Music with Voice: Songwriting with Phil Elverum (November '22)

All access to lecture recordings, songwriting prompts and all course materials for Phil Elverum's songwriting workshop taught in November 2022. By purchasing this past course, you're able to watch Phil's lectures and go about the course at your own pace!

Phil's lectures cover the following topics and themes:

1. Meditation
   
2. The Broad Picture and Accumulation
   
3. The Surrender
4. Love without Possession

This course also includes songwriting prompts from Phil such as "Haibun", "The place where it happened", and "Relatable contradition".

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Here's a quote from Phil on the class...

“Anyone who would call themselves a "songwriter" is just saying that they're deliberately trying to get better at doing the thing that everyone is already doing, to pry open the access to that deep mine of ideas, to smooth the raw mess into something fine, to make a vivid glowing berry. We all have it, this mine, but it takes effort and focus to bring these things forth in their most powerful form.  

In this class I'll try to help all of this happen. It starts with creating a space, an actual workspace but also a mind space. In this space we can notice what comes up on its own. If we do it right it will be messy and embarrassing. From this mess we'll work on recognizing what floats, what could grow. We'll nourish it and gently hone it into something sharp and strong, a song that works really well. Then it might seem clear what to do with it. How to play it, what's its voice?, how to clothe it in sounds. The whole time I'll be giving examples of ideas to consider from my own work and the work of others throughout history. I'm no expert so I'll be speaking from my own self-taught perspective, giving my personal experience and opinion. We'll see where it goes.” - Phil Elverum

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-- Testimonials from October 2022 students --

" This class was extremely magical. If anything I felt like a lot of the reveal behind the curtain was that I was trying to do too much, that deep down there's a more honest approach and perspective that I can bring to songwriting if I open up a bit more. It was a humbling experience and I appreciated the kindness of Phil's demeanor and encouragement throughout the whole class. It helped me feel like I could truly be myself. If anything I'll miss not having that mentor-like quality from week to week, it was inspiring."

" Getting a glimpse into [Phil's] songwriting process was incredible and inspirational. The bits about inviting emptiness into your life to create space for ideas to breathe really struck a chord with me. Not to sound hyperbolic, but these lessons and ideas will stick with me for life."

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This "Past Course" includes:

1. Class Video Recordings – Watch all 4 of Phil Elverum's lectures + Q&A's on his songwriting process.
2. All course materials, including songwriting prompts crafted by Phil.
3. Access to the "community jukebox" – upload your new songs to the jukebox and share the tunes with fellow classmates!

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Q: What musical experience is required to understand the material in this course?

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 in order to complete the songwriting prompts.

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: What is different about watching this past course versus participating while the workshop is run live?

A: By purchasing this course, you'll have access to the same resources as the students who took the course while it was running other than the live songshares. 

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Questions? Email us at hi@schoolofsong.org.