Prerequisite:
Songwriting I

Songwriting II

Songwriting II

Songwriting II is a 10-week workshop, which includes lectures, exercises, and the critiquing of student projects. The prerequisite is Songwriting I (10-week), or the equivalent; Level II courses work best when students know the fundamentals and have experience with the workshop process. Farther down, you can view a syllabus for this course.

It happens in a darkened club. On a spotlit stage. Or behind the soundproof walls of a studio. A song unleashes its power and who knows where it’ll go? Songs fuel desire, inspire hope, break hearts, rock worlds, unite people, shake booties, turn blahs into blues, and sometimes make us feel as good as James Brown. All in a mere few minutes.

If you dream of taking your music beyond the shower, you’ll want to do it right. Here you’ll learn the time-tested elements of songwriting craft and how to market your work.

Whether you dig pop, rock, hip-hop, R&B, or country, we’ll show you how to write songs that soar.

About Songwriting
Songwriting II

I came away from this class with a clear sense of my own process, strengths, and best practices as a collaborating songwriter.

Cristina Nocerino

data manager, publishing

Notes

Songwriting is composed of music and lyrics. The Level I course explores lyric writing and song construction while also touching on musical concepts. The Level II course deals with lyrics and music in equal measure.

Upcoming Classes

If you test positive for Covid – Don’t come to class until you test negative. But let your teacher know and we’ll work to give you access to your missed classes via Zoom.

If you show Covid symptoms OR If you have been exposed to someone with Covid – Don’t come to class for at least 5 days after showing symptoms or exposure, and then take a test to confirm that you are negative. Let your teacher know and we’ll work to give you access to your missed classes via Zoom.

If you have any questions about this, you may call (212-974-8377) or email us ([email protected]).
  • Starts Monday, January 6
    Zoom, 6:30pm – 9:30pm ET
    10-Week Workshop

Price

Registration fee $25, paid once per term

See Payment Options

To register for a 10-Week course, you need to pay in full to guarantee your place in class. Or you can pay a $95 deposit plus a $25 registration fee (total $120) to temporarily hold your place, but tuition must be paid in full 10 business days before your class starts or you risk losing your spot. No deposits for Zoetrope classes.

10-Week

Syllabus

This course helps you sharpen your skills at songwriting craft and work toward completion of one or two songs. Writers often repeat Songwriting II to continue their projects. Course components:
     Lectures
     Writing exercises
     Workshopping of student projects (each student presenting work two times)

This course focuses on both individual and collaborative songwriting with an emphasis on the creative process from multiple angles to assist the student in developing a variety of skills and approaches.

Week 1
Refresher of Songwriting Basics I: Nuts and bolts. Historical overview.

Week 2
Refresher of Songwriting Basics II: Form. Structures. Templates.

Week 3
The Art of Collaboration I: Team songwriting. Plot/character/storytelling. Musical thinking

Week 4
The Art of Collaboration II: Song as an imperative in the music industry. Strategies for making a living as a songwriter. Finding the right team. Setting music to lyrics/lyrics to music.

Week 5
Integrating Music Technology: Rundown on music technology. Music-making tools (programs and programming). Crafting strong demos.

Week 6
Techniques: Structural aspects—“hearing” rhythm, rhyme, and form. Making smart compositional decisions. Hooks.

Week 7
Sharpening Your Collaborative Craft I: Co-writing models—lyricist/composer, Nashville, production-driven.

Week 8
Sharpening Your Collaborative Craft II: In-class co-writing and partner projects.

Week 9
Song Sharing: In-class performances. In-class lyric readings.

Week 10
The Business of Songwriting: Royalty streams. Performing rights organizations. Overview of publishing, master, and synch rights. Songwriters associations.

Note: Content may vary among individual classes.