Discover your voice as a songwriter and develop your skills. Our Songwriting Lessons will provide you with the tools to write well-crafted lyrics and melodies over chords. It will also give you a grounding in basic music theory and storytelling commonly used in popular songwriting. Our course is open to those who do not play instruments and are new to writing, as well as more experienced writers.
Some of the best writers are not singers or players, so this is not essential. Just a keen interest in writing great songs. A professional songwriter working in the industry will guide you through practical exercises that will develop your lyric- and music-writing skills, and explore how we approach text and music structure when creating a song from scratch. All styles of music are welcomed and explored, and each group will experience an inclusive, hands-on, bespoke series of sessions catered to their own individual tastes, levels and needs. You will develop your ability through the analysis of the structure of lyrics and melody, harmony and rhythm – and attaching that to your own experiences so that you can find that all-important ‘connection’.
By the end of this writing course you will have at least 2 songs to take away and continue working on. In the latter sessions, you will be encouraged to share your new work with your fellow students, either a cappella or with an instrument, which is a great opportunity to learn from each other’s unique songwriting approaches. You will also have the opportunity to engage with and ask questions to the professional songwriter taking these sessions, so you can learn more about working as a songwriter in the industry, and how to not just chase the dream, but live it.
What will be taught on our songwriting lessons?
This course will cover a wide range of songwriting techniques, and during the course you will:
- Develop an awareness of song structures, lyrical content and musical composition
- Learn how lyricism and musicality work together
- Create complete songs, with lyrics and melody, to be performed at an informal showcase
- Learn how to write well-crafted and relatable lyrics
- Learn about the industry
- Explore song themes and learn how to draw inspiration from situations and surroundings
Music
All Genres
Type
Group and Solo
Level
All levels
Equipment
What to bring: pen, notebook, water
Entry requirements and level of this course?
This course is suitable for all levels and those who possess a passion and curiosity to learn more about songwriting.
Our tutors ask that you bring ideas in their preliminary stages as well as more developed songs you wish to work on. It is a great idea to bring an instrument if you work with one, otherwise just your voice and an open mind are the perfect accompaniment.
How will I be taught?
All courses are taught within groups. Each week, you will apply key techniques and approaches to develop your songwriting skills.
Your voice and creativity will develop each week and you’ll gain a sense of control and confidence when songwriting.
Best of all, you’ll have a lot of fun, and meet like-minded new people.
By the end of the course, what will I have achieved?
Students will have:
- Developed confidence in their writing ability, improving expression and musicianship skills.
- Explored creating songs individually and as part of collaborative group exercises.
- A deeper understanding of song structures, writing lyrical content and form.
- Created original compositions.
- Shared their song within an informal showcase to fellow students.
After I complete this course, what are the next steps in my training?
Students may wish to repeat Songwriting before moving onto Music Production or Level 3 courses at City Academy.
Music Production courses focus on the full music creation process, where students will have the opportunity to build a strong foundation to help realise their creative ideas. From production to mixing and recording techniques, students will gain a solid understanding of the full music production process.
Level 3 singing courses focus on the further development of your chosen genre through a series of comprehensive vocal exercises. There is a greater focus on harmony work and dynamics. Students will have the opportunity to explore individual songs with personal feedback about vocal technique, performance and style.
CLASSES STARTING SOON
| DATE | DAY | TIME (BST) | DURATION | TUTOR | VENUE | PRICE | BOOKING | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 Mar 2025 - 2 May 2025 | Fri | 18:15-20:45 | 6 weeks (no class 18 Apr) | Kate Marlais | City Academy at 10 Herbal Hill | £295.00 | Book Now Click the gift icon to gift this course | Book Now Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course |
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| 16 Jun 2025 - 21 Jul 2025 | Mon | 18:15-20:45 | 6 weeks | Kate Marlais | City Academy at 10 Herbal Hill | £295.00 | Book NowClick the gift icon to gift this course | Book Now Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course |
|
| DATE | DAY | TIME (BST) | DURATION | TUTOR | VENUE | PRICE | BOOKING | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 Mar 2025 - 2 May 2025 | Fri | 18:15-20:45 | 6 weeks (no class 18 Apr) | Kate Marlais | City Academy at 10 Herbal Hill | £295.00 | Book NowClick the gift icon to gift this course | Book Now Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course |
|
| 16 Jun 2025 - 21 Jul 2025 | Mon | 18:15-20:45 | 6 weeks | Kate Marlais | City Academy at 10 Herbal Hill | £295.00 | Book NowClick the gift icon to gift this course | Book Now Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course |
|
PAYMENT OPTIONS
You are welcome to join the course up to the second class.
ONLINE & PHONE PAYMENTS
Online – To book your selected class/course online, just click Book Now next to your chosen class/course.
Phone – We would be happy to take your booking over the phone, just call us on 020 7042 8833 .
CASH & CHEQUE PAYMENTS
Cash - You are welcome to pay cash, just come and see us at our office: City Academy, 10 Herbal Hill, London EC1R 5EG.
If you book 2 or more different classes/courses at a time we can offer you a 10% discount. If you wish to take advantage of this offer please enter 2ORMORE in the promotional code box when booking online or quote code when booking over the phone. Please note that this offer cannot be applied when you are booking two or more of the same class/course.
INDUSTRY TUTORS
City Academy tutors are experienced artists and performers that work in the industry. If your tutor's availability changes at short notice, our team will arrange for a suitable replacement and notify you in advance.
CANCELLATIONS POLICY
We offer a full refund or full credit of your original course if you cancel at least 72 hours before the start of your booking.
We cannot offer any refund if you cancel less than 72 hours before the start of your booking, or if you do not attend.
(For more information please see our terms and conditions)
| DATE | DAY | TIME (BST) | DURATION | TUTOR | VENUE | PRICE | BOOKING | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 Mar 2025 - 2 May 2025 | Fri | 18:15-20:45 | 6 weeks (no class 18 Apr) | Kate Marlais | City Academy at 10 Herbal Hill | £295.00 | Book NowClick the gift icon to gift this course | Book Now Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course |
|
| 16 Jun 2025 - 21 Jul 2025 | Mon | 18:15-20:45 | 6 weeks | Kate Marlais | City Academy at 10 Herbal Hill | £295.00 | Book NowClick the gift icon to gift this course | Book Now Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course |
|
PAYMENT OPTIONS
You are welcome to join the course up to the second class.
ONLINE & PHONE PAYMENTS
Online – To book your selected class/course online, just click Book Now next to your chosen class/course.
Phone – We would be happy to take your booking over the phone, just call us on 020 7042 8833 .
CASH & CHEQUE PAYMENTS
Cash - You are welcome to pay cash, just come and see us at our office: City Academy, 10 Herbal Hill, London EC1R 5EG.
If you book 2 or more different classes/courses at a time we can offer you a 10% discount. If you wish to take advantage of this offer please enter 2ORMORE in the promotional code box when booking online or quote code when booking over the phone. Please note that this offer cannot be applied when you are booking two or more of the same class/course.
INDUSTRY TUTORS
City Academy tutors are experienced artists and performers that work in the industry. If your tutor's availability changes at short notice, our team will arrange for a suitable replacement and notify you in advance.
CANCELLATIONS POLICY
We offer a full refund or full credit of your original course if you cancel at least 72 hours before the start of your booking.
We cannot offer any refund if you cancel less than 72 hours before the start of your booking, or if you do not attend.
(For more information please see our terms and conditions)
-
City Academy at 10 Herbal Hill
City Academy, 10 Herbal Hill,
All City Academy tutors are experienced professionals from theatre, film/TV and performance industries. So whilst they're training you they may also be rehearsing for a West End show or working on a movie. We like that and we do believe it makes a difference in class.
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