THE ROOTS - Foundational Course for Songwriting Study - SPRING 2025 WEDNESDAYS Join for 4/16, 7-10p, In-Person (and Zoom) - ONE Space Left!

In this class you will...

• 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 each 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.
• Take melodies that make you cringe or ones that copyright infringe...and learn to make them fresh and your own--liberating your creativity further when you might have otherwise judged your ideas (or yourself!) as "bad"
• Discover song structure as a powerful tool to build a contract with the listener by communicating emotional intent.
• Develop the skill-set to analyze songs and break their complex systems down to understand the individual component choices each makes in structure, lyric, melody, harmony, rhythm, and production/arrangement--and THEN to employ these strategies in your own songs
• Understand & apply some foundational concepts of music theory and the body language of a song. (Note: for those without a music theory background, Music Theory & Ear Training for Songwriters, Levels 1 & 2 are designed to connect with the ROOTS curriculum to fill in those gaps. Level 1 covers diatonic harmony; Level 2 expands beyond the key.)
• Cultivate your unique voice as a writer.
• Craft meaningful work that feels like you.
• Identify, nurture, and refine the kind of artist or songwriter 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"?

Is it because they're the greatest living band? Perhaps. And(!)...in songs, the notes your chords are built upon are called The Roots. Words have roots. The root carries meaning, and we attach prefix and suffix to give that meaning context. 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 you can grow into the songwriter you hope to become if you first put down strong, healthy roots, deep in the creative soil of your experience. This class is dedicated to that powerful process. When you connect the meaning of words and the emotion of music with your growing understanding of who you are, as person and as songwriter, your style and your voice emerge.

This class is especially for you if you...

• can’t seem to finish (or start) songs.
• have never written a song before but have always wanted to.
• are a more experienced writer but need the discipline, inspiration, or encouragement to improve.
• have a drawer full of napkins with song lyrics or songs starts (or an iPhone full of melodies and riffs...) and need help turning them into finished songs.
• have written songs but can’t seem to write ones you believe in.
• need help composing melody or working with song structure.
• are sick and tired of playing and singing cover songs
• are in a rut and need a fresh start.
• are not a musician but are looking for a way to unlock your creativity.
• have something to say (and you want it to sound good).
• would like to join a supportive community of peers with different styles and backgrounds who will push and encourage you to do your best work and with whom you can network for opportunities and support.

When you complete this course of study you will not only have finished songs, you will have begun to formulate a personal, creative, and (if appropriate for you) professional plan of action for a fruitful life writing compelling songs.

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.

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR
Rob Seals is a songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist with an M.F.A. in poetry whose work has appeared in feature and independent films, on ABC, CBS, ABC Family, Apple +, The CW, E!, Bravo, MTV, VH-1, Oxygen, Fox, WHFS, NPR, and an underpaying streaming service near you. He is a decorated teacher and a former champion track coach with a gift for bringing out the best in others. He is the Founder of The Songwriting School of Los Angeles.

REVIEWS
Just a few of the more than 20 Yelp reviews singing the praises of THE ROOTS songwriting course at The Songwriting School of Los Angeles. Read the originals HERE:

So grateful to have found the Songwriting School of Los Angeles!  I'm a singer who's dabbled in songwriting but wanted something immersive to take it to the next level.   When I read the class description for The Roots I knew it was exactly what I was looking for.  Rob Seals has created such a comprehensive and empowering course, I had so many breakthroughs and left with a ton of tools, as well as the confidence to grow my songwriting exponentially.  I'm a dedicated and enthusiastic learner and take a lot of classes, even have a background myself in adult education, and this was one of the best learning experiences I've ever had.  

Rob is everything you want in a teacher:  knowledgeable, inclusive, inspiring, funny and supportive.  He structures the class so it's a safe environment not only for learning but also to connect with other songwriters for feedback and collaboration.   And the curriculum is tremendously thorough and has endless applications for nurturing creativity and guiding you towards producing your best work.   Even though this is built around songwriting I've gained tools that will support my creative process in everything that I do.  Really looking forward to taking more classes!

• K.S.

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I would give 7 stars if I could…I took the Roots class, because I heard good words about this class. I knew how to write a song, I read books about song writing and I wrote songs before. I expected songwriting 101 to be something like verse chorus bridge blah blah blah, do re mi do do re mi do, now go write. The actual class blew my mind—it was different from what my book taught me. Rob not only taught us how to write songs, but also how to be more creative and how to work with others to create.

- L.H.

• • • • •

This school changed my life. For so long it's just been me by myself making music as a hobby. This school provided me with the community that I was missing, as well as the tools to start turning my dream into a career. I am eternally grateful for the wonderful friendships and education that I have received here.

…Rob Seals is one of the kindest and hardworking people I have ever met. I had the privilege of taking his class, "The Roots." It is without a doubt my favorite class. It's a gentle and non-judgmental approach to songwriting that is all about "finding your truth." I was a cover singer before and now I can't stop writing. Thank you!!

• K.C.

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I have never done a review of anything before, but I couldn't not rave about the Songwriting School of LA. This place is an absolute gem. 100% life changing as a songwriter. Rob is absolutely incredible, a songwriting genius full of knowledge, tricks & tips, and tools to help make you the best and most unique to you songwriter as possible. He knows what tools are missing, and provides the right insights to make it as natural as possible, and how to revise and improve the natural melodies within us. I went in with not a single song completed, and walked out with a whole new look at songs (writing, listening, etc.) and now have five songs completed.

- K.K.

• • • • •

I cannot say enough good things about The Songwriting School of Los Angeles.

I waited a whole year to write this review and have taken 5 classes here so far. Honestly, the school, instructors, students, and the classes have helped me grow so much as a songwriter and as an aspiring producer.

The Roots class is amazing….I am not only a better writer having taken classes here, but also a better, more confident person.

- E.S.