Lancaster University
Department of Continuing Education
Summer Programme

Songwriting
Tutor: Amy Alexander
Monday 30 July - Friday 4 August 2006
1.45 - 4.45 pm

If you have always wanted to write your own songs, or would like to develop your existing skills, you are sure to find this course useful. It doesn't matter what kind of contemporary music you enjoy, our aim is to develop your competency and creativity. In workshops and group discussions we will cover a wide range of topics, starting from coming up with the original idea and moving through to creating a well-structured song.

You will learn about rhythm and time structures, how to record song
structures using chord charts and discover the purpose of lyrics and the
effect on the listener. We will explore the role of music and what motivates people to write songs, strategies for improving your performance skills, and much more. You will be encouraged to experiment with different styles in group practical sessions as well as working on your own.

You don't have to be able to read music, but any existing music skills would be useful. At the end of the week you should have a good grasp of what makes a good song, and remember - not all hit songs are written by professionals!

The course tutor, Amy Alexander, graduated from the Northern Melbourne
College with a diploma in Music Performance (Jazz/ Popular). Since then
she has experimented with a wide variety of styles - classical, jazz, rock, folk and country on piano, electric organ, flute, guitar and voice. Amy has always written her own music and, in the past ten years has focussed on songwriting. She is currently based in York and is a member of alternative folk/country bands 'The Sweethearts' and 'Odd Socks'.

Fee: £57

For more information or to enrol please call 01524 592623/4 or
email: conted@lancaster.ac.uk