Songwriting Lessons At The Inside Voice

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Our Approach

Songwriting Lessons for All Ages

Ever wish you could write your own songs? Many try to write music with the mistaken belief that songwriting ability is either something you’re born with or something you aren’t. We’re here to show you that songwriting is a learned skill that you can work at and improve like anything else.

Whether you’re about the music or the lyrics, songwriting is one of the best ways to express yourself. Whether you have an eye toward a music career or just want an outlet for self-expression, we want to give you the tools to create your own music. What could be more therapeutic?

For those of you interested in the music business, songwriting is invaluable. At The Inside Voice, we specialize in voice lessons and artist development and believe that songwriting is one of the fundamental aspects of making a singer a well-rounded artist. The music industry can be a tough business for budding singers, but you’ll dramatically increase your chances of getting noticed and becoming a paid performer if you can write your own songs.

music teacher teaching musical notes to the student

Our Approach to Songwriting at The Inside Voice

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Songwriting Lessons Should Be Fun!

At The Inside Voice, we understand that a spark for songwriting might lead you to our doors – but it’s the joy and creativity in our lessons that keeps you coming back! Our aim is for every student to LOVE their music lessons, embarking on an exciting journey filled with progress and discovery. Here, we infuse fun into the very fundamentals of songwriting!

Our expert staff combines a high standard of music education with a creative, student-centered approach. This unique blend allows students to explore and develop their passion for music and songwriting. Whether you’re penning your first lyrics or you’re an experienced songwriter, our teachers are dedicated to helping you advance swiftly towards your goals, ensuring that fun and creativity are part of every step in your journey.

We Emphasize Healthy Technique

Healthy technique is crucial for lifelong enjoyment and success in songwriting. Our primary focus is on teaching robust fundamentals, including lyric crafting, melody creation, and understanding song structure. We emphasize full-body engagement in the creative process, as we believe this approach not only enhances musicianship but also protects against creative burnout.

With the basics in place, you and your instructor will collaborate to shape the unique narrative of your songs. Our expert teachers will guide you in honing your songwriting skills, focusing on elements like emotional expression, thematic development, and stylistic diversity. As you learn, we will integrate music theory and music history, ensuring a comprehensive and enriching journey towards musical brilliance in songwriting.

We Care About Your Musical Interests

Songwriting instruction doesn’t follow a one-size-fits-all approach. Regardless of a student’s ability or past experiences, our teachers adopt a tailored strategy for each individual. This personalized approach is supported by comprehensive assessments, a custom learning plan, and dedicated one-on-one guidance throughout your songwriting journey.

While mastering the basics and techniques is crucial, our primary goal is to empower students to explore and develop their own unique musical styles and interests. Your teacher will collaborate with you to understand your goals and create a bespoke plan to achieve them. Whether your inclination is towards folk, rock, pop, or any other genre, The Inside Voice nurtures songwriters to excel in their chosen field. This includes encouraging steps outside their comfort zone to experiment with new and diverse musical expressions.

SONGWRITING COURSE

If melody, harmony, rhythm, and lyrics are individual cells of a popular song, verse, chorus, and bridge are the organs. We’ll talk about what defines these elements, and how they interact. Then, you’ll delve into creating your own.

  1. HOW TO GRAB YOUR LISTENER WITH HOOKS
    Hooks are the little snippets of song that lodge in your head and never let go. They make up the main ingredient of a song’s secret sauce, even if we, as listeners, have a love-hate relationship with them. We’ll listen to some relentlessly catchy hooks, and then try our hands at writing our own.
  2. SONGWRITING WORKFLOW & KNOWING WHERE TO START
    Like nearly everything in life, getting started is half the battle. If you’ve ever sat down and tried to write a song, you’ll know there’s nothing quite as hostile as a blank piece of paper. Should you start with the melody? The chords?? The lyrics?! We’ll examine the pros and cons of each so you can access your creativity and hit the page writing.
  3. WHICH CHORD PROGRESSIONS ARE KING AND WHY
    There have been thousands of popular songs that have made it to the charts over the years, but you’d be surprised at how many drastically different songs use the same chord loops. We’ll look at a few of these common loops, talk about the moods and styles they convey, and discuss how we can use them in our music.
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We Offer Simple Pricing to Fit Your Schedule & Budget

Weekly Lessons

30 min

$59

Starting price

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Weekly Lessons

45 min

$88.50

Starting price

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Weekly Lessons

60 min

$118

Starting price

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Weekly

90 min

$177

Starting price

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“I am very happy I found a great school! All their teachers are very knowledgeable and experienced professional artists. Their management team is very professional, responsive and friendly. I never had a problem with scheduling or payments.”

— Oma S.

“I LOVE this Academy there are no words to describe how much fun, encouragement and effort this school gives my daughter and the community.”

— Ana C.

“The school is amazing and their staff is very kind. I work with a vocal coach named Ben and he is brilliant!!! He has exceeded my expectations and has been able to elevate my singing to heights I didn’t know I was capable of.”

— Phil S.

student singing at the inside voice
Lessons for Kids

Lessons for Kids

We start private music lessons for kids as young as 3 or 4, depending on maturity. Your kiddo’s music instructor knows every child is different, and helps discover their unique learning style, talents, and interests and nurtures them accordingly.

Lessons for Teens

Lessons for Teens

Music lessons for teenagers are different than lessons for little kids, and we treat them as such. We teach you to sing and play the styles you’re most interested in and set and work toward your own artistic goals. We even hold special showcases just for teens and adults.

Lessons for Adults

Lessons for Adults

TIV’s Adult Music Program: Adult music lessons can be daunting, especially when so many music academies focus on toddler piano lessons. But our adult music program is for adults. We even hold laid-back performances focused on adult students.

Lessons for Seniors

Lessons for Seniors

Many people mistakenly believe that there’s an upper age limit for learning to sing or play an instrument. It’s never too late to start, and many reasons to do it, from the cognitive and physical benefits, to just the sheer joy of it.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Where are the classes located?

Private songwriting lessons are offered at all of our Orange County studios. Our seasonal group songwriting workshops are typically held at our Costa Mesa location.

Do I need to be able to play an instrument?

No. Knowing an accompaniment instrument before you join the class is helpful, but if you don’t, your teacher will play piano or guitar while you write your own lyrics and melody. Alternately, we can teach you some basic chords on the keyboard, ukulele, or guitar to get you started.

What age is the class intended for?

Ages 10 to 88 years old. The class is truly designed for any one, of any age wishing to expand their knowledge and build on the foundational basics of songwriting.

How do I sign up?

For private songwriting lessons, contact us now or get on the announcement list for our next songwriting workshop.