INTENTION 

My goal for these courses: “To create an open-minded & inspiring environment that encourages you to write (through weekly songwriting support & assignments) and gives you techniques & tools to strengthen your creative process. I also envision this space continuing to support you beyond the five weeks that we spend together via the private platform where we will be posting our song drafts & communicating regularly. 

 

My hope for you during these 5 weeks together:

• Write new songs 

• Try out some songwriting exercises

• Develop techniques to stand up to writer’s doubt 

• Connect you with an open minded / supportive group of peers that will continue to encourage & share with one another long after the class is finished. 

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Becca Stevens’ 5 Week Songwriting Course Outline

“An empowering, song serving, inspiration rooted approach to songwriting.”

 

— WEEK 1 —  

• Welcome & sharing our goals for the 5 weeks together. 

• My goal as teacher:

To create an open-minded and inspiring environment that encourages you to write, and gives you tools to deepen your creative process. I also envision this space continuing to support you beyond the five weeks that we spend together. I hope you stay connected with each other and continue to encourage one another to keep writing and sharing.  

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• Brief breakdown of my philosophies and practices

  • How to move past creative blocks 

  • Speaking to both Inner Critic & Muse 

  • Serving the Song …. 

  • …  and more! 

• Introduction to techniques & tools that will help you if you get stuck during the exercise. 

• Introduction to “Puzzle Songwriting Exercise”

• Homework: turn your “puzzle exercise” into a first draft of a text and melody and post a draft to our shared platform. Map out the process and how / when you needed to use techniques to get unstuck. I will oversee this platform and chime in with support when necessary.  

 

— WEEK 2 — 

• Check-in: How is writing going? How can I help? 

  • Discuss tips to keep things moving/tools to get unstuck

• Look at/ troubleshoot excerpts from a few submissions from the class 

• Introduction to “Song Form” 

• Introduction to techniques to flesh out/accompany/arrange/orchestrate your “Puzzle Exercise” song

• Discuss common blocks & hurdles and clear ways to get around them. 

• Homework: put your new tools to practice, work on your song and post a 2nd draft to our shared platform. Map out the process and take note of when and if you got stuck. 

• Homework 2: Choose 2 songs you like and map out their form. You can use standard form names or your own unique approach. Post your song map to the shared platform. 

 

— WEEK 3 — 

• Check-in: How is writing going? How can I help? 

  • Discuss tips to keep things moving/tools to get unstuck

• Look at/ troubleshoot excerpts from a few submissions from the class 

• Introduction to Poetry

• Talk about ways to approach a poem when doing a poetry setting:

  • Tools for studying the poem and following it like a map

  • Following the poem’s rhythmic contour and signals

  • Following your instincts   

  • Lots of other stuff.

• Homework: find a poem that inspires you, and use the poetry exercise tools and tips to turn it into a melody. Post a draft to our shared platform. Map out the process and take note of if and when you got stuck. 

• Homework 2: continue working on Song #1 if you haven’t finished it already. 

 

— WEEK 4 — 

• Check-in: How is writing going? How can I help? 

  • Discuss tips to keep things moving/tools to get unstuck

• Look at/ troubleshoot excerpts from a few submissions from the class 

• Discuss the poetry song exercise. Did it bring out different strengths/struggles in your writing? 

• Introduction to “Making Your Own Songwriting Exercise” 

• Homework: Follow the class instructions to follow what you love in order make your own songwriting exercise! 

• Homework 2: Use this/these new exercises strengthen and develop your poetry song / puzzle song, or to start a new song. Post any new drafts of songs to the discord. 

• Homework 3: Ask me anything! And send your question to Jan. I’ll get to these in the final class. 

 

— WEEK 5 —  

• Check-in: How is writing going? How can I help? 

• Look at/ troubleshoot excerpts from a few submissions from the class 

• Open forum for Q&A from the class: I will mostly pull from the questions sent ahead of the class. These questions can be about songwriting, career, or whatever else. 

• Final Homework: In a week’s time, post drafts of all finished songs/works in progress in the shared platform to receive a diploma for the 5 week songwriting course! Stay connected! 

Becca Stevens’ 5 Week Songwriting Course Testimonials

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"I learned so much in 5 short classes with Becca. Her attitude towards and love of creating, mixed with her openness to accept imperfection allowed me to write and share songs I didn't know I had in me."

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"This class was an incredible way to reflect on my habits as a songwriter, and to push myself beyond what was comfortable for me while still developing my own singular voice and process. In finding resilience through writing blocks created by uncovering and proudly exposing what we deemed to be our deficiencies through various assignments and exercises, I was able to develop a much deeper appreciation for my craft and myself."

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"Becca's class deepened my relationship to songwriting and my own personal weaknesses in music. She taught me that my fears in music are opportunities for fun experiments :)"

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"I wish I could measure the amount/level of encouragement, love, acceptance, professional wisdom and creativity this course brought to my life. I wish I had this experience earlier, this is so powerful. THANK YOU for doing this for us! I'm the happiest that I could be a part of it."

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"Becca's songwriting class was so therapeutic. I learned how to nurture my creative spirit and harness my inner critic, and gained a supportive community of other songwriters in the class."

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"A richly rewarding dive into the practical craft and personal adventure of songwriting, enthusiastically facilitated with humour and warmth."

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"This class was a wonderfully supportive and inspiring experience. Working with Becca every week was so exciting and it was also very fulfilling to have a support system of other songwriters from all over the world to work and share drafts with! Everyone listened to each others' music and celebrated the steps along the way. I feel like I have so many more songwriting tools (and new friends!) from this experience."

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"It was an experience of a lifetime that enabled me with clarity, inspiration and new perspective on approaching the blocks I've faced. Most importantly, a reassurance, that I’m on the right path and that I’m not alone in my struggles."

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