The Girls' Guide to Rocking: How to Start a Band, Book Gigs, and Get Rolling to Rock Stardom Paperback – June 4, 2009

Girl bands are HOT. Just had to get that out.The Girls' Guide to Rocking is a terrific, easy read that has everything one could possibly want to know about starting up a rock band and soaring to the heights of the music business. Who would believe that EVERYTHING you could possibly want to know about being a rock star is in this one book? Well, almost everything, and a good start. And if not reach the heights, at least have a lot of fun along the way.I first heard about this book when its youthful author, Jessica Hopper, was being interviewed on the local television news station. The author has played in bands since fifteen and is a writer and music critic, so the book is very well-written in her own folksy, whimsical style. She speaks with the authority of someone who has been around the block. Although titled to young girls, boys and adults will be equally informed as well. You will probably find it in the kid's section in your library. Just say you are checking it out for the grandchildren.It's a fast, easy, interesting and enlightening read about the music business even for those who (like me) will never stand on a stage or in a recording studio but are just music fans. It is a step-by-step A-to-Z guide from buying your first guitar or drum to launching your first road tour. In particular, it is filled with really good, sound technical advice and even some solid brand recommendations so noobs will have a starting point and not be totally lost on that first visit to the music store.A couple specific comments: - Page 21: Consider a guitar stand - Page 37: The book was light in the keyboard department after some very informative and detailed discussion about guitars and drums. Should have said a little more about the B-3, its history, its use in rock and real tonewheels versus clonewheels. Vox Continentals were phased out in the early 1970's, Farfisa in the mid-1970's and only live on in the used market. Used Continentals go for the big bucks to collectors and had reliability issues even when they were new(er). The sound of the Continental will be most familiar to listeners on the intro. to the Doors Light My Fire. Farfisa with Sam the Sham (Wooly Bully). The Nord C1 (now C2) reportedly performs excellently in simulating the B-3, Continental and Farfisa, but is very expensive at $3k. Software simulation has also come a long way in the past couple of years and, combined with a computer and basic MIDI keyboard, can produce a decent sound at minimal cost. Where "electric" (really electronic) pianos are concerned, Yamaha is a top brand to look at. As for synths, Moog is the original and while the first device was sold in the early 1950's, significant public recognition was not achieved until 1968 with the release of Switched-on Bach. So there is a long line of Moog devices in existence, including current production. But Roland, Kurzweil, Korg and Yamaha are the top brands keyboard players usually consider. - Page 104 et al: Even after reading the book, I am still not sure exactly what a "producer" really is and does, what real value he or she adds to the venture and why one always seems to be involved. - Page 216/Appendix B: GarageBand software runs only on Apple's McIntosh computers where it comes already installed. There are similar reasonably-priced software products on the market for MS Windows such as Mixcraft. Google on "garageband for windows" (without the quotes) to find them.One issue I do not recall the book addressing is "ownership" of theband and its name. It discusses inventing the name and trademark registration, but not how to reach and record an agreement among band members about ownership and how the inevitable personnel changes will affect it. That always seems to be the subject of expensive legal wrangling for bands that do make it.Naturally, the music business is complex, competitive and filled with sharks that will eat your lunch, so once a band begins showing glimmers of success, further professional advice is necessary as the book wisely counsels. But for starters, The Girls' Guide to Rocking is unique, essential and enjoyable reading for all rock wannabees, their groupies and music fans in general.Jessica, YOU rock. Six stars. Buy it!

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First of all, THE GIRLS' GUIDE TO ROCKING isn't just for girls. Its target audience might be girls who are interested in starting a band, but there's so much great information in this book that it's a useful tool for anyone who wants to make music. In fact, if you have to buy a gift for a guy who rocks, I'd almost suggest that you get this book and use a piece of electrical tape to cover up the word GIRLS' on the cover. Explain away the duct tape by saying the book is punk or distressed or something. The only other way he can tell this book was written for girls is that the rock star quotes are from women, but no one should complain about getting rock career advice from the likes of Patti Smith and Amy Lee.THE GIRLS' GUIDE TO ROCKING is packed from cover to cover with everything a budding rock star needs to know. It starts with instruments, including which ones are most commonly associated with rock bands, brands available, finding a teacher, and much more. There's a chapter on putting a band together, keeping it together, rehearsals, and even how to come up with a catchy name. Technical information about writing songs and recording music is provided for more advanced readers who are looking to take the next steps in fulfilling their rock dreams.The book even includes an appendix about how to use the recording software GarageBand. There is also a whole chapter on finding and booking gigs, which includes cheap, creative ideas for making posters and band merchandise.This comprehensive guide has something to offer a wide variety of musicians, regardless of their goals. Beginners who just want to buy a second-hand guitar and pick out a few chords will get tips for where and how to find decent used equipment. If you want to get some friends together to start a garage band, you will find tips for helping make that a fun process for everyone involved. For those who have their hearts set on full-scale rock stardom, this book can be used as a how-to guide for everything from writing music to signing a contract with a record company.The book has a funny, down-to-earth tone that makes it easy and enjoyable to read. In addition, its focus on female musicians is empowering to girls who want to break into an industry dominated by men.I highly recommend THE GIRLS' GUIDE TO ROCKING for both musicians and the people who love them. Girls who are looking for information about making their own music should definitely check out this book. Parents or grandparents have finally found a cool gift for the music-minded girl in their lives. And one of the best things about the book is that even non-musicians can enjoy it. Not being a musician myself, I learned a tremendous amount about instruments, bands, songwriting, and recording.After reading this book, I was even able to have a rational conversation with my 16-year-old guitar player son about drum kits and the music he was recording. Any book that can help me do that rocks!Reviewed by: K. Osborn Sullivan