ERIC STEVENS

Whether playing on your piano, or his own compact, full-keyboard PORTABLE which takes up no more space than an ironing board, this versatile artist endeavors to please you and your guests.

	LITERATE LYRICS
	SONGWRITING SECRETS

LITERATE LYRICS by ERIC STEVENS

EVERY MUSICIAN HAS A POTENTIAL LUCRATIVE STANDARD IN HIM/HER

(Even if you’ve done that, please read on)

You’re composing all the time when you improvise. Why not dig out that 8 bars you filed away, and add a compatible bridge? It might be worth big bucks.

“Misty” and “What’s New” were just moderately big until Johnny Burke added words. Walter Gross’ brother told me that a few years after Jack Lawrence put lyrics to “Tenderly” his sibling could’ve retired.

I’m an ASCAP wordsmith who’d love to pen lyrics to your song(s), and give you a 75/25 composer-royalty split; if you publish, you’ve got “the publishing” too. You have the name, the connections, the proximity, and the business acumen, so the extra % is justified. I’m sure you know other lyric writers, but are they available? Reliable?

Here are some valued opinions: “Terrific”- Julius La Rosa; “A treasure”- Connie Harlow; “Truly hip”- Gene Rizzo; “Really Lovely” - Bill Cunliffe; “Lovely”- Corky Hale; “Clever, highly original, surprise(s), romantic”- Charles Suhor

QUALIFICATIONS:

From the songlist you can see that my titles are clever and varied. The title is the only thing that can sell the song until someone hears it. I have several hundred titles waiting, or can work with yours.
Being a melodist too, I have an inside knowledge of the process that would elude a poet or singer. There’s far more to writing lyrics than meets the eye. That’s why my seminar is called “SECRETS of Songwriting.” I’m 51% lyricist and 49% melodist.
As a former English teacher, I disdain overused words (pretty, beautiful, nice, good, great), preferring words that jump off the page and grab you with action, color, sounds, pictures, and emotions…without sending you to the dictionary . I love alliterations, internal rhymes, puns, and made-up words. 99% of rhymes must be perfect…but the STORY RULES.
I’ve read the COMPLETE lyrics of Porter, Berlin, Hart, Hammerstein, Ira, Coward, Mercer, Lerner, and Cahn. Also dig the Bergmans, Frishberg, Lees, Loesser, Harnick, Harburg, Sondheim, and the ultimate rhymer, Marshall Barer.
I’m Bi….Bi-regional that is; half New Yorker, half Southerner…a Johnny Mercer perspective.
Have been in “the business” for decades: pianist, bassist, bandleader, floorshow singer, standup comic, voice coach, radio announcer, TV actor, critic, union official, and agent.
I may do days of research, but average writing time is 2 hours.
Sometimes write a happy ending and a sad one, as options; other options: a word here, a phrase there; and of course, editing right of approval.
Ideal lyricist traits: romantic, sentimental, optimistic, observant, whimsical, sensitive.
Certainly not least: “I Married An Angel.”

Please SAVE this; nothing is more permanent than change. Before you put this down, why not send for samples from the blue song list?

Songwriting SECRETS

A Seminar by ERIC STEVENS

Featuring Eric Stevens’ 8-Step Songwriting Formula. This informative presentation can vary in length from two hours to a whole course. One effective way is to have a session from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM, followed by a lunch break, and a 2:00-4:00 PM session. Pianist Stevens sings and plays his own compositions, using their strong and weak points to introduce new topics. Piano, P.A. system, and chalkboard are required. Pupils receive handouts, free copies of Eric’s songs, and a list of many vital books, including three that are absolutely indispensable for the Nashville-bound.

A half-century of entertaining bulwarks Stevens’ presentation. He is a member of ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers), AFM (American Federation of Musicians), and MAC (Manhattan Association of Cabarets). For his educational, teaching, performing, and personal backgrounds, please visit www.ericstevensmusic.com , which also lists his compositions.

Although some regard his writing as “old school,” he has played and sung “rock” for decades. Pupils must learn the rules before they can break them. The material covered is no harder than simple addition.

CONTENT

These questions-and much more—are answered:

BLUES

How many bars is a typical blues? What is the usual chord sequence? What is a “blue note?” What is an AAB rhyme? Name several ways to vary a blues. Name 3 or more rock super-standards that are blues

LYRICS, TITLES

Name 3 literary devices that enhance a lyric. Give a solid reason for doing the words first…and vice versa. What is THE most important part of a song? Second most? Give 2 reasons why you should learn to write both music and words. Name 2 endless sources of titles.

FORM

List 3 names for “the middle part.” Give 8 synonyms for “period.” Clearly explain the difference between AB and AABA; name several types of music in which each would most likely be found.

INTERVALS

Name the intervals up to a 10^TH. What scale-step is the most provocative, leaving listeners wanting more? Unless writing for yourself, how great a vocal range is wise?

DEFINITIONS

Define: intro; hook; tag; coda; turnaround; vamp; cadence; de capo; del segno; diatonic; chromatic; tessitura; crescendo; tacet; pickups; root; tonic; changes; lead sheet; relative and parallel minor; “We want Cantor;” dominant (what extra note is usually added)? montuno.

CHORDS

What 3 chords enable you to write or play 100s of songs? Explain the cycle of 5ths; Differentiate between basic, extended, and substitute chords. What notes spell a C9 chord? Why are IIm7 and IV 6 virtually the same?

MISCELLANEOUS

How can you save $240 on copyrights periodically? What unusual scale was Gershwin’s favorite? Spell that scale in C. Why is the term “fast” useless to describe a tempo? In what 2 ways can this be corrected? List 7 reasons why “Ace Adams” is an ideal professional-name.

CONTACT INFORMATION

2460 Rose Hall Drive

Virginia Beach, VA 23454-1945

Telephone: (757) 481-7792 Fax: (757) 481-3926

E-mail: eric.stevens8@verizon.net