Some of you aren't musicians, but I bet you know some. I now have enough folks to give the class a try. It appears to be mostly Intermediate level folks. There will be songwriting creation/critique, and some guitar instruction/ideas. I have one lyricist interested, and any others are welcome, but the instruction sections of the class will be guitar based. Please tell/forward this to others. I'm considering Monday, Aug 20th at 7pm. We'll go for an hour and a half. Please let me know ASAP if Monday works, seems to be best night as far as being open for folks. Here is the basic format:
1. Introduce myself, and "Vision" of the class. That is, CREATIVE Songwriting. Yes, we will study the basics of "commercial" songwriting. But we will go past that, for REAL creativity. Come to the class to find out. In case you hadn't guessed, YOU are part of the creative process. It can't all be written, dissected, "figured out". It unfolds within the process, which shifts and changes. Imagine that. 10 min.
2. Rest of the class brief introductions, how long playing/writing/performing, and what you hope to get out of the class. 10 min.
3. Each person brings one song, on CD or can be played live, and 8 lyric sheets to pass out. I will start with a song of mine that placed in the finals of the East Coast Songwriters Conf. in 2011. As an example of a "commercial" song, briefly discuss why this song made finals. 10 min.
4. Bring your most "commercial" song, one that would "fit" with popular music (any genre). It would have easy to understand lyrics, a common/popular theme, and good "hook (s)". If you don't know what all this means, you might want to consider the Beginners class (absolutely no offense). We will have 4 folks pre-sent (you dont have to if you dont want to). Those that didnt present this class, will have opportunity next class if they want. 10 min X 4 = 40 min. This puts us at a little over an hour.
5. Review the basics of the commercial songwriting process as far as song/chord structure on the guitar, and begin to talk about how to "jump-off" from there. (At this point, lyricists may want to leave.) Review basic chords, chord patterns, those used in commercial songs (ie basically 1-4-5 chords)...again, if you go "what's that ?", Beginners class may be for you. This part will go for 20 minutes or so. Total time, about an hour and a half. Guitar players, BRING YOUR GEET-ARS !!
I'm looking forward to it. It should be fun. We'll make it so. Cost? The best things in life are free....at least for this first class.
Blessings, John Paul
ps- Besides a Beginners class, I am considering a Songwriters' Support Group for Advanced writers. Not instruction, more critique, networking/recording/"survival" methods. If you don't know what this means, the Advanced group would probably not be for you. No offense.
But all y'all (this is the South, aint it), Beginners, Intermediate, Advanced, come next Monday and we'll sort it out. It will be fun, and a good opportunity to connect.
