Chord Colours & Effective Progressions

Do you want to write powerful, expressive & memorable melodies?
This week we’ll look at how your choice of chords affects the melody & how it relates to genre & contemporary writing. You’ll understand how progressions really work and speed up your writing by removing the guesswork that many self-taught musicians can be tempted to rely on.

NOTE: You may need some knowledge of Music Theory to follow this session.

This unique WRITE GREAT MELODIES interactive presentation series with practical exercises will cover the techniques of Melody, Writing for songwriters – you’ll learn the elements of a great melody & how to use them in your own songs.

In songwriting Melody is King & it stands or falls on very fine margins – we only have relatively few notes to play with. If you feel you want to make the most of your melodies sign up for a wealth of fresh ideas!

Looking at contemporary & classic songs of all genres we’ll delve deeply into essential topics, basic & advanced, such as using Rhythmic Hooks, Motifs, Pitch, Chords & Prosody as well as a simple guide to reading sheet music, music theory & much much more!

The series will include the following comprehensive classes:

~~05/07/25 – The Power of Melodic Rhythm & Motifs~~
(12/07/25 – Scales of Emotion – Melodic Note Choices)
https://www.londonsongwriters.org/course/melodic-note-choices/)
19/07/25 – Chord Colours & Effective Progressions
https://www.londonsongwriters.org/course/chord-progressions/
26/07/25 – Supercharge your Melodies with Pitch & Prosody

These sessions are suitable for songwriters of all experience levels – you will naturally have written some songs & be curious about the melody notes you are using & how further tools can allow you to fully express yourself in melody & harmony.

The cost of each session is £20. There are limited places available for this unique, great value opportunity & tickets are bookable here:

https://www.londonsongwriters.org/course/chord-progressions/

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Testimonials from previous attendees:
“A really helpful, eye-opening course, full of great ideas, tips & tricks”

“Great to visualise the melodies as well as hear them. It was just what I was looking for”

"Murray’s approach to teaching is wholistic in that not only does he present a concept and define it, but he offers real songs as examples. He proceeds to clearly break down those concepts using the song as a guide or template to illustrate the subject. I could undoubtedly see from class 1 to 4 how my level of observation, knowledge and application of the concepts increased."

And... don't forget to check out our next amazing Retreat

https://www.londonsongwriters.org/songwritingretreats/

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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
• 3 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 ☺