Songwriting Masterclass with Natalie Cressman
COURSE DESCRIPTION & GOALS
Over the three-sessions we will take a microscopic look into the elements of writing a song. But we will also spend some time discussing the big picture, the way a song can be so inexplicably powerful and carry a clear emotional message. We’ll look at melody, lyrics, harmony, form, and also analyze the work of great, established songwriters. I would also like to spend the last 15 minutes of each class “workshopping” some of the student’s own songs. I can provide some specific advice to help each student with his/her song, as well as encourage the class to provide feedback to their peers.SCHEDULE & LESSON PLAN
Session 1: BUILDING BLOCKS OF A SONGI’ll spend a few minutes talking about how the songwriting process is different for everyone: how you can start a song from any of the components (melody, harmony, lyrics). We’ll also discuss the importance of letting yourself freely express what’s in your head. You can always edit/revise after you’ve allowed the creative juices to start flowing, but don’t be your worst critic right at the get-go.
- How to compose a catchy melody, or write a hook? We’ll look at devices that create melodic interest, such as developing a motif, using repetition, building energy in a song by considering the range of the melody.
- Lyrics 101: We’ll look at different lyric styles and talk about trying to find our own unique voice. We’ll cover writing from different perspectives and choosing a topic. And how to try, at all costs, to stay away from those cliché phrases that have lost their emotional impact through overuse.
- Harmony: Coming up with the chords. We’ll talk about emotional implications of certain chords, a brief brush up on really basic music theory, how to write charts a band can easily decipher.
- I’ll save the last 15 minutes for people to come up and perform some of their works-in-progress for us and provide feedback.
Session 2: THE BIG PICTURE – FORM/STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS & EXAMPLES
- Form/ Structure! – AABA, Verse/Chorus/Bridge, Through-composition
- Pacing & “The Arc” of a song – Orchestrating your song to build energy. We’ll cover textural elements, break-downs, breaks, build-ups, and other devices to provide interest and excitement to help build your song.
- Listening: We’ll check out some great songwriters (Joni Mitchell, Paul Simon, The Beatles, and more modern examples) and talk about the importance of analytic listening/drawing from others. I’ll have the students take notes of form/textural elements that stood out to them and share with the class after each listening example.
- “Word Painting” - An effective device that conveys the meaning of the lyrics through sonic gestures. One of my favorite devices, both as a writer and listener.
- I’ll save the last 15 minutes for people to come up and perform some of their works-in-progress for us and provide feedback.
Session 3: COLLABORATIVE WRITING
- I’ll talk about the pros (and cons) of collaborative writing and mention some great collaborators.
- We’ll spend the first 30 minutes collaborative building a song from the ground up. I’ll start with a one or two line lyrical prompt and we will bounce ideas off each other and hopefully build a little tune!
- I’ll save the last 15 minutes for people to perform their works-in-progress and provide some helpful feedback
MORE ABOUT NATALIE CRESSMAN
Trombonist, vocalist, and composer Natalie Cressman defies the expected. Her vocal agility and crystalline delivery, paired with her expressive range on trombone, offers audiences a fully three-dimensional experience. Hailing from an illustrious musical family, the San Francisco-raised trombonist, vocalist, and composer has been adopted by a disparate cast of masters, and at 21-years-old she’s honed a preternaturally worldly conception of her own. From Carnegie Hall to the House of Blues, from the Apollo to Lincoln Center, her versatility and enthusiasm for new music has propelled her into a richly diverse musical career. An accomplished improviser who has performed with Nicholas Payton, Wycliffe Gordon, and Peter Apfelbaum, she’s gained her widest exposure through four years of touring with Phish’s Trey Anastasio.At the same time she’s managed to earn a degree from Manhattan School of Music and perform at top New York venues with her own band. Her debut release Unfolding captures her rapidly blossoming sensibility, a sound shaped by her love of Cuban, Brazilian, and West African music, indie rock, funk, and the post-bop continuum. Whether playing an original or reinterpreting a standard, Natalie fully embraces the imperative to render the music in her own image. What her music reveals is an utterly contemporary artist steeped in several traditions, an artist who sees no barriers between the incalculable accomplishments of the past and the urgent demands of the present. Natalie is an artist endorser for King Trombones.
WHEN AND WHERE
Three sessions on Wednesday July 9, 16, and 23, from 2-3 pm EST. Lessons take place live and online over high performance video conference, broadcasting live from Michiko's Studios in Times Square, NYC.
MATERIALS NEEDED
Pencil, staff paper, notebook/lined paper. Optional: an original, work-in-progress song (optional, but a plus!)
HOW IT WORKS
These are live classes that are taught from Michiko Studios in midtown Manhattan. Students attend over the Lessonface high performing video conference platform. Online participants have the option of actively participating or auditing. Active participants, or attendees, will have the opportunity to submit work for feedback, and ask questions and demonstrate to the class. Auditors will watch and listen online, but not ask questions or submit work for feedback. Students can connect to the online platform using a tablet or computer with reliable internet. To actively participate students also need a webcam. The live sessions are recorded so that all enrolled students and auditors can review the class sessions following the live class. Class recordings will be available for viewing within 48 hours of the live class.
LESSONFACE GUARANTEE
This class is covered by the Lessonface Guarantee - if for any reason you do not like your first session, let us know within two days of the class and we will refund you 100%.
CONTACT
If you have questions, please contact us by emailing [email protected] or by calling 1-800-211-7058.