Event Type:
Workshop
Have you ever wondered what it takes to write a commercial song? Do
you feel you have a knack for writing lyrics or a great melody, but
are unsure how to put it all together? Have you written a song but
don't know what your next step is?
Join us for an afternoon songwriting workshop with professional
songwriter David Chester where we will go over the the nuts and bolts
of writing a well-crafted commercial song, including:
• Song structure
• "Hooks"
• "Riffs"
• Great lyrics (They are not all "I love you" and "You broke my heart")
We will use well-known hit songs and "break them down" so you can see
all the above components and how they have been successfully applied.
We will also discuss:
• What is important to keep in mind when you are ready to record your song
⁃ Acoustic vs. Electronic music production
⁃ Vocals (Get the BEST singer possible!!!)
• There are no more "demos" (the difference between a "demo" and a "master")
• Home recording/studio recording: What's best for your song?
• Do you need a producer or can you do it yourself?
• ASCAP/BMI/JASRAC: What they are, what they do
• Avenues for promoting your original material
You are welcome to bring your original material (produced song, melody
only, lyrics only) and David will provide feedback. It is essential to
have others hear your songs before you unleash them on the public;
getting a general consensus of what does/doesn't work is invaluable.
When: Sat. March 20th
Time: 10m-12:30pm
Where: Tokyo Hacker Space
Fee: ¥3,000
(ths members 2000)
What to bring: Something to write with (preferably not laptops),
original songs (if you have them), a desire to write great commercial
songs.
We need at least 4 people to make the workshop happen.
David Chester has written music and/or lyrics for over 60 songs,
including originals and English-language cover versions of Japanese
pop hits recorded by such artists as Richard Marx, Robert Flack,
Phoebe Snow and Deniece Williams. He is also a
producer/arranger/pianist and has traveled the globe as a musician and
done extensive concert work throughout Japan. You can hear examples of
David's work at:
http://www.davidchester.com/songs.asp
