Andy’s Songwriting Group is a free IN-PERSON gathering, open to songwriters with all levels of experience; we are creating a safe space to share feedback and gain inspiration for the songs we want to write. Our meetings can be a good way to meet collaborators who will help bring your ideas to life. You can come with the simplest idea - even just a possible song title. You never know who might like it and decide to work with you on making it into a song.

Here's how it works:

1. Each songwriter prepares one copy of their lyric sheet for everyone attending the meeting.

2. We pass out the lyric sheets, then we take turns playing our songs or song ideas.

3. Those of us listening jot down our impressions/opinions on the lyric sheet we've been given (examples: "I like this verse," "I love the topic - you nailed it!," "I don't understand this line," "Would you consider changing the melody during this part, because I may have an idea for you," etc.)

4. After each performance, we have a 5-minute discussion about the song just played. Then, and this is the important part, WE HAND THE LYRIC SHEETS WITH OUR WRITTEN FEEDBACK BACK TO THE SONGWRITER! (Please bring a pen or pencil.)

The reason for turning over our written notes is that, although our discussions may be chock full of important and useful information, the real work of songwriting happens at home (or wherever we write our songs.) For most of us, reviewing feedback in private will probably be more helpful than trying to absorb it all at once. If nothing else, it will help us remember everything that was said!

PLEASE READ THESE KEY CONCEPTS:

ACOUSTIC INSTRUMENTS ONLY, PLEASE. We all love to rock, but for the most part, we'll be in environments more suited to an un-amplified voice and guitar.

IT'S YOUR SONG - NO ONE CAN "TEACH" YOU HOW TO WRITE IT. What we CAN do is tell you how your song affects us - what it makes us feel or think. For the purpose of these get-togethers, no one is a teacher or an "expert" - we are just a bunch of people united by a single goal - we all want to write a good song!

FEEDBACK MUST BE KIND. This should go without saying, but it's always good to remind ourselves of the Golden Rule. If you have a hard time remembering this, consider that we'll probably be discussing YOUR song next, and give your feedback accordingly:)

Andy Robinson

Andy's Songwriting Group

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Songwriting and Recording for Beginners

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Albert

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Allied Gardens/Benjamin Branch Library

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