Play Shape Create: The Joyful Art of Songwriting

By Aryn Michelle Calhoun

PLAY SHAPE CREATE: The Joyful Art of Songwriting invites you to explore the essential craft of songwriting-lyrics, melody, and harmony-through an engaging, activity-based approach. Instead of dry theory or quick-fix tricks, this book offers guided exercises and creative games that spark curiosity and help you build solid skills while having fun.

Written by songwriter, recording artist, and college professor Aryn Michelle Calhoun, this is the textbook she wished existed for her freshman songwriting students: a single, comprehensive guide that teaches core techniques at a lively, manageable pace.

Whether you're a college student, the leader of a songwriting circle, or an adult hobbyist ready to turn a pastime into a passion, PLAY SHAPE CREATE will help you:

Strengthen your grasp of lyric writing, melody, and harmony

Cultivate a playful, wonder-filled creative process

Grow as an artist while deepening your love for music

This isn't a manual for chasing hits or industry shortcuts-it's an invitation to nurture creativity, exploration, and joy through the art of song.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1967262225
• ISBN13: 9781967262229
• Release Date: April 2026
• Publisher: Tall Pine Books
• Length: 356 Pages
• Weight: 1.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.0" x 9.0"