Singing & Songwriting Course

Singing & Songwriting Course Description
The course is aimed at singers who want to hone their song writing skills and improve their singing technique. Ideally students should have already written some material and be able to play some basic piano and/or guitar. The course will provide the tools to approach their writing in a more structured and conscious way. The goal is for everyone to write at least one new song by the end of the course.

How our Singing & Songwriting Course are Taught

Students will be taught Singing and Song writing primarily through:

Explanation and demonstration

Hand-out / copies of written material to support practical learning and CDs

Whole group work and time dedicated to individual performances

Feedback to Confirm Progress
Regular oral feedback from tutor throughout the course.
Students will receive continual assessment from the tutor throughout the course, via verbal feedback and physical mirroring plus written revision and assessment. There will also be many opportunities for self-assessment and peer assessment.

Singing & Songwriting Course Progression

Singing & Songwriting Course Content

Each lesson consists of 4 main sections:

Harmony and Theory: Provides students with the very important tools in terms of communication with other musicians.

Song Writing. Students are guided through the creative process of lyrics, melody and chord writing. Among the subjects covered are: focus, titles, first lines, rhymes, poetic devices, melody and harmony

Voice Production: Exercises to improve pitch, projection, range and awareness of different registers will be spread throughout the course. Students will go through breathing exercises, vocal warm-up, scales, arpeggios to make their singing more effective and rewarding

Performance: The last 30 minutes of each class will be used to put all the theoretical knowledge into practice through the performance of songs chosen by the tutor (weeks 1 to 6) and songs written / chosen by the students (weeks 6 to 11)

Week 1
Introduction

Week 2
Major scale, lyrics writing

Week 3
Key signatures (sharp and flat keys), lyrics writing

Week 4
Triads, lyrics writing

Week 5
Triad inversions, music writing

Week 6
Theory revision, music writing

Week 7
Sight reading (note values, time signature), music writing

Week 8
Sight reading (ties and dots), writing an original song

Week 9
Sight singing (pitch), writing an original song

Week 10
Sight singing (pitch), writing an original song

Week 11
Theory revision, writing an original song

Week 12
The whole class will be dedicated to the performance of the songs written by the students during the course

Exact course content may differ as it is often tailored to the students taking the course. The length of your course will also affect the material covered but will generally follow this structure

Singing Teacher: Max Bonanno

Max is a professional vocal teacher, singer / songwriter and producer. Since graduating in December 2003, Max has been teaching singing and keyboard and has been involved in a wide range of industry projects, including recordings as session singer, productions and performances around the UK and abroad (France, Italy). He has taught all levels and abilities for over 5 years.

Max is a knowledgeable, friendly and encouraging tutor. His lessons, always relaxed and enjoyable, focus mainly on breathing technique, projection, range, agility and performance. He also offers 1-2-1 tuitions which take place in his fully-equipped studio in Fulham-Parsons Green, or at a different location if required. Other services include coaching for auditions, studio recordings and live performances.

In addition to teaching, Max performs with his covers band, writes music for TV commercials and for his original outfit VIS. VIS' latest song is about to be released nationwide in Italy.

For 10 and 12 week courses you are welcome to join up to Week 3.
For 6 and 8 week courses you are welcome to join up to Week 2.

If you book 2 or more different courses at a time, you will receive 10% discount.
(Deducted automatically when booking online)

Cancellations Policy
Cancellations made within 7 working days of booking the course but before your course starts - full refund
Cancellations made after 7 working days of booking the course but more than 14 days before your course starts – full refund less a 20% administration fee.
Cancellations made after 7 working days of booking the course but less than 14 days before your course starts – no refund.
(For more information please see our terms and conditions)

Singing & Songwriting Skills Development

How our Singing & Songwriting Course are Taught