An online workshop with Paul Durham

This workshop will go slower and deeper into completing 2-3 refined tracks over 10 weeks. It will allow people to focus on either writing or recording as they prefer. It will give us a chance to go deep into lyrics, melody, structure and recording demos and offer detailed input. Participants will get a chance to learn from other people’s work as well.

I’ll be training people on how to use rhyme (masculine/feminine, strong/weak, etc.), alliteration, repetition, syllable count, proper syllable stress, questions, demands, proper names, etc. to catch the listener’s attention and take our drafts to the next level. We’ll talk about how to optimize different tools (DAWs, rhyming dictionaries, MasterWriter, etc.) to get songs across the finish line.

Both beginners and advanced songwriters will benefit from this course, as we’ll have time to go over the basics and then ground ourselves in more sophisticated techniques. 

The course will be organized like this:

Week 1  Zoom class: Introduction and techniques for starting a song

Week 2  First draft for Song #1 due. I provide a personalized video response with what I think you’re doing right and suggestions for improvement.

Week 3  Work on integrating feedback from the video response to generate a better second draft

Week 4  Zoom class: Group Q&A, stories, instruction, feedback on 2nd drafts

Week 5 

(Option  1) First draft due on Song #2. Video response

(Option 2) First demo version of Song #1 due. Video response

Week 6  Work on improving song draft or recording based on feedback from video

Week 7  Zoom class:  Instruction, geedback on 2nd drafts of songs and demos

Week 8  Either new song or new demo, followed by video response

Week 9  Work on new song or recording based on feedback from video

Week 10 Zoom class:  Feedback on 2nd drafts of songs and demos

$285. Click to register.

Together we'll work on dissolving creative blocks and move through an intuitive process of writing songs. This process emphasizes authenticity, spontaneity, and unlocking artistic flow through iteration and improvisation. You'll learn powerful techniques for getting unstuck and staying unstuck, for granting yourself permission to take risks and deepen your work.

Each class will include instruction, examples, and stories from a life spent writing songs — as well as Q&A where you'll have a chance to get detailed answers to difficult questions. There will be assignments to help you integrate the instruction and start drafting songs, one step at a time.

The course includes a private Facebook group where you'll be able to ask me questions, share your work (if you want), and connect with other songwriters for support and collaboration. I have found the group to be a powerful way to build creative momentum and provide accountability for what we want to achieve.

Classes will be recorded so that if you can't make a day you'll be able to catch up at your convenience, and you'll have access to the recordings in perpetuity.

Registration includes one songwriting critique in the future. We'll talk about recording approaches, and once you get a song recorded I'll listen to it and make a personalized video saying what I like about the song and what I would suggest to make it better.

A great gift for yourself and your creative life — or for that musical someone you love.

$285. Minimum 6 people maximum 10. Starts April 20.weeks for beginners and experts alike. Live via Zoom, evenings starting mid-February.