Songwriting with Hannah Christianson (previous)

"This class offers songwriters a chance to receive feedback on songs or songs in progress, as well as to receive ideas for how to further develop those songs. This class will also foster community through songwriting and encourage fellow songwriters to keep writing each week. Each week there will be a prompt, or idea, for students to work on for the next session. 

Topics and concepts that may be discussed include:

1) Form - Looking at the different parts that make up a song; how to play with or change the structure of a song to make it more effective.
2) Melody - How varying the range of your melody in different sections can make a more interesting and dynamic song; how repetition and catchy melodies allow for familiarity to the listener, giving their ears and minds something to 'hook' onto and make it more memorable.
3) Chords/Harmonic Structure - How different chords can convey different emotional qualities, and how changing up the rhythm of the chords, how quickly you move between them, can add variety and make the song more interesting.
4) Lyrics - How crafting a clear story makes the song more understandable; how writing from personal experience can make the song more relatable; to have words and melody move together in a way that makes sense linguistically, not emphasizing the wrong syllable while singing."

ABOUT HANNAH CHRISTIANSON

Hi! I'm Hannah Christianson. I am an award winning songwriter, performer, music therapist, producer, and music lesson teacher. I graduated from Berklee College of Music in 2013, with a dual degree in Music Therapy and Songwriting. Throughout all of my experiences in my performance and artist career, I have always been a teacher of music. Most recently, I have been teaching songwriting to students all over the world, as well as private lesson students in my own home. I love being able to share the joy and love that I have for music with others, and to teach not only the musical skills, but also the appreciation for how music can bring more beauty, joy, and expression into one's life.

I don't tend to write many reviews, but this one I can't pass up! Sometimes Hannah is just freaking genius! Without the lengthy explanations, Hannah had an uncanny sense of EXACTLY what I needed to get past a block-type issue. Despite a long string of many lessons, she still amazes me sometimes by pulling out something new … something that is exactly what I needed. This time it was cathartic! I can't thank her enough! That's the kind of nurturing soul she is.