COMPILATION ALBUMS OF STUDENT WRITTEN & RECORDED SONGS

Compliation albums of songs written and recorded entirely by students! Many of these songs were the first they've ever done! I hope you take some time to listen on your preferred music service: 


It should also be available on most streaming services worldwide. Just search for "transformusical" on 7Digital, Amazon Mp3, Anghami, AWA, Bugs!, Claro-musica,  eMUSIC, Gracenote, iHeartRadio, iTunes, Kanjian, Kuack Media, Melon, Napster, Netease, Nuuday, Qobuz, Saavn, SoundCloud, Tencent, TikTok or YG.

UPGRADE YOUR CREATIVE, MUSICAL EXPRESSION

SONGWRITING WORKSHOPS: PRACTICAL SKILLS PAIRED WITH CREATIVE EVOLUTION

For Never-Ever to Experienced Songwriters

Unless we are born songwriting geniuses, to improve, we need to practice the art and skill of writing songs. And.. If we want to maximize our satisfaction and potential, we need to address where we might be stuck and step into our full authenticity.

I’ve been writing songs since 1987, and my first songs were “terrible”. But unless I started in the first place and finished those first songs, as well experimented, learned, practiced, and looked at my motivations and challenges, I would not have evolved to my current ability. You can hear a couple live versions of some songs I’ve written in the last ten years here, here and here.

If you feel a desire to write songs, my number one recommendation is to start AND finish a song. Like most of the rest of us, you are probably not a songwriting genius. So write some “bad” songs, learn from them and practice seeing your process as necessary road to travel towards the outcome you want. And if you’d like some professional guidance along the way, here’s what to expect from the songwriting workshop:

“I am so grateful I took John’s songwriting class! I am, or thought I was, a song writing wannabe. I have lyrics that are begging for a way out but have long thought I didn’t know enough theory, have enough skill (my repertoire of guitar and chords is a short list), enough voice to bring them out in any meaningful or fulfilling way. John’s open, unconditional acceptance, guidance and knowledge base along with the group process helped open doors to my own creativity and ability. Listening to the individuals in the group, their questions, John’s explanations (no question too basic), individual’s struggles and then hear their works blew me away! We laughed, cried, supported and applauded each other. I looked forward to hearing how each individual would interpret the assignments. Performing and then receiving their feedback on my work was a testament to the personal growth that this class presented me with the opportunity to reveal to myself. I truly didn’t want this class to end! I felt like each member of the group revealed a personal and vulnerable aspect of themselves in a safe and welcoming environment and more than just music was being made by each of us. I feel like I was able to reveal a personal and vulnerable aspect of MYself in a safe and welcoming environment and more than music was made.”

~ J Tracy – Occupational Therapist, self employed ~

 

USEFUL, HANDS-ON SONGWRITING NUTS-AND-BOLTS

Basic, intermediate and advanced aspects taught in a way that anyone with basic musical skills can understand

BIG PICTURE

• What is a song?
• Song structures & types
• What makes a style a style?
• The role instrumentation, arrangement and production

PRACTICAL, SONGWRITING-BASED MUSIC THEORY

• Time signature, feel & tempo
• Keys & chord progressions
• Melody demystification
• Useful music theory odds & ends

SONG COMPONENTS

• Foundational ideas & inspirations
• Melody writing
• Lyric writing
• Connecting with feeling

CREATIVE PROCESS & WORKFLOW

• Tips for bolstering creativity
• Developing a unique-to-you work process
• Idea Capture
• Identifying & working with your specific strengths & challenges

PROJECTS & EXERCISES

• Write a song in your chosen style as your final project
• Write a couple other simple songs as exercises
• Analyze well known songs & songs that you pick as learning tools
• Address your specific questions & goals for the workshop
• Leave you off with more useful aspects to explore on your own in the final class

“I can happily recommend this workshop for anyone who is interested in songwriting! I was nervous coming into the workshop because of the group aspect but was pleasantly surprised by how great of an experience it was. Having a group keeps you accountable to completing the assignments that are designed to get you closer to writing your own complete songs. The group can provide feedback to the songs you write in whatever amount you’re comfortable with, whether it’s completely open ended, nothing at all, or anything in between. John is an excellent teacher and strives to foster a safe space for all students to feel comfortable in sharing and discussing regardless of their skill level. I felt encouraged to continue learning and improving throughout the course because of the group dynamics that John crafted, as well as through John himself. I now feel like I have the necessary tools, confidence, and courage to continue writing songs!”

~ Phong Nguyen – Software Engineer ~

 

CREATIVE, PERSONAL & GROUP EVOLUTION + UNSTICKING

Practices & processes to open up the full potential of your songwriting & influence the whole of your life

AUTHENTICITY: You are doing this for you. Owning your authenticity will bring out the gift of what you offer.

EXPRESSION: Unless we are natural performers, we tend to under-express. Nurturing your full expression will support why you are doing this in the first place.

INTUITION: We want our songs to feel “right”. Cultivating your intuition is critical to writing songs that you love.

UNSTICKING: We all have places where we are stuck. Working with them will help our songwriting (and our lives) move forward.

ALLOWING: Creativity can’t be forced. Using mindfulness and other practices will help it emerge.

CONNECTION: We do this as a healthy group… To learn from, support & be inspired by one another.

COMMUNITY: Ongoing support & encouragement can make a big difference. Continuing community of fellow songwriters is available after the workshop.

“John’s songwriting workshop is a must-take for anybody interested in making music. I learned so many things: practical musical theory that helped de-mystify song writing, the building blocks of songs and how I can use them, how to tap into my own creativity, and confidence. It was extremely informative, fun, engaging, and really felt like a community. I cannot thank John enough for this experience!!!”

~ Ian H. – Policy Researcher ~

 

DETAILS & LOGISTICS

COST: $450 (This workshop is accessible to those with various means. If needed, please contact me to arrange for a discount or alternative exchange.)

SCHEDULE: We will decide the schedule as a group within these parameters:

• NEXT COHORT BEGINS: Spring 2024
• (6-7) 2 hour modules plus a few short video resources to watch on your own time
• !!!IMPORTANT: WE SCHEDULE AS A GROUP TO FIND DAYS/TIMES THAT WORK FOR YOU AND EVERYONE ELSE: Weekend days (late morning OR early afternoon) AND/OR Monday/Thursday/Friday early evenings
• Classes every two or three weeks (to give plenty of time to work on things)
• Total workshop time: 12-14 hours plus video resources

LOCATION: Maybe in person at my studio in Denver, CO. Or via Zoom. Or a combination of both. This depends on geographic distribution of cohort and other factors. More detailed location info sent after registration.

PREREQUISITES: 1) Basic skill level on an instrument that can play chords: guitar, piano, etc. 2) Basic ability to sing a melody i.e. “hold a tune”

OTHER NOTES:

• Workshop is limited in size. Usually not more than six to allow individual attention and possibility for deeper connection and inspiration from your fellow participants.
• Every participant is at a different level of songwriting, and I work to ensure each participant gets has an experience that feels valuable and satisfying.
• The workshop will be recorded and used for as part of self-study online songwriting course (which will also be available to you when it’s finished). It’s an extremely valuable for self-study folks to witness your questions, wisdom and process. For those who give consent, I will ask for a signed Video Release. And for those who do not, I will remove you from the video via editing.

“I have been trying to write songs for a long time and it was hard for me to put the pieces together. This course helped me learn how to structure my song writing process and complete my first full song. The group setting was also beneficial in helping me open up and share my creativity with others.”

~ Carlton N Hanna – Software Engineer ~

 

CONTACT ME TO REGISTER OR IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS

John Shapiro
teacher & owner

(text or call)
I reply to most messages the same day or within 24 hours.

“The course provided inspiration to take what I learned to continue the songwriting adventure. It helped to hear how others could take the same assignment and use their creativity to come up with their own songs. It was definitely worth the time and effort.”

~ Saverio Maglio – many years experience in different bands ~

 

DID YOU MISS IT?

Live workshops happen once every two to three months. If you missed this one, let me know and I will let you know when the next one is AND I’ll let you know when the self-study course is available.