What we’re about
Want to learn how to write powerful songs? Our Evening Courses, Song Clinics, Countryside Retreats, Song Camps will teach you the tools used in writing great songs in any genre.
The group is run by Murray Webster, an experienced multi-genre Songwriter, Educator, Songwriting Masters Degree Graduate & Community Music leader.
Upcoming events (2)
See all- WRITE GREAT MELODIES - 4 Week Evening Course - Tue 7, 14, 21, 28/05/24Link visible for attendees
Do you want to write powerful, expressive & memorable melodies?
This unique 4-part interactive presentation series with practical exercises will cover the techniques of Melody, Harmony & Hook Writing for songwriters - you'll learn the elements of a great melody & how to use them in your own songs.“A really helpful, eye-opening course, full of great ideas, tips & tricks”,
"Opened up music theory, ear-training & encouraged me to learn an instrument"In songwriting Melody is King & it stands or falls on very fine margins as we often have relatively few notes to play with. If you feel you are not writing your best 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 Rhythm, Motifs, Pitch, Chords & Prosody (melody matching the music) as well as a simple guide to reading sheet music, music theory & much, much more!
The series will include the following comprehensive Melody Writing classes:
07/05/24 – The Power of Melodic Rhythm & Motifs
14/05/24 - Scales of Emotion - Melodic Note Choices
21/05/24 - Chord Colours & Effective Progressions
28/05/24 – Supercharge your Melodies with Pitch & Prosody“A really helpful, eye-opening course, full of great ideas, tips & tricks”
“More information & better explanations than courses I have taken costing far more”
“Great to visualise the melodies as well as hear them. It was just what I was looking for”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 your ideas in Melody & Harmony.
The cost of the course is £80 but if you sign up for the early-bird price the total is discounted to only £67. There are limited places available for this unique, great value opportunity & tickets are bookable here:
https://www.londonsongwriters.org/.../4-week-melody-course/
And... don't forget to check out our next amazing week-long inclusive Peak District Retreat:
https://www.londonsongwriters.org/songwritingretreats/***
Testimonials from previous attendees:
“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.”## 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
• 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 & The Bracknell Jazz Festival supporting Courtney Pine, Charlie Watts etc.- 7" 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 ☺ - 2024 AUTUMN PEAK DISTRICT RETREAT WEEKPicturesque, spacious converted 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 book go to:
http://www.londonsongwriters.org/songwritingretreats/From 2015 to 2024 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 arly-bird cost of the Spring Retreat is £559 for a full week plus an extra night for free if you want to stay until 10am Monday 21st October. However, there is currently discount of just £499 if you travel by train or stay on the attached caravan site.
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.
