Workshops

WHERE & WHEN | RULES | Guest Speakers | How to critique

 

Come to monthly Songsalive! workshops and develop collaborations, meet industry guests, showcase and workshop your music for feedback in a professional and supportive environment.

The first half is solely dedicated to an in-the-round workshop where writers present one song each - either on tape, CD or live - followed by an INDUSTRY DISCUSSION with a guest speaker in the second half and plenty of time to talk and network.

Some topics include song structure, song production, lyric writing, finding inspiration, songs and the media, promoting your music online, how to tour, how to get songs in film and television, performing at your best.

The workshops are open to all songwriters and music composers of all levels and music genres and you don't have to be a Songsalive! member to attend. It is usually best to register your attendance in advance. Our workshops are a great way for local songwriter members to meet each other, interact and collaborate, as well as seek feedback and critique on their songs in a very supportive setting.

GUEST SPEAKERS: Our workshops often feature guest speakers representing all facets of the industry from A&R, publishers, successful producers, CD production and distribution execs and, of course, writers and composer who share their ideas, tips & techniques on all aspects of the songwriting craft. Click here for speakers

WHERE & WHEN: We don't have workshops in every Songsalive! chapter, but they are very popular in the towns we do. We also encourage traveling writers to visit our workshop chapter cities. Click on the chapter page below to read more information about a Songsalive! Workshop in your area. You can register to attend by contacting the coordinator on that page. Some chapters require pre-registrations. Check the web page of a town near you.

First Tuesdays - Songsalive! Workshop Sydney Australia @ Canterbury RSL

 First Tuesdays - Songsalive! New York Workshop & Showcase @ Session 73

 First Tuesdays - Songsalive! Workshop/Showcase Phoenix AZ

Third Tuesdays -  Songsalive! Workshop Las Vegas @ Saxby's Coffee

Second Thursdays - Songsalive! Workshop and Showcase Austin Texas @ Café Caffeine

Third Sundays - Songsalive! Workshop Los Angeles @ The Finnish Center

Third Sundays - Songsalive! Song Doctor Workshops Raleigh NC @ The Royal Bean

Third Mondays - Songsalive! Workshop Grass Valley @ Lode Line Music

Last Sundays - Songsalive! Workshop Orange County, CA @ Spires Restaurant

 
Go CHAPTERS PAGE to see our full monthly roster of events

RULES & WHAT TO BRING: 1 song either on tape, CD or live (bring own guitar or keyboard) and up to 20 copies of your typed lyric sheet with contact details clearly displayed.
Read the full RULES below for details or download the PDF here to print.

COST: $5 for non-members, free to Songsalive! members. Join here

CAN'T ATTEND? GET AN ONLINE CRITIQUE
Can't get to one of our workshops? Why not upload your song for a Songsalive! Song Critique and get feedback from music industry professionals? Click here for details

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WORKSHOP RULES

You can down-load our Rules/Critique Tip sheet as a PDF document

Pre-registering does not confirm that you will present a song. It depends on the time allocated for critiques. Order of presenters will be randomly and fairly selected. You must be on time to be considered to present your song. You must bring lyrics for your songs if you are to present otherwise you will not be considered. Composers of instrumentals are also welcome.

We run the critique session for the first 2 hours, then we have a short break, followed by a guest speaker or industry discussion. Note that these workshops are not about just you getting heard, but you offering feedback for others, networking and meeting our industry guests.

Most workshops host music industry guests who contribute to the evaluation process and are available to answer any questions the songwriters may have about the music industry. Guests include record and publishing company representatives, noteworthy songwriters, media, other music organization reps, promoters and producers.

WHEN YOU ARRIVE:

Sign in on the two register sheets a) general sign up sheet ($5 for non-members, free for members - write your member number). b) presenter sheet (write if you will be presenting a song and in which format). All dues to be paid upon sign in.

In order to keep our workshops smooth, professional, and catering to all, we ask you to abide to the following:

SONGWRITER PRESENTERS:

• Have your tapes/CDs cued, guitars tuned, instruments ready and/or where applicable, support musicians on standby.

• Pagers and cellular phones turned off!

• Works in progress, lyrics, instrumentals and released/finished compositions are all eligible for workshop critique, but we are not here to write a song for you! This is a critique session not a co-writing session

• Before you present your song, you may introduce it and tell your peers what kind of feedback you are looking for. Please also state if this is a song for you as an artist or if you are pitching it. Feedback is usually different depending on this.

• After your presentation no comment from you would be generally required unless invited to do so. You have made your statement by presenting your work.

• If time restricts, only a portion of your song will be presented so be prepared to play your best 8-12 bars (first verse and chorus usually suits).

• All songs must be original. (written or co-written).

• Be professional and bring 20 copies of your lyric sheet, with name, address, phone, email and website (where applic.) and current copyright date. You never know who is in the audience!

• Don't forget to sit in the hot seat during song presentation and feedback time.

 

EVALUATORS/PEERS:

• Evaluations and critiques by the audience are optional, not compulsory. You may either: a) Write your comments of the presenters work on their lyric sheets and return to songwriter. It is your choice if you add your name or remain anonymous; or b) Verbalize your comment, if time permits (moderated). Or c) Save your comment to the half-time break to speak one-on-one with the songwriter in private.

• Raise your hand if you want to offer feedback. It's not school, but it helps avoid cross-talk and interruptions. Only speak when asked by the moderator.

• At all times keep your comments succinct, to the point, non-repetitive, POSITIVE and PROFESSIONAL in manner. Of course, a negative point can be raised so that we can all learn from our presentations, but POSITIVE CRITICISM is appropriate here. No song bashing! Always give your feedback from your own point of view. Avoid using words like "you should", "you must", "you need." Try "I think", "I believe, " etc. We are all professionals here and your feedback is only your view, not necessarily the only answer.

• Critiques are oriented towards the songwriting (melody, music, rhythm etc) and not production unless feedback is requested by the presenter.

 

 

You can down-load our Rules/Critique Tip sheet as a PDF document