group Songwriting class 

Work with our resident songwriting teacher Jeyhan to learn about song structure, melody, lyrics and chord progressions to improve your songwriting ability.  Basic knowledge on piano, guitar, or ukulele is recommended to get the most out of these classes, but not required.  

 

Students will be given songwriting prompts and homework each week to complete and prepare for the following week.

 

CURRICULUM

1. Songwriting Terms

• Basic terms: Melody, harmony ,chords, lyrics

• Sections/Tools: Verse, Pre-chorus, Chorus, Bridge, Hook, Tag, Intro, Outro

• Song forms: Strophic/AAA, AAB(12-bar blues), AABA
  (American popular song form), AB (verse chorus), ABC (verse chorus bridge)

• Genre and characteristics: pop, country, blues, R&B, etc.

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2. Chords/harmony

• How to play more advanced certain chords and how to add extensions/substitutions (Group 2 only)

• Common progressions

• How to match chord quality to the tone or emotion needed in a song

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3. Melody

• How to craft a melody that fits in the key or matches the quality of your chords

• Writing for different voice parts

• Tips and tricks for writing melodies that help establish sectional identity (ex: listener can tell that the verse has ended and we are in the chorus now)

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4. Lyrics

• Rhyme

  • Types: perfect, family, additive and subtractive, assonance, consonance

  • Schemes: AABB, ABAB, AAAA, ABBA or ABA, AAAB, etc.

• ​Tools: metaphor, simile, personification, imagery, hyperbole, engaging the five senses

• Editing: learn how to analyze your lyrics and figure out ways to get your message across in the most efficient manner

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5. Songwriting Assignments

• Follow instructions given by teacher and create a song based on that

• Improve your collaborative skills in co-write sessions (groups or duo)

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Group 1 will focus on learning foundational songwriting skills by completing mini songwriting assignments throughout the semester. Although the learning process is the main goal for this group, they should expect to finish the semester with 1-3 complete songs based on their own personal progress!

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Group 2 will focus on improving upon their already established songwriting skills and work towards a final performance at one of LJMA’s Open Mic Nights in which they will perform 2 industry-level original songs.

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WANT MORE? 

If you love our songwriting course and want to explore your talents further, we do offer a Summer Recording/Music Video Package! Each student records one song in a professional studio, after which a mixing engineer produces a high-quality final product. Then, students get the opportunity to work with a professional film crew to create their very own music video! This is a fabulous opportunity for students to not only hone in on their personal style and sound, but they also end up with an end-product fit for marketing, socials, or even college apps! 

Past Songs:

Listen to our past songwriting creations from LJMA students: