
What we’re about
Discover the Songcraft Secrets of Powerful Lyrics & Melodies at our Evening Courses, Song Clinics, Countryside Retreats, Song Camps, Performances, Charity Gigs, & Music Industry Talks. Suitable for Beginners to Pros who want to demystify how to write great songs in any genre!
Our Website URL is: https://www.LondonSongwriters.org/
If you want to learn, practice & perfect your songwriting & consolidate what you already know then this is the group & the community for you. Our mission is to improve our song craft & support each other's self-expression through our shared passion for music!
The group is organised by Murray Webster, an experienced multi-genre Songwriter, Educator, Songwriting Masters Degree Graduate & Community Music leader - Latest Video, EP & 7" Single 'Blue Dansette'.
Check out the interview on London Live TV News about our Charity concerts and Fundraising for Crisis At Christmas:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_5SpcETHD8&t=2s
Upcoming events (3)
See all- Transform your Lyrics with Wordplay & ProsodyLink visible for attendees
Learn the Songcraft Secrets of writing Powerful Lyrics.
This week we'll cover how to use Wordplay to add that Special Professional Sauce to your songs & above all make them Singable. Learn how the best writers use these techniques to sound authoritative, hip & wise.This series of 3 fully interactive presentations with exercises will inspire you to Plan, Progress and Perfect the lyrics of your songs in any genre, from deceptively Simple Language to Stunning Wordplay.
It includes the following comprehensive Lyric Writing sessions (booking links below):
06/09/23 – Simple Lyrical Language, Structure & The BIG Idea!
https://www.londonsongwriters.org/course/lyrics-the-big-idea/
12/09/23 – Develop your Lyrics with Imagery, Storytelling & Rhyme
http://www.londonsongwriters.org/course/imagery-storytelling/
03/10/23 – Transform your Lyrics with Wordplay & Prosody
http://www.londonsongwriters.org/course/wordplay-and-singability/By analysing classic & contemporary songs from The Beatles to Billie Eilish, Dylan to Stormzy, as well as a nod to The Great American Songbook, you will learn the elements of what makes a great lyric in any genre & how to include them in your own writing.
These sessions are suitable for songwriters at all levels, whether pure lyricists or composers. There are limited places available - you will be sent a Zoom link the day before the session.
There is more than enough information for each week to be taken as a standalone session at £20 - use checkout code LYRIC2023 for a 15% discount on multiple classes.
Also check out our fabulous Spring 2024 Countryside Retreat: £499 inclusive for a full week's songwriting holiday: https://www.londonsongwriters.org/songwritingretreats/
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Testimonials from previous attendees over the last 4 years:
"Great presentations. Lots of really useful detailed information, delivered in a way that made it both fun and easy to understand."
"Very helpful and informative with examples from across the genres."## “I’ve taken 5 different workshops in the past 3 years & have never seen a facilitator approach this subject with such a straightforward method of analysing song structure in order to replicate successful writing techniques”
ABOUT THE HOST - MURRAY WEBSTER
• A Masters Degree in Songwriting
• PTLLS Teaching Qualification as a Music & Arts Leader
• Experience mentoring young people in Music Skills
• 11 years running monthly 'London Songwriters' workshops
• 6 years running 16 acclaimed Countryside Retreats
• 2 years developing & delivering monthly Lyric & Melody Evening Courses• Single & Album releases on CBS & other labels
• Releases featured in The Guinness Book Of Records
• Performances at major venues including The Astoria, The Hammersmith Palais, The Forum, 100 Club, The WAG Club, The Mint (LA) & Douglas Corner Cafe (Nashville).
• Radio & TV appearances on the Gilles Peterson and Gary Crowley shows, Channel 4 documentaries on The Soho Jazz Festival supporting Courtney Pine- Latest single and EP 'Blue Dansette' available at www.music.murraywebstersongs.com
• London Live TV appearance publicising 6 years of charity performances & fundraising for Crisis At Christmas
• Organiser of Meetup communities with almost 7,000 members as featured in 'How To Make It In The New Music Business'
• Saw The Beatles perform live ☺ - 2023 Autumn Peak District Retreat WeekPicturesque, spacious converted countryside barn, Derbyshire
Our fabulous Autumn Peak District Retreat Week runs from the 9th to 16th October.
'One of the best weeks of my life!’ is a common testimonial & the highly affordable price is fully inclusive of food, accommodation & comprehensive songwriting facilitation. The fresh air & stunning views come with the location!
Whatever your songwriting experience, by attending the retreat you will:
• immerse yourself in your writing without the distractions of everyday life
• have a great time in lovely surroundings with like-minded people
• increase the quantity & the quality of songs you write at the retreat & afterwards
• increase your confidence as a songwriter
• increase your songwriter connections & co-writing network
• write at least one or two songs each day
• get encouragement & valuable feedback on your current repertoire
• learn &/or practise the essential songwriting 'tools' & 'rules' (& work out when you can break them)
• have a songwriting holiday experience for less than the cost of holiday B&B/food aloneTo book go to:
http://www.londonsongwriters.org/songwritingretreats/From 2015 to 2023 over 200 Songwriters from across the world have attended one of our twenty successful retreats in the beautiful South Derbyshire countryside collaborating, writing, learning & using successful comprehensive songwriting tips, walking, going to country pubs & making new connections, which are still continuing to bear musical fruit. Each writer rated the experience 5 out of 5 & their testimonials are included below.
It will consist of co-writing & solo-writing briefs, songshares, songcraft presentations, walks, pubs, perhaps an open mic…all in all, an enjoyable & productive songwriting holiday break!
The May early-bird cost of the Autumn Retreat is discounted to £499 from £549 for a full week plus an extra night for free if you want to stay until 10am Monday 16th October.
Please fill out the form on the website if you are interested & we can contact you with further details:
http://www.londonsongwriters.org/songwritingretreats/In the previous participants’ own words:
‘The retreat was one of the best weeks of my life!’
‘Loved every minute & learned a lot. Great to be able to share ideas & mix with some very talented people’
‘I had a fabulous time & I am delighted with my new friendships & song output. It was a marvellous week.’
‘Just back from a magical song-writing retreat in Derbyshire with London Songwriters led by Murray Webster’
‘I’ve come away with 5 songs – 3 of which I plan on releasing in the future, so THANK YOU! for making it happen’
‘The guidance in the morning was excellent – focused, just the right amount of info, really important learning’
'Perfect from start to finish’
'I have just been on a really fabulous retreat for song-writers with Murray Webster. If you want a laid back but focused, friendly, supportive event to do some collaborative & /or solo songwriting & develop your skills, Murray's are the best out there at an affordable price.'
‘I thoroughly enjoyed the retreat spending time in lovely surroundings with lovely people. Was impressed with the facilities provided for writing & performing our songs and the overall support of Murray for the whole time. Can't wait 'til the next one!’
‘Fun walks, meals and songwriting, singing and collaborating.’‘Fab environment for bringing out creative ideas and making songs happen, that otherwise wouldn't.’
‘The exercises were interesting and challenging.’
‘Thanks it was a great week!’
‘The retreat was a great place to collaborate & meet like-minded people. It has since given me the momentum & new tools that I needed to get me songwriting more regularly & in a more structured way.’
‘The scenery was amazing and I was glad to fit in a few walks during my stay.’All the participants said they would love to do it all over again & would recommend it to others.
- 2024 SPRING PEAK DISTRICT RETREAT WEEKPicturesque, spacious converted countryside barn, Derbyshire
http://www.londonsongwriters.org/songwritingretreats/
'One of the best weeks of my life!’ is a common testimonial & the affordable price is fully inclusive of food, accommodation & comprehensive songwriting facilitation. The fresh air & stunning views come with the location!Whatever your songwriting experience, by attending the retreat you will:
• immerse yourself in your writing without the distractions of everyday life
• have a great time in lovely surroundings with like-minded people
• increase the quantity & the quality of songs you write at the retreat & afterwards
• increase your confidence as a songwriter
• increase your songwriter connections & co-writing network
• write at least one or two songs each day
• get encouragement & valuable feedback on your current repertoire
• learn &/or practise the essential songwriting 'tools' & 'rules' (& work out when you can break them)
• have a songwriting holiday experience for less than the cost of holiday B&B/food aloneTo enquire go to:
http://www.londonsongwriters.org/songwritingretreats/From 2015 to 2023 a total of over 250 Songwriters from across the world have attended one of our eighteen successful retreats in the beautiful South Derbyshire countryside collaborating, writing, learning & using successful comprehensive songwriting tips, walking, going to country pubs & making new connections, which are still continuing to bear musical fruit. Each writer rated the experience 5 out of 5 & their testimonials are included below.
It will consist of co-writing & solo-writing briefs, songshares, songcraft presentations, walks, pubs, perhaps an open mic…all in all an enjoyable & productive songwriting holiday break!
The cost of the Spring Retreat is £549 for a full week plus an extra night for free if you want to stay until 10am Monday 25th March. However, there is currently an early-bird discount of just £499.
Please fill out the form on the website if you are interested & we can contact you with further details:
http://www.londonsongwriters.org/songwritingretreats/In the previous participants’ own words:
‘The retreat was one of the best weeks of my life!’
‘Loved every minute & learned a lot. Great to be able to share ideas & mix with some very talented people’
‘I had a fabulous time & I am delighted with my new friendships & song output. It was a marvellous week.’
‘Just back from a magical song-writing retreat in Derbyshire with London Songwriters led by Murray Webster’
‘I’ve come away with 5 songs – 3 of which I plan on releasing in the future, so THANK YOU! for making it happen’
‘The guidance in the morning was excellent – focused, just the right amount of info, really important learning’
'Perfect from start to finish’
'I have just been on a really fabulous retreat for song-writers with Murray Webster. If you want a laid back but focused, friendly, supportive event to do some collaborative & /or solo songwriting & develop your skills, Murray's are the best out there at an affordable price.'
‘I thoroughly enjoyed the retreat spending time in lovely surroundings with lovely people. Was impressed with the facilities provided for writing & performing our songs and the overall support of Murray for the whole time. Can't wait 'til the next one!’
‘Fun walks, meals and songwriting, singing and collaborating.’‘Fab environment for bringing out creative ideas and making songs happen, that otherwise wouldn't.’
‘The exercises were interesting and challenging.’
‘Thanks it was a great week!’
‘The retreat was a great place to collaborate & meet like-minded people. It has since given me the momentum & new tools that I needed to get me songwriting more regularly & in a more structured way.’
‘The scenery was amazing and I was glad to fit in a few walks during my stay.’All the participants said they would love to do it all over again & would recommend it to others.