Songwriting Workshop

Course details

Waltons New School of Music's Songwriting Workshop is an engaging and practical course that will help you to develop your creative ideas – in any musical style – and turn them into finished songs! Participants whose primary interest is lyric writing, music writing – or both – are welcome. Those who play an instrument or sing can incorporate it into their work, both in class and at home. Those who do not will be able to use the instrumental and vocal abilities of the teacher, Kieran McEvoy, and the other participants to bring their songs to completion. Music reading is not necessary to participate.

The workshop will begin with a discussion of participants’ questionnaire responses (see below), as well as an introduction to the craft of songwriting, including song ‘elements’ (verse, chorus, bridge, rhyme, metre, etc.) and their various permutations. Kieran will also play one or two of his own songs to demonstrate what he will teach throughout the course. Participants will then start to work on their own songs, both individually and collaboratively.

Songwriting Workshop classes include the following elements:

• Using various exercises to break ‘writer’s block’ and get the songwriting juices flowing.
• Examining great songs and what makes them work.
• Regular feedback from Kieran and the other participants.
• Learning about lyric writing – What makes a great first line? What makes a great chorus? (The verses of the song are like climbing up a mountain. The chorus is the view from the top. When you get to the top, the view better be worth the climb!)
• Learning about melody writing – A ‘singable’ melody is more memorable. A great ‘hook’ is a brief, irresistible bit of music that the listener will remember even after hearing your song only once.
• Discussion of the ‘business’ of songwriting, including publishing, royalties, song placement, etc.

At the end of the course, participants will showcase some of the material they have written, both individually and collectively, in a final performance, open to the public. Participants are encouraged to invite family and friends along!

All participants are asked to print, complete and bring with them to the first class a Songwriting Workshop Questionnaire (see below).

The Songwriting Workshop is one of our group courses. Private and and one-off 'intensive' songwriting lessons are also available.