Songwriting Workshop with Laura Veirs

Taught in a live online classroom setting.

We’ll meet on Sundays and Thursdays for 5 total sessions:

• March 12th, 16th, 19th, 23rd and 26th (2023)

for lectures with Laura Veirs and song-shares with fellow classmates. There are 2 sections for every class to accommodate different time zones. If the class size surpasses 200 people, there will be a 3rd lecture session added.

• 11:00am-12:15pm PST

• 6:00pm-7:15pm PST

You can attend whichever works best for you. There’s no need (/no way) to indicate which time you’d like at checkout. Information for attending the lectures will be sent out the week before the first class. If you can’t make the lecture times, the lectures will also be recorded and sent out afterwards.

Here is how it works:

1. We’ll meet on zoom to focus on a specific approach to songwriting, and discuss songs as case studies that reflect this approach.

2. Laura will provide a short and specific prompt related to our discussion.

3. Over the following 3-4 days, everyone will write & record a song inspired by the prompt. We’ll post our songs to a private platform where everyone can listen & comment on all of the songs written by the rest of the participants.

4. At the next class, we will listen and provide feedback on one another’s songs.

We’ll repeat this cycle 5 times over the course of two weeks.

The deadline to sign up is Saturday, March 11th at 11:59pm (PST). Sign up with a friend to receive a 20% discount by clicking here. *note* if you sign up using the discount and end up not being able to take the course, we cannot issue a refund, but you will be provided a credit for any future songwriting workshop. 

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“Combining words and melodies is a powerful and mysterious alchemy. I’m excited to share some of my philosophies about songwriting including the importance of restrictions, non-attachment, vulnerability, finishing, imitation, lyric writing from liminal spaces and ruthless editing. I will share details from some of my songs and how I got them to the finish line. I will also provide practical guidance on how to sustain your practice over time.

My hope is that you’ll come away with 5 recorded songs and a renewed energy to persist in your songwriting practice. (This class is open to prose writers and poets as well.)"

- Laura Veirs

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We’ll explore the following topics in this workshop:

• The power of restrictions 
  

• Kaleidoscope Creativity Cards
• Getting deep by imitating others
• Writing lyrics - Two minds wanted: childlike and ruthless editor 
• How to sustain your writing practice 

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Q: What musical experience should I have?

A: People across all musical levels will be able to gain something from the course. However, it will be helpful to be comfortable playing a few basic chords on any instrument of your choice.

Q: What if I’ve never written a song before? Can I still participate in this workshop?

A: Yes! As with any new skill, just starting is usually the hardest part. This workshop will provide the structure and accountability we all need to get started and follow through, for beginners and old guard writers alike.

Q: How many students are in the class?

A: This is a lecture-style class.

Q: Will Laura give me feedback on my songs?

A: Due to the class size, we cannot guarantee that you’ll get Laura's feedback on your songs. However, our teachers are active on our song sharing platform and may leave comments on students’ submissions.

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If after the first class you feel the course is not a good fit for any reason, you are welcome to a refund on the rest of the course classes. We are unable to process refunds after the second class.

Questions? Email us at hi@schoolofsong.org.