I’m always happy to chat openly and develop new song ideas with fellow songwriters! Co-Writing is so often where magic happens and a good co-writing session always gets me feeling jazzed. If you might be interested in co-writing some new song and lyric ideas please don’t hesitate to email me at sdsongwriting@gmail.com with a link to your Spotify or music.

REGULAR ONE-ON-ONE SONGWRITING COACHING - in person or online

$70 for fortnightly or monthly 1 Hour one-on-one songwriting coaching sessions

(FIRST SESSION IS FREE)

These lessons are focused around developing your songwriting skills and developing your original songs ( from concept toward a final song composition or completed recording) while also developing and improving those skills that will allow you to perform and present your songs in the best ways possible (be it through improved guitar/music composition or singing)

Who are these lessons for?

• My style of teaching is best suited to adults & young adults, new, up-and-coming & established musicians looking to take their songwriting to a new level.

• These lessons are particularly suited to those wanting to improve their skills in writing lyrics for songs. Stephen listens broadly and has experience writing songs in various styles and to suit various genres of lyric-focused music including punk, country, folk, rock, indie, reggae & pop and stage/theatre.

What’s Included?

• 1 Hour Zoom or in-person song review and songwriting coaching (FIRST LESSON IS FREE)

• Follow up email with notes of ideas and things discussed accompanied with signed release note included for additional peace of mind (see below)

My expertise includes:

• Songwriting, Song Structuring, Lyric Writing

• Preparing for professional recording

• Storytelling through song

• Lyric writing & Song structure/composition

• Basic Acoustic (Rhythm) Guitar & Music Theory (in the development of your song ideas)

Regarding ‘Co-Writing’ (Because I know (and understand) that this is a significant bone of concern that stops a lot of people seeking feedback on song ideas):

• *****Just as with my individual song feedback services there is no need or expectation to share ‘co-writing’ credits for suggestions and lyric contributions made in these lessons*****For additional peace of mind - As a standard matter of my practice a written and signed assurance and release of copyright with each sessions invoice. - I just really enjoy doing what I can to help people to express their thoughts and feelings through music and become more confident songwriters!

1 Hour weekly, fortnightly or monthly songwriting coaching sessions are offered either in person (Kambah, ACT) or online (Via Zoom)

Email sdsongwriting@gmail.com to organise a regular time.

DETAILED LYRIC/SONG FEEDBACK

Seeking early feedback from others on a song concept is a great way to help ensure it’s the best it can be before you go through the costly exercise of recording, release and promotion.

I’ll have a detailed listen, look and brainstorm some ideas you might consider for the development of your song and email it back to you within 7 days.

What I look for and questions I ask myself while reviewing songs:

• What is the main idea and strongest lines and ‘hook’ of the song?..and can these be further brought out or strengthened?

• Is it overwritten or underwritten? Could it be simplified. stripped down and strengthened or can some of the imagery and poetic ideas be extended/ further built upon?

• Is it structured well to maintain listener interest throughout as well as effectively convey the story/message of the song?

What’s Included:

• 1 hour Zoom Chat to discuss your song and talk through ideas

• Follow up hand written markup of your lyrics with feedback and additional lyric /song structure ideas

• Follow up MP3 recording with any additional melody ideas

• Standard release note*

Cost: $120/Song (invoice sent with email feedback)

Feel free to email your working lyrics and recording to me at: sdsongwriting@gmail.com

Regarding ‘Co-Writing’ (Because I know (and understand) that this is a significant bone of concern that stops a lot of people seeking feedback on song ideas):

• *****Just as with my songwriting tuition there is no need or expectation to share ‘co-writing’ credits for suggestions and lyric contributions made through my song feedback service. *****For additional peace of mind - As a standard matter of my practice as part of my booking system and every songwriting session is followed up with an email that includes a signed letter to release my claim to any future royalties. - You are welcome to share credit with me should you value my input but there is absolutely no need or expectation to do so. - I just really enjoy doing what I can to help people to express their thoughts and feelings through music and become more confident songwriters!

Like me to get started? Please email a recording (mp3) or link to a recording (ie Youtube) of you playing your song idea and your working Lyrics, (preferably with chords notated) as text in the email or an editable Word doc to: sdsongwriting@gmail.com