David Baerwald
About
I’m David Baerwald, a Grammy-winning, Golden Globe-nominated, multi-platinum songwriter, musician and composer. I’ve spent more than forty years writing songs, making records, and composing for film and television. I co-founded Tuesday Night Music Club, and my songwriting credits include that album and the soundtracks to Moulin Rouge!, Reality Bites, Clueless, and many others. I’m also a novelist, the author of The Fire Agent.
Teaching Style
My lessons begin with your music: a song you’re working on, an unfinished lyric, a melody, or an idea you haven’t yet found a way to express. We’ll explore how words and music work together, how a song develops, and how choices in phrasing, harmony and arrangement affect what a listener hears and feels.
Curriculum
My teaching methods vary drastically, depending on: 1) the experience level of the artist; 2) whether the artist wants to to focus first on lyrics or music; and 3) where the artist's specific ambitions lie.
My teaching style is conversational, candid, and practical. I’m interested in helping you discover what you want to say and develop the musical and lyrical tools to say it in your own voice. As a songwriter and producer, I’ve always been drawn to artists with a strong, personal point of view.
We’ll work closely with your songs, whether you bring a few lines, a melody, or a finished piece that needs another pair of ears. We’ll examine lyrics, melody, structure, phrasing, and the relationship between words and music. I give specific feedback, explain my reasoning, and encourage you to question it. The aim is to strengthen your craft, sharpen your judgment, and help you make choices you believe in.
Credentials & Affiliations
Grammy Foundation, multiple ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC awards, over 30 million songs sold.
