This inspiring songwriting program forms the foundation for song study at The Songwriting School of Los Angeles. Formerly in two parts, The Roots are combined in a single 10-week program (or 5 weeks, twice/wk) at reduced tuition, starting fall 2010.
If you have completed Part 1 in the past, please read to the bottom of this page for an invitation to either study for 5 weeks the new material or, for the same cost as the old 6-wk program, take all 10 weeks. Many students have chosen to repeat The Roots and all report they got more and different things out of the course the second time. Call 818-848-7664 with any questions.
Build a strong foundation for a lifetime in your art and craft and the confidence and skills to create songs that matter.
Learn innovative creative process principles and exercises in each class that, as a recent student wrote to a friend, "make it nearly impossible to go home and NOT write."
Gain the ability to generate fresh and interesting ideas every single time you sit down at the page--exactly when you fear you have nothing to say.
Understand how to write powerful lyrics, from the blank page in your notebook to your polished final draft.
Tune your writer's ear to create compelling rhythm and rhyme in your lines.
Compose melodies that bring your own words to life.
Discover song structure as a powerful tool to communicate your good ideas.
Master basic concepts of music theory and the body language of a song.
Cultivate your unique voice as a writer.
Craft meaningful work that feels like you.
Identify, nurture, and refine the kind of artist you hope to become.
Create a healthy and productive relationship between the artist in you (the part of your mind that generates ideas) and the critic in you (the part the judges them).
Develop the confidence and enjoyment for a lifetime of songwriting.
Enjoy the individual attention and valuable peer relationships that a small, hands-on class affords.
THAT ALL SOUNDS COOL, BUT WHY CALL IT "THE ROOTS"?
In songs, the notes your chords are built upon are called The Roots. Words derive their meaning from their roots, and we add prefixes and suffixes, change the endings to enhance that meaning. You have your musical roots, the songs that first spoke to you and demanded that you respond. Pop culture may have taught you to think of "your roots" as your ancestry, your background, your unique personal history. You may make decisions in your life because of or, at times, in reaction to those roots. And from time to time you may feel the need to "pull up your roots" and enact change in your life. One look at the tree outside your window will remind you that to blossom, the roots must be planted and tended in fertile ground.
We believe that to grow into the songwriter you hope to become, you must first put down strong, healthy roots. This class is dedicated to that powerful process.
This class is especially for me if I...
can’t seem to finish (or start) songs.
have never written a song before but have always wanted to.
am a more experienced writer but need the discipline, inspiration, or encouragement to improve.
have a drawer full of napkins with song lyrics and need help turning them into songs.
have written songs but can’t seem to write ones I believe in.
need help composing melody or working with song structure.
am sick and tired of playing and singing cover songs.
am in a rut and need a fresh start.
am not a musician but am looking for a way to unlock my creativity.
have something to say (and I want it to sound good).
would like to join a supportive community of peers with different styles and backgrounds who will push and encourage me to do my best work and with whom I can network for opportunities and support.
When you complete this course of study you will have formulated a personal, creative, and (if appropriate for you) professional plan of action for a fruitful life writing compelling songs.
Learn by doing: in and out of class, create and finish new work.
Gain an understanding of the business of songwriting and discover how that information relates to your goals and path as a songwriter.
Delve deeper into how to write both for your own voice and for the voices of others.
Experience the exhilaration and the professional considerations of co-writing.
Develop the significant skills of insightfully critiquing other songs. This ability not only creates mutual respect in a room of songwriters, it cultivates an awareness of craft and artistry that will lead to potent improvements in your own work.
Emerge with a clear sense of your creative and professional mission for what comes next in your growth as songwriter and person.
The Roots, Parts 1 & 2 have traditionally involved six (6) class meetings each. This fall a combined 10-meeting program allows students to cover that material of both parts at a reduced tuition. The Songwriting School of Los Angeles recognizes and seeks to honor your unique needs. Whenever you are ready for the next step, we're ready to help you take it.
Students who have previously completed The Roots, Part 1 are eligible for one of two options: 1) join a section for classes 6-10 to cover new material for $275, OR 2) take the entire ROOTS classes 1-10 for $399 (the original tuition of Part 2).
We will open additional, unscheduled sections of The Roots as demand dictates. Please contact The School at 818-848-7664 if you are interested in enrolling and don't see a section that fits your schedule.
