Online songwriting lessons — how it works

Teaching philosophy

I built this online approach while touring with The Killers. The method is simple: diagnose what’s holding the song back, make clear decisions, and leave with steps you can execute.

• Audience reality: does it read fast? does it make you feel something?
• Decision-making: title, POV, section intent, melodic contour, harmonic function
• Systems: repeatable tools you can apply to every draft

You don’t need more “ideas.” You need a process that turns ideas into finished songs.

What we study

Your voice comes from control of the fundamentals:

• lyric craft: clarity, imagery, stakes, and story movement
• melody: contour, range, phrasing, and singability
• harmony: progression, tension/release, and chord color
• structure + arrangement: sections, contrast, and part economy
• hooks: where they live, how they repeat, how they evolve

Video support

When useful, you’ll receive short custom videos after lessons: focused breakdowns and demonstrations—nothing extra.

• example breakdowns: what works, why it works
• techniques: hook placement, section lift, rhyme density, melody repair
• theory in context: only what serves the song
• re-watch anytime as a reference

Core development (two pillars)

• Technical craft: form, rhyme, melodic construction, harmony, arrangement
• Creative development: voice, themes, hook identity, emotional resonance, story clarity

The result: stronger songs, better impact, higher confidence, and a repeatable process.

Progress monitoring

You’ll submit real material, regularly. That’s the job.

• demos / voice memos of works in progress
• lyric sheets for markup
• song analyses (short, targeted)
• revisions of previous work

This builds a documented creative evolution, a growing catalog, and stronger self-editing skills.

Basic equipment

Keep it simple. Capture ideas cleanly. Share them fast.

• recording device (phone is fine)
• one accompaniment instrument: guitar or keys
• DAW (optional but helpful): GarageBand / Logic / any preferred DAW
• headphones (recommended)

If you’re writing at a higher production level, add a mic + interface. Otherwise, start now.

Tech requirements

• high-speed internet
• webcam
• Zoom
• cloud folder for sharing drafts and demos
• PC: Audacity (free) • Mac: GarageBand or Logic

A stable workflow beats fancy gear.

Materials

• songwriting notebook / journal (or a single running doc)
• voice memo app for capturing ideas
• NoteFlight account (free) for notation when needed
• templates + worksheets provided:
  • structure templates
  • rhyme + prosody tools
  • chord and progression charts
  • analysis checklists

Workspace setup

• quiet environment for recording
• organized storage for drafts, lyrics, and notes
• instrument accessible (no friction)
• recording “always ready” (open app, hit record)
• minimal background noise

If setup takes 20 minutes, you won’t write. Reduce friction.

Getting started checklist

• Set up basic recording (phone is enough to start).
• Create an organized folder for drafts, lyrics, and demos.
• Install/test your recording software or DAW.
• Set up cloud sharing for works in progress.
• Create your NoteFlight account.
• Send your Zoom contact info.
• Prepare workspace: instrument ready, materials within reach, low noise.

Song development process

Most songs fail from vague intent. We run a clear sequence:

• 1Concept: premise, POV, stakes, title.
• 2First pass: lyric + melody capture without over-editing.
• 3Structure: sections, contrast, lift, and pacing.
• 4Harmony: progression choices that support the emotion.
• 5Arrangement: parts, economy, and hook presentation.
• 6Demo: document the song clearly (doesn’t need to be “produced”).
• 7Evaluation: what reads instantly? what drags? what’s unclear?
• 8Revision: targeted passes until it says what it’s supposed to say.

What I expect from you

• share works in progress (messy is fine)
• accept and implement direct feedback
• analyze both what works and what fails
• revise multiple times (that’s the craft)
• study reference songs with intent
• build a regular writing habit

If you want “one magic rewrite,” don’t book. If you want a process, we’ll get results.