Synopses & Reviews
From greats like Patti Smith and Cyndi Lauper to TV's Miley Cyrus (Hannah Montana) and Demi Lovato, girls want to rock. They want to start bands, write songs, get up on stage, and kick out the jams. Here's the book to teach them how.
Written by an obsessive music lover who's spent her life playing, performing, publicizing, and writing about rock 'n' roll, The Girls' Guide To Rocking is a hip, inspirational guide for rad girls who want to make their rock dreams come true.
It's everything a rocking girl needs to know:
- How to find your instrument-and if your hands are too small for the bass, try the guitar.
- How to get your band together: ask everyone you know, put up flyers, check the local music schools.
- Temperamental old-school tube amps vs. uncool but supersmart digital amps.
- Giving your band the right name, plus a cautionary glossary of overused words (Wolf, Star, Crystal, Earth, etc.).
- The freedom of going solo, and how to handle performing alone in the spotlight.
- Songwriting tips, with eight prompts to get the lyrics flowing.
- The ins and outs of recording, whether at home or in a studio.
- Taking care of business: publicizing your band, making money on T-shirts, legalese and the creative personality, your MySpace page, and the four signs that say time to hire a manager-in other words, you've arrived.
Includes a girls-in-rock timeline, essential listening lists, and quotes from the greats: Nina Simone, Chrissie Hynde, Debbie Harry, Carrie Brownstein, Kim Deal, Kate Bush, Kim Gordon, and more. Now get out there and rule the world.
Review
"Jessica Hopper is smart, sassy, and knows what she's talking about.
The Girls' Guide to Rocking is like a good song--catchy, fun, and insightful. May a thousand new bands be launched by this book." -Karla Schickele, Founder & Executive Director, Willie Mae Rock Camp for Girls
Review
"For anyone looking to dive in, this book is a great place to start."--Joan Jett
Review
"
The Girl's Guide to Rocking is valuable for anyone whether you want to start a basement punk band or become a pop star. This book made me want to go back in time and start a new band." -Gregg Gillis, Girl Talk
Review
This highly informational and inspiring do-it-yourself resource will guide girls toward their rocker dreams. It will also appeal to the young-at-heart who dream of being a rock star and readers and researchers of girl culture. --Elizabeth M. Wavle, Elmira College Library, NY
Synopsis
From greats like Patti Smith and Joan Jett to legends-in-the-making like Taylor Swift and Demi Lovato, girls want to rock. They want to start bands, write songs, get up on stage, and kick out the jams. Here's the book to teach them how. Written by an obsessive music lover who's spent her life playing, performing, publicizing, and writing about rock 'n' roll,
The Girls' Guide To Rocking is a hip, inspirational guide for rad girls who want to make their rock dreams come true.
It's everything a rocking girl needs to know: how to choose the right instrument for you, where to shop for instruments and where to avoid. How to get your band together and keep it together--tips on playing in a band with your friends and staying friends. How to turn your bedroom into a soundproof practice space. Giving your band the right name, plus a cautionary glossary of overused words (Wolf, Star, Crystal, Earth, etc.). How to set-up and promote your own shows. The freedom of going solo, and how to handle performing alone in the spotlight. Songwriting tips, with eight prompts to get the lyrics flowing. The ins and outs of recording, whether at home or in a studio. Taking care of business: publicizing your band, making T-shirts, legalese and the creative personality, and the four signs that say "time to hire a manager"--in other words, you've arrived.
Includes a girls-in-rock timeline, essential listening lists, and quotes from the greats: Nina Simone, Hayley Williams, Gwen Stefani, Carrie Brownstein, Amy Lee, Kim Gordon, and more. Now get out there and rule the world.
About the Author
Jessica Hopper is a music and culture critic whose work regularly appears in
Chicago Reader,
LA Weekly,
SPIN,
ANP and
Chicago Tribune and has also been included in
DaCapo's Best of Music Writing 2004,
2005 and
2007. She is also the music consultant for the public radio show,
This American Life. Her widely-anthologized essay, "Emo: Where the Girls Aren't" was described as "influential" by
The New York Times.
Holding fast to the music-is-my-life credo, Hopper has also done time as a tour manager, band publicist, DJ, touring bassist, Girls Rock Camp booster, and fanzine publisher. She lives in Chicago.
Table of Contents
IntroductionChapter 1: Let's Get Ready to Rock
Take It From the Top
Play What Your Mama Gave Ya
FIY (Find it Yourself):
Picking the Right Instrument
Proper Care and Feeding
Guitars--All Kinds!
Pedals
Keys Open Doors
Your Voice
Hot for Teacher
Finding a Teacher
Chapter 2: Making the Band
Band Together
Start Where You Are
Best Friends, Best Bandmates
Wild Combination:
Style Wars
Let's Stay Together:
- Keeping the Peace in Your Band
Endless, Nameless:
Solitary Girl:
Express Yourself:
Writing it Down
The Rules of No Rules
Practice, Practice, Practice
How to Practice
Feeling Discouraged
Chapter 3: Recording
Is This Thing On?
Do It Clean
Ballad of Big Something:
It's Gonna Take Time, A Whole Lot of Precious Time
How Do You Know You Are Ready to Record?
All I Need is One Mic
Recording Your Drum Sound
Preproduction for Recording
What is a Producer, and Do You Need One?
In the Basement:
- Home Recording for the Solo Arteest
GarageBand
Gang of Four:
Chapter 4: All The Way LiveReady, Steady, Go
Some Notes on Stage Fright and Bad Shows
I Was Meant for the Stage
One is the Loneliest Number:
The System and the Packer Who Abides by It
Putting On Your Own Shows
Going Book Wild
Promotion
Chapter 5: Turn It Up
Mind Your Own (Band) Business
Duty Now for the Future
Legalese
Accessorizing Your Band
Touring
Appendix A: Essentials of Rock
For Your Listening Pleasure
Movies and Films
Appendix B: In the Garage
Getting Started in GarageBand
My Rock Profile