Frequently Asked Questions

Call the School, 818-848-7664, to discuss your background, interests, and goals and we will arrive at the appropriate plan of action with you.  Or fill out the “getting to know you” form on the website and wait to hear back from someone at The Songwriting School to help you formulate that plan.

We believe that while the music industry may have a thing or two to say about the age of its acts, you are never too young or too old to have a great idea and to articulate it in a great song.  We work with students of a “writerly age”:  if you are old (or young) enough to write a song, we probably have a class for you.  Students have ranged from elementary school aged to retirement aged.  The median age for our students is mid to late 20s.  Often classes are all adults, a mix of adults and teens, or as part of our Young Professionals Program some classes and programs are aimed specifically for ages 12-18, younger by special permission.

Class length is based upon the material, the nature of the class, and, if appropriate, the age-range of the students.  Classes typically meet once or in certain situations twice per week, for 6-10 class meetings total. Some classes are as short as an hour, but the typical interactive songwriting class is 2 to 2½ hours to allow time during class to try on the concepts and skills first-hand and receive feedback on the songs you are writing.

Some students opt to enroll by the "semester" taking unlimited classes and paying a fixed tuition that typically saves between 25-50% off per class costs.  Others take classes a la carte, one or more at a time, as their needs, schedule, and budget allow.  Tuition varies class to class and is posted on the Registration page. 

We currently offer The Young Professionals Program for aspiring songwriters aged 12-18, younger by individual permission, who have demonstrated a seriousness about their music.  We have a two-week non-residential Summer Program called Songmakers:  Summer Youth Program.  Additional after-school programming is also regularly available for beginning and more experienced writers and musicians alike.

We currently work with students, artists, and clients in ten different time zones around the globe through individual lessons and video conferencing viaiChat on a Mac or Skype on a PC.  Some of our courses are available for online study as well.  Please pay attention to the calendar for announcements about weekend events and summer programming aimed specifically at those of you who live outside of LA but want to study with us.  This is your community, whether you create on-campus or online.

No, you don’t.  As songwriters, instruments are tools for creativity much in the same way that your notebook and pen, your imagination, your voice, and recording equipment are.  In classes like THE ROOTS,  you can learn all of the lyrical, melodic, and structural concepts and skills to be able to write songs.  While you don’t need to play an instrument to write songs, you may develop an interest in learning one or more as your experience as a writer grows.  Or you may decide to learn a creating and recording tool like Logic to create beats and instrumental beds without technically knowing how to play an instrument.  We have outstanding teachers able to train you in guitar, piano, bass, drums, and voice to help you connect that learning to the work you are doing writing your own songs.

>    We offer private lessons in songwriting, guitar, piano, voice, bass, and drums.
>   Different disciplines and different teachers have different rates.  Guitar, piano, bass, and drum lessons begin at $75/hr for instance.  Songwriting at $100/hr.  Special guest instructor rates might be more depending upon availability, etc.  You can take an introductory private songwriting lesson at a "trial" rate of $75/hr.  Some writers use this to get feedback on their work.  Others use it as a diagnostic situation to help plot a course of study.  Still others seek to gain the concepts and skills of group classes at their own pace, through private study.  While this is a more expensive way to "take a class," some of our writers prefer this situation because of the flexibility of the schedule, the ability to work in person or online, and the opportunities to fit the curriculum specifically to your needs and goals. 
>   Why study an instrument at The Songwriting School?  Our teachers bring a uniqueness of approach to their discipline, teaching skills to enhance your ability to create and re-create songs.  Everything we do begins with The Song
>   Our excellent teachers are all working pros who are equally passionate about their musicianship and their teaching.
>   If you would like to book a private songwriting lesson, we will offer that first session for 25% off the instructor’s published rate.  This can often be a good way to get a feel for the caliber of teaching we offer and the benefit you might receive from study at The Songwriting School.  To schedule an introductory private session, please call The School at 818-848-7664, or book online. 

We expect our students to come with a passion for their art, an open-mindedness that facilitates learning, and an attitude of mutual respect for their peers.  We believe that learning happens through doing.  Come ready to create!  You will never be forced to participate if you are unwilling, but we believe your experience will be enhanced by your active, respectful participation.

Private lessons give you the complete attention of the teacher as the two of you work exclusively toward your goals and on the skills you want and need to develop.  Because of their privacy, many students feel more free to take risks and show work in progress than they might in a group setting.  We encourage private lessons in conjunction with a class taught by that same teacher. In this way the two of you are able to deepen the concepts of the class in your work and accelerate the creative process.

>    Tell us more about your background and goals and let us hear some of your songs.  It is in everyone’s best interest to put you in the right class for you.  Call The School at 818-848-7664 or fill out the Getting to Know You form HERE.
>    If you have any question at all, THE ROOTS is the place to start at The Songwriting School of Los Angeles.  While it is appropriate for beginners, the class is not a beginning songwriting class per se.  It is designed to teach profound concepts and skills of the creative process useful to veteran and beginning writers alike.  Alums of the program include a Grammy- and Oscar-nominated songwriter, signed artists, accomplished session musicians, producers, engineers, in-demand session singers, screenwriters, entrepreneurs, students, marketing execs, band-mates, and all manner of creative people have taken and take THE ROOTS.  This inspiring class forms the basis of song study at The Songwriting School of Los Angeles.
>    The Songwriter’s Workshop is a weekly gathering by invitation only of more experienced songwriters who present work and works-in-progress for detailed feedback from one another, a faculty moderator, and regular special guests to the room (hit writers, producers, artists, etc.).  Unlike in classes such as THE ROOTS, there is not a curriculum.  The content of the class is driven entirely by the people in it and the work they generate.  Most people complete THE ROOTS first and then seek admission to The Workshop.
>    If you are an experienced writer looking for a weekly engine to keep you motivated, generating material, getting high-level feedback on that material, and connecting with fellow writers, The Workshop is a powerful and positive setting.

>    Congratulations!  This sounds like the start of something good in your life.  We find that the more songs we write, the more likely we are to write good songs.  And the more willing we must be to write the less awesome songs that allow us to learn and improve and get to those great songs!  So while it might be that this first song is marvelous, we encourage you to see this is as the beginning of your journey to become a songwriter rather than the destination.
>    Book a private lesson to get some feedback on that song and gain the guidance to take its strengths forward into the next songs you’ll write.  Learn from its shortcomings and gain the insight to improve upon them the next time around.
>    Writing your first song means you are ready to build a foundation for a lifetime of creating work that makes you feel as proud as this first one has.  THE ROOTS is a class to keep you inspired and build for you a skill-set to grow uniquely into the writer you can become.

No!  Relationships take time to build and are nurtured through trust and mutual respect. We are not in the business of doing your important work for you.  But through our classes and monthly events like our free Forum series, you will both learn about the appropriate avenues for your music and meet many of the people who might form your professional network of support.  We encourage you to create these relationships in your own professional life and nurture them with respect.

Many students write songs on their first day of class.  As with any new skill, enthusiasm and courage go a long way toward success.  In THE ROOTS, you will feel capable of writing a complete lyric and melody no later than the third class meeting.  As with any meaningful activity, regular practice leads to measurable progress.  The more you know about writing songs, the higher your expectations for your songs will rise.  Therefore, the word “great” is entirely subjective.  We believe that if you work at the concepts, skills, and techniques of our classes, you will write songs that matter—first to you and then to an audience.  Don’t quit your dayjob:  be the patron of your own art until that art can first sustain you.

>    You will receive an e-mail at least 24 hours before the first day of class that outlines any materials you will need to bring.  For most songwriting or business classes you need only bring a notebook and something to write with.  The building has keyboards and guitars and lots of instruments. You are welcome to bring your own guitar, but you need not to the first class unless otherwise noted by the instructor.
>    If you are coming for a private lesson in bass or guitar, please bring your instrument.  Come to think of it, if you’re taking a voice lesson, bring your voice as well.

>    If you know you’d like to enroll in a class, register right away.  Paying tuition in full reserves your place in the class.  Class size is small by design to allow maximum individual attention and is therefore limited.
>    When you sign up online you have the option of paying by PayPal online or calling the School to arrange payment by credit card.  You can also register in person and hand deliver personal check or cash.
>    Payment plans are available if necessary and typically involve a payment of ½ tuition up front and then a set schedule of payments.  If necessary in certain individual situations, further arrangements can be made.  Please contact the School:  818-848-7664.
>    Failure to make payment by the notified date will result in a late payment charge of $25.

There is a one-time $35 Registration Fee due at the time of class registration to cover the administrative costs of classes at The Songwriting School.  Once you have paid this fee, you never have to pay it again.

We do not currently offer purely financial need-based scholarships, but we are in the process of funding that program.  When available, in certain classes The Songwriting School is proud to offer Service Scholarships: partial tuition based upon outstanding character and merit and a willingness and/or history of public service in the community.  We believe that with great talent comes great responsibility. Service Scholarships seek to inspire and reward that level of commitment to others.  For more information, to learn if a Service Scholarship might be available, or for an application, call 818-848-7664.

We work hard to maintain small class sizes that foster trust and mutual understanding.  For this reason we do not generally allow auditing.  Certain classes have a policy for exceptions, so please call 818-848-7664 to discuss your options if you believe you need to audit a class before enrolling.