An Open Letter To Any Of My Students Who Wants To
WRITE SONGS YOUR FRIENDS ENJOY LISTENING TO!
But are afraid you:
Don't have enough theory knowledge, can't write anything that sounds good yet, or need a lot more practice to get good at creativity.
If you want to go beyond singing other peoples’ songs and write some of your own, I want to show you how you can:
WRITE YOUR OWN SONG BY THE END OF THE SUMMER!!!
Here is what it’s all about:
When I first began to write songs, they didn’t sound very good. I ended up repeating the same melodies a lot, and reused chords all the time.
I had no idea how to really put a song together.
What I didn’t know at the time, was that I needed guidelines to help direct my ideas in a way that made them interesting to the listener.
I always thought people who were “good” at writing songs, just sat down, wrote a song, and it went on the radio 😊
When I first began to write songs, they didn’t sound very good. I ended up repeating the same melodies a lot, and reused chords all the time.
I had no idea how to really put a song together.
What I didn’t know at the time, was that I needed guidelines to help direct my ideas in a way that made them interesting to the listener.
I always thought people who were “good” at writing songs, just sat down, wrote a song, and it went on the radio 😊
I COULDN'T HAVE BEEN MORE WRONG.
As it turns out:
In a couple of articles I read about Taylor Swift, she had written more than 100 songs but only recorded 20 or so of them.
She also said that it’s about things you learn, structuring the song, and cultivating the skill.
When I first began, I had no idea there were real steps a person could take to learn to create songs people want to download and keep on their playlist.
In subsequent years (10 of them to be exact), I attended numerous songwriting workshops, events, lessons, read books, and finally recorded a few records 😊
In a couple of articles I read about Taylor Swift, she had written more than 100 songs but only recorded 20 or so of them.
She also said that it’s about things you learn, structuring the song, and cultivating the skill.
When I first began, I had no idea there were real steps a person could take to learn to create songs people want to download and keep on their playlist.
In subsequent years (10 of them to be exact), I attended numerous songwriting workshops, events, lessons, read books, and finally recorded a few records 😊
I wasn’t particularly happy with the first recordings, but now, I can pop in one of my recorded songs and can’t help but
GET UP AND DANCE AND SQUEAL WITH EXCITEMENT!
Now I have a process I follow to write better and better songs and record them afterward.
I call it:
I call it:
The Gold Is In The Sand Effect.
(This gold mine doesn’t have to run out if you keep writing 😊 )
Here is how the process works:
Many people I have met who set out to write a song are looking for a “pot of gold at the end of the rainbow,” the one chord combination or wording for their verse for it to skyrocket to local or internet fame.
The truth is,
Here is how the process works:
- Get ideas down.
- Structure the ideas.
- Record them.
- Judge them.
- Decide where to go next (back to another step, on to the next song. etc.)
Many people I have met who set out to write a song are looking for a “pot of gold at the end of the rainbow,” the one chord combination or wording for their verse for it to skyrocket to local or internet fame.
The truth is,
YOU PROBABLY DON’T HAVE ENOUGH THEORY KNOWLEDGE, LYRIC KNOWHOW, CREATIVITY SKILLS, SONG STRUCTURE PRACTICE, or music business networking infrastructure for that to happen right now.
There, I said it 😊 Now that that’s out in the open, the good new is,
It Doesn't Matter.
Getting that satisfied feeling as you grin from ear to ear because of the awesome song you’ve written, isn’t just one pot of gold at the end of a long rainbow anyway.
Here's what's real: the gold must be dug for, sifted through, and discovered over a period of time:
One writing exercise at a time.
One song at a time.
Here's what's real: the gold must be dug for, sifted through, and discovered over a period of time:
One writing exercise at a time.
One song at a time.
This song I cowrite is recording number 50 (ok, i'm actually guessing at the number because I haven't counted how many practice mixes and recordings i've listend through that are still sitting in my email wiaitng to be organized on my computer )
Ok- here’s more of the ones that made it to my computer folders 😊 :
More good news 😊
Beethoven, one of the most notable symphony composers, was told at a young age by his first composing teacher that he would never be good at writing music.
As a result, he didn't even begin composing until well into adult hood.
Years later, when he had written so much music that he needed an assistant to help with his work, he had documents filled with unfinished songs, scraps, and drafts.
He told his assistant to get rid of it.
Good thing for us, she didn't, and Beethoven's drafts and scraps can be found in music libraries :)
He didn’t want anyone to know:
Beethoven, one of the most notable symphony composers, was told at a young age by his first composing teacher that he would never be good at writing music.
As a result, he didn't even begin composing until well into adult hood.
Years later, when he had written so much music that he needed an assistant to help with his work, he had documents filled with unfinished songs, scraps, and drafts.
He told his assistant to get rid of it.
Good thing for us, she didn't, and Beethoven's drafts and scraps can be found in music libraries :)
He didn’t want anyone to know:
HE WAS JUST A REGULAR GUY WHO HAD TO WRITE A LOT OF GARBAGE BEFORE GOT TO HIS BEST SONGS.
Beethoven created some of the most timeless classic symphonies of our time. Here is an excerpt from one of his most famous:
When I was first diving into writing songs, I basically just sat down with my guitar, started pounding out a few chords my friend taught me, and wrote whatever came to mind.
I did have some basic high school poetry knowledge, and some rudimentary rhythm knowhow from playing piano, but other than that my songwriting skills were nada.
Here are a couple of my earliest and worst recordings. (Note that it took me quite awhile to put any of them on tape 😊 )
I did have some basic high school poetry knowledge, and some rudimentary rhythm knowhow from playing piano, but other than that my songwriting skills were nada.
Here are a couple of my earliest and worst recordings. (Note that it took me quite awhile to put any of them on tape 😊 )
I can’t even remember how many workshops I’ve been to where someone said "yeah, the songs's not done yet..."
in their mind, they just jumped off a cliff and were about to hit rock bottom if they declared their song finished.
In reality,
in their mind, they just jumped off a cliff and were about to hit rock bottom if they declared their song finished.
In reality,
They Just Hadn't Sifted Through Enough Sand To Get To The Gold.
In the same room, almost without fail, was someone else with this attitude:
"I've finished this and moved on to other songs, but I thought I would get feedback for my next song."
The ones who play a lot of shows and sell records to their local fans, are the second group.
The funny thing is:
"I've finished this and moved on to other songs, but I thought I would get feedback for my next song."
The ones who play a lot of shows and sell records to their local fans, are the second group.
The funny thing is:
SOME PEOPLE ARE SO AFRAID OF BEING WORSE THAN RADIO ARTISTS THAT THEY NEVER FINISH A SONG AT ALL!!!
I was in that boat for awhile. Most of my songs hung out in unfinished land for quite a long time.
I don’t want you to be stuck in the land of unfinished songs like I was.
Once we write a song, together we can prepare your voice and record it if you like 😊
Once we write a song, together we can prepare your voice and record it if you like 😊
It’s normal if you have a difficult time coming up with ideas in the beginning. Many songwriters do.
Even if you get your enthusiasm to get started writing up and running, you may sit down at a computer only to find your mind blank, staring at a screen wondering if your fingers will ever have a reason to move.
Even if this has happened to you in the past,
Even if you get your enthusiasm to get started writing up and running, you may sit down at a computer only to find your mind blank, staring at a screen wondering if your fingers will ever have a reason to move.
Even if this has happened to you in the past,
This Is Not A Sign You Aren't Creative!
Here are several examples of exercises we can do together to create ideas from scratch:
-word collisions
-metaphor creation
-pick a number (chord usage)
-melodic micro variations
-image identification
-subject diving
Here is a clip of some students and I doing metaphor exercises together, sparking their ability to write right away:
-word collisions
-metaphor creation
-pick a number (chord usage)
-melodic micro variations
-image identification
-subject diving
Here is a clip of some students and I doing metaphor exercises together, sparking their ability to write right away:
Below is the end of the class when they had some song sections written:
- I can't guarantee that by the end of the summer you will have a final mix, number 50 recording, ready to be mastered track.
- If you are not interested in getting out of your comfort zone, or diving into using new skills right away, this event is not for you.
- This special program is reserved for my current students, so If investing more than what we already do together will take food off your table, please don't sign up for this
- In addition, if you already have great songwriting skils and have no need for coaching in this area, this event will not help you.
If you decide this event is right for you,
See below for details about what you will get to help you create at your best, write a song you can be proud of, and even record it at the end :)
9 Weeks of Songwriting Classes
(These are separate from, and in addition to, the bonus songwriting class currently provided with your student membership)
-Super simple strategy for putting together ear pleasing chords.
-The wrong way to write a melody, and how to write melodies that pierce the listener’s heart.
-How to build a foundation for your song as rock solid as a cement house.
-Fun ways to fill out your song like Hollywood producers do.
-6 tactics to destroy writers block and keep your idea bucket overflowing.
-Simple methods pro writers use to polish a station wagon level song idea and create something with Mercedes Benz quality.
-Learn what theory skills you actually need to start writing now.
-Discover what’s keeping you stuck in a songwriting rut, and what helps you grow wings to soar to songwriting heaven.
Value: $450
(Classes will take place on Wednesdays at 7:15 PM beginning April 7th)
Bonus Class
Prepare your voice for recording.
Value: $100
(Class will take place on two Wednesdays in June at 8:15 PM)
9 Weeks Of Songwriting Training
Stir together all your new songwriting ingredients, finish your original song, and record it if you feel ready.
Value: $450
(Classes will take place on Wednesdays at 7:15 PM beginning June 9th)
Total Value: $1000
Your price:
$497
(2 month payment plan available)
If you're ready to finish you very own song by the end of the summer, here’s what to do:
Click the button below.
This will take you to a payment page. Once you fill in your payment details and click “submit,” you’re in.
(These are separate from, and in addition to, the bonus songwriting class currently provided with your student membership)
-Super simple strategy for putting together ear pleasing chords.
-The wrong way to write a melody, and how to write melodies that pierce the listener’s heart.
-How to build a foundation for your song as rock solid as a cement house.
-Fun ways to fill out your song like Hollywood producers do.
-6 tactics to destroy writers block and keep your idea bucket overflowing.
-Simple methods pro writers use to polish a station wagon level song idea and create something with Mercedes Benz quality.
-Learn what theory skills you actually need to start writing now.
-Discover what’s keeping you stuck in a songwriting rut, and what helps you grow wings to soar to songwriting heaven.
Value: $450
(Classes will take place on Wednesdays at 7:15 PM beginning April 7th)
Bonus Class
Prepare your voice for recording.
Value: $100
(Class will take place on two Wednesdays in June at 8:15 PM)
9 Weeks Of Songwriting Training
Stir together all your new songwriting ingredients, finish your original song, and record it if you feel ready.
Value: $450
(Classes will take place on Wednesdays at 7:15 PM beginning June 9th)
Total Value: $1000
Your price:
$497
(2 month payment plan available)
If you're ready to finish you very own song by the end of the summer, here’s what to do:
Click the button below.
This will take you to a payment page. Once you fill in your payment details and click “submit,” you’re in.
In addition, I am ensuring each person walks away with their own finished song at the end of this event.
There are only 4 spots available.
At this point, there are three options open to you:
Option 1: You're welcome to continue being ok with where your songwriting is currently at.
Option 2: Wait three years for the next time this is offered, and if you currently don’t have the resources to join this event, this may be the best option for you.
Option three: Join the event, finish your own song, and have the right steps to keep writing, so that in three years or less you have several songs finished if you choose to 😊
Registration end date: March 13th, 2021.
By this point, you should know which one is best for you.
Here is a recap of what you will get:
9 Weeks Of Songwriting Classes
Value: $450
Bonus Class
Prepare your voice for recording
Value: $100
9 Weeks Of Songwriting Training
Finish your original song and record it if you feel ready :)
Value: $450
Total Value: $1000
Your price:
$497
(2 month payment plan available)
Click the button below to join:
There are only 4 spots available.
At this point, there are three options open to you:
Option 1: You're welcome to continue being ok with where your songwriting is currently at.
Option 2: Wait three years for the next time this is offered, and if you currently don’t have the resources to join this event, this may be the best option for you.
Option three: Join the event, finish your own song, and have the right steps to keep writing, so that in three years or less you have several songs finished if you choose to 😊
Registration end date: March 13th, 2021.
By this point, you should know which one is best for you.
Here is a recap of what you will get:
9 Weeks Of Songwriting Classes
Value: $450
Bonus Class
Prepare your voice for recording
Value: $100
9 Weeks Of Songwriting Training
Finish your original song and record it if you feel ready :)
Value: $450
Total Value: $1000
Your price:
$497
(2 month payment plan available)
Click the button below to join:
P.S. I don’t want you to look back at the end of your life and wish you had begun writing songs sooner 😊
P.P.S. I won’t be doing this event again for another 3 years. Think how many more songs you can have written by then once you have the right skills 😊
P.P.P.S. Questions about the event? Contact me at teresa@puyallupsinginglessons.com.
P.P.S. I won’t be doing this event again for another 3 years. Think how many more songs you can have written by then once you have the right skills 😊
P.P.P.S. Questions about the event? Contact me at teresa@puyallupsinginglessons.com.