Songwriter Education
Though there are educational aspects to everything we do, Vocal is not a songwriters school.
Our monthly meetings will often feature some educational experience like collaboration, or methods for developing lyrics or melody. Occasionally we have hosted workshops by great songwriters and instructors like Beth Nielsen Chapman, Paul Reisler, Gretchen Peters, and Pat Pattison. Also, here at the website, we offer links to songwriter sites that we think may be beneficial to you.
We welcome your interest in discovering educational sources for songwriting and will do our best to provide what we can and to guide you to others.
Songwriting Resources
Songwriting Teachers
Shelf help: 25 of the best books for songwriters [March 2023] – Songwriting Magazine
The best professors, biographers and artists have the ability to enhance a reader’s own songwriting with their expertise and insight. Whether technical or anecdotal we have piles of books that we frequently rely on for motivation and guidance. In honour of World Book Day, we’ve decided to share the 25 books we just couldn’t live without…
EDITOR’S NOTE: This post was originally published in February 2018 and has been regularly updated for accuracy and completeness
Songwriters Resource Network is a trusted news and education resource for songwriters, song lyricists and music composers.
The mission of Songwriters Resource Network is to empower songwriters with insightful information on all aspects of the songwriting, writing lyrics, contests, music composition and song publishing opportunites.
Composer Seeking A Lyricist? Beat Producer Seeking A Topline Writer? Songwriter Seeking Critique?
Spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ through music by networking Christian songwriters worldwide
Songwriter Tools
Whether online or on campus, as a student, you’ll be immersed in a curriculum that integrates technical knowledge with artistic exploration and creativity, taught by industry-experienced professionals.
Find rhymes, synonyms, adjectives, and more!
Premium Professional Training
The world’s preeminent college for the study of music, where students experience all aspects of the music industry through an interdisciplinary curriculum
Whether online or on campus, as a student, you’ll be immersed in a curriculum that integrates technical knowledge with artistic exploration and creativity, taught by industry-experienced professionals.
Songstuff aims to help songwriters to develop their skills through articles, tools, activities like songwriting challenges all supported and encouraged by a motivated and experienced community of fellow songwriters.
- Addicted-to-Songwriting: complete info on songwriting: Articles, Interviews, Tips & More.
- Wise Old Sayings - Songwriting Guide
Beth Nielsen Chapman
Beth Nielsen Chapmanhttps://bethnielsenchapman.com
Beth Nielsen Chapman and Paul Reisler conducted a workshop in 2012. It was followed in the evening with a terrific concert. They provided welcome insight and inspiration. Beth’s website has links to upcoming Speaking/Teaching events scheduled for mid March 2022.
https://bethnielsenchapman.com/teaching-speaking/
She is also often seen online performing from her house or with other songwriters.
Pat Pattison
Pat Pattison may have conducted VOCAL's first professional songwriting workshop back in the 1990s. He is a professor at Berklee College of Music, where he teaches lyric writing and poetry. The Link that follows connects to a free online course. (It was free at one point, that status may have changed, but it’s worth checking it out). https://www.coursera.org/learn/songwriting-lyrics#enroll
Of course taking an online course with Berklee is also worth the money as well. https://www.berklee.edu/
Gretchen Peters
Gretchen Petershttps://www.gretchenpeters.com/
In 2014 Gretchen Peters led a worship for VOCAL. Captivating and insightful, she offered great feedback to those who attended and wanted insight for their songs. Her website is filled with Information about her touring and announcements about when she is doing workshops.
Paul Reisler
Paul Reisler has led four different workshops for VOCAL. Paul spends much of his time with Kid Pan Alley, a project he started in the late 90s. Follow his website for news. If you sign up for the Kid Pan Alley newsletter ay the Kid Pan Alley Site , you’ll get announcements about all his activities including online performances.
https://www.kidpanalley.org/
Harriet Schock
Harriet wrote “Ain’t No Way to Treat a Lady” which was a hit for Helen Reddy. She has a long career with multiple albums and songs for film and television. VOCAL’s President has been studying with Harriet for since December of 2020.
School of Songwriting
Harriet Schock teaches a step-by-step method that enables songwriters to become remarkable at writing songs — songs that touch people emotionally.
3 Hour Classes in 10 Week Cycles
Getting Emotional Impact into Your Songs
Getting Emotional Impact into Your Songs
Harriet Schock unlocks secrets for both beginning and advanced songwriters through videos and articles. This course is currently available at an early-bird price of $49.
