Baggaley is a composer, author, and professor of music at Salt Lake Community College, where he has led the development of curriculum for associate degrees in music, commercial music, media music composition, and music recording technology. Drawing on extensive classroom experience, his textbooks are grounded in real-world teaching practice and designed to meet the practical and creative needs of today’s collegiate music programs. His work emphasizes clear pedagogical structure, stylistic versatility, and adaptable frameworks that support both traditional musicianship and contemporary songwriting and composition workflows. Through his writing, he aims to provide instructors with flexible, course-ready resources that engage diverse student populations while maintaining strong academic rigor.

Songwriting from the Beginning stands out because it treats songwriting as an inseparable blend of music and lyrics, showing how the musical qualities inherent in the sound of words—including rhythm, pitch, and timbre—influence musical meaning in ways most textbooks overlook. It guides readers through hands-on exercises and reflection prompts in every chapter, making it equally useful for individual study and classroom teaching. 

Written for absolute beginners yet rich enough to challenge experienced writers, it starts with foundational creative concepts and builds toward advanced skills like leadsheet creation and chromatic harmonies—all without requiring the prior ability to read music. The book’s integration of over 250 linked musical examples, including recent popular songs, allows readers to hear concepts in action through curated Spotify playlists. Students consistently report that the material rewards repeated use, revealing new insights each time, and supporting long-term growth as songwriters. 

All confirmed adopting instructors will receive access to the Instructor Adoption Kit that includes: 

  • A modular course flowchart
  • Syllabus templates
    • Beginner's version of the course
    • Intermediate-level course
    • 2 semester course
  • Instructor guide for how to best teach songwriting using the text and how to select the appropriate content for specific types of classes including five sample assignments
    • Semester Project: Writing 1 Song for a Beginning Class
    • Writing First Draft of Song
    • Intermediate: Final 3 Song Portfolio
    • Writing a Parody
    • Model Song Final Presentation
  • A short intro video highlighting the book’s unique approach
  • Instructor testimonials

Chapter 1 The Creative Process: An Overview 
Chapter 2 Lyrical Ideas The Hook or Title 
Chapter 3 Artistic Writing Fundamentals: Sense-Bound Writing 
Chapter 4 Lyrics: Metaphors and Similes
Chapter 5 Lyrics and Perspective: Viewpoint, Voice, Time Frame, and Setting 
Chapter 6 Music Basics: The Beat and Meter
Chapter 7 Music Basics: Rhythm / Creating a Groove 
Chapter 8 Music Basics: Foundations for Playing Chords 
Chapter 9: The Beat and Meter 
Chapter 10 The Sounds of Words: Rhyme and Similar Sound-Based Poetic Devices 
Chapter 11 Music Basics: Scales and Chords in Keys 
Chapter 12 Music Basics: Common Chord Progressions 
Chapter 13 Music Basics: The Relationship Between Melody and Chords 
Chapter 14 The Art of Productive Repetition: Form and Large-Scale Structure in Music and Lyrics 
Chapter 15 Writing the Song: Drafting, Revising and Polishing 
Chapter 16 Lead Sheet Essentials: Why and How to Write It All Down 
Chapter 17 Lead Sheet Basics: Rhythmic Principles of Music Notation 
Chapter 18 Lead Sheet Basics: Music Notation and Pitch 
Chapter 19 Music Basics: Chromatic Chords 
Chapter 20 – Song Types: Common Lyrical Approaches Part 1 
Chapter 21 – Song Types: Common Lyrical Approaches Part 2 
Chapter 22 – Chord Symbols: Jazz Chords 
Chapter 23 Chord Symbols: Chord Alterations 
Chapter 24 Writing the Arrangement (A Quick Overview)

Thomas Baggaley
Thomas Baggaley

Thomas C. Baggaley is a composer, author, and professor of music at Salt Lake Community College, where he has led the development of curriculum for associate degrees in music, commercial music, media music composition, and music recording technology. Drawing on extensive classroom experience, his textbooks are grounded in real-world teaching practice and designed to meet the practical and creative needs of today’s collegiate music programs. His work emphasizes clear pedagogical structure, stylistic versatility, and adaptable frameworks that support both traditional musicianship and contemporary songwriting and composition workflows. Through his writing, he aims to provide instructors with flexible, course-ready resources that engage diverse student populations while maintaining strong academic rigor.