Call us to register for lessons: 203-439-5677
Email us: info@GreenwichArtsAcademy.com
If you've always wanted to create your own music (in any style), we have the teachers who can help you achieve your dream. Our songwriting and composition tutors focus on both popular and art music. Songwriting students work on rhythm, melody, and harmony, as well as song structure and more. They also spend time on arranging their tunes -- that is, figuring our how the band (or other ensemble) is actually going to create the sounds they hear in their heads.
If music history can be believed, this is often the beginning of a life-long passion, so parents... be warned! :-)
When you enroll at the Academy, we'll begin with an evaluation to determine initially what your strengths and challenges are. We work with each individual or parent to craft a lesson plan that fits the student's unique needs and matches the type and style of music they want to build.
Whether you're writing for your own band, a seven year old writing their first tune, or a fifty year old returning to songwriting after many years, our friendly, dedicated teachers will share their love for creating original music and help you set goals to hone your musical talents. Students can receive customized private flute lessons either in studio or online.
Director's interjection here: I'm perfectly well aware that every music school says the above. Every. Single. One. The difference -- and I've felt a passion about this for 40 years -- is that we actually mean it. We are not a music lesson factory.
Our songwriting teachers place emphasis on both popular and art music. If you've always wanted to be a better rock, pop, country, jazz, folk, gospel, musical theater or R&B writer, we have the right songwriting teachers for you.
On the other hand, if your interests lean toward composition -- a similar but more complex discipline -- we have teachers who can get you started in that direction. Music theory becomes extremely important when composition is the subject! Our school has developed various different models for how theory can be approached and taught, depending on the circumstances and interests of the student.
All of our teaching rooms are also equipped as project studios, with keyboards, interfaces, mac minis, large monitors, microphones, etc. If recording is an area you wish to explore, our songwriting team also has extensive in-studio recording experience.
Our songwriting lessons are taught by instructors who have had their original works performed around the world. They received their education from prestigious institutions such as University of California at Berkeley (music dept), Berklee College of Music, Music For The Media, and University of California at Los Angeles(music dept). Many of our instructors have gone on performance tours of the US and Europe and have over 25 years of professional performance and teaching experience.
In addition to their teaching credentials, our teachers have warm personalities, are extremely friendly, and strive to get to know each student and their parent on a personal level. All have extensive experience working with children and adults alike.
Songwriting students work on rhythm, melody, and harmony, as well as song structure, music theory and more. They also spend time on arranging their tunes -- that is, figuring our how the band (or other ensemble) is actually going to create the sounds they hear in their heads.
Songwriting frequently involves developing lyrics; this is a field of study combining ear training, vocabulary, and a whole host of other disciplines. Your instructor will help you with this.
Being able to accompany yourself on guitar, piano or ukulele isn't a requirement, but it certainly helps. Why not add lessons on one of these instruments to your weekly routine at the Academy? Or perhaps voice lessons if you're feeling like you need some training in that area.
Not necessarily. Note-reading isn't a required skill for most pop styles; it's often a requirement for musical theater and always for art music. If it would really benefit you to learn to read music, we'll be glad to teach you!
As far as the question of music theory goes: the instant you wish to expand beyond the same four chords every pop or rock songwriter uses, you're in music-theory-land. You don't need to know or understand music theory when you start out -- but you'll discover very quickly that knowing what you're doing can prevent you from writing yourself into a corner.
Many songwriters begin new works by improvisation (that is, they just sit down and fiddle around until something useful "pops out")... but then they switch from noodling to using their music theory skills to carefully "build" their song.
No, just your imagination and a pencil!
Take the next step call 203-439-5677 now to grab a great lesson time as space is limited.
Absolutely! If you can't sing or play it yourself, we'll find another student who can. Every Fall and Spring, our students mount a production to showcase their hard work. Unlike most of our competitors, we only charge a small participation fee per student, and we never make parents pay for tickets. Admission is free, so you can invite all your family and friends.
Sign up is easy and parent-friendly, with a kind, helpful person to answer the phone seven days a week. We are here to serve you. Because we only offer music lessons on a month-to-month basis, there are no large upfront payments, no complicated contracts, no annual material fees, and no semester minimums.
